Chapter 26: Aurora's Tale
It was with great reluctance that Harry returned to Hogwarts the next day; far from missing the serious come-and-go Order members of Grimmauld Place or the constant shroud of danger over London, he was concerned about Katie. She had not parted from the incident in Diagon Alley in good form, and she had yet to make contact with her father “ who had fled the scene with the other Militia members and had not since been seen.
Only after a multitude of goodbye kisses, reassurances and reminders they would see each other in a month for Christmas holidays did Harry take hold of the Portkey that whisked him back to Dumbledore’s office and the protective walls of Hogwarts.
It was early morning and Harry found Dumbledore sitting expectantly at his desk in the dawn’s dusty rays of sunlight.
“Welcome back, Harry,” he said promptly. “I daresay your visit to London was… interesting?”
“That would be one word for it,” Harry sighed.
“You did well. I hear the Ministry is considering granting you recognition for assisting in the capture of Bellatrix Lestrange.”
“They can do what they want “ I got exactly what I was looking for.”
“And you demonstrated great prowess in doing so,” Dumbledore said. “You have been doing excellently in your lessons with Professor Alchemina, I see.”
Harry just nodded; it was difficult to know exactly how to respond when one’s magical power was being complimented by Albus Dumbledore.
“I am deeply sorry that I have not been able to take time out myself “ ” Dumbledore began regrettably.
Don’t worry about it,” Harry cut in honestly. “You’ve got more important things to worry about…the Order needs you, I’d imagine.”
“Nothing is more important that preparing you for what you must do “ and now, seeing the danger you were put in…”
“But I’m fine. And Alex is doing a great job. You’ve told me all you can “ and… well, the rest is up to me, isn’t it?”
Dumbledore smiled tiredly at him.
“You have more heart than I could ever hope to have, Harry,” he said kindly before turning happily to the rising sun. “A new day, Harry, a new day. Exciting, isn’t it?”
“Yes, I suppose it is,” Harry answered with a fond grin.
“Now, it is time we both get started with today’s adventures. I expect Mr Weasley and Miss Granger are ill with anticipation… as they’ve been waiting outside my office for a half-hour, now.”
The white-haired wizard gave Harry a small wink and returned to his desk to read over some papers while Harry parted from the office, and as Dumbledore suggested, found Hermione and Ron waiting anxiously for him.
“Harry! Oh, we read about what happened!” Hermione said quickly. “Are you alright? Is Katie alright?”
“We’re both fine,” Harry told her, finding himself more preoccupied with the fact that his two best friends had been waiting for him together, alone, and seemed to be without tension.
“Gave us a right scare, mate,” Ron said seriously, though considerably more relaxed than Hermione.
“Well, I’ve already said “ I’m fine, Katie’s fine “”
Hermione opened her mouth, a warning look glinting in her brown eyes.
““ and I promise to be more careful in the future,” he added quickly. Then, throwing a glance at the pair of them and adopting a casual tone, “So “ anything happened while I’ve been gone?”
“No, not that I can recall,” Hermione said honestly.
“Oh, alright then,” Harry said, feeling slightly disappointed.
“But I have Arithmancy in ten minutes, so I better get going,” she said, planting a kiss on Harry’s cheek. “Glad to see you’re alright.”
And with that, she hoisted her book bag onto her shoulder and flitted away down the quiet corridor.
“I have to tell you, Harry,” Ron said quietly when Hermione’s figure turned the corner out of sight. “Something did happen…”
“Oh?” Harry said, his interest piquing again.
“I had another dream about Aurora.”
“Oh…”
“I know her last name.”
“Well, then?”
“It was Virgo. Aurora Virgo.”
The name tugged at Harry’s memory, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint where he knew it from, or if he even knew it at all.
“I suppose this will help a good deal “ I mean, with a last name, we can find out who she actually was…”
“Well, I already did a bit of research,” Ron said readily. “Aurora’s mother owns a shop in Hogsmeade.”
“In Hogsmeade?” Harry repeated, dumbfounded as it quickly hit him. “Virgo’s Wizarding Treasures?”
“Yes, that’s it!” Ron said eagerly. “You’ve been there?”
“In September “ and the woman, the woman with the blue eyes… that must have been her mum…”
“You met Aurora’s mum?”
