CHAPTER THREE; HARRY POTTER

❝ the winds of the heavens shift suddenly; so does human fate ❞

september, 1994

･ ｡ﾟ☆

❝ the great hall ❞

TRY AS SHE MIGHT Aurora could not stop tapping her fingers against each other as she sat on the bench with Anika waiting for their names to be called. It was a nervous tick and she had done it since she was a child. She didn't want to admit when she felt nervous so she would tap on anything to distract herself. Her father always hated her tapping, it annoyed him endlessly and he terrified Aurora, so she stopped doing it around him. "Calm down Rory. Your tapping is making me go mad," Anika begged as they sat outside the great hall waiting to be sorted.

"I'm sorry, I can't help it. Just worried about being sorted," Aurora admitted taking a deep breath. Her father had told her they needed to be in Slytherin, but part of her wondered if either of them truly would be Slytherin. And if they were, how could she possibly get Harry to actually want to trust her. No doubt Slytherin's reputation for their rivalry with Gryffindor had already made its impression on him.

Sympathetically her sister reach out holding her hand as she assured, "Do not worry everything will be fine, Rory. We will both be sorted into Slytherin, and father will be pleased, and we will spend an entire school year away from him and at peace."

Aurora smiled at her sister returning, "When did you become so brave?"

Anika smirked shrugging her shoulder, "I suppose I've always been you simply never noticed."

Breaking up their conversation the doors opened, and Professor McGonagall announced, "Aurora, we're ready for you." The brunette's breath caught in her throat for a moment before she stood from the benched, "This way sweetheart come along."

As McGonagall led her through the door she saw a large hall with four long tables with the four houses separated amongst them. There was a throne-like chair in the centre of the table where Dumbledore stood in front of everyone. The ceiling of the Great Hall was covered with candles and it was bewitched to look like the night sky. There were small windows around the side of the hall, and a large window behind the staff table where the light shined through, and a podium carved with an owl was put right in front of the headmaster's chair. As she made her way through, she could feel everyone's curious eyes on her, but she would not look at them.

"Raise your head Rory, never let them see you with your head lowered. Never let them think they matter to you, and they can never hurt you."

Perhaps her father's advice shouldn't have been something she clung to so much, but she did. They brought her a comfort she wished they didn't as she did as she always had, exactly as her father told her. Making her way up the stairs towards the stool where the sorting hat was placed on Aurora slightly, he was there. His stare could make her act appropriately, and she needed that.

"Sit here," McGonagall instructed picking up the hat, the brunette followed her orders sitting on the stool. Once she was on Professor McGonagall placed the hat on top of her head. As she looked out at everyone, she saw a few familiar faces, Draco, the twins, Nikolai, Edmund, Hermione, Ron, and Harry.

From the Gryffindor table Ron asked, "Where do you reckon, they'll put her?"

"Don't know, haven't spoke to her enough to figure out what she values or who she is," Hermione whispered in response.

George and Fred who were seated across their brother and his friend replied, "We do."

"Where," Harry inquired curiously as he kept his eyes on the brunette in the front. of the hall.

"Do you not know who her family is," Fred wondered, Harry turned away from the girl confused, "She's an Aveline, Harry."

Recognizing the name from one of the books she had read Hermione said, "I know that name."

Still out of the loop the blue-eyed Potter boy asked again, "What does that mean?"

Explaining what they knew Ron said, "She's one of the scared 29 pureblood families left."

Looking back to the twins Harry asked, "What does that have to do with her house?"

The twins each leaned forward Fred being the first to tell him, "Her father was a death eater, said he was forced to do so." Finishing for him George added, "Dad said Mercurius and Lucius were the first to say so after the war."

"Her father was a death eater," Harry repeated in quiet shock.

In defense of the Aveline girl Ginny, who had been next to the twins listening offered, "That doesn't mean anything about her."

Fred, all too happy with himself replied, "That's what you think sister, I reckon she'll be in Slytherin. Family traditions in all."

Appalled Hermione argued, "Even if she is that doesn't make her a death eater."

