CHAPTER ONE; HARRY POTTER

❝ she bares it gracefully so others do not have to know suffering ❞

august, 1994

･ ｡ﾟ☆

❝ quidditch world cup arena ❞

AURORA ALWAYS APPRECIATED that she managed to appear graceful under pressure. As a matter of fact, concealment of her true emotions was always a dreadful talent she possessed. She credited her gift to her parents — it was they who after all displayed the ability to her in the first place. 

When Aurora was young, she noticed her parents never truly expressed themselves. They were always bottled up, they felt things of course, but they hardly showed it. Her mother had been better at showing her children she affection, much better in Auroras opinion. Rhea was completely different than her husband, Mercurius. Mercurius expressed less because he felt less, Rhea still had an undeniable compassion for humanity. She only expressed less as a way of survival.

When they were young and at Hogwarts it was that very innocent aspect of Rhea that drew Mercurius to her. Her light in a time of war where most could not be gentle, pulled him to her the same way a moth came to flame. However, it was in direct contradiction with Aurora's father, that she couldn't understand why they even married to begin with. But anytime she questioned, 'why,' her father would remind Aurora of the importance of her marrying another wizard of pure-blood status. Mother would always change the subject, Rhea knew her child didn't care about blood purity which put her at opposition with her father, which was incredible danger not even Aurora could fully grasp. Danger that became all too real for Rhea when she fell ill.

Knowing that when she was to die, and her daughters would be left to what little mercy was in Mercurius' heart— Rhea had to act. The Aveline woman knew she had one option left, calling her brother Perseus. They hadn't spoken since year after the wizarding war, Mercurius didn't trust, nor like her brother. Rhea presumed it had something to do with the fact Perseus was everything Mercurius wanted to be but never could be. Where Mercurius was detached — Perseus knew only compassion. Perseus could be brave while Mercurius was a self-serving coward on the best of days. Mercurius couldn't show loyalty to anyone outside his family — and even then, his loyalty was measured. While Perseus never in his life abandoned a person he loved.

For years after the war, he tried to contact his sister, but he could never find a way to speak to her without Mercurius nearby. But a few months before her death, in a moment of true desperation, Rhea contacted him. A moment of weakness, Rhae called it, but nevertheless it later would become her children's only lifeline away from their father.

At her mother's funeral, Aurora and Anika met their mother's side of the family for the first time since they were babies. While Aurora was in the corner standing away from the crowd, Perseus told her of her mother's plan. It wasn't Rheas best scheme, but it was all she had. When the girls were back from school, they would take an envelope of money her mother piled away in their home and buy a ticket to runaway to their uncles. As much as Aurora wanted to go get the envelope, take her sister and vanish, she knew it wasn't that easy. Her father was cruel, mean, and controlling, but he still had some deranged understanding of family. 

If his children vanished surly, he'd look, and surly he'd find them with their uncle. Aurora knew her father wasn't enough of a fool for him not to piece together that they only had one person who would be likely to take them in. Her father would never let her go, perhaps Anika, but never Aurora, he'd promised too much to the world on her behalf, and Aurora knew it. All her life he had been her teacher, made a perfect dualist out of his child by any, and every extreme method he could imagine. Aurora was the heir to his empire, Mercurius would never, ever let her go. 

However, fate had given her an avenue Aurora did not think of, and amazingly enough, her father was the one who had offered her salvation. His offer? Aurora would go to Hogwarts and find out whatever she could about the boy who lived, Harry Potter and give that information to him. That along with marrying well and agreeing to taking over as head of Aveline house and bring greatness to them when he was gone, she would be free. Her eternal silence for her freedom.

 He'd leave her and Anika alone for the rest of their days and would, without fight, allow them their inheritance. Aurora hated her father and loved him with equal measure, she didn't want to lose everything that made her his daughter. Perhaps she was just her mother in that way, and loving Mercurius would kill her just the same. And despite hearing her mother's voice cautioning her to find another way, Aurora wouldn't. She couldn't sit around and wait for a hero she knew wasn't coming to save her. If she had to, by her own blood, Aurora would get herself and Anika out.

