Title: The Celestial Code
Author: 
alisanne
Rating: NC-17 (this part)
Pairings: Severus Snape/Aurora Sinistra, Harry Potter/Remus Lupin (implied)
Word Count: 28, 800 (plus or minus a couple). This part: 7900.
Warnings/Content Information (Highlight to View): *Chan implied - nothing overt*.
Challenge: Written as my submission to the 2012 
hp_beholder fest.
Summary: Some things are indelibly written in the stars and others are subject to change.
Author's/Artist's Notes: Thank you to sevfan who put in some serious beta-reading hours on this, to the slashchat girls, who proved to be the best handholders anyone could want, and to bethbethbeth, who showed incredible patience as this story swelled far beyond what I thought I'd be writing. My recipient was the lovely snapesgirl, whose response was gratifying.
Back to Part 1
~
Aurora spent the summer moving her mother to southern France. It was a bigger job than she’d anticipated so it was almost a surprise when autumn arrived.
Rushing to Diagon Alley for new teaching robes, she saw a crowd at Flourish and Blotts and, curious, she craned her neck to see what all the fuss was about. Her short stature made it difficult, however.
“I didn’t think I would find you here, Professor,” came a whisky-smooth voice from behind her. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for him, too.”
Spinning, Aurora came face to face with Severus, who was looking at the gathered people with something akin to disgust. “Fallen for whom?” she asked. “I couldn’t tell what was going on so I came to investigate.”
“Ah.” Severus rolled his eyes. “It’s another Lockhart public appearance.”
“Oh.” She made a face. Gilderoy Lockhart was a handsome enough man, but there was something about him that was...smarmy and off-putting. Plus, no woman appreciates a man who pays more attention to his clothes than she does. Narcissa Malfoy notwithstanding.
A smirk crossed Severus’ face. “I take it you’re not a fan?” he asked.
“Merlin, no.” She started to move away, sighing as a matron quickly manoeuvred to take her spot. “Did he write another book?”
“Fortunately, no.” Aurora shivered as Severus clasped her elbow to guide her through the crowd. He was so tall that he navigated with ease, and soon they were beyond the crush. “Unfortunately, however, I understand Albus invited him to teach Defence this year.”
Aurora froze mid-step. “Oh Circe and Morgana,” she whispered. “Surely not.”
Severus snorted. “Interesting. That was my reaction, too,” he said, tone dry. “But yes. Lockhart is joining the faculty.”
“Those poor children,” Aurora said. “Someone’s going to have to teach them to defend themselves.” She paused, then decided to continue. “After all, it’s clear something is coming.”
“Indeed.” Severus didn’t even pretend surprise at her words. “You always have been perceptive, Aurora.”
Her name sounded like a caress in his mouth. Eyes wide, she stared up at him. Dark eyes intent on her face, he swallowed, opening his mouth to say something when--
“Severus!” Lucius Malfoy, looking even more arrogant than Aurora recalled, was swishing towards them. Severus’ expression immediately closed.
“Hello, Lucius.” Releasing her arm, Severus bowed. “Good day, Professor.”
It was a clear dismissal and, disoriented by Severus’ hot and cold behaviour, Aurora blinked. “Ah. Yes. G-good day, gentlemen.” Straightening her shoulders, she smiled coolly at both of them before pivoting on her heel and walking briskly away. Stopping to look into a shop window, she pretended to inspect the cauldrons but instead focussed on the reflection that displayed Severus and Malfoy.
Severus’ expression remained aloof and after a moment, Lucius sneered, pushing his way through the crowd and into the bookshop. Turning on his heel, Severus strode away.
Interesting, Aurora thought as she walked to the Apparation point. She didn’t trust Malfoy any further than she could throw him, but it seemed clear to her that Severus didn’t either. And when did I get so adept at reading his expressions?
