Aurora and the Boy Who Lived

Chapter 8 Hogsmeade and Dates

After the victory over Hufflepuff Harry pushed the team even harder during practice. Our next game was in February against Ravenclaw. Harry warned the team they were a tougher team than the Badgers. We strove to meet our captain's expectations.

During the next two weeks I was worn-out from the grueling Sky Ball practices and Meteorology training but continued to meet Draco in the library during free hour before dinner on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We formed a tentative friendship, not fully trusting each other yet but wanting to. There was something about him that made me want to be friends with him. I would share stories about life in Magic Cove while Draco listened raptly. One day he told me about his childhood living under his father's ironfisted rule. That was the day we found true friendship.

The other Marauders weren't sure if Draco's seeming change of heart was real or a cruel joke to hurt me and therefore them, my friends. Any day now, they said, he'd revert to his normal, nasty self. But it never happened. He had stopped picking on other students, was calling The Golden Trio by their first names, and had kept his word about not asking me out again. He hadn't even smirked at Harry once.

Most of the Slytherins were so disgusted with Draco's behavior he had become an outcast in his own House. Even Crabbe and Goyle avoided him. He took to eating meals by himself, Pansy occasionally gluing her pug-faced body to his side. The only thing that saved the blonde boy from depression was knowing he had one real friend or so he said.

I sat at the Gryffindor table watching Draco miserably play with his mashed potatoes. 'He really was trying so hard to change. Why couldn't they give him a chance?'

"Earth to Aurora, hello!" Ginny called, waving her hand in front of my face.

"Huh? What?"

"Hermione's talking to you."

"Oh, sorry, just thinking."

"I was wondering, since the boys aren't here, who are you going to the party with? It's only two weeks away."

"I think I'll go alone. No one I have any interest in has asked me," I answered, suddenly despondent.

"We thought Harry would have asked you," Hermione said quietly.

"Sorry to disappoint you but no." 'Wish he had.' My feelings for him had changed dramatically over the weeks.

"He's been acting funny lately, like something's on his mind," Ginny worried.

"I've noticed. He won't talk to me about it. Ron hasn't even been able to pry it out of him," Hermione remarked.

"You don't think it's You Know Who, do you?" Ginny asked quietly.

The girls sat contemplating Harry's recent behavior until he and Ron sauntered up grinning.

"Mione, you look smashing."

"Thank you, Ron," she said giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"So, why are you two in such a good mood?" Ginny wanted to know.

"We finished that three foot essay for Professor Binns and managed to come up with an idea for the Marauders' next Slytherin prank," Harry boasted.

"What is it?" Hermione asked with anticipation.

"Ron and I still need to put the finishing touches on it. For now, let's just say this will be one Halloween they'll never forget."

"Fine, don't tell us," Ginny said testily. She turned to Hermione. "Herms, what did you and Ron decide to wear for the party?"

"We're going as Romeo and Juliet," she blushed. "What about you?"

"She's my Cleopatra and I shall be her dashing Marc Anthony," Neville answered coming up behind Ginny and placing his hands on her shoulders.

Seeing the two blissful couples chatting about the upcoming Halloween party put me in a melancholy mood. I had really hoped Harry might ask me. Then I remembered the Hogsmeade trip the next morning and wondered if we'd all be going as a group. No one had mentioned any plans one way or the other. 'Oh, well. We can talk it over at breakfast. And what was up with Harry?' Every morning we still sat and watched the sunrise together, but lately he seemed withdrawn. He didn't talk much anymore. He'd open his mouth to say something but would change his mind, and close it again. 'Boys. Why did anyone bother with them?'

Ginny looked over. "What's wrong, Cuz?"

"Nothing," I evaded.

************************************************************************

I woke from a dream featuring Mother at around four that morning. Knowing I'd probably never get back to sleep I made sure none of the other girls were up and opened the window. I swiftly transformed into my Animagus form and flew off. I soared over the majestic treetops of the Forbidden Forest, under the light of the moon. Freedom. I flew until I was good and tired and settled back into bed.

I woke up late. All the other girls had already gotten up and deserted the room. I noticed a note stuck to my mirror.

Aurora,

Didn't want to wake you, you never sleep in. Neville is going to the library with Ginny to help her with a Herbology report. Ron, Harry, and I went to visit Hagrid. See you later!

Hermione

"Well, isn't that just perfectt. Guess I'll be going to Hogsmeade by myself." 'Great. I hate going places by myself.'

I dressed and ran to grab a quick bite to eat before leaving. Stopping by the front door to pick up one of the brochures on the wizarding town I heard someone call my name. I turned to see Draco striding towards me.

"What's up, Drake?"

"I thought I asked you not to call me that."

"Sorry, couldn't resist." 'Damn, I love messing with him.'

"What are you doing down here?"

"Going to Hogsmeade, duh!"

"Where's the rest of your gang?"

"Library and Hagrid's," I replied frowning. "Guess they didn't want to go with me."

"They probably forgot you'd never been. Most 7^th years don't go into town. By 5^th it gets pretty boring."

"Yeah well, I'm going with or without them."

"Mind if I go? I can keep you company and show you around."

"That'd be nice."

