❝ Loyalty and where it lies. ❝
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It was always a statement that Harry love his friends. Though he finds certain peculiar, maybe even like Neville but never Ron who he envies the most because of his loving family. When Ron got annoyed and accused Harry for wanting more glory than he already has, Harry is annoyed as well for his behavior and reasons for it that did not make sense for him and his cousin.
When Aurora found out about Ron's behavior, she threatened the boy that she'll write a letter to Mrs. Weasley about this if he doesn't get his act straight and proper. If her owl — Leo — ever magically comes from her home in the Briar manor and back under her care, she made sure to make an arrangement to write a letter to Mrs. Weasley. That terrified Ron.
Regarding of her father, Aurora had no luck of telling him to stay away from Britain especially now that aurors and the Ministry are on high alert because of what happened at the World cup. Not that she wasn't at all against it. She missed Sirius and it would mean a lot to her if she sees him again. Same goes to him.
Seperated at a young age and have to until now, Aurora kept herself together and prioritized her cousin who was having a difficult time because of the tournament.
"How're you?"
"I feel like drowning." Aurora timidly replies, kept her head low amongst the crowd of Slytherin students in early morning of breakfast in the Great hall. Not only was it loud, she slept so late worrying and debating with herself that it put a strain on her.
"That's how we all feel everyday." Elias snorts, kept his arm around her shoulder as if to harbour her from impending darkness like she's done to him. Especially when Elias's parents pressuring him to join the dark side, he was still reluctant and remained the face of a scared teenage boy so they won't make the decision for him. "Heard you and a certain Beauxbaton lass has been getting quite close."
"It's too early for this, Grant." Aurora lightly groans, burrying her face on the table and shieled her whole red expression behind her arms.
After walking Fleur to her carriage after getting lost, Aurora didn't remember but they kept running into each other and began talking like how friends would in everyday classes. It wasn't like Aurora minded it, she just felt their situation entirely different from her whole other friends like Elias and Daphne. Or Cedric and his friends who became friends with her too.
"What are you gonna do?" Elias asks, seemed like forever that his tone sounded so serious for someone so playful and youthful. "We never really talked about it."
"Of?"
"After Hogwarts, I mean. I assumed you'd stay with Mrs. Briar but seeing as she kicked you out before you graduate. . ." Elias trails off, shrugging while he picked on his food nervously. "What'll you do then?"
Aurora senses his discomfort, making her glance his way. The way his blonde hair seems so perfectly combed, tie tied up to his throat it seemed. In the years that she knows Elias, he was always organized but laid back at the same time. It was taught under the Grant roof that they are always presentable and not slacking off like any other people below their ranks. Elias hated it but it's what he grew up with. Being taught morally yet sadistic at the same time.
"Don't know. Probably find a studio flat like any other muggles do after school, you know?" Aurora only knows this because of Hermione telling her randomly. It's what muggle teenagers seem to do after high school and to college. Only to Aurora, she's off to work. "Close to the Ministry, I hope. To go and become an Auror like I've always wanted."
"Do you reckon it's going to be easy as you made it sound?"
Aurora chuckles and nudges his side with hers, making him look at her. "Have you by my side, won't I?" His eyes seem to brighten at that. All the dreadful emotions Elias seem to feel was gone in an instant.
"Can't though. Fucking crazy family who wants me to join their dumb stupid cult." He mutters, throwing a piece of toast on his plate.
"You think less of me. We'll fake your death and I'll keep you hidden." Aurora whispers indecisively, could see herself and Elias living under the same roof and living their best lives together.
"Do you really mean that?" Elias asks, like a child being presented with the most memorable gift in his life.
"I'm sure father of mine would love to have you as well." She whispers with a glistening grin and Elias returns with a laugh, nudging her side in acknowledgement.
For they are forever in debt with one another, Aurora finds herself to be honest to her best friend who enacts more like a brother as years gone by. When she first told him of Sirius being an actually good and innocent person, claiming he wants to be in her life more now that she knows the truth, Elias was reluctant of it in the beginning but he saw true bliss in Aurora's mood ever since so he had no reason to be upset of it.
Since then, their friendship grew stronger and Elias kept his mouth shut.
"What do you say, Greengrass?" Elias's mood went up, slapping the wooden table excitedly when their lot was joined by Daphne who had just woken up and her perfume scented the atmosphere. Aurora just laughs, shaking her head while eating. "Me and Rory plans on sneaking away and get married after graduation. Care to be a witness?" He smirks.
"As long as it gets me away from my parents, I'll even be in the honeymoon."
"That's the spirit!"
"Eli, keep your voice down!" Aurora chuckles, slapping his arm to silence him when students eyed them warily.
As usual, Elias's loud voice caused attention that neither Aurora nor Daphne needed but can't help but let him be. It made people look their way, including Fleur Delacour who was enjoying the morning and got an even better day ahead overhearing a wonderful laugh and it wasn't from Elias Grant.
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". . . Dragons?" Aurora says with a bit of confusion lingering in her tone and eyes, twirling her wand around while books laid across in front of her library desk that she chose to sit with while she studies for her upcoming important exams.
"Yeah — Crazy, ain't it?" Harry exhales, his leg bouncing up and down in nervousness while his arms rests on the table. "Fire breathing creatures —"
"— Dragons."
"Rory." Aurora keeps repeating the word and the more she does, the more she claims it outrageous but what can she do anyways? It's not like Harry can die from fire, right? The boy who lives gets squashed by a dragon's tail. Oh how that sounds horrid.
"Right, right." Aurora clears her throat, placing her black wand down and sits properly. "And have you managed to find a way to defeat such creature before?"
Harry shakes his head, "No. Hermione and I tried researching how to defeat one but it's all so difficult to." He sighs, ultimately stressed. "Plus," He looks around warily and leans close to Aurora, making sure she heard. "Sirius talked to me in the common room yesterday."
"Oh, yeah. He mentioned he would. What did he say?" Aurora hums, partially forgotten and was just worried for Harry at this point. Also to Fleur who might not know of the danger she'll be in in the First task. Aurora was tempted to tell her in the morning and she currently debates on it.
"Did you know the Durmstrang headmaster's a Death eater?" He says and Aurora wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. "In the past, I mean. Sirius thinks he's the one who put my name in the Goblet."
"It's quite possible. Don't let my father's words get in your head, it'll distract you from your First task." Last thing Aurora needs is Harry getting distracted and get killed. It made her shudder and shook her head. "Listen, Harry. Get a good night's rest and we'll talk about it tomorrow. I still have loads of books to go over, Snape's being a twat again and I have N.E.W.Ts to worry."
"Right." Harry felt guilty for putting weight on Aurora's problem. He swallows feverishly, sweating from all the information he absorbed for the last few days.
Aurora frowns, noticing. "Hey, don't worry about it, yeah? You just worry about the tournament." Then she taps the table, a smile forming on her lips. "And if Ron gives you more trouble, tell him about the threat I made. It'll back him off. Poor lad's afraid of his own mother than you know who."