The debate was ceased when the hat began, "Right, now, where to put you? A wonderful mind, a true loyalist, incredibly cunning too...and a brave heart unlike most. But where to put you? Gryffindor or Slytherin, both strong possibilities for you."

As the hat finished speaking both Hermione and Ginny sent the twins a knowing look. The twins hardly paid them attention, "She's interesting," they mused almost impressed by the hats mere debate of her standing.

The hat continued to hum before saying, "I can see it, not like other Aveline's are you, no. No, you're much different, a higher level of reliance in you than the rest of them. Certainly, your mother's daughter, Rhea had conflicting mind like yours. A will to survive unlike most, but not without empathy." As the hat wondered where to put her Aurora tapped repeatedly on her knee. "Better be. . .Slytherin," it announced much to her relief.

McGonagall removed the hat allowed Aurora to step off the stool and make her way to the Slytherin tables. The closer she drew to the table the less she knew where to go. All the examining faces made on her throat run dry, until she saw the kind, yet sharp face leaned back and waved Aurora over to him. As soon as she sat down beside her, the blonde girl greeted, "Hi, I'm Mara, and this is Ronan, and that is the lovely Nina."

"Welcome, never knew we could get knew students. If you don't mind me asking, why weren't you here before," Nina, a beautiful darker girl had a smile that came off so friendly it filled Aurora with relief.

"My father is...strict. He had my sister and I homeschooled until he felt it was right for us to come," informed the Aveline girl looking over her shoulder to see McGonagall walking back for her sister.

The boy, Ronan who had hair of night that just covered most his forehead leaned forward saying, "Sister? We have two new students? Is she older or younger?"

"Younger, she'll be a third year," Aurora informed and before she could even finish, McGonagall reentered causing the grand great hall door to creak.

"Anika Aveline," McGonagall announced as the brunette came walking through after her being led by the teacher down the hall. As she walked down and saw Aurora at the Slytherin table the young smiled knowing how revealed her sister must've felt.

Fred looked to George, "Five galleons she's in Slytherin," he bet holding out the golden coin.

"Deal," George stated happily pulling out one of his own.

Sitting on the stool Anika eagerly waited for the hat to be placed on her head. Once it was the hat hummed, "Another Aveline! Very different sisters indeed, yet both of you nothing like your ancestors as a matter of fact. Hmmm, confident, daring, ambitious, with a thirst to prove yourself, and an idealistic view of the world. How about...Gryffindor!" As the words echoed from the sorting hat Anika's bright smile dulled. Her surprised eyes landed on her sister as McGonagall pulled the hat off her head.

Nina nudged Mara's hand and kicked and Ronan's foot gesturing to the tensed look of the Aveline girl face. They couldn't see it, but Mara could tell how Aurora's breathing changed. But they all saw how Aurora couldn't take her eyes off an equally paralyzed Anika.

"Join the others," McGonagall instructed the girl gently when she hadn't moved. Having no choice Anika stood making her way to Gryffindors table. Sitting near her was Harry, and Aurora knew then she had no choice. Even if she had doubts, even if she was willing to die failing the unbreakable vow, all that had gone flying out the window the second the hat spoke. She had to betray Harry, if she didn't Anika might not survive going home. Their father was already cruel, he made that clear to them time and time again — his pride was more valuable than anything and if they wounded his pride, he had no mercy. Their mother made sure they knew to never do so; it was their earliest lessons.

"Looks like your father is going to be upset with your sister. Should've known a brat like her would end up in Gryffindor," Nikolai whispered mockingly to Aurora.

Her anxiety putting her on edge she snapped at the Malfoy boy,  "Shut your mouth Malfoy or I'll shut it for you."

Draco chuckled, see he was with his friends now, so he did not need to worry about being caught. He could tease Aurora as much he wanted without their father stopping either boy. "Watch it boys, Aurora's on edge because she knows she has to tell her father about their disappointing Anika," Draco joined in mocking her.

Scoffing at him Aurora argued,  "You know, for someone who claims to be better than everyone you sure spend a lot of your time obsessing over my life. Maybe you two should get a hobby, it's getting exhausting."