“I think so… look “ we have to go see her. The sooner we find out what these memories are, the sooner you can put it behind you.”
“And how are we supposed to get to Hogsmeade?” Ron asked.
“I dunno “ when’s the next visit?”
“But “ didn’t you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“It was in this morning’s Prophet. The Ministry has put the school on a lockdown “ students aren’t allowed out of bounds for recreational purposes.”
“And Dumbledore’s allowing it?”
“Well, it’s the safest thing, isn’t it? I mean, the Sphinx Militia showed up in Knockturn Alley, offed Borgin, and got a whole team of Death Eaters after them…”
“And now they’re saying the same thing could happen in Hogsmeade?” Harry asked.
“I certainly wouldn’t bet against it…” Ron said in resignation.
“Still “ we’re getting into Hogsmeade. We have to go see Mrs Virgo.” He didn’t need to explain his plans further “ Ron knew Harry had the invisibility cloak and the passage of the one-eyed witch on his mind.
“When?” Ron asked quickly.
“Tonight?”
“And what’s happening tonight?”
Harry and Ron turned and found Siobhan eyeing them, her eyebrow raised in what had become a signature fashion for her.
“Oh, hello Siobhan,” Harry said, smiling overenthusiastically.
“Hello there, Potter “ nice to see you alive and unharmed “ what’s happening tonight?”
“Glad to hear you’re so sincerely pleased I’m not mangled and bloody…”
“You’re changing the subject.”
“What’s it got to do with you, Murphy?” Ron said with a grin.
“Nothing “ but as you’re both acting all conspiratorial, I thought it might be of some interest.”
“Well,” Harry said. “There are plenty of things of interest in this world, not all of them concern you.”
“Very well, then,” she replied, unfazed. “I’ll see you in Transfiguration…”
With that, she turned and left them.
“She’s something, isn’t she?” Ron commented with a hint of amused exasperation.
“Definitely.”
“So, tonight then?”
“Tonight.”
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Under the alibi that they would be discussing some Quidditch tactics, Harry and Ron left Hermione early at dinner that evening, before heading directly for the passage of the one-eyed witch. Checking the faithful Marauders Map, they walked around casually until the coast was clear, and then ducked into the secret passageway that lead to the Honeydukes cellar. Upon reaching Honeydukes, the quickly covered themselves in Harry’s cloak and, with little difficulty as the desolate state of Hogsmeade caused the sweetshop to be empty even at a reasonable hour, made their way out onto the street.
Ron allowed Harry to lead the way, as he’d been to the shop once before, and both boys felt their stomachs twisting in anticipation as they closed the distance between themselves and their destination.
Finally, they reached the quaint Virgo’s Wizarding Treasures, threw off the cloak from where they stood in shadow and entered the store, causing a slight tinkle to sound as they opened the door. Inside, standing behind the wooden counter and appearing to be taking inventory, stood the blue-eyed woman Harry had met on his previous visit. She turned to them in surprise.
“My, my “ Hogwarts students?” she said warmly. “I have to say, I wasn’t expecting any to be wandering into my store after that newest Ministry decree “ something tells me you’re either her on urgent business or that you probably shouldn’t be here at all.”
“Both actually…” Harry said, hoping she wouldn’t be turning them over.
“Mr. Potter, I remember. How are the journals working out?”
“Grand, thanks,” Harry said, ignoring Ron’s quizzical glance.
“And what is it that you seek tonight?”
“Information, actually. If… that’s alright with you, that is.”
“What would you like to know?”
“We want to know about Aurora…” Ron said quietly.
“Ah,” the old woman said, her smile fading slightly. “Aurora… and “ what is it that you would like to know?”
“She was your daughter?” Harry asked.
“Yes “ my only daughter. Among many sons.”
“And she was murdered?” Ron asked empathetically, his voice trembling
Mrs. Virgo did not respond verbally, but looked very sadly at the two boys and nodded.
“I’m sorry, it must be a difficult subject for you…” Harry apologised.
“It was a very long time ago, but yes… it is still painful.”
“If... well “ we were wondering if you could tell us what exactly happened to her?”
“Of course, of course. But “ if I might ask first, is there a particular reason you wish to know?” she looked at them earnestly, but something in her crystal eyes told Harry that she had a very good idea as to why they had wandered into her store requesting to hear the details of her only daughter’s murder.