The new class of Hogwarts first years looked even younger than the previous year’s had. Aurora feared she was becoming like her mother, who thought of anyone under sixty as a baby. I’m not yet forty, but Circe, I feel ancient compared to them, she thought as she watched yet another Weasley, a girl this time, get sorted into Gryffindor.
Lockhart, as she’d expected, was an unmitigated disaster as a teacher. Poppy, finally having managed to keep her promise and find a way to get Severus and Aurora into the same room at the same time by asking them both to brew for her, continually ranted about him while she helped them decant their weekly brewing.
“The idiot Banished poor Potter’s bones, forcing me to make him regrow them!” She shook her head. “Why Albus even allowed that moron in the school is beyond me--”
Severus, who had been steadily decanting, sighed. “Believe me, Madam, I have asked him.” He rolled his eyes. “From what I can tell, his goal is to have the students be able to recognise a charlatan when next they meet one.”
Aurora bit back a smile. “Mission accomplished, then,” she murmured. “Surely everyone must realise by now that no one person could have done all that he’s claimed.”
“In my experience, students are not particularly perceptive.” His cauldron empty, Severus flicked his wand, scouring it clean with a charm before reaching for his robes.
“Won’t you stay for tea, Severus?” Poppy asked, studiously avoiding Aurora’s gaze. “We’d love to have you.”
Aurora held her breath, exhaling when Severus shook his head. “I’m afraid I have a meeting with Albus this evening.”
Poppy snorted. “You know, you spend far too much time closeted in his office with him, Severus. All plotting and no play makes for a dull man.”
Severus raised an eyebrow. “Ah, but as you both no doubt know, I am a dull man.”
“I would call you many things, Severus,” Aurora said, catching his eye, “but dull is not one of them.”
Clearly shocked, Severus stared at her, while Poppy sniggered. “She’s got you there, Severus. I daresay no one would ever describe you as dull.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Tea, you say? Very well, but only if the elves bring some of those chocolate biscuits--”
In that moment there was a shriek, followed by shouting.
All three of them stared at each other for a split second before Poppy and Severus dashed for the door, Aurora only a step behind. Poppy turned, casting a Stasis Charm over her still full cauldron before locking the door.
The hallway was crowded with students, and as Aurora pushed through them she froze upon seeing Mrs Norris, Filch’s cat, lying stiff on the floor, directly above her blood-red writing on a stone wall. The Chamber of Secrets? Merlin! she thought as students whispered around her.
“It was ’im,” Mr Filch cried, pointing a trembling finger at Harry Potter. “’E’s killed ’er!”
Potter shrunk back, pressing himself between Granger and Weasley. “I didn’t do anything!” he protested.
Filch took a threatening step forward and it was then that Dumbledore appeared, his presence immediately calming everyone, except perhaps Filch.
As Dumbledore took charge and began questioning everyone, Aurora scanned the hallway. The floor was wet, which she found curious. Glancing over at Severus, she could tell he did as well, his brow furrowed, eyes assessing as he surveyed the students present. His gaze lingered for a moment on Draco Malfoy before moving on. How curious, Aurora thought.
“...just Petrified, thank goodness,” Dumbledore said, interrupting her thoughts. “We’ll move Mrs Norris to the infirmary for treatment, Argus.” He looked at the gathered students. “Back to your dormitories, children. We’ll handle this.” Gesturing towards Severus, Dumbledore smiled at Aurora. “My dear, would you help Poppy with Mrs Norris?”
Nodding, she turned away. Before she left, however, she glanced back over her shoulder, seeing Severus deep in discussion with Dumbledore. As if he’d sensed her regard, he looked over at her. Their eyes caught and held for a long moment.
“It seems you’d rather stay here,” Poppy murmured.
Shivering, Aurora tore her gaze from Severus’. “Of course not. Come, let’s go. Filch’s head will explode if you don’t start working out how to revive his cat.”
Poppy chuckled. “True. Although I can handle this if you’d rather help Severus...”
“It’s fine,” Aurora said, shaking her head. “There will be other opportunities.”
