𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟-𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝

A Thousand More

Diagon Alley is the one place Aurora the Creature knew she could never set foot in; it was renowned headquarters for Wizards and Wizards alone. A half-breed creature like Aurora had no business venturing into such a dangerous place - and she certainly never thought she'd be going willingly, with another half-breed mind you. Alyosha trudged beside her, his hulking form clothed in a large coat that Mrs Weasley had specially tailored for him. The coat had special stripes cut out to fit his wings. Aurora's midnight black ones trailed freely behind her, almost cloaked entirely by the darkness of the alley.

It was the most bizarre feeling she ever experienced. Freedom. It was still a questionable notion Aurora had a hard time believing. Because of the events at the Ministry, and since she fought against the Death Eaters and heavily wounded some of them, Dumbledore cleared her order arrest and Aurora - although known as a Harpy - was given full legal immunity, despite how stingy the Ministry was about clearing her name. She was officially a free woman. Free to move and fly and do as she pleased, without being afraid of capture, despite being a Harpy who was sought after for many years before she joined Dumbledore's Order.

Everyone in the Wizarding world knew her as Aurora, Dumbledore's little protégé, which is what he told the papers.

No one knew Aurora Hawkins, or what her name represented.

They were both free to live as the Harpies they were in a Wizard's world; they were under the great Albas Dumbledore's sanctuary, after all. That doesn't mean they weren't uneasy and cautious though. They were so used to the prejudice and the constant fight that Aurora could tell they were both on alert, eyes darting around suspiciously at everyone that passed them.

"Where is this place again?" Aurora asked her companion, gripping her wand tightly in her pocket. The silent and grim atmosphere unnerved her.

"Just around the corner," Alyosha answered her. He was the one leading them since he was more familiar with the shop, having spent considerable time there with the twins, helping them set it up.

"Better be near," Aurora muttered, "this place is giving me serial killer vibes."

"Oh, trust me," Alyosha grinned. "You'll know the shop when you see it."

Aurora observed him. "You're awfully happy about going there," she commented.

"I put in a lot of work, I want you to see it."

She smirked. "Showing off your skills in the non-murdering department?"

"Something like that," he let out a laugh. "So people know I'm not just a quick arm with a sword,"

"Oh, don't sell yourself so short," Aurora said dryly, "you also have a pretty face."

They shared a grin as they finally came around the corner. Alyosha was right, it was almost impossible not to notice the shop.

Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes hit the eyes like an outlandish display of fireworks. Bright, orange, loud. Several things were cracking, popping, letting out noise. Jinxes and charms were flying around. There was a large display at the top of the shop to represent the twins, and its mouth was opened in a large and comical smile. The right-hand window was covered with a giant poster, purple with gold typeface letters like those the Ministry passed around.