Invisible String

3.

Aurora walked into the room of requirement shortly after everyone had already arrived. Harry grinned at her when she walked in.

"As I was saying, let's uh- start practicing! Expelliarmus, go!" Harry instructed to everyone, as they all stood up in pairs and started practicing the disarming charm on one another.

Aurora strolled up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The two who hadn't met Aurora yet looked pleased to meet her.

"Guys, this is Aurora." Harry stood next to the girl who had previously been unknown and turned to face Ron and Hermione. They both shook hands with her.

"It's so lovely to finally meet you! Harry has said great things about you," Hermione bellowed, hugging Aurora. Hermione felt the warmest feeling go through her as they hugged.

"You too. You're beautiful, by the way," said Aurora, admiring Hermione. She blushed in response.

Ron gaped at the interaction, unnoticeably smiling.

"Oh Ron," Aurora sighed, hugging him too. He felt like he was going to melt, similar to what Hermione had felt. "You sweet boy. I'm so glad to meet you."

The hour or so they had together passed by quite quickly, Aurora sitting and watching everyone practice, and Harry walking around to evaluate and help whoever needed it. Aurora thought about how everyone in the school deserved to be here. Umbridge's idea of teaching simple theory to goddamn 5th years was ridiculous. Voldemort or not, everyone should always be prepared. As everyone left the room, it was only Harry and Aurora left in the room. Aurora noticed that a really cute Asian girl had stuck around to say bye to Harry individually. She smirked at this interaction.

"Harry... if I were to invite people to this, would you be okay with it?" Aurora asked, looking up at Harry who was still standing.

Harry extended his arm to grab her hand and make her stand up. "As long as you tell me beforehand, sure, I guess. I don't want too many people in here, because then someone is bound to snitch. This is way too risky for that to happen, so please... invite the right people."

The next day, Aurora met Draco in the morning in the Great Hall. She looked keen to ask him something and he could tell.

"What now?" He asked.

She sighed and leaned in close to him.

"Actually..." she changed her mind, realising how many people were nearby. "...grab a piece of toast. Let's go up to the dorms."

Draco obliged, as they both got up from their seats and left. Aurora smiled at Harry before walking out of the door.

They arrived at their empty common room and sat on a couch. Draco ate the toast in his hand and looked at Aurora.

"Okay. Now before I start, I want your opinion on something: What do you think of Umbridge's new teaching technique in DADA?" Aurora asked.

"Rubbish. What the bloody hell does she expect us to learn through essays? You can't attack or defend yourself like that!" Draco grumbled.

"Well, I'm glad you agree with everyone else, because I know somebody who has opened this club where everyone learns actual defence spells and shit like that, would you be down to join?" Aurora nervously asked him, not knowing whatsoever what his response would be.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Aren't clubs forbidden? There's no way Umbridge authorized such a thing."

"Well yeah. Which is why I beg you don't tell anyone. You've got to promise me. Because then I'll get in trouble by association, possibly expelled, and you don't want that, do you?" She asked politely.