An Auror's Work is Never Done

Chapter 5 Daydreams and Owls

The night before I was due to return to Auror training Harry kidnapped me for a special evening. We arrived at his house to the soft glow of strategically placed candles. He led me into the dining room where there was a romantic table for two set up.

"Oh, Harry. This is so sweet!"

He smiled mysteriously. "Ron's over at Draco's for the rest of the night. Dragon was kind enough to cook for us." He lifted the lid off one of the dishes. "Your lasagna, mademoiselle."

The romantic atmosphere was an assault to my being. Harry played the part of the perfect host seeing to my every need. We ate; we danced. The evening was rounded off talking about our goals and dreams for the future while sipping sweet blueberry wine. We called it a night reluctantly and shared several steamy kisses. I disapparated before I couldn't stop what my body yearned so desperately for.

"Aurora!" Draco hissed under his breath with an elbow to my side.

"What?" I asked annoyed.

"Glad you could join us again, Trainee Weasley," Moody growled. "Now, could you tell me why you never, under any circumstances, go on a recon mission with only your partner?"

I felt myself grow bright red and racked my brain for the answer. "Because if one of the two is brought down or captured the other has no backup."

"Correct."

'Whew.'

"I'd like to see you after class, Weasley."

'Shit.' "Yes, sir."

Thirty minutes later the other cadets filed out and I stepped up to Auror Moody's desk.

"What was that?" he barked.

"I'm sorry, sir. I was daydreaming. It won't happen again, sir."

"It had better not. You'll be running ten miles the next time," he threatened.

"Yes, sir."

His voice softened a little. "Was it Potter?"

I blushed anew.

He laughed. "Thought so. How is the lad?"

"Good, sir."

"The team?"

"They've won all four games so far."

"Think you can score a pair of tickets for Shacklebolt and me for the next?" he asked slyly.

"I'll certainly try, sir."

"Excellent. You're dismissed, Cadet."

"Yes, sir."

"What did he do?" Draco asked as soon as I walked out.

"Fussed and then asked for tickets to Ron and Harry's next game," I giggled.

"Hmm. Well, time to put in our hour of pain in the gym," he groaned.

"You do realize we'll be doing this five times a week for the next two and a half years?"

"Yes. Thank you so much for reminding me."

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In January we held a huge party for Draco's 19^th birthday. Harry and Ron won their fifth game, against the Appleby Arrows. Moody and Shacklebolt had a great time as far as I could tell. They cheered louder than we did.

February saw Harry and me sharing our first Valentine's together. We went to a Muggle amusement park, rode the Ferris wheel, and ate cotton candy.

March yielded Ron's birthday and a devastating loss to the Harpies. Harry and Ron were in a funk for a week after the game. Harry blamed himself for the loss. His glasses had fallen off during a Sloth Grip Roll. By the time he'd accioed them, Jena Elvan had won the game for her team. Tired of his constant bemoaning I suggested he either get a pair of sports frames to wear or let a Healer fix his eyes and therefore the dependency on glasses. He'd opted for no frames. People were now noticing him for more that being the man who'd defeated Voldemort or the professional Seeker. He'd been very good looking with the glasses but without them he exuded sex appeal. He was smokin' hot. It was maddening watching all the Witches, and Wizards, trying to slip him their Floo address, all of which he declined.

In April Ron and Hermione surprised everyone by eloping. Aunt Molly as expected was thrilled having another daughter-in-law but disturbed by the lack of a proper Wizarding wedding. Ron had placated his mother by promising she could throw a baby shower. Hermione was due in December. They both swore they had been planning to elope before they found out about the pregnancy. Aunt Molly begged to watch the baby while Hermione finished med school.

Meanwhile Draco and Shawna's relationship was as confusing as ever. They'd went on a few dates but weren't exclusive. I couldn't figure them out and neither could anyone else.

Draco and I continued to receive top marks in Auror training. By June, the class's size had dwindled to fourteen. We were told 50% of all beginning trainees flunked out or left the first year. The remaining cadets, with few exceptions, would go on to become Aurors. The pair with the highest performance score at the end of the program would receive the coveted Justus Pilliwickle Award. It practically guaranteed choice assignments. We made a commitment to our partnership that we would be the team to receive it. We studied and practiced harder.

Puddlemere's last game of the season was on the last Friday of the month. Everyone showed up for it. We had the loudest fan section in the stadium. Tonks and Hermione proudly unfurled a huge banner when Ron blocked the first of many goal attempts from the Wigtown Wanderers.

'WEASLEY IS OUR KING!'

Every now and then it would change to read 'SNATCH THAT SNITCH, FLY BOY!'

We celebrated their 9^th victory at the Lucky Unicorn. It had become a tradition. We grabbed a couple of tables and the Firewhiskey and butterbeer flowed.

