An Auror's Work is Never Done

Chapter 15 Conversation with the Boy Who Broke My Heart

I slipped out of the room and made my way to Harry's. The door opened as I lifted my hand to knock.

He was sitting on the couch staring into the empty fireplace. I thought back to all the wonderful hours we had spent cuddling on that sofa, the kisses we'd shared, the love I had felt for him. Was it too late for us?

"Hey, Fly Boy."

His face broke into a slow grin. "You haven't called me that in forever, Dancer."

"Why'd ya leave?"

"I wanted to talk and I knew you'd find me when you were ready to talk."

"Oh. What did you want to talk about?"

"The day you left, the memories I wanted you to see. There's so much between us I don't know where to start." He looked at the floor.

"Don't tell me, you feel guilty too."

His head popped up. "How'd you know that?"

"Because you're not the only one, Harry. Dad, Aunt Molly, and the others feel it because they didn't pay close enough attention to me, I do because I ran off without thinking how it would effect y'all, and Nicholae and you both think you caused me to leave."

He hung his head mournfully. "If I hadn't pushed you to tell me what happened..."

"I may not have left so soon but I had already decided I was leaving. I would have made damn sure none of you would've ever found me if I'd had that extra time to prepare. Didn't you wonder why my bracelet was a portkey?"

"No. I assumed it was an Auror precaution."

We sat in silence for a couple of minutes until I couldn't contain the burning question any longer. "Why those memories, Harry?" I asked.

"When Draco flooed me to tell me you'd disappeared I had to go to Romania to help. I tracked you down to the castle but you weren't there. Draco found your letter and turned white as Sir Nick. He wouldn't tell us anything except you were safe. Sirius and Tonks had to hold me back from killing him. I knew he knew something but he wouldn't tell us. You were gone, maybe for good. I couldn't figure out why I was so mad but it finally hit me. I was still in love with you."

'What?'

"I caught a glimpse of the blood again and started to imagine what he'd done to you. I vaguely remember Sirius trying to get me to leave before I woke up in the hospital."

"What about...that woman you were with?" I asked afraid of his response.

"Two weeks after you disappeared with Nicholae I went to a bar and got drunk." He swiped his hand through his obsidian hair. "I was trying to forget you but it didn't work. Sharon came in and we struck up a conversation. One thing led to another." He forced a sheepish half smile. "I was doing it to get back at you for leaving me and then couldn't do it. I knew if I did I'd never have a chance in hell of getting you back."

"And all those other girls after we broke up?"

"Could never have replaced you." He grabbed my hands and rubbed them between his own. "You are the only one I want in my life."

"Did you...you know..."

He laughed at my blush. "That was the closest I'd ever came. Something always held me in check." He hooked a finger under my chin and I met his brilliant forest green eyes. "Aurora, you were that something."

"But..." I stuttered.

"What took me so long?" At my nod he said, "I was scared. I'd never felt anything so strong or wonderful before. I was terrified it wouldn't last and we'd both end up hurt. I decided to protect my heart. But it was too late."

I got up and stood in front of the open window. As the breeze swept over me I smiled inwardly. The call had returned. "And now, Harry? What exactly do you want from me?"

He surprised me by picking me up and gently depositing me on the sofa. When I was arranged to his satisfaction he dropped to the floor beside me. I glanced at him confused. "Harry?"

"Shush." He fidgeted, obviously searching for what to say. "Aurora, all I've ever wanted since we got together was you. You've given me so much that I'd never dreamed possible. Until I met you that prophesy had eclipsed any visions of my future I might have had. I didn't think I had much of one. Whenever I sank into one of my moods you were right there to pull me out of it. You helped us unite the Houses and defeat Voldemort. It took thinking I'd lost you forever to make me realize you're the one I want to share my life with." He knelt on one knee and took my shaking hand. "Marry me, Aurora. Be my wife, my partner, and the mother of my children. Let it be our daughter Nicholae saw in his vision. I love you."

As much as I'd dreamed Harry would one day say those words to me I was torn. So many things had happened. Could I let them go?

'I'm gonna marry her one day.' I heard his long ago whispered vow running through my mind and the memory of it settled in my heart. Happiness blossomed from it.

"Aurora, um, some time today would be nice."

"Yes."

"Yes? You'll marry me?"

"Yes!"

He picked me up and twirled us around in dizzying circles. When he set me back on my feet he pulled a ring out of his pocket.

"My Conexus ring!"

"Yeah. I thought we could both wear them as engagement rings and then have them set with a diamond when we get married."

That was one of the most romantic things I'd ever heard. In appreciation I dragged Harry down for a long overdue make out session. We were pretty rumpled when I called a stop to the snogging festivities. We repaired the wrinkled clothes but couldn't get the goofy grins off our faces.

Upon returning to the Marauder Room Draco was the first to notice we were back.

"And what took so long?" he demanded, smirking.

"We, er, had some unfinished business," I giggled.

"Uh huh," Draco drawled. "What kind?"

"You'll find out, Mr. Nosey."

Harry stood up on a chair. "If I could have everyone's attention!" He waited for the noise to die down. "Aurora and I had a long heart to heart and we've decided we couldn't possibly go back to dating." Murmurs filled the room. Aunt Molly scowled at him while Draco and Shawna sent me a sympathetic look that grew perplexed when I smiled. "I asked her to marry me and she said yes!"

All the women squealed as one and pulled me off to the side, everyone talking excitedly at once.

"When are you planning it for?" Hermione asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"Where?" Ginny demanded to know.

"I'd better be a bridesmaid," Shawna said grabbing my arm to get my attention.

I grinned at them and answered, "Don't know, don't know, and maid of honor, duh!"

"Now girls, there will be plenty of time for all that later. You will let me help with the preparations, won't you, dear?" Aunt Molly asked worriedly.

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

Harry caught my eye and winked from his position in the middle of the crowd of men folk. Dad was thumping him on the back while Sirius moaned at Harry's loss of freedom. Remus and Draco stood back and merely laughed at my fiancé's discomfort. It was great seeing him put on the spot like that. It wasn't as if a little embarrassment was going to kill him. Besides, you should have seen his face when Sirius offered to give him the Bird and the Bees talk! Everyone joined in the merriment that proposal caused.