Whisper Courage

Roots.

Aurora's mind was racing with queries. She'd already noticed that when she came in, Tonks and Kinglsey's desks had been cleared away. There were many other workers she was accustomed to seeing every day who were gone. Gone into hiding, or possibly even dead by now. The world was so messed up right now. 
She fumed all the way back to her office and slammed the door behind her. Kinsey looked at her with his jaw set, already knowing what had probably caused her to feel so upset.

"How'd it go?" He asked. Aurora groaned and sank into her chair.

"It went fine. She believes I'm with the ministry." Her mission was accomplished, and she knew she should be able to breathe easier now, but she couldn't shake her angry feelings.

"I had to lie through my teeth and tell them that I am no longer with Remus. That I was young and impressionable and regret it very much," Aurora recounted, in a mocking tone. Kinsey just looked at her sadly. 

"You passed the test. Calm down. You know the truth and that's all that matters," Kinsey tried to reassure her, but she still felt angry.

"Better get back to work, or I'll look suspicious." Her voice betrayed her irritation, and Kinsey stared at her for another moment before returning to his stack of papers. Soon enough, it was time for his interview. He passed it with flying colors- coming from a pureblood family and parents who had never been caught fighting against Voldemort.
 

Finally, Aurora noticed it was time for lunch, and sighed as she placed the stack of papers she'd been reviewing back on her desk. She waited for Kinsey to get organized before they left the office, locking it behind them. 

Walking into the canteen was an experience that Aurora had not been prepared for. Though she knew things were changing drastically and that at least a dozen people had probably not fared well on their interrogations, she had still expected it to be the same, bustling lunch hour it always had been. As they entered, however, the place was almost completely quiet. Ministry workers ate silently, focusing their eyes on their food. She and Kinsey sat down at their regular table and gave each other apprehensive looks before tucking in.

Lindsay joined them shortly, throwing her long, blonde hair over her shoulder before sitting next to Aurora.

"Hey Rory," she smirked. Aurora clenched her jaw.

"Lindsay. How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?" Her voice was dangerously low, and Lindsay just laughed.

"Fine. Aurora. How's your day been?" Aurora looked at her disbelievingly. Lindsay was in a good mood, acting as though nothing had happened.

"Fair. You?" Aurora asked politely, before shoving a bite of salad into her mouth. 

"Fair. I talked to Umbridge. She was pleased with your results. You'll be getting tokens." 

"Good to know," Aurora sighed, taking another bite of her lunch. Though she enjoyed eating lunch with her sister, she knew there was a reason why she limited their time together. Lindsay had always been their parents' favorite child, and there was a long running sibling rivalry. Aurora might not have remained in contact with Lindsay at all, if it weren’t for the fact that she felt a certain sense of gratitude to her. Lindsay had been the one to tell her that she had been adopted.

Luckily, the tension was broken as Aurora noticed a familiar head of red hair hurrying over towards their table.

"Sadie!" She called out, glad to see that she had made it through the day thus far.

“Hey,” Sadie greeted her, “how is your day going?” Aurora could tell by Sadie’s body language that whatever had happened thus far, it was not anything good.

“It’s been fair. What about you?”

“Well, for starters, they’ve replaced the girl who works with me, Meredith. She was a muggleborn and just didn’t show up for work at all. Either she’s gone into hiding or they’ve…” Sadie trailed off, taking a deep breath. Aurora placed a careful hand on her shoulder. Sadie cleared her throat.

“Anyway, I had my evaluation with Umbridge. I think it went all right but I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be here,” Sadie admitted.

"It'll be all right. Don't give up hope yet- that's the worst thing you can do," Aurora asserted. Lunch ended soon after, and she followed Kinsey back to their office where they spent the rest of the work day sorting through files and trying to decide which target to hunt down next. Aurora jumped at all the small sounds, getting her made fun of by Kinsey constantly. She knew he was just doing it to lighten the mood, but she still couldn't help perking up every time she heard a snatch of conversation. Sadie was worried that she wouldn't last long at work, and a lot of people were already gone. Aurora felt that she had a duty to protect those close to her. She wouldn't let them have Remus, Sadie, or Kinsey, no matter what.

When the day finally ended, she groaned, her exhaustion rushing at her all at once. Kinsey apparated with her to her doorstep.

"Have a good night. I'll see you tomorrow morning," he said, giving her a quick hug before disapparating. Aurora opened the front door, calling out.

"Remus!" She tried to make her voice sound safe, so he wouldn't freak out. As he came into the entrance hallway, she put a hand on her hip.

"What was the first Christmas present I got for you?" She asked, going through the formalities first. He answered and asked her the other security question, hugging her tightly when she answered it correctly. She kissed him deeply, her worry making her miss him ten times more than usual.