But sadly, there weren’t. The Chamber of Secrets had been opened and the students and staff spent their days and nights worried about what the Heir of Slytherin would do next. Aurora found student performance suffered a lot, except perhaps for Granger and a few select Ravenclaws.
In her spare time, she studied her father’s journals, at first to see if they could be pulled into manuscript form but, as she continued, she began to get caught up in his theories themselves. He really was brilliant, she thought as she perused them in the evenings before her midnight classes.
Lockhart made socialising in the staff room intolerable, so Aurora spent more and more time either closeted in her rooms, in the library or with Poppy in the infirmary.
Severus rarely joined them anymore, so she and Poppy spent hours speculating about who could be responsible for the increasingly terrifying events.
The day they brought Granger into the infirmary, Aurora happened to be there. “This has got to stop,” she said, shaking her head as Poppy helplessly did scans.
“It does,” Poppy agreed with a sigh. “But what can we do? No one knows who’s responsible.”
“Someone does,” Aurora said, pacing. “Someone must.”
“Well yes, I suppose so,” Poppy said, distracted. “But they’re not saying, and since Sybill’s abilities as a Seer seem to not be working at the moment--”
“We don’t need a Seer,” Aurora muttered. “What we need is science--” She paused, eyes going wide.
Poppy, wand still moving over Granger’s Petrified body, looked up at her. “What is it?”
Aurora, mind racing, started for the door. “I’m not sure. I have to go. I’ll be back later, all right.”
“Of course, my de--”
Closing the door on Poppy, Aurora walked quickly to her tower. Fortunately, she did not have class that evening because of anticipated cloud cover, so she pulled out her father’s notes, scanning for a section she recalled reading several evening before.
Thirty minutes later, she smiled. There it is. Reading carefully, her eyes widened. I was right. This could work--
Sitting back, she pondered all she knew of stellar and galactic astronomy. Like all astronomers, she knew that what she studied in the night sky, she was studying what had happened in the past. Some of the stars that were still visible were no longer there. In essence, she was looking into the past.
I can’t believe Father found an Arithmancy formula to turn that around, to look at our planet and see what an observer from space would. With only minor manipulation, I can see what will happen in our future since it’s really the universe’s past! She shivered. With such a discovery would come some awesome responsibility. Was she prepared?
Then, she thought of how Dark everything seemed. Something was coming, she knew it. Someone needs to prepare. So, squaring her shoulders, she set to work.
The following weeks Aurora withdrew from almost everyone. Everyone except Poppy. She didn’t tell her everything, just enough so that she knew Aurora was working on a theory of her father’s.
It was the night Ginevra Weasley disappeared, taken by the Heir of Slytherin into the Chamber of Secrets, that Aurora made her breakthrough. After watching Gilderoy Lockhart, who had been boasting that he’d known the Chamber’s location all along, be trapped into promising to rescue her, Aurora, disbelieving, shook her head, hurrying to her tower to get away from him and work on her formula.
Later she would hear about Harry Potter deep underground battling a Basilisk, but in that moment all Aurora could think of was how very frightened the Weasley girl would be. If she’s not dead.
Surprisingly, when she saw the solution it was a small, simple tweak to the formula. Biting her lip, she wrote out the new formula, substituting light as her constant instead of time, and she gasped. That’s it!
Deciding to test it, she pointed her telescope at a distant star and jotting down the coordinates, plugged in her formula.
It was overwhelming trying to hone in on one small part of what was going to happen in the world, but she was meticulous and painstaking and determined. And soon a pattern emerged.
It took her a while to discern it clearly, and several more hours to decipher even a small percentage of her calculations, but when she was finished, she sat staring at her parchment, her heart pounding
Some things were immutable, she knew. The sun would rise in the morning, and set in the evening. And Voldemort will return. Merlin. The pattern was murky, but she could see that Harry Potter was a key part of what would happen. As was Severus, who everyone would think had died. She shook her head. No. I want the future I saw in that mirror and I can have it, I know I can. She narrowed her eyes. Just because people think he dies doesn’t mean he actually does.
