❝ Home sweeter than home. ❝
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"Goodness - Arthur! Come in, Rory, you must be freezing - Arthur!"
The shrill cold of the night reached in the West of England, preferrable in Ottert St. Catchpole where the Burrow stands tall in a certain spot that made it large than your usual house as a wizarding family. Lightning struck once more and it brought an amount of annoyance to Aurora's ear who didn't like loud behaviors or thunderstorms. Though she could have used Apparition, she did not. It was much more calmer to feel the breeze in the air before she arrives in the Weasley home.
It was a wonder how she flew so high that she reached above clouds, avoiding rain and lightning altogether but she cannot avoid it once she needed to land on the ground to meet Mrs. Weasley and hope she still offers her lovely gesture when in need.
Aurora once visited the Weasleys after friends like Fred and George Weasley pleaded for her to visit at least once in Christmas. They even offered to help her escape the horrors of her own house after she explained that her family doesn't celebrate the holiday. It was a new and fresh start to be able to be happy, to celebrate the Christmas with loving family even if it wasn't hers to call.
Molly Weasley was so welcoming that it overwhelmed Aurora the first time. Fred told her that it was how his mum usually is and for the rest of the break, Aurora felt more comfort in the tight spaced Burrow insted of her spacious manor.
Then when Molly accompanied her children to platform 9 and 3/4, along with Aurora Briar, Molly safely told her that when she feels like it, Aurora is welcome to the Burrow. In secret, Fred and George told their mother of Aurora's family situation and how she is and her beliefs. It was three years ago and at that time, Aurora was a scared child but she isn't that child anymore. She is as fierce as her father is.
Coated with a warm blanket thanks to George, Aurora was sat down on the sofa and she was sure the rest of the Weasley children were at the top of the stairs near, listening intently while Molly helps with her broken and swollen wrist. She even greeted Hermione Granger casually as if her back wasn't killing her and her wrist's bone isn't in almost in half because of Aspen Briar's tight hold a few hours ago.
It was a good laugh from Bill in which made Molly scold him for laughing. They haven't met until today and Aurora already made an impression on the oldest son of the Weasleys.
"What's done it this time? You sneaking out three week ago? Mum find out?" George questions eagerly, a sick grin on his lips and ruffled hair that made him look like a deluded man. It made Aurora laugh but not before she abruptly stops when Molly turned her wrist to another side that it hurts.
"Ow."
"Sorry, darling. I'm no Poppy but this'll have to do in the meantime." Molly says wholeheartedly, engulfed Aurora's beautiful skin into a bandage to keep it steady for the meantime. It's what Hermione suggested since there wasn't any stock of herbs that would heal Aurora the magical way.
"She thought I was ruining the Briar name reputation by doing illegal tradings in Knockturn Alley." Aurora says with no care if she was even smudging her own name into the ground. She'd be delighted if her name is burned off the tapestry family tree. The sooner the better.
"Are you? If so, that's so wick - Ow, mum!" George whines when Molly plainly hits his knee to make him stop while she cleans up the unnecessary aid besides the bandage that is now resting easily around Aurora Briar's wrist and around her palm. "Mum's ignoring me and Fred." He whispers and Molly clearly heard him but chose not to acknowledge it like he claimed to Aurora who frowns. "You know. . . She found out about Weasleys' wizard wheezes."
"Oh, how come you aren't dead yet?" Aurora mused surprisingly, has always expected Mrs. Weasley to go berserk especially when she herself was astounded by the prices they've depleted of their allowances. It made Aurora considerate and hand them money for them to keep going. Though she fairly knows that Mrs. Weasley would be upset of her to do such a thing, Aurora didn't mind at all.
"Aurora Briar! You knew about this?" Molly finally gasps sharply, almost to be seen as a disappointed mother over two, three children of hers.
Aurora felt smaller, "Well, I. . ."
"'Course she did." Fred mused happily, stepping down the stairs after Bill and Hermione failed to stop him for creating an even bigger mess. "Helped us sort things out more easily. Real fixer upper that one." He winks at Aurora who used her uninjured hand to cover her face, lowering her head which was shaking unbelievably.
"You two are already in deep trouble - And now you involve Aurora?"
"Mum, she was willing to help us! Tell her, Rory."
"I," Aurora stands, letting the blanket fall off her shoulders and her wand to swiftly appoint to herself and now she was dried off. "am going to rest, if you don't mind, Mrs. Weasley." She gives the most sweet smile that it made Fred roll his eyes when he saw his mother mirror, as if she forgot her anger.
"Of course, dear. Ginny will help you find your room. Rooms are a bit occupied - You'll be sharing with her and Hermione like before." Molly snaps her eyes more dreadfully to George who whistles, looking away with his hands together on his knees. "And what have I said about you calling me Mrs. Weasley?"
"That I shouldn't." Aurora says almost a question while she walks past her and Fred who gives her a grin. It made her playfully glare at him in doing so.
"Exactly - Fred Weasley, do not follow the poor girl, she needs rest."
"Mum, I'm going to be a delicate host and show her to her room - Okay, okay - I'll stay!"
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After properly being introduced to Bill and Charlie Weasley, they seem to be much older than she expected when Ron told her stories of his older brothers. In midst of blisters and scarred hands, Charlie seems to be most welcoming to Aurora and might've exposed too much of Ron saying he writes too much of her and how much of a good help she's been since his first year.
Late at night, Hermione and Ginny were fast asleep after Aurora and them had caught up with each other's summers. Delicately, Hermione and Ginny avoided Aurora's in order not to intervene in her personal life, especially when they know she's been thrown out of her house, the manor she grew up in in such a cruel way.
Sitting on a wooden chair, Aurora carefully writes down a letter for her father as his owl - though it didn't pose like any normal owl by its festive color of feathers and behavior - arrived and tapped on the window. In making one for Sirius, she remembered she wrote one to Harry back when it was his birthday. She sent him a gift and a cake, recalling something about his aunt having a strict diet towards him and Dudley. In order to not let her poor cousin starve, Aurora sent him lots of sweets and food in the process.
Dear dad,
I've been doing well, for the most part until today. Mum finally kicked me out and I'm certain she's more than willing to be the one to burn my name off the Briar tapestry. It was bound to happen at one point and I'm glad it finally did. Apparently, I'm bringing shame to the Briar name when I was accused of "disgusting" illegal tradings somewhere in Diagon alley.
You must've noticed my edgy handwriting by now as you read this. Mum broke my right wrist but it's fine, I sought help in the Weasleys. Please don't make a big deal of it, I'm fine. I hope for you to come and see me and Harry soon. We miss you, I'm sure he does so much.
P.S. please don't kill mother. It's the least she deserves and I'm willing to believe that something far worse is coming her way. Love you, dad <3
your only daughter, Rory.
Satisfied enough, Aurora sealed it in wax before tying it under the festive bird's claw, didn't have a chance to double check when it began to flap its wings, leaving the scene in a hurry.