 Even if she had to do something deep down, she hated. Aurora of course had heard the stories of the boy who lived, and all he had been doing at Hogwarts, she didn't believe he deserved more suffering. Though if his suffering for just a moment meant they would never be hurt, hit, or auctioned off to a man to be his human incubator, Aurora had to take her chance.

But her willingness did not silence her guilt as Aurora, her sister, and father walked through the crowded Quidditch arena looking for the Malfoys. Blissfully ignorant of the true reason for the reunion, Anika could not stop teasing Aurora about seeing Draco. The bickering between them was nearly as entertaining as the version of it that Nikolai and Aurora themselves had. Of course, Aurora didn't care about seeing either, her mind was too worried trying to figure out what else her father was planning.

But Anika didn't need to worry about any of that, so Aurora allowed her sister to believe whatever she wanted. When they were children, both brothers, Nikolai especially had often teased her. Draco on his best day with Aurora was the nightmare of a brother she knew her father had wanted. Aurora knew that made her hate him on their bad days. Nikolai was similar, but he was also kind. Even if it was secretly so. None of that meant Aurora forgot how maddening Nikolai was, especially when his older brother was nearby. Over the years she had told Nikolai just how intolerable he was, and it burned her so how clever in his torture Nikolai was.

If not for him Draco would have been too scared to have his father find out how he teased Aurora. Their parents had talked about them getting married at 18, if they were lucky perhaps 20, for so long anything that would threaten it would make both Lucious and Mercurius go mad.  

Nevertheless, Aurora attempted to tell her how she hated Draco, and he and his brother only lived to tease and annoy her. But she could never prove it, this led her father to believe Aurora was just being sensitive whenever she spoke about the brothers. If ever there was a reason to believe someone else over Aurora, especially if that reason was a 'man's word,' Mercurius took it. Just another way Aurora was silently told she would be valued more had she been born a son.

Aurora knew her father didn't care because he had always hoped she'd marry the Malfoy boy when she was older. Ideally, either boy was everything her father imagined for his daughter, even if Aurora, or the sons didn't want that. Eventually Aurora learned to stop caring, her voice was ignored for so long it was too painful to continue trying. A fate she knew was still permanent, despite her father's offer. Aurora may have been free to live away from him, but her marriage would always be subjected to his whims. Which was why ever summer she was forced to spend it with the Malfoy's. It infuriated Aurora how little choice she had, but she knew all she could do was make the best out of all the poor choices she was given. 

And when she saw Nikolai standing with his father and brother by the stairs Aurora was reminded just how little choice either of them had. Aurora didn't know what Nikolai had been promised for his role in things, but she knew it had to be worth it. The closer they walked the tighter Anika's grip on her sister's hand became. Anika had never developed the ability to play along with her family's world, she was too much her uncle's niece for that. The youngest Aveline was everything her father despised, for at least Aurora knew how to say the right thing to him. Aurora was deemed the golden heir of his empire, Anika the spare, never wanted or loved by him. That was one thing Aurora could say she had more than her sister, in his own, sick, demented way, Mercurius loved no one in the world more than his delicate Aurora.

It used to scare Aurora, the knowledge of what her father was willing to do in her name. What he would do to keep her close...Aurora believed he would rather see her dead than see her free of him. Which was exactly why she made sure Perseus was finding a way to ensure no matter what her father tried, he would not go back on his word. Mercurius was careful, he made sure Nikolai and Aurora had made the unbreakable vow with each other. Meaning his life was not hinged on his promise of letting her go while hers was.

All this fear whirling around inside Aurora paled in comparison to Anika's fear of Lucius, the Malfoy boy's father. Lucius had a pale, pointed face, with pale blond hair and cold grey eyes. He often carried a with a snake head that contained, Anika said as a child it felt as if the eyes on the snake followed her.

Aurora never feared any of the Malfoys, especially Lucius. In the time she knew them Nikolai was the only one who could even make her angry, and that was only when he'd finally managed to push her over the edge. Draco would bring her close, but Nikolai was always the finale blow.

