Vincula sanguinis, H. Potter

Fifteen.

March 23d, 1996. Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.

Aurora sat stiffly in the high-backed chair across from Dolores Umbridge, the pink, frilly office walls a stark contrast to the tension that hung in the air. The room was stiflingly warm, and the overwhelming scent of floral perfume made Aurora's stomach churn. She had been in this office once before, when Umbridge first arrived, and even then, it had felt nauseating. Now, as she sat there, her temper barely contained, the atmosphere was suffocating.

The walls were covered in an assortment of dainty plates, each featuring a different cat, their eyes following Aurora's every move as if they were watching her with silent judgment. Above the desk, a large portrait of a smug-looking kitten hung front and center, its wide, glassy eyes adding to the sickly sweetness that coated the room. Everything in the office screamed of forced cheerfulness, from the lace doilies on the desk to the frilly curtains that blocked out the cold, dreary day outside.

Aurora's fingers dug into the arms of the chair as she glared at the woman sitting across from her. Umbridge sat behind her desk, her tiny hands neatly folded in front of her, her smile as sweet and poisonous as ever. The soft ticking of the clock on the wall only added to the oppressive atmosphere, each second dragging out longer than the last.

"Well, Ms. Malfoy," Umbridge began in her syrupy voice, leaning slightly forward in her chair. "I believe we need to have a little chat, don't we?"

Aurora didn't answer. Her jaw was clenched tight, her heart still pounding with residual anger from the Quidditch pitch. The scent of the floral perfume was giving her a headache, and the last thing she wanted was to engage in some mock-polite conversation with Umbridge.

"I must say," Umbridge continued, her smile widening as she watched Aurora. "I was rather disappointed to hear about your little... incident on the pitch. Hexing another student is quite a serious offense."

Aurora's eyes flickered with rage, but she forced herself to stay silent. The last thing she needed was to give Umbridge the satisfaction of seeing her lose control.

"I was standing up for Draco." Aurora finally said, her voice clipped. She sat up straighter in her chair, refusing to be intimidated by the woman in front of her.

Umbridge's smile didn't waver. "Ah, yes. The Malfoys do place a great deal of importance on family loyalty, don't they? I've noticed with your father, passionate man I must say." She leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming. "But defending one's family does not excuse the use of dark magic, Ms. Malfoy. Surely you understand that."

Aurora's fingers twitched, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the armrests tighter. "It wasn't dark magic."

"Oh, but it was," Umbridge said sweetly, her tone condescending. "Flipendo may seem like a harmless charm, but when used in anger, it can easily become something far more dangerous. You see, magic that is fueled by such negative emotions has a tendency to spiral out of control."