“We… found out a few things about her,” Ron explained. “Not purposely, but…what we learned made us very interested in her, for personal reasons.”
“I see, well “ how should I start? It was during the war, of course. Nobody was without suspicion, and nobody was unsuspected. My family and I were threatened a few times by the followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. They didn’t like the business we were in, selling antiques and artefacts that had been owned by purebloods, allowing Muggleborns and such to purchase them. They called us blood traitors, vandalised the shop, brutally attacked my eldest… it was a terrifying time.
“Aurora was the youngest, and the only girl. All of us knew how vulnerable she was to the Death Eaters’ attacks, how likely it was they might use her to make the rest of the family pay. She made a friend at school, though… lovely young lad, and as pure blooded as any…”
Mrs. Virgo paused slightly and looked directly at Harry; he felt a slight jolt in his stomach.
“Well, he was very brave and had a rather stubborn defiance against the Death Eaters, so he took a special alliance with my daughter. Protected her with his very life “ unfortunately, he got mixed up in a rather nasty business a few years after they left school. The Ministry suspected him as a loyal follower of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Aurora knew it wasn’t true, and very foolishly went out in a blaze of protest for the young man. As you might know, Barty Crouch had issued permission to administer the Unforgivables on Death Eaters “ they assumed she was in league with the rest of the them and as they were so intent on wiping out of any the remains of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s followers while he appeared to have been vanquished…. They did not hesitate in killing her.”
She fell quiet again; Harry and Ron didn’t speak, deciding it would be insensitive. After a few moments, she looked at them and continued.
“My youngest son, Roberius “ an Auror “ was enraged at everyone after it happened. He wouldn’t associate himself with the Ministry any longer, and he was in an absolute fury with the young man “ who he presumed to be guilty and at fault for his sister’s death. Shortly after, he somehow lost a good portion of his memories that had anything to do with Aurora or our family, and I have not seen or heard from him since.
“That’s really all I can tell you of what happened… I do hope I have been of some help.”
“Yes, you’ve helped a great deal, and I’m sorry to have put you through this,” Harry said.
“It was no trouble, Mr. Potter. Memories must be relived...”
“I just have one more question…the young man…” Harry asked anxiously. “What was his name?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Potter. It is not my place to say. I’m sure there are others who have better authority to tell you than I.”
The disappointment swept over Harry like a dark cloud “ he knew it had to be Sirius in the story, yet… without receiving confirmation, he still would not allow himself to be sure. Offering Mrs. Virgo one more thank you, he and Ron left the store, quickly disguising themselves under the cloak once again and setting off through the dark night towards Honeydukes once more.
“What do you think?” Ron asked as they travelled the long passage back to the castle, their way lit by the tips of their wands.
“I think we’ve found out plenty about Aurora Virgo, and that you can go back on your potions now,” Harry said firmly.
“We still don’t know about Sirius…”
“Well, we’ll find out someone else to ask about that, won’t we? But you began this pursuit because you thought she might have been a Death Eater, and it’s clear that she wasn’t… so I suggest you do yourself a favour and let this rest.”
Ron furrowed his brow in annoyance for a moment, but then appeared to give up.
“Yeah… I suppose you’re right.”
“So, you’re going to let it go?”
“Yes, I’ll let it go.”
They were quiet a few more minutes, before Ron cleared his throat to speak again.
“I was thinking, in the shop when Mrs. Virgo was talking about Aurora…”
“How she sounded like Ginny…” Harry finished pre-emptively.
“Yeah,” Ron said softly. “I imagine… Mrs. Virgo must know exactly how Mum feels. And… she seemed sosad to talk about Aurora... so many years later…”
“I know…” Harry said miserably, remembering the tired looking Mrs. Weasley and how different she was from two years ago. “Death changes people…”
A thick silence fell upon them as they stopped in front of the passage’s exit.
“Thank you, Harry.”
“For what…?” Harry asked, a little stunned.
“For what you did to Bellatrix. What you did for Ginny…”
Harry responded with nothing more than a solemn nod, and the two stepped wordlessly from the passage and made their way to Gryffindor Tower, for a peaceful night’s sleep.