But as she finally stood before the family, she once knew Aurora felt herself momentarily forget the childhood torment. She was truly looking at him since the previous month, Nikolai's cold blue eyes, and rather sharp jaw were all things she had tried not to pay attention to. He was fairly handsome, but he still had that same sly smile on his face that drove her insane.

"Lucius, it's been an awfully long time mate," Mercurius greeted Draco's father his voice dry as his spoke.

Feigning a smile the older Malfoy returned, "Too long, Mercurius."

"It's wonderful to see you Mr. Aveline," greeted Draco swiftly following his father's lead.

 The older men looked toward their children, neither one missing the lingering looks of Mercurius oldest and Lucious' youngest. If they had been alone Nikolai would have spoken, and quickly remind Aurora why she preferred to stay away from him. But they had not been alone, and Nikolai was always quieter when his father was by his side. Nudging his son Lucius urged, "Nikolai, don't forget your manners. Say hello."

Quickly the Malfoy boy easily forced a fake smile, "Our fathers are right, it has been too long since we've all been together. I fear I was a bit stunned."

Anika stayed quiet as her older sister replied back to him feigning friendliness, "It's funny how time does that isn't it. One second were children playing in my mother's garden and now...were at the World Cup."

"You sound delighted Aurora," Lucius remarked making the brunette turn towards him. The Aveline's were not the only ones to know their family friends well, Lucius knew Aurora –– whether that was a good thing or not remained unknown to her.

"How could I not be," she reasoned with a smile looking between all three men, "Seeing old friends is always a good thing."

Feeling the watchful eye of Mercurius on her, Anika finally spoke up in agreement saying, "I couldn't agree more, but the match is about to start so we might want to find our seats."

Clapping his hands together Mercurius added, "Yes, we mustn't keep the minister waiting."

Hearing their father Anika and Aurora shared puzzled stares, he hadn't mentioned anything of the minister. Unable to help herself, Aurora questioned, "The minister of magic is waiting for us?"

For most of her life her father stayed out of politics, at least that was what her mother had always told her. At the time Aurora didn't even realize how unbelievable it sounded, her father willing sitting back while opportunities for power came by? Of course, he couldn't, maybe he lied to silence their mother, regardless it was lie. He clearly had been cultivating power and influence more than they realized. The Aveline's had their own ports of shipping, and everyone needed to trade through them, it would've been all too easy for Mercurius to use that for his own silent advantage.

Noting the confusion on their faces Mercurius clarified dry and harshly, "Yes, Rory, you heard that correctly. The minister would like to meet us." Looking at his daughters he saw only what they were lacking. To him Anika was too soft, too weak, and that was all he could ever see. When he saw Aurora? She was as complicated as she was defying, she was almost everything he wanted in daughter, and yet she still so disappointing to him. To him Aurora was strong enough to carry the weight of the world, but never capable of being anything more than a naive little girl. Never able to see the full picture, limited by her small view.

"Make yourselves presentable, girls, god knows you need all you can to impress," he finished disgustedly walking away with Lucius. Draco hesitated to follow when his fathers pointed look told him to linger back with them. Nikolai hovered seeing two very different reactions from the sisters at their fathers demands, Aurora appeared as if it didn't bother her at all. Anika however, looked like a sad child lost in a market. As he took in the details of their faces, he, nor Draco could overlook the fact both girls were practically personifying perfection.

Anika's hair was in effortless thick chestnut waves that rested down back. Her black blouse and white high trousers looked as if she had bought them from a store moments before arriving. Though Anika did not hold a candle to Aurora in Nikolai's eyes. 

Nikolai hated Aurora and how perfect she always appeared, never a hair or strand out of place. Even his how mother couldn't stop talking about how beautiful she believed Aurora to be. Or be reminded how her long royal curls had to be spelled to never fall apart. And this made him think about how Aurora's clothes and make up completely contradicted her sister's lighter chosen colors. Without trying Aurora was making herself stand out, except for the tan coat Aurora had chosen to go over her long-sleeved red shirt and black mid waisted trousers. That was probably the only dull thing about her.