Returning from the ladies' room, I noticed a few of the die-hard groupies had followed us. One was currently hanging onto Harry's arm, her chest plastered against his side. Angry he didn't seem to be in any hurry to separate himself from the clinging vine I made sure no one saw me as I pointed my wand and muttered a hex. Red boils popped up on the blonde's skin and she ran out the door.

"You should have been in Slytherin with me, Sis."

"She deserved it. Besides it'll wear off in an hour."

"Uh oh. Now you're in trouble." Draco left to avoid a very mad Harry.

"Aurora, I can't believe you did that to Heather."

"Who? Me? Do what?" I asked innocently.

"Yes, you. Don't try to deny it. You're the only Witch I know who knows that particular spell. How long will it last this time?"

"An hour."

"You can't keep hexing any girl who talks to me."

"I don't. I hex the ones who won't stop hanging all over you. There's a difference."

"Aurora," he warned.

"I didn't realize you were enjoying it so much. By all means, please continue. I just love watching them pant all over you."

"You're being ridiculous."

"No, Harry, I'm not. You're not the one who hears them bragging about who they've slept with after every game while I'm waiting for you. Heather told me flat out today you were her next target. If that's the kind of attention you want, fine. You're welcome to it." I walked out and disapparated home.

I shut off the Floo when I got home, not wanting visitors or callers. I brushed my teeth forcefully, ire radiating from every pore. I downed half a bottle of Sleeping Draught and pounced on my bed. Within minutes I was out.

I woke Saturday morning with a pounding headache and red, puffy eyes. I got dressed, grabbed my broom, and apparated to Dad's. I took off to the orchard behind the Burrow. The crisp smell of apple blossoms tickled my nose as I tried to lose myself in the ride. I glided high above the treetops, arms splayed wide, letting the wind rip over my body and mind.

"Oy! Aurora!"

I looked down to see George.

"Hey! What's up?" I asked him back on the ground.

"You've got an owl."

"How'd it know I was here?"

George shrugged.

"Why aren't you at the shop?"

He grinned. "I took the day off. Tonight, dear cousin, is the night I take the plunge."

"George, really?"

"Yep. I'm asking Alicia to marry me."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks."

We walked towards the house before he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Aurora, would you mind going with me to pick out the ring? I'd really appreciate a woman's opinion."

"Sure."

Hedwig was waiting in the kitchen. I patted her head and slipped her an owl treat. 'Maybe Harry wants to make up.'

Aurora,

You were right last night. We've both been busy with our careers and things haven't been the same lately between us. What I'm trying to say is I've realized we're far too young to be in this seriously involved with one person. I'm sorry but I think we shouldn't see each other anymore.

Harry

I felt pain not unlike the Cruciatus Curse shatter my heart into a million tiny pieces.

"Everything okay?"

I put on a brave face and turned to George. "Yep. I just need to answer real quick and then we can go."

"I'll be in the parlor."

I found some parchment and a quill and wrote my reply.

Harry,
I don't know what this 'we're' too young bull is about. I know how I feel and I for one am sure it's a once in a lifetime thing. But if you're too scared, fine. I understand. I never would've pegged you as a coward though, Potter. Go and date your floozies and groupies. I hope you always remember me with regret because I would've loved you forever, not because of who you are, the Boy Who Lived and professional Seeker, but because of the wonderful man you are. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for.

Aurora Dawn Weasley

I glanced at the ring I always wore on my right thumb. The runes held not a trace of emotional color. 'He must have removed his.' I slipped the ring off and placed it gently in an envelope with the letter. I scratched Hedwig under her beak. "Goodbye, girl. Take good care of him." I sighed pitifully and pushed the aching loneliness aside, burying it to be analyzed later. "Ready George?"

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Months went by, wretched, horrible ones, for me anyway. Alicia had accepted George's proposal. Two weeks later Fred had asked Angelina. The two couples married in a double ceremony on Valentine's Day. Neville and Ginny's wedding had gone off without a hitch in October. Hermione gave birth to a beautiful baby girl with bright red curls on December 16^th. They named her Katlyn Marie. Even Draco and Shawna had realized their love for each other finally.

I never told any of the family the real reason behind mine and Harry's breakup. Even after nine months the wounds had barely begun to heal.

If I were going somewhere I knew Harry would be I took a bit of Pepperup potion before leaving the comfort of my home. But it was still hard seeing him with a different girl every time. I smiled politely even though my heart was seething and was always friendly to his dates. I was determined no one find out I still had feelings for him.

In July Puddlemere made it to the World Cup and won. As decided months before, Harry and Ron entered the Auror program days later. Draco moved back into the Cottage to be with Shawna. It was more than I could take seeing the two lovebirds 24/7 and I found an apartment a few minutes away.

Our third and final year of Auror training was promising to be an exciting one. After two years of learning self-defense, dueling, detective work, stealth, and more we were being assigned to work with established partners for 20 hours a week. Draco and I would be working under Sirius and Tonks. They would be showing us the practical applications of what we had learned in controlled environments.