It took several hours to write down even a small portion of what she could see and at the end of it, she knew deciphering what would happen would take months, if not years.
“Well,” she whispered into the empty room. “I did say I wanted to do important research.”
Just then, an elf popped into the room. “Madam Poppy requests Professor Aurora!” it squeaked.
“What is it?” Aurora asked, rising to her feet, parchments forgotten. “What’s happened?”
“Madam needs good brewers! Students need potions!”
By the time Aurora got to the infirmary it was quite crowded. Every professor who knew anything about potions was present. Her eyes immediately flew to the corner where Severus was elbows deep in brewing. She had to tear her eyes away from his bare arms before hurrying over to Poppy to ask what was going on and find out where she was needed.
“Perhaps you could brew some Calming Draught for him,” Poppy said, pointing over to the corner where Lockhart was sitting, rocking back and forth and mumbling to himself.
Aurora nodded slowly. “Of course. But what happened to him?”
Poppy smirked. “According to young Potter and Weasley, he tried to Obliviate them, but it backfired. Apparently he was going to try to claim that he opened the Chamber and killed the Basilisk. It’s apparently a trick he’s used successfully before.”
“Memory Charms?” Shaking her head, Aurora got to work and as she brewed, the other staff filled her in. “You mean to tell me all those books he wrote were lies?”
“No. They just weren’t his stories to tell,” said Minerva, decanting Mandrake Draught. “You can’t be surprised. We’ve always known the man was a charlatan.”
“Indeed,” agreed Severus, wiping his hands and slipping back into his robes. “Although attempting to hex children, even children as vexing as Potter and Weasley, may have been taking things a bit too far.”
“Yes, we all know how you feel about them,” Minerva said, tone dry. “And yet they did save the day and everyone involved.”
Aurora hid a smile at Severus’ scowl. “Not Lockhart, though.”
“No,” Minerva agreed, satisfaction clear in her voice. “Not him.”
It was hours until they finished patching everyone up and, exhausted, Aurora sought her bed. As she walked past Dumbledore’s office, however, she heard raised voices and, curious, she ducked out of sight to watch.
Lucius Malfoy, looking very disgruntled, was storming away from Dumbledore’s office, a cowed house-elf at his heels. As she stared, Harry Potter emerged from Dumbledore’s office to chase Malfoy.
“Mr Malfoy! You forgot this,” Potter said, holding out an old, battered book.
Malfoy sneered. “What on earth are you talking about, Potter?”
Potter’s eyes narrowed and in that moment Aurora saw clearly the fierce man he would become. “I think you slipped this book into Ginny Weasley’s cauldron so that she would open the Chamber.”
“Is that so?” Malfoy smirked unpleasantly, grabbing the book from Potter. “Well why don’t you prove it?”
Turning away, he started for the exit, thrusting the book at the elf. Potter began gesticulating to the elf, miming opening the book, which the elf did after a moment of hesitation.
“Master!” the elf squeaked, holding up a sock. “You have freed Dobby by presenting him with clothes!”
Potter’s pleased smirk was surprising and made Aurora smile. Well, well. He does have a brain after all, she thought, amazed at the skilful way Potter manipulated Malfoy into freeing his elf.
When Malfoy raised his wand, Aurora’s eyes widened and she readied her wand, but it wasn’t necessary. With a flash, the elf cast a shield that threw Malfoy several feet back. “You will not harm Harry Potter!” it cried, crossing its arms and staring at Malfoy’s crumpled form.
After climbing to his feet, Malfoy glared at Potter and hissed, “Meddlesome boy! You’re just like your wretched parents and something tells me you’ll come to the same, sticky end!”
And as Malfoy stormed away and the elf and Potter returned to Dumbledore’s office, Aurora pondered all she’d seen. She knew people like Malfoy. He would not forgive that humiliation lightly. I’ll need to watch the stars carefully.
