Love The Heartless

Chapter Four

December 15th, 1969

It had been just over two months since Bellatrix and Aurora broke up, and the whole Slytherin house could feel the tension in the air between the two women. The two witches had hardly spoken more than three words to each other, and Bellatrix threw dirty looks at anyone who tried to speak to Aurora.

"So, are you going home for the holidays?" Andromeda asked Aurora over a game of wizard's chess.

"No, I don't feel up to it this year. Mother and Father don't want me there anyway, and it'll just be better if I stay here."
"I'm sorry. I wish you could come home with us, but I don't imagine it's much better at our home anyway." Andromeda shrugged.

"Andromeda. Are you packed for the ride home tomorrow?" Bellatrix asked as she walked into the younger Black sister's dorm.
"Yes."
"Are you sure that you have everything packed?"
"Yes, mother." Andromeda responded with an eyeroll.

Aurora looked up when she said that. Andromeda had just royally fucked up. Their mother was the person who Bellatrix hated most in the world, just behind their father.

"Do not ever call me that again, Andromeda Black. Or I'll hex you." Bellatrix hissed.
"You'll do no such thing, Bellatrix. You don't have the guts. You're all bark, and no bite." Andromeda stood up, face to face with her older sister.
"Hey, maybe we should all calm down." Aurora stood, slowly making her way between the two sisters.

"Mind your business, Nott. This is between me and my sister." Bellatrix spat.
"Stop being so damn mean to her! You've been nothing but a complete bitch the past two months! You're starting to remind me of Father."

"Petrificus Totalus!"
"Protego!"

Bellatrix and Aurora both shouted their spells at the same time. Aurora's shield wrapped around Andromeda, blocking her from the temporary petrifying spell that Bellatrix had cast.
"I told you to mind your business, Nott." Bellatrix turned and aimed her wand at Aurora.
"I'm not going to sit here and watch you hex Andromeda for no damn reason. Now, lower your wand Black. We both know who the better duelist is."

Bellatrix and Aurora stared each other down for a moment, before Bellatrix turned on her heel and stormed off.
"I can't believe she really tried to hex me!"
"You fucked up by comparing her to not only your Father, but your Mother as well. You know she hated that woman when she was alive. I'm not saying you deserved it, but you know you hit a nerve, Andromeda." Aurora somewhat scolded the younger witch.
"I know. But still, she's been acting like a bitch ever since you two broke up. I don't know what her deal is. She's threatened to hex me before, but she's never tried." Andromeda played with her fingers nervously.
"Just apologize on the train ride home tomorrow. She'll get over it. Look, it's late. I'll see you when you get back from holiday, yeah?" Aurora smiled at her friend softly.
"Promise to write me every day? And try to have a happy Christmas, okay Rory?" Andromeda pulled the older witch into a hug.

"Every day. I promise."

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December 24th, 1968

Aurora was sitting in the Great Hall, finishing her history of magic homework, when she felt someone sit next to her.
She looked up to see Reid Akins, one of her fellow Slytherins, smiling at her.
"Can I help you, Akins?" Aurora asked sharply. She had never been a fan of the man. His blood purity speeches made Aurora want to vomit every time she heard him. He would go on and on about blood traitors and mud bloods, and how they were 'less than' purebloods.

"I was thinking, Nott. We're really some of the few people who didn't go home for Christmas. So, I figured we'd have our own little Christmas party. You and I."
"No thank you, Akins." Aurora rolled her eyes and focused on her homework once again.
"Come on, Nott. Quit being so holier than thou. I know you want to." He scooted closer to her, and gently played with the braid she had pulled her hair into that morning. "Nobody would have to know."
"I would know. And to be frank, I'd rather have to face a dragon than to do anything with you." Aurora shut her history book and began to gather her items.

Reid grabbed her arm harshly to stop her from leaving, "Listen here you bitch-"
"Flipendo!" Aurora quickly aimed her wand and the boy flipped backwards off of the bench.
"Miss Nott! No spells in the Great Hall! Five points from Slytherin." Professor McGonagall shouted as she ran up to the two students.
"He was threatening me Professor! I was defending myself!" Aurora stood her ground.
"Is this true Mr. Akins?" The older witch asked.
"She's lying! I was trying to help her with her homework and she just went mad!"

Aurora angrily grabbed her things and shoved them in her bag, storming out of the Great Hall. What bullshit! She was defending herself. And McGonagall believed that prat over her?

Aurora stormed into the common room, and went straight to her dorm where she knew she could get some privacy. She shut the door behind her, locking it for good measure.
"Fucking hell. I can't wait to leave this bloody school." She muttered.

Aurora heard tapping on her window, and opened it to see the Black family owl on the ledge.
"Thank you, Rigel." She said to the bird as she took the letter and small package from him. "You can go home, I'll send Andi a reply tomorrow." She gave the bird a treat, and he flew off into the night.

Aurora forgot all about her problems for a moment, she was just excited to hear from her friend. She sat on her bed, opening the letter.

Dear Rory,

I miss you so much. I wish you were here with us. This has been one of the strangest holidays that I've had. I've hardly seen father or Bellatrix. And Cissy has taken it upon herself to follow Lucius Malfoy around like a sick puppy dog. I've been told to stay in my room, and stay quiet most of the time. We've had lots of visitors to the house, but nobody I know. Or at least recognize by voice. I hope you're having a better time than I. I do hope that Rigel makes it before Christmas morning.
I can't wait to see you when we get back to school.
Happy Christmas.

Love,
Andi.

Aurora smiled down at the letter and began opening her present. She had sent Andi's and Cissy's gifts the day before. She had gotten them both new school bags, but had put an undetectable extension charm on them.
Her smile grew wider when she saw the handmade leather wand holder. It had straps for her to attach to her forearm, and she found another strap in the package that could be used to fasten the holder to her leg if she was wearing a dress.
Underneath was a small journal, that had flowers and plants etched into the leather binding. Upon looking closer, Aurora recognized some of the flowers. Aster, calla lily, camellia, a carnation, a clover, and what looked like heliotrope was beautifully, and obviously hand carved, into the leather. She decided that the book was the best gift she had ever received.

For the first time in months, Aurora fell asleep with a smile on her face.