Invisible String

8.

Aurora stared at the ceiling, having been lost in her thoughts for hours that day.

She recollected every moment over the last few weeks where she felt she may have been reckless. Irresponsible. Did she really work best when she was in the shadows? Had she really been getting ahead of herself? Too overconfident?

But there's no way Sirius would have lived had she not been present. She had sworn to protect Harry, and by saving Sirius she protected the boy from facing a lifetime of pain and grief, did she not? She wasn't reckless. She couldn't be. Dumbledore said she was wise. That she was smart. So that must mean that she wasn't an idiot.

But Severus wasn't an idiot either. How could he say those things? They must be true. Severus Snape did not lie. Not to her, not to Dumbledore.

Perhaps it would be a good idea if she went back to being a shadow, it might be better for everyone. Severus won't have to deal with her. Draco was upset at her anyway. She could go back to protecting her beloved the way she was meant to. But once again, Dumbledore wasn't stupid either. He let her come out of hiding.

"Sweetheart, you alright?" asked Remus, standing in her doorway. She jumped back to her senses as he walked in.

"Yeah, why?" she asked.

Remus sat down in front of her and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the tears she did not realise had rolled out of her eyes. Aurora noticed that he looked rather worn out. She looked at the fresh cut on his lower arms and picked each of them, kissing them so they'd heal. Remus weakly smiled at her, gratefully.

"Am I irresponsible? With... my powers?" she asked.

"What makes you think that?"

"So many people keep... insinuating that. That I'm doing too much and taking too many risks. I'm beginning to think I should pull myself out of the affairs I've involved myself in ever since I came out of the shadows and just go back to doing what I was meant to do. Things were simpler back then."

"Darling... your intelligence and intuition rivals that of some of the most brilliant wizards around today. I believe that the people who said those things to you do not truly know you," said Remus. "They do not know you or your true intentions."

"But was I doing a better job at protecting Harry before I... you know?"

He shook his head. "If your intentions stay the same and you know what you're doing, which is clear that you do, it shouldn't matter if you're in the shadows or not. Besides, if you didn't make yourself evident, do you think Sirius would be with us today? I believe if you were in the earlier position, you would have gotten Harry and his friends out, but Sirius might have died, and Harry would've mourned."

"You and Harry both would have," said Aurora. She looked up at Remus.

"So, there you have it. There's nothing that you've done so far that hasn't resulted in the safety and happiness of Harry," said Remus. "Speaking of Harry, he's finally at the Burrow, as I assumed you sensed already. Sirius gets back later tonight, so I was thinking us three go and surprise Harry tomorrow, for his birthday."

For the first time in what seemed like ages, ever since Aurora got her O.W.L. results (all Outstandings), she felt thrilled. "Of course! That would be lovely."

And so, the following day, the three of them made their way to the Burrow in the early hours. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley greeted the three of them and snuck them in to decorate the house before Harry could wake up.

"He's going to love this. His first real party. I've invited Luna Lovegood as well as Neville Longbottom, I'm sure he'll be delighted!" said Mrs. Weasley.