𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 | 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

✧ chapter 38 ✧

1977

The twenty second came sooner than anyone was expecting. The girls spent their morning making sure everything was properly prepared for when they would be setting up after classes. The boys on the other hand, spent their day trying to calm Remus's nerves and distract him from not only his pending transformation but the risky plan they were going to attempt in a few hours.

"It'll be fine, Moony. I promise." James assured him on their way from transfiguration to herbology.

"But what if it's not?" Remus replied in a panic. Their morning had pretty much consisted of the same conversation and the other three were growing tired of repeating themselves.

"We have planned it meticulously, if everyone sticks to their parts it should be fine." Sirius reassured, placing a friendly hand on Remus' shoulder.

"I suppose you're right." Remus sighed, still uncertain.

"Of course I'm right. I'm always right." Sirius replied cockily.

"That'll be the day." Marlene snorted, falling into step with the boys.

"When are you ever right, Black?" Aurora jested, appearing on the other side of the boys with Mary and Lily. For a moment, Aurora forgot that there had ever been any awkwardness between them.

"Oh alright, gang up on Sirius then." Sirius pretended to be hurt, but he couldn't help but allow the ghost of a smile. For a split second, it was almost as if things were back to normal.

"Remus, by the way I've been meaning to ask; did you send me this cassette tape?" Aurora asked, producing a tape from her robes. Sirius's eyes widened as he realised it was the tape he had made for Aurora. It had taken him ages to get the hang of muggle technology, and several times he smashed the recording gear he had bought especially for it. Luckily, he had been able to repair it with magic. The tape consisted of eight songs that reminded him of Aurora. He had put them in a specific order so when listened to it would tell a sort of story. Track one was Led Zeppelin's 'Black Dog' which was pretty obvious. The second was The Doors' 'Hello, I Love You', which famously had the line; 'hello, I love you, won't you tell me your name?' This was followed by 'White Rabbit' by Jefferson Airplane, which was for Aurora as her patronus was a large, silver, wild rabbit. Track four was The Beatle's 'I Want to Hold Your Hand', followed by The Rolling Stones 'You Can't Always Get What You Want', The Ramones 'I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend' and 'You Don't Own Me' by Leslie Gore. The final track was 'I Want You Back' performed by The Jackson 5. To anyone who merely glanced at the track list, it might have appeared to be just a collection of popular songs from the past couple of years. But to anyone who was looking, really looking, it read like a conversation between two people. The first two tracks represented Sirius introducing himself, announcing his feelings and asking Aurora her name. The third track was Aurora introducing herself. Then the last five songs represented the back and forth subliminal dialogue between the two.

When Sirius was making the tape, he imagined it as a declaration of everything they didn't say, but wished they had.

"Pardon?" Remus asked, partially as he hadn't heard, partially out of confusion.

"You did, didn't you?" Aurora grinned, clutching the tape to her chest.

"Um..."

"How did you know 'Black Dog' is one of my favourite songs?" Aurora interrupted Remus' stunned silence. At this, James and Peter both choked on their own saliva, shooting Sirius a look. Sirius just shrugged in return, trying to act as confused as they were.

"Coincidence?" Sirius mouthed to James, who was still watching him, suspicion clear on his face.

"I, uh," Again Remus was cut off by Aurora flinging her arms around his shoulders in appreciation. Remus was far too confused to protest and Sirius was not likely to admit that it was actually him that sent the tape, especially not in front of everyone.