That summer Aurora’s research was on hold while she moved all her mother’s things to the house in France. And, following her instincts, she left just enough behind in their family house so it didn’t appear completely abandoned.
Word of Sirius Black’s escape from Azkaban reached her even in France and, after hugging her mother goodbye and promising that she would write, Aurora hurried back to England and then Scotland.
Hogwarts seemed besieged, surrounded by a pall of depression cast by the presence of the Dementors patrolling the school.
Dumbledore called a staff meeting before the students arrived, explaining that the Ministry had ordered the Dementors be sent to watch for Black, who they thought would be trying to get in. After the meeting had been adjourned, Dumbledore pulled Severus aside to speak privately with him, and at the end of the conversation, Severus looked furious.
“Severus,” Aurora called before he could leave the room. “How are you? Bad summer?” she asked.
“Indeed. And a bad year ahead,” Severus snapped, bowing curtly before leaving.
The Dementors turned up everywhere, including the Hogwarts Express, and Aurora wasn’t surprised when, their first day back, several children, including Harry Potter, were brought into the infirmary to treat Dementor-induced shock.
That was the day she met Charity Burbage, the new Muggle Studies teacher who’d been chaperoning on the train along with Remus Lupin, the new Defence professor. She recalled Lupin from school, since he’d been the same year as Severus.
Charity quickly became a regular member of Aurora and Poppy’s tea club and proved a bubbly and charming friend. Severus did not join them that year, however.
It quickly became clear to Aurora that Severus did not like Remus Lupin, but Severus’ hostility seemed more than just simple House rivalry.
“What do you have against Lupin?” she asked him one day as they sat together in the stands to watch the first Quidditch match of the year. It was overcast, the roiling clouds milling about overhead, the shape of floating Dementors barely visible in the distance.
“Other than the fact that he and his friends terrorised me in school?” Severus asked, tone dry.
She shook her head. “That was years ago. This seems...more personal.”
Severus remained silent.
Aurora sighed, wrapping her arms about herself as the air turned chill. “Fine, don’t tell me. Just--Be careful.”
Severus looked at her. “Why do you say that?”
Aurora hesitated. While she had spent some time deciphering what she’d read from the stars, she was still wary about telling people that she could see the future. Severus was a man of science. Would he even believe her? “As part of my research I’ve been...analysing trends and I sense something’s coming. Just a feeling I get,” she finally said, feeling deflated. Merlin, he’ll think I’m mad.
He raised an eyebrow, his expression intrigued. “Then you have good instincts.” Placing a hand on her arm, he said softly, “Please trust me and stay away from him.”
Startled at his touch, she blinked. “But why--?”
Around them the crowd gasped, several people screaming and, startled, Aurora tore her gaze from Severus’ only to see Potter falling without a broom.
“Arresto Momentum”! shouted Dumbledore and Potter’s fall was slowed but not stopped.
Potter still hit the ground with a sickening thud and as people started running towards him, Aurora realised Severus had slipped away. She sighed. Merlin but he’s a hard man to read.
Potter recovered, of course, and Aurora buried herself in her research, taking breaks only to have tea with Poppy and Charity a couple of times a week.
One evening, on her way down to the library, Aurora heard voices coming from the Defence classroom and, wondering what was going on, she cracked open the door, only to see Lupin and Harry Potter.
“...don’t know why they affect me so, Professor,” Potter was saying. “I mean more than most people.”
Lupin sighed, patting Potter’s shoulder. “I can’t say, Harry. All I know is that I can try to give you the tools to defeat them. Are you ready?”
Potter nodded.
“Now remember what I said before,” Lupin said. “Use a strong, happy thought. Keep that in your mind and do not let it go. Channel the energy you get from that into the spell. The incantation is ‘Expecto Patronum’.”
