𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 | 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

✧ chapter 59 ✧

1977

After the dreaded and long overdue conversation with Peter, Aurora waited patiently for the boy to calm down properly and splash his face with water before the two of them headed down for dinner.

When they finally arrived in the Great Hall, the rest of the crazy eight glanced at them both expectantly.

"Sorry we're late, we were going over some divination." Aurora explained, earning a sigh of relief from Peter and a poorly stifled snort from Sirius, who then played it off as a cough. The irony of her words was not lost on Sirius.

Lily shot Sirius a strange look at his odd behaviour, but other than that the group seemed to buy the likely story and all resumed their previous conversations.

"How'd it go?" Sirius asked out of the corner of his mouth, attempting to be subtle.

"As well as it could have, I suppose. He seemed genuinely distressed and horrified by the prospect of betraying any of his friends. I told him that I'm also always available if he ever wants to talk. I couldn't help Mary, Sirius, I can't fail you all again." Aurora quickly recapped, scooping a large pile of green beans onto her plate.

"You didn't fail any of us, Rory." Sirius began, sternly, worried that Aurora might still be blaming herself for the untimely death of their friend. The truth was, while Aurora had come to terms with the fact that there was very little she could have done to stop the attack on the McDonald's, a small part of her would always blame herself for what happened. There would always be a tiny inkling of doubt that there was something more she could have done.

"I know," Aurora cut Sirius off before he could begin lecturing her again, "I'm just more determined than ever to help Peter now. I feel that it is my duty as such to protect him."

Sirius considered her words and finally nodded, content with Aurora's answer.

The two shot one final glance in Peter's direction before seamlessly re-entering the rest of their friends in a heated conversation over whether males or females make better quidditch players.

"Biologically speaking, it is men who are better. We are just naturally the faster and stronger sex. It's not personal, it's just DNA." James offered, completely oblivious to the three females surrounding him on all sides who appeared ready to prove that they didn't need to be as big, strong or fast to tear him limb from limb with their bare hands.

"Biology has nothing to do with it! Women have been scientifically proven as smarter, and most sport is all about strategy anyway! If it weren't for the female's calculating strategy, you blokes would just end up brawling on the quidditch pitch." Lily shot back, smirking widely at James.

"Boys need girls to give them direction and instruction, and even then, it's the girls who usually end up carrying the team." Marlene backed up Lily, sticking her tongue out at James and flicking a stray pea off her plate so it would hit Peter.

"Boys can be smart too! Have you lot met Remus Lupin?" Peter interjected, feeling pity for James who was outnumbered three to one at the moment.

"You also have to admit that an all-female team would be hard pressed to beat an all-male team." James announced, earning a snort from Lily and an eye roll from Marlene. Aurora and Sirius who had just joined the conversation both glanced at each other, their eyes narrowing slightly. Ever since they had been working together on the quidditch team there had been an argument about who was the better beater.

"You're dreaming, Potter." Aurora finally spoke up, to the chagrin of the boys and the delight of the girls.

"Being smaller is an advantage, it means we are lighter and therefore faster on our brooms." Aurora continued, the fervent spark that appeared in her eyes whenever she was about to rant about something she was passionate about making an appearance.