"You're just as pathetic as your mother," Draco said knowing it would hurt her. Every time Nikolai wanted to tease her, Draco would take things too far.

"Draco," hissed his younger brother elbowing him as a way of silencing him.

Before she could even speak for herself, Dumbledore's voice announced,  "Now we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well. You see Hogwarts has been chosen––"

Suddenly Filch ran up the aisle limping in a comical way, he whispered something to Dumbledore and left in the same fashion. Had Aurora not still wanted to scream at Draco, she might've laughed. The students watched him with amused curiosity. "So, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Tri-Wizard tournament. Now for those of you who do not know, the tri-wizard tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests.  From each school a single contestant is selected to compete. Now let me be clear, if chosen you stand alone. And trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint hearted, but more of that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of magic and their headmistress Madam Maxime."

A group of girls dressed in blue came through the doors of the great hall and danced up the aisle and release butterflies into the air. Aurora couldn't help but note that each of them were nearly perfect. They bowed and everyone applauds, following behind them was a beautiful woman: an olive-skinned face with a beak-like nose and large, black, liquid-looking eyes. Her hair was drawn back in a shining knob at the base of her neck. She dressed from head to foot in black satin, despite her size, she was elegant and graceful.

Carrying on Dumbledore announced to the crowd, "And now our friends from the north, please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and the high master Igor Karkaroff." A series of older boys walk up the aisle brandishing  staffs, twirling them around and periodically stabbing them into the ground causing a spark effect.

"Bit dramatic of them, don't you think," jeered Nina to the rest of her friends.

The man, who had been introduced as headmaster of said school, was tall, thin, with an unctuously cheerful demeanor, which were blue and remained cold and unmoving. His teeth were yellow and he dressed in sleek, silver furs, "Albus," he said embracing the headmaster in a hug.

Capturing the students attention again Dumbledore said, "Your attention please! I would like to say a few words. Eternal glory, that is what awaits the student who wins the tri-wizard tournament. But to do this that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks."

"And yet students are expected to join," Aurora muttered underneath her breath matter of factly.

"For this reason the ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this we have the head of the department of international magic cooperation Mister Bartimus Crouch." Cutting Dumbledore off there was a sudden sound of thunder roaring overhead, rain began leaking through the roof. Students screamed before a strange man stood in the doorway, he casts some magic upwards and sealed the roof.

Aurora turned seeing a man looking as though his face was roughly carved from wood. Due to injuries his face was covered with scars, and a chunk of his nose was missing. He had dark grey, grizzled hair. He also had a wooden leg that was like clawed foot attached to his leg.

His eyes, however, were his most shocking feature: one was small and dark while the other was a vivid, that moved around independently from his normal eye. As he approached Dumbledore the men spoke quietly before the man moved into the corner. Finally getting his chance to speak, Barty said, "After much deliberation the ministry has concluded that for their own safety no student under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to put forth their name for the tri-wizard tournament. This decision is final."

Immediately the crowd is unsettled from all the people booing. "Silence," Dumbledore shouted at all his students who immediately complied. The elderly wizard casts magic over a box which transformed into a goblet containing a blue flame. "The goblet of fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen there's no turning back. As from this moment the tri-wizard tournament has begun."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

As students walked out of the Great Hall Aurora waited for her sister to pass.  Once she did Aurora grabbed her hand pulling her off into the courtyard. "Rory," the brunettes shaken voice began as her sister kneeled in front of her, "What are we going to do? If we go home father will never let me leave again. He said it himself; no daughter of his can be a Gryffindor you know that. It'll be his greatest shame — what will he do to me Aurora?"

Trying to ease her sisters worried Aurora placed her hands on either side of her face hushing her as she said, "Nothing, you do not ever have to worry about going there ever again."

"I don't understand, you know we have to go home eventually," the young girl argued shaking her head.

Aurora shook her head telling her, "No, we won't. I promise you when this school year is over, you will leave fathers house and never return. Remember Perseus?" Anika nodded remembering her uncle from the funeral, "Mother made a plan for us, for us to live with him. Whatever it takes, I will make sure we see this through. I swear, and I've never broken a promise, have I?"