When Potter had his wand up, Lupin opened a trunk. At first there was a blur and the flash of what looked like a full moon. A moment later what appeared to be a Dementor floated out. Potter took one look at it and went pale. Trembling, he whispered, “Expecto...Expecto--”
Swooning, Potter almost crumpled and would have hit the floor if Lupin hadn’t caught him. Aurora’s eyes widened as Lupin, tenderly cradling Potter, settled him on a chair, running a hand through his hair.
“Oh, Harry, my love,” Lupin whispered, pained. “So determined and brave. You’re like your father. If only you knew what you mean to me.”
Aurora blinked, her mind racing. Lupin’s words and the tender note in his voice bespoke much more than merely a teacher’s concern for a student. Merlin, I think he’s in love with Potter!
Just then Potter stirred and Lupin withdrew his hand, and by the time Potter opened his eyes, Lupin had once again retreated into the role of concerned professor. “You fainted,” he said, helping Potter to sit up. “Here, have some chocolate.”
“I need to try again,” Potter said once he’d eaten and some colour had returned to his cheeks. “This is so embarrassing.”
“Not at all,” Lupin reassured him. “I didn’t expect you to get it the first time. That would have been truly extraordinary. Now try again. And remember, you need a strong memory.”
Aurora stepped back from her unseen position at the door as they continued. Should I tell someone? Lupin made no improper advances--
Glancing back inside, she saw the lesson continuing, Potter finally managing to produce a non-corporeal Patronus. Deciding Potter was safe enough, she bypassed the library, going instead to Poppy’s quarters.
Poppy took one look at Aurora’s face and ordered tea. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”
To Aurora’s shock, once she finished, Poppy was smiling. “Remus found his mate and it’s Harry Potter?” she said. “Dear Merlin. I mean I’m pleased for him but-- Dear me.”
“His...mate?” Aurora blinked. “You make it almost sounds like he’s some sort of animal.”
Poppy coughed. “I really can’t say any more, my dear. This isn’t my secret to tell. Just be assured that measures have been taken that the students will be kept safe. Though perhaps I shall have to speak with the headmaster about this latest development. Still, Potter’s probably quite safe.”
Aurora shook her head. “Safe? Safe from what?”
With a sigh, Poppy patted her hand. “I’ve been sworn to secrecy, my dear. But trust me, if I didn’t have assurances from everyone involved I would never have agreed.” Her expression hardened. “And without my approval it wouldn’t have been allowed.”
“You’re not telling me anything,” Aurora said, eyes narrowing. “Will you please explain?”
“I can’t.” Poppy rose. “I have been sworn to secrecy. Just be assured that the situation is being...handled.”
“What situation?” Aurora asked, exasperated. “You haven’t told me anything!”
But Poppy wouldn’t say more and, even more curious than she had been previously, Aurora walked back to her tower to prepare for class. She was distracted as she lectured and when she caught herself going off on tangents, she dismissed class early and retired to her office to consult her charts.
Deciding to go to the source, Aurora began seeking out Lupin. He proved a charming, kind man, who had a good sense of humour and who was quite gallant. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what had Poppy and Severus so worried.
On her one evening off, she patrolled late then retired to get some more of her charts translated. She had barely started when someone knocked. Puzzled, since she rarely got visitors so late, she rose, walking to the door. Her visitor came as a surprise. “Severus?”
He nodded. “Do you have a moment, Professor?”
She smiled, stepping aside. “It’s after midnight. I definitely have time. Come in. Shall I send for tea? Sandwiches?”
“That won’t be necessary,” said Severus striding past her and into her office. “I only came to warn you.”
“Oh?” Closing the door, Aurora walked past him towards her work table that was covered with parchment and star charts. “About what?”
“About whom,” Severus corrected, staring down at her table. “Is this your current project?”
“Yes it is. And about whom are you warning me, then?”
“Lupin,” Severus said. “I am not at liberty to give details, but he’s quite dangerous, so you should stay away from him. I’ve noticed the two of you becoming quite...cosy recently.”
Aurora raised an eyebrow. “You realise I’m hardly going to change my behaviour without some sort of an explanation.”
