Aurora and the Boy Who Lived

Chapter 14 The Fight

Returning to school after the carefree Christmas vacation period Hermione went ballistic arranging study guides and group sessions for N.E.W.T.s. Each Marauder, she informed us, would be responsible for tutoring the others in at least one subject. When Ginny protested she told the 6^th year it was good practice for next year. She assigned Ron to Care of Magical Creatures; me to History of Magic; Neville, Herbology; Harry, Defense Against the Dark Arts; Ginny, Charms; Draco, Potions; and she would take any other subjects, Transfiguration included. Every Tuesday and Thursday we would meet in the Marauder Room and study one selected subject for two hours.

Harry had increased Quidditch practices to twice weekly. With the game against Ravenclaw fast approaching, he wanted the team well prepared. Gryffindor was still holding the point lead but Slytherin had demolished Hufflepuff in their game and was now in 2^nd place for the House Cup. Ron was driving the team nuts giving us pointers at every spare moment. Ginny threatened to hex him if he told her one more time how to execute a Sloth Grip Roll.

January gave way to February. The Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw game fell on the 14^th. The team walked onto the pitch to riotous cheering. The stadium shuddered as Hermione and Neville led the Lion fans singing 'We Will Rock You'. The scarlet clad students screamed and stomped to the team's song.

The players were introduced and the battle for the Quaffle commenced. A few minutes into the game I noticed the Beaters seemed to be particularly interested in me. Both were tailing closely, ignoring the other players. I caught a glimpse of their Seeker, Orla Quirke, who was staring at me with a smirk of hatred. 'So that's how she wants to play, is it? Two can play that game.' I decided to keep the Beaters so busy my teammates would be open to score without the worry of Bludgers.

"50-0, LIONS AHEAD!" Colin announced.

I saw Orla dip down suddenly and thought the younger girl might have seen the Snitch. I urged my broom faster, zipped close in front of the opposing player, and braked suddenly while turning a hard right.

*Boom!*

One of the Beaters chasing me hadn't been able to stop himself in time and had crashed into the Seeker. By the time they untangled themselves, Harry had successfully captured the Snitch and the game.

Walking over to meet up with me, Ginny called out, "Hey, Orla! Maybe you should get some glasses so you can see where you're going."

"Urgh! You just wait, Aurora Weasley," she said, dripping venom, stalking over to us. "I'm going to get you back for that."

"Isn't she nice?" I muttered after the girl had flounced off.

"She's just jealous. She's got a crush on Harry." The Gryffindor fans crowding the field and the inevitable victory party ended the conversation.

Hours later Harry and I managed to sneak off to spend the remainder of Valentine's Day alone. We had been an 'official' couple for 5 weeks. (Harry had asked me to be his girlfriend a few days after Christmas.) I'd never had a boyfriend before and Harry was still bruised by Cho's betrayal. The relationship grew slowly but steadily, neither of us wanting to get hurt. Harry was always aware of my feelings. Whenever I was close to panicking over the closeness we were swiftly developing he backed off, giving me room to sort out my emotions. I in turn made sure Harry wasn't left to brood, which he had a tendency to do quite often.

"Happy Valentine's Day," he said pressing a small package into my eager hands.

"Oh! What is it?"

"Open it and find out."

I shredded the wrapping in seconds and opened the burgundy velvet jewelry box uncovered. Nestled inside were two rings engraved with runes. One was silver. The smaller was gold. I looked at him with a question in my eyes as he picked up the smaller band. He took a deep breath.

"This is a Conexus ring. The runes engraved on them connect the two. If you think about the person who has the other ring, the runes on theirs will change color, the deeper your feelings, the brighter the color. Sort of a wizard's version of a Muggle Mood ring."

"So they work both ways?"

"Yeah."

"Gold and silver for your phoenix and mine?" I ventured.

He nodded, looking slightly embarrassed.

"It's one of the nicest presents I've ever gotten." I kissed him deeply, surprising myself, and him, with my boldness.

He flashed a huge grin and slipped the ring on my right thumb. It automatically sized itself to fit. I placed the silver ring on Harry and smiled as his runes turned a soft blue.

"This is for you." I handed him a small wooden box.

"A Snitch!"

"Now you can practice whenever you want. We've got to keep you in tip top condition if we want to slaughter Slytherin in April."

"I love it."

"Good, then I chose the right thing."

We sat cuddled, watching the fire crackle, and opening up to each other. It was as if the floodgates to my tightly reined emotions had broken. I found myself telling Harry things I'd never even told Shawna. Making me promise not to repeat it to the others, Harry told me about the prophecy. I was shocked but promised to keep his secret.