"I'm scared," Anika admitted careful that the people passing by couldn't hear them, "What if it's not enough? What are you even planning to do Rory?"

Shaking her head she insisted, "I can't tell you, but whatever I do I need you to allow me to work. Do not try to stop me, nor try and figure out what I am doing. You need to just go on, go on living your life as normally as you desire. Your life is yours Anika, from this moment on, live it as such."

Not knowing what else to. say Anika reached out hugging her sister quietly saying, "I don't know what you're about to do, but thank you I know you're doing it for us."

Holding her tightly Aurora assured, "Everything will be fine."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ the dungeons  ❞

School hadn't even begun and somehow already Aurora was exhausted beyond belief. Every day seemed to become more and more heavy for her. The heavier things became the more often she wanted to sleep. Arriving at the room she would call hers Aurora opened the door seeing silver lanterns hang from the ceilings. The walls were decorated with Slytherin crests, there were four wide and tall windows around the room with satin green curtains pulled back. Through the window she could see the depths of the Hogwarts lake. Aurora smiled, the room was beautiful, in the corner of the room between two of the windows she saw her stuff.

She made her way her bed seeing it was an ancient style four-posters with green silk hangings. The room smelled of lemongrass and the scent that fills the air when it rains, Aurora took a deep breath enjoying it. It was calming, it was almost enough to relieve her stress. "It's a spell," a confident British accent announced as she opened the door to the room. Aurora turned seeing a slim and beautiful girl with long blonde hair. She had doll-like features, notably because of her big green eyes, cute nose, and slightly parted lips. "The smell, it's a spell to ease someone's stress from the day," she explained giving off a smile, "I'm your roommate, Mara Devonshire, from earlier as is Nina but she, Ronan are with the others out smoking."

"It's nice to meet you, officially, Aurora Aveline," Aurora replied kindly.

Sitting on her bed opposite Auroras, Mara questioned the earlier information, "So who did teach you before, and where did you go for it?"

Sarcastically Aurora joked, "My living room." Maera immediately looked puzzled making. her roommate laugh, "My mother was a brilliant witch and she taught my sister and I, we had tutors that came, mainly for exams, but most of it was done by her."

Unaware of the gravity of what she was saying Maera asked, "Why doesn't she teach you still?"

Aurora hesitated, she knew people were going to ask her about herself but she didn't know any of them, therefore she trusted none. Being as short with her answer as possible she answered, "She's not around too." Maera's face softened, but Aurora immediately said, "I'm tired, I think I'm just going to go to sleep."

"Very well," Mara said.

Both girls stayed silent as they got ready for bed, and by the time Aurora finished Mara had managed to fall asleep. As the Aveline girl crawled underneath the warm emerald covers she struggled looking for ways to shut off her mind. Relentlessly her mind hounded her about her circumstances. Any hesitation she felt had to be abandoned, Aurora wouldn't dare risk returning to that cold dark Manor with her sister. If she had to listen to one piece of advice her mother gave her for the rest of her life it was, never disappoint Mercucius.

And even though Gryffindor house was nothing to be ashamed of, she knew their father wouldn't see things that way. He would see it in only the ways it harmed his perfect image. Anika would be the first to not be in Slytherin in ages, and part of Aurora felt they all knew that. Anika was different than the rest of her family, she didn't fear their father in the ways Aurora or her mother did. Her younger sister frankly never feared him, rather she was always trying to be as daring as possible in order to impress him.

Their father was always neglectful, but Anika had this spirit in her that...fought for him despite his actions. Aurora hadn't been able to fight for their fathers 'redemption,' she had tried far too hard as a child. Eventually all her love turned to rage, Aurora hated their father. Possibly because she knew a part of her still cared, a part still yearned to be his little girl. But she had buried deep, deep into the ground where her mother's body laid. Anika took his cruelty as treated him with love every time. As sweet as that was, both sisters knew that would not be enough to save her. No that was up to Aurora as it had always been.