He frowned. “I’m not at liberty to--”
“Enough!” Aurora snapped. “First Poppy and now you? Where is all this coming from? Am I or am I not a member of the staff? If so, I think I should be privy to what is clearly important information about another colleague! Especially since that colleague has been nothing but charming towards me.”
“Think about it, Aurora,” Severus replied sharply. “Why wouldn’t we be able to discuss it? We’re both your friends; wouldn’t we normally tell you?” His gaze challenged her. “You have a superb brain, use it.”
The shock of Severus paying her such a compliment brought Aurora up short. She blinked, then narrowed her eyes. “You’ve both taken Unbreakable Vows. That’s the only explanation.”
Severus inclined his head. “I knew you’d work it out eventually.”
“But I still don’t understand,” Aurora said, thinking rapidly. “What could Lupin possibly do that’s so dangerous? I’ve spoken with him and he’s quite--”
“Charming.” Severus snorted. “Yes. You’ve said.”
Aurora blinked. If it weren’t so preposterous she would almost think him jealous... “What don’t I understand, Severus?” she whispered, daring to clasp his arm. “I realise you’ve taken an Unbreakable Vow, but tell me what you can.”
Severus sighed. “Aurora, do you consider us to be friends?” he asked.
Startled by the seeming change in topic, she swallowed hard. Merlin but I love the way my name sounds on his lips. “Yes,” she finally said. “I do. Good friends in fact.”
His cheeks flushed. “Then please trust me.” Leaning in, he continued, “Lupin is not what he seems. Just...stay away from him.”
Aurora exhaled, releasing his arm. “Is that all you came here to say?” she asked, looking away. “You want me to avoid Lupin but you can’t tell me why.”
“I--” Severus seemed to be struggling and some perverse instinct made Aurora continue.
“I’m afraid that’s not good enough,” she said, turning away. “He has a good mind, can hold up his end of a conversation and is an engaging companion. Without more to go on I don’t see why I should forgo his company--”
“Bloody hell, woman!” Severus growled, grabbing her shoulders and spinning her about to face him. “Do what I say and stay away from him! I don’t want you hurt, I couldn’t bear it!”
Utterly shocked at such a display of emotion from Severus, Aurora gazed up at him, mouth open. Their faces were so close she could clearly see the flashing anger in his eyes, which dropped to stare at her mouth.
With a muttered curse, Severus gathered her close and slammed his mouth down on hers.
Aurora froze for a split second before her instincts took over. Winding her arms around his neck, she kissed him back with every bit of the three years of stored-up passion she’d suppressed.
The kiss, which had started out as punishing, quickly morphed into simmering, sensual heat. Severus’ tongue stroked against hers, making her moan as she arched closer, and when his hands lightly skimmed along her sides, one coming up to edge along the curve of her breast, she shuddered in approval.
Severus kissed the way he did everything, with fierce intensity and complete concentration, and by the time he pulled back, Aurora was trembling and aching for more.
Panting harshly, he said, “I’m sorr--”
“Don’t you dare apologise for that,” she hissed, placing her hand over his before he could move it away from her breast. “Especially not since I’ve wanted you to do that for ages.” She swallowed hard. “If you don’t want me then say so.”
Severus’ eyes flashed again, but not with anger. “It’s never been a question of not wanting you, Aurora,” he murmured, his voice a caress. “It’s simply not safe for you to--”
Placing a finger over his mouth, she shook her head. “You don’t get to tell me what choices I make with my life, Severus. I want you, I have for a long time. Now, either you want me or you don’t and if you don’t, then--”
Her words were cut off by his mouth covering hers once more in another merciless kiss. That time Aurora responded immediately, her lips parting to welcome his tongue, her body melting into his.
That time when they pulled apart Severus didn’t seem inclined to leave. Wordlessly, Aurora drew him towards her private quarters, silently thanking the stars that she was a naturally neat person and that she’d changed her sheets that morning.
