Semper

21

It was summer season and a cause of celebration in the Evans' household. Petunia Evans had just announced her marriage to her short – term boyfriend Vernon Dursely, and even though Aurora didn't know the guy much – just remembered his huge belly and gross mustache – she was happy for her sister, so she half-heartedly clapped as her mother screamed with Petunia and her father congratulated her with a smile. Lily was the most miserable one, as she like her sister just gave Petunia a fake smile and congratulations – something Petunia ignored – and sighed when got no reply. Taking her finished plate, she stood up.

"I'm turning in for the night, good night mum, dad, Rora."

"Congratulations Petunia." She sighed, Aurora gave her a smile and a nod, while the parents wished her a good night and once again Petunia ignored her.

Aurora had been noticing the rift between the sisters more and more since the past years or so, but just now was she realizing how deep it went. Petunia didn't even consider Lily a sister, let alone a friend. But that is what confused Aurora; wasn't she the same as Lily? Why is it then that Petunia still talked and treated Aurora as her sister, but did the opposite to Lily?

Sighing, she too took her plate, dropping it in the sink and followed her twin to their bedroom. Inside Lily was sitting, holding a frame as Aurora silently walked and sat beside her. It was a picture of the three sisters, and for once all three were happy as the twins sat on either side of Petunia and all three were beaming.

"Those were such simple times." Lily turned, seeing her twin sister beside her. She hadn't even noticed her come in.

"Yeah, no magic, no death eaters, no blood status. It was just us, and Petunia. Sisters." She said, sighing wistfully as she placed the frame beside her other newer ones, mostly consisting of Aurora, Alice, Diya, and Marlene. There was a newer one with the Marauders as well, one that Peter had clicked with the new polaroid the twins got for their birthday. Aurora was being piggybacked by Sirius as James and Remus were laughing beside them. Lily was telling Sirius to stop, her hands on her waist with a smile on her face as Marlene and Diya were making silly faces. All in all, it was a perfect picture.

"I wish Alice was there with us, and yet fate had to be so cruel to her. Her last year in Hogwarts, and it was spent grieving her mother." Lily said, her heart going for the Fortesque girl who the twins were yet to be heard from.

"Did she send you any letter?" Aurora asked her, knowing that Lily was closer to the girls than she was. It was the same for Lily, she could never have the bond with the boys that Aurora has.

"Nothing, not even confirming tomorrow's lunch," Lily replied as she fell back on her bed, Aurora following her as both the girls snuggled into each other.

"I just wish we could be there for her, and her father. No one deserves to go through stuff like this alone." Aurora whispered as Lily nodded, facing her.

"We'll see tomorrow then." She says as Aurora hmmed.

That is if she even comes. Was her last thought as she fell asleep.

*********

"Hey, guys! I missed you so much, is that cranberry cake I smell? Be right back!"

That was the greeting Marlene Mckinnon gave the twins as she came in fast, hugged them once, smelled the delicious treats the twins' mother had prepared for the girls, and was off to the kitchen. All the while leaving the twins laughing,

"She can be a bit much, how do you guys handle her?" Marlene's brother who had come to drop her off said – he was huffing slightly as if he'd run all across town in search of Marlene , which he probably might've– as the twins just laughed, they were used to the younger girl's antics.