Over the next few weeks everyone in school noticed how close we'd gotten. Some of the other Gryffindors teased that I was rarely seen out of Harry's company and Harry wore a constant smile. We ignored the glares certain members of the student body threw whenever we walked by.

I received an owl during dinner one evening after a particularly nasty day of classes.

Miss Weasley,

Please report immediately to Greenhouse 6 to discuss your latest project.

Professor Sprout

"I'll see y'all later. Professor Sprout needs me in the greenhouse," I explained, pocketing the note.

When I arrived the curly-haired Herbology teacher was nowhere to be found. 'Must be in the wrong one.' I tried to leave but the door was stuck. Casting every spell I could think of and none working, I sat at one of the workbenches to wait for someone to come find me.

Two hours later with no rescue in sight I tried the door again. It squeaked open. "What the hell?"

I sprinted for the Gryffindor Tower to tell my friends what had happened. "Chocolate Frog." The portrait swung open and I stepped into the common room.

"Will you look at who finally decided to grace us with her presence," Ron jeered.

"Excuse me?" I asked, confused by Ron's angry tone. "What's going on?"

"Maybe you should tell us where you've been," Ginny replied sharply.

"Locked in the damn greenhouse. Someone's idea of a joke, I suppose."

"You don't have to make up a story. If you wanted to break up with Harry you really should have just told him." Hermione shook her head.

"I don't understand. What's me getting locked in a greenhouse have to do with wanting to break up with Harry?"

"Ah ha! You admit it!" Ron cried.

"Admit what?" 'What the hell is going on?'

"To seeing Anthony Goldstein behind Harry's back!"

"What in the name of Merlin are you talking about, Ron?!"

"Harry saw you kissing Anthony, Aurora. Five minutes after you'd gone someone told Harry you'd gone to meet him so he followed you. How could you do this to him?" Ginny ranted.

"But I didn't! I've been locked in the greenhouse for two hours. I just got out."

"He saw you."

"It wasn't me."

"I bet you weren't even near the greenhouses," Ron sneered.

"Here's the note the professor sent me." I thrust it into his hands.

" 'Dear Aurora, meet me in our secret spot. I'll be waiting, Anthony.' "

"What?!" I ripped the paper from him, eyes scanning it. "But...but that's not what it said. I swear."

"I never would have thought you could be this callous or malicious," Hermione said, her eyes hard.

"But I didn't. I wouldn't," I insisted. 'Was I caught in some alternate universe?' "I thought you were supposed to be my friends. Why don't you believe me?"

"We were your friends," Neville said.

"A true friend would believe me. I would never hurt Harry, especially by cheating on him after what happened with Cho. He means too much to me. But none of you care what I have to say, do you?" Heart breaking, I looked at my ring. The runes had turned an angry reddish-black. 'How could he even think I'd do something like that to him? He has to know how I feel!' I closed my eyes and sent every ounce of what I felt for Harry into the connection. The Conexus ring's runes turned black in exchange. Voice whisper-soft I said, "Convicted without a trial." Making my decision I removed the ring, kissed it gently, and placed it on the closest table. "Make sure Fly Boy gets it back would you, Mouse? Tell him I meant what he saw." With tears pouring down my cheeks I turned, numb, and walked out the door.

I wandered aimlessly, not caring if it was after curfew or not. Draco found me huddled next to a suit of armor on the 2^nd floor while patrolling the halls.

"Aurora, what's wrong?"

I couldn't stop crying long enough to tell him.

"Isn't your room close by?"

I think I may have nodded my head. He helped me up and put an arm around my waist to steady me.

He wheedled the cause of the tears out of me eventually. I listened as he raged. "Don't they know you better than this? How could they suspect you of all people of cheating? You've been faithful to Harry even before you dated! I'll get to the bottom of this, Aurora. We'll fix it," he promised.

"I don't want to. Dragon, you didn't see them. They were so mad. They wouldn't even try to see my side of things. And Harry...he hates me now!" I wailed.

"No he doesn't. I'll talk to him and work this out."

"Yes he does," I insisted wiping my face dry. "But I don't care anymore. I'm through with them. I don't need friends like that."

"Aurora, don't say that. I'm your friend too, remember?"

"No, you're not. You're my brother," I said needing desperately to lighten the mood with the private joke.

"Well then, Sis, I suggest you go to bed and let your big brother handle this."

"Yes, sir."

"Come on. I'll walk you in case Filch or Mrs. Norris are hanging around."

"Dragon...thanks."

"Anytime at all, Dancer. I'll always be here."

I hugged him goodnight and went to bed.