 All this perfection radiating off the sisters, and yet, Mercurius believed they still needed to be better. Quickly Aurora ushered the four of them along, "Come on, we don't want to lose them."

Pulling her younger sister by her hand Aurora followed after her father. "Anika, Draco" their father called as he and Lucius stopped a few feet before them, "Come here, I'd like to talk to about something." Immediately Anika looked to her sister first, Aurora nodded ever so slightly, and the young girl slowly approached her father with Draco following suit.

The group continued their walk forward purposely making sure Aurora was too far to hear anything over all the chaos. Deepening her distraction Nikolai inquired walking beside her up the endless stairs, "What is it you suppose they're talking about, empress."

There it was, the moment she was alone with Nikolai his arrogant voice spoke up, just as if they were still children. She could tell he had something to say, it was in his eyes when he heard the way her father spoke to them. Call it curiosity or pity, whatever it was Aurora didn't care for it. Her voice laced with a monotone underlining Aurora answered, "Something they don't want us hearing."

"Obviously," he sneered only making her smirk pridefully, he was about to ask her why when a better question came to mind, "I suppose I just assumed your father told you things, thought he valued your advice. You know, give our perspective tasks this year. Seems little sister may after all be the prodigal daughter mommy and daddy hoped for."

Always so predictable, Aurora thought spitefully as they continued to walk up the stairs. He would say something mean, she'd give him some sort of reply, it escalates 'till one of them walked away. She never understood why they always got under each other's skin; they just did. But Aurora was fairly sure of one thing, that Nikolai didn't know why either.

Not batting an eye, she returned keeping her hands warm in her coat pockets, "You do realize you don't know what they're talking about either, right? At least Anika will tell me later, because like you too apparently, she values my advice enough to ask me about things. Just like you did not a moment ago. Your father won't even bother tell you because he doesn't trust you, or value your opinion. Though you'll probably make Draco tell you, heaven knows your brother cracks under the smallest of pressure."

Not bothering to allow him to pick jaw off the floor, the brunette sped up and joined her now alone sister. "What happened," the younger girl asked eagerly as she intertwined her arm. with her sisters.

Quickly Aurora answered, "Nothing new."

Before Anika could even speak, she stopped hearing a voice above her loudly, and tiredly ask, "Blimey Dad, how far up are we?"

The pairs of siblings stopped seeing that their fathers had as well, and almost too pleased with himself to bare, Lucius replied, "Well put it this way, if it rains...you'll be the first to know." Looking up Aurora saw a group of teens, and almost all of them had fiery red hair that matched the older man standing with them. Not to mention the pale freckled skin to match. She could note an obvious pair of twins that towered over them all standing next to a girl Aurora assumed to be their sister given the matching hair. Standing near her was another boy who had a long nose, who was fairly tall even and lanky, with big hands that held the railing. Aurora assumed the sudden look of anger on his face came from their presence, or perhaps the Malfoy's presence.

Along with the family was another older man with messy light brown hair, next to him was a boy not much older than herself who was as tall as the twins and extremely handsome with chiseled features, dark hair, and bright grey eyes. Then there was the other girl they with, she had light skin, bright brown eyes, lots of bushy brown hair that crowded her face even while being pulled up. Aurora's smile cracked at the sight of her thinking about how envious she was of her hair. That girl could probably style it a hundred different ways while Aurora had such thin hair in comparison.

Lastly, her eyes landed upon the boy next to her and though he had not said a word, Aurora knew exactly who he was. It wasn't his untidy jet-black hair, nor startlingly green eyes, or his round-rimmed glasses that told her, it was the lightning scar on his forehead. Any witch or wizard would know it was him simply by seeing it.

There he was, Harry Potter, the baby who defeated the dark lord, and the same person who was the Aveline sisters' golden ticket far away from their troubles. With great effort Aurora managed not to show any reaction to his presence, she simply looked at him as if he was a normal teenage boy, nothing more, nothing less. Something Harry new himself not to be, but still hoped somehow, he could be. Unbeknownst to either Harry or Aurora, they suffered from a very similar problem. A desire to simply be normal that could never truly be felt. They were children destined, because of whom they were born to, to never known what it was to be at peace.

