𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 | 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

✧ chapter 27 ✧

1976

Shortly after James' and Sirius' conversation, the two left the dorm to go get breakfast, leaving Aurora and Remus alone once again.

"Care to explain?" Remus questioned, an eyebrow cocked.

"The other night I was upset and I went to the astronomy tower to think like I usually do. Sirius came up to the astronomy tower to cheer me up or keep me company I guess. On the way back to the dorms we nearly got caught by Filch so we leapt into a broom closet and I don't know, maybe it was the close proximity or the adrenaline rush but we ended up shagging." Aurora explained, feeling ashamed after finally speaking the words out loud.

"Did it mean anything to you?" Remus asked after a long silence, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

"I'm not sure, if I'm being honest. Sirius is a good friend and he makes me feel safe so I wouldn't say I regret it for those reasons. The only reason I might take it back would be for Marley's sake. I don't think I like him in that way though. It's complicated." Aurora rambled. This was not exactly the answer Remus was hoping for, but it wasn't as bad as he was expecting.

"How so?"

"Well, he has told me some really personal stuff and I've told him personal stuff so we definitely have a connection, but I've never thought of him like that. I've always just kind of assumed he would end up with Marlene, you know?"

"But did it mean anything to you?" Remus persisted, growing a little agitated as he noticed Aurora successfully dodging the question.

"Well, I suppose yes and no. I think sex for me personally means something every single time. So even though I'm not in love with Sirius, I think it still meant something. What that something is however, I don't know."

"Would you feel differently if you knew for sure that Sirius felt that way about you?"

"I don't think so, no. Because I just don't see it happening. I am the one pushing him towards Marley, I don't think I would do that if I had feelings for him. I think it was just a physical attraction thing."

Silence fell over the room yet again as Remus pondered what Aurora was saying.

"Remus, are you jealous?" Aurora asked tentatively, breaking the agonising silence.

"Of course I'm bloody jealous!" Remus finally snapped, sitting up in bed. "I finally allow someone to get close to me and then I find out Sirius has already conquered her!"

"Now you hang on one good, Christian minute Remus Lupin. Conquered?! Is that all I am to you?" Aurora sat up too now, anger bubbling inside of her.

"No! Of course not! I didn't mean that. It's just, I'm so used to Sirius being the desirable one I just thought, maybe... never mind. Forget it." Remus slumped back down on the bed, dejected.

"Look, I'm sorry you found out like this. And I'm sorry you feel this way. But nothing is going on between Sirius and me. Nothing is even going on between you and me at the moment. We didn't even shag. We're just seeing what happens. I can promise you this though, while we figure out whatever 'this' is, I will not be seeing other people. Especially not your best friend." At this statement, Remus let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding as relief washed over him.

Remus had never considered Aurora in a romantic way, but now that he had he wondered why more people weren't after her. She was undeniably beautiful in an organic, unique way and he figured more boys would have taken an interest by now. She was, in his opinion, just as beautiful if not more so than Lily and Marlene whom everyone else always saw as the attractive ones. Her intelligence, kindness and compassion matched Lily's and her fiery spirit, determination and ambition rivalled even Marlene's. There was also the added bonus of her not being quite as highly strung as Lily nor as high maintenance as Marlene. He understood that most men were intimidated by an intelligent, opinionated woman, and Aurora was certainly both of those things, but he figured any man worth his salt would embrace and celebrate a woman who could hold her own.

"Let's just forget the whole thing." Remus suggested, sinking further into his pillows once more.

"It's already forgotten."

✧✧✧

While Remus and Aurora lounged about up in the boys' dorm, the girls searched frantically for their missing friend, Peter nursed his hangover in the Great Hall, James wondered what last night meant for him and Lily, and Sirius pondered over what James had said.

"Have any of you three idiots seen Rory?" Lily asked, frustration clear in her tone. The three girls all sat down opposite the boys at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall.

"No, why would we have?" Peter grumbled, not appreciating the new additions to his already crowded personal space. Peter did not wear hungover well.

"That girl is so slippery and elusive when she wants to be." Mary mused, resting her head on her hand and staring wearily off into the distance. If Mary was being honest, she had no particular interest in finding Aurora in that moment. Her head still hurt from the night before and her stomach grumbled, a constant reminder that she had missed breakfast and any food that was previously in her stomach had been flushed down the toilet after she regurgitated it earlier on in the day. All Mary wanted was a greasy bacon and egg sandwich and a nap.

"Morning Sirius." Marlene stated, pretty much ignoring everything else going on around her.

"What?" Sirius snapped out of his daze at the mention of his name.

"I said good morning." Marlene smiled, giggling at Sirius' adorable absentmindedness. She was feeling more confident in her pursuit of Sirius as of the ball. He had slow danced with her for what felt like eternity and it was as if they were the only two people in the world. Marlene made a mental note to apologise to Aurora when she next saw her. She had been unreasonable in thinking anything would happen between Sirius and Aurora; they were just mates.

"Is it?" Sirius replied shortly, slumping further down on the bench.

"Aw someone's not having a great day." Marlene continued in a dreamy, girlish voice. She attempted to reach across the table and stroke Sirius' hair but he subconsciously moved out of her reach. Everyone else pretended not to notice so Marlene wouldn't be too embarrassed while she attempted to hide the hurt and rejection she felt.

"I need air." Was all Sirius said, getting up and heading towards the exit.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Marlene asked hopefully, desperation now finding its way into her voice. Her question however, was only met with more silence as Sirius ignored her and quickly exited the Great Hall.

"What's the point?" She despaired, slamming her head face first into the table.

"Don't worry Marls, he's just grumpy." Mary added hopefully in an attempt to cheer her friend up.

"C'mon girls, let's go find Rory." Lily changed the subject, rising from the bench and heading towards the doorway.

Once the girls were gone James turned to Peter.

"Well I guess it's just you and me little buddy."

Peter groaned.