Draco proved to be the perfect tour guide. He pointed out historic sites along the ride and seemed to know all about the town itself. Our first stop was Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes where Fred and George pulled me aside and demanded to be told more about the prank on the Slytherins. (Harry had already explained to the twins I was friends with Draco but it was still weird seeing it, they said.) After I repeated the practical joke in excruciating detail, the two owners took Draco and me around the shop to show it off.

On one table lay containers of Skiving Snackboxes filled with Fainting Fancies, Puking Pastilles, Fever Fudge, and Nosebleed Nougats. On another display lay fake wands with a propped up note that read:

Frustrate your loved ones,

Fascinate your friends.

Just substitute a

Weasley Joke Wand

For theirs and watch the fun begin!

"This place is awesome, Fred, George!"

"Thanks," they both said.

"Our little cousin deserves a treat, doesn't she Fred?"

"She certainly does."

The two boys went around the shop filling paper bags with different items. They then walked to the back of the store. When they returned everything was put in a large box and reduced for easy carry.

"Our contribution to future mischief making."

"Right said Fred. We've even thrown in a few new inventions."

"Thanks, guys." I have the best cousins.

Honeydukes was Heaven on Earth I decided after sampling a slab of chocolate. I bought a little of anything that caught my eye or taste buds. The only way Draco could get me out of the store was by asking if I wanted to look at costumes.

Walking to Madam Ezra's Draco asked if Harry had invited me to the Halloween party yet. When I confessed he hadn't, Draco suggested I go with him as friends. When I hesitated, he said he knew I wanted to go with Harry but what if he never asked, or worse, went with someone else? Wouldn't I rather go with a friend than alone? I saw the logic in his plan and agreed to go only as friends and only if Harry hadn't asked by Thursday. Draco admitted he no longer thought of me as anything other than a friend and hadn't for weeks.

The two of us wandered around the shop trying to find a disguise. We had no idea what we wanted to dress up as. On the very last row almost hidden in a corner I noticed a dress that looked out of place in its drab surroundings.

"Oh, it's looks just like one of the dresses Keira Knightley wore in Pirates of the Caribbean." I ran a hand over the rich fabric.

"What's Pirates of the Caribbean?"

"Muggle pirate movie," I said launching into how great a movie it was and giving him an overview of the plot.

"Why don't I go as this Captain Jack fellow and you go as Elizabeth."

"Sounds like it could be fun but remember I'm only going with you..."

"As friends, if Harry doesn't ask," he finished. "Yeah, yeah. Why don't you go try it on?"

I pulled the dress off the rack and took it into the dressing room.

Five minutes later Draco was still standing outside the door waiting for me to come out. "Are you done yet?"

I stepped out and walked to the fitting mirrors to see how it looked. The dress consisted of a light gold shift with a dark gold brocade overlay accented with cream lace.

"You look amazing. You should definitely get it," Draco complimented. "After this I thought we'd stop by the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer. Shopping is hard work. I don't see how you girls do it so often."

When I came out of the fitting room, Draco was at the sales register ordering his Captain Jack outfit. We paid for the costumes and headed to the pub.

On the trip back to school I thanked Draco for a wonderful time. I was somewhat surprised to find I had really enjoyed spending the day with him.

Dinner was a subdued affair on my end. I was still a bit miffed with my 'friends'. When Ron had the gall to ask what was wrong, I rolled my eyes.

"Gee, let's see. First I oversleep. Then everyone disappears this morning to do their own thing, leaving me to fend for myself. Oh, by the way, before I forget, the twins gave me a care package for 'future mischief making' when I saw them earlier."

"Today was the Hogsmeade trip! It completely slipped my mind. I'm so sorry, Aurora. Did you go all by yourself?" Hermione asked contrite.

"Actually Draco went with me. We had fun."

"You and Draco?" Ron stammered.

"Yes. Remember we're friends?"

The five Marauders gave their apologies. Harry confirmed Draco's theory when he explained that they rarely went to Hogsmeade unless they wanted to see the twins.

By Thursday evening at dinner I gave up the small hope Harry would ask me to the costume party. I caught Draco's attention and when he quirked his eyebrow I shook my head no. He pulled a face of intense pain, stuck his tongue out at the object of my affection, and mouthed 'Sorry,' making me giggle. Draco had become a regular clown. 'At least I'll still have a good time Saturday night.'

"What was with you and Draco at supper?" Ginny asked cornering me in the common room later.

"I agreed to go with him to the Halloween party."

"What about you know who?"

"What about him, Gin? He never asked me. It's in two days and I'd rather not go alone. Draco and I are going as friends."

"Sure." She sounded unconvinced.

"Friends. We've discussed it and he swears he's not interested in me that way. He actually told me yesterday I'm the annoying sister he never had."

"I guess I have to believe you then. I thought you liked ...you know, though."

"I do but I'm not waiting forever. I mean, seriously, what should I have done? Gone alone or with a friend I know I'll have a good time with?"

"With a friend," she admitted.

"You still want me to do your hair and makeup?"

"Absolutely. Hermione wanted to know if you'd mind helping her too."

"Not at all. We'll have a Girls Day of Beauty. We can give each other manicures and stuff."

"I'll go tell Herms."