"Father, the Aveline's, Nikolai and I are in the minister's box, by personal invitation of Cornelius Fudge himself," Draco boasted almost too pleased with himself for gaining an opportunity to prove himself better than Harry.

It was a fate rather short lived when his father slammed his cane into his son's chest stopping him in his path, "Don't boast Draco. There's no need with these people." Unable to help it, Aurora chuckled. Lucius believing, he was better than anyone there was too hilarious for her not to laugh. Much to her relief no one had heard her though, but her father did see her covering her mouth to stifle further laughter. She knew she'd pay for that later, but right now Aurora didn't have to care.

Calming the obviously awkward tension Mercurius looked to the redheaded older man, "Please excuse their manners, Arthur," Mercurius said feigning kindness exceptionally well.

"It's quite alright, Lucius' words never hurt anyone," Arthur, as he had been introduced, said. 

Taking the opportunity, he had now to ensure Aurora would keep her deal Mercurius began, "Are these all your children? Ron, the twins, George and Fred, and lovely Ginny –– now tell me I got that right mate?"

"Yes," Arthur answered trying to be polite, but it was clear he nor any of his party wanted to be involved with this conversation. Still, Arthur Weasley was kind, and he found himself introducing the other two starting first with the girl, "And this is Hermione Granger." Hermione didn't know what to do, she wondered if anyone surrounding themselves. with the Malfoy's could even want to speak to, as Draco called her, a filthy little mudblood. Then again, Nikolai had called her many things over the years, but never that. So, Hermione smiled offering the girls a small wave.

Arthur opened his mouth to speak but Mercurius cut him off saying, "No need to introduce this one, Weasley. I think we all know he's the famous Harry Potter." As Mercurius stared at Harry he felt a sense of uneasiness wash over him. Pulling his attention from Harry the Aveline man introduced his youngest, "This is my youngest daughter, Anika."

"Hello," Anika greeted her voice so soft as she returned the wave to all that stood before her.

Pointing at Aurora Mercurius added, "And this is my oldest, and eventual successor to everything, Aurora. They'll both be attending school with you this year. Anika a third year while Aurora a fourth. Though late in their arrival my girls will rival the talents of even the brightest students currently attending Hogwarts." Each of the teens looked to each other with varying emotions on their faces.

Speaking up Aurora greeted with a warm smile making herself stand contradictory to her father, "Father boast but Anika and I are eager to learn. It's nice to meet you all." Looking to her father the brunette suggested, "But father, should we continue? The match might start, and I know you like to see the teams come out. I'd hate it if you missed it just to make conversation."

Giving off such a heartbreakingly false look of love Mercurius kindly remarked, "You're right," chuckling he looked to Arthur, "My Aurora –– always reminding me of the bigger picture. It was nice to see you again Arthur," he lied. Finishing them off with one last vaguely threatening notion he said, "Do enjoy yourself won't you. While you can."

That was all the Weasley's, and their companions needed to hear, Arthur said a quick and polite goodbye ushering the children away. Before he left Harry looked over the banister one last time making eye contact with Aurora. The brunette gave a short smile before following the rest of her party. Within a few moments they reached the ministers box, before she was able to walk through, she felt her father's firm grip on her arm keep her still.

Aurora looked to her father who cut off any chance she had to speak by warning, "You were good down there, but do not let me catch you laughing at the Malfoy's, or any other respectable family again." The brunette didn't speak, so her father grabbed her arm tighter making her wince slightly, "Do you understand me little girl?"

"Yes, I understand sir," she answered not even bothering to conceal her contempt this time.

Roughly he released his grasp, "Good to know we understand each other." The brunette kept her hard angry stare, Mercurius sighed, "I don't know when you're going to learn, Rory, if you want things in life you have to earn them. You want to leave; you need to earn it by listening to every little thing I say."

"I understand," she repeated knowing if she tried anything else it would not do her any favors. One more year of this and she could be free, that was all she needed to remind herself of when it all felt wrong. One more year and then she was free.

aurora's outfit next chapter