Upon entering her bedroom Severus seemed to have second thoughts. “Are you sure--?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I’m more than sure. Now are we going to do this or not?”
“Is there some hurry?” Severus murmured, sitting on the edge of her bed and pulling her to stand between his legs. “Do you have an early class tomorrow?”
She raised an eyebrow. “I teach Astronomy. My classes are all at night, as you well know.” Placing her hands on his shoulders to steady herself, she asked, “Do you have early classes tomorrow?”
He smiled. “Indeed not. It appears we have all the time in the world.”
“Enough, anyway,” she whispered, leaning down to kiss him. She moaned into his mouth as he unbuttoned her robes, pushing them off her shoulders and onto the floor. He made quick work of her blouse and when she was bared to him, he lightly traced the curve of her breasts.
It occurred to her that it would have been easier to simply Banish their clothes, but the anticipation of unwrapping him as he was unwrapping her made her set aside her wand in favour of using her hands. As he shrugged out of his teaching robes and shirt, the arms she’d admired for years were bared to her. Sliding her hands up his strong arms, she squeezed them, gasping as he dragged her closer and cupped her arse beneath her skirt.
Twisting, he tumbled her onto the bed, crawling on top of her and straddling her hips. “Let’s get rid of the rest of our clothes, shall we?” he murmured.
A moment later their clothes vanished and Aurora, relieved, arched up against him. “Oh, Severus--”
“So beautiful,” he whispered, staring down at her with burning eyes. “You’re still sure about this?”
“Will you stop asking me that and get on with it?” she said, smiling to take the sting out of her words as she looped her arms around his neck and drew his face closer.
Bending his head, he sucked a kiss into the sensitive skin of her shoulder before moving slowly down her body. Cupping her breasts, he thumbed her nipple before sucking it into his mouth. Aurora gasped, arching towards him.
He traced a hand lightly over her stomach before slipping a finger between her legs and inside her. She was already aroused, wet, and she bit her lip as wondered what he’d think of her.
“Yes,” he murmured again against her skin. “That’s it. Open for me, Aurora. So gorgeous.”
His voice was like warm honey, Aurora slowly melting under the onslaught of his words and his touch. “Please,” she whispered, writhing against his finger, whimpering as he slipped a second in. Clutching his shoulders, she hung on.
She thought he would mount her quickly, but he continued his patient movements, his black eyes watching her reactions carefully. When his thumb slid slowly over her clit, she closed her eyes and shivered as pleasure shot up her spine.
He took his time, stroking her thoroughly, working his fingers in and out in an intoxicating rhythm, and when she was trembling on the edge he whispered, voice dark, “Come for me, Aurora.”
Her orgasm swept over her, blurring her vision for a moment as her muscles contracted around his fingers, trying to pull them deeper. Digging her nails into his shoulders, she bucked under him several times before collapsing back onto the bed with a sigh.
When next she opened her eyes he was staring at her as if amazed. “I can go if you like,” he offered.
She narrowed her eyes. “What are you talking about? You haven’t--”
“We don’t have to,” Severus said, shifting as if to move away.
“What? No!” Moving suddenly, she shoved him onto his back before straddling him. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re doing this properly!”
“Aurora, you’re under no obligation to--Merlin!”
Positioning herself, Aurora sat down, taking him inside herself. She was wet and relaxed after her orgasm but it still took some effort because of his size. Once he was sheathed inside her, Severus closed his eyes and moaned. “You feel--”
“Good?” she teased, shifting experimentally.
“Try unbelievable,” he gasped, settling his hands on her hips.
She smiled, leaning down to kiss him. “Just wait until I start to move,” she whispered against his lips before snogging him deeply. Drawing back, she began to slide up and down. He felt huge inside her and, with the edge off, she could take her time, enjoy him.
And enjoy him she did, her hips moving in slow circles as he tried thrusting up in tandem. Soon she sped up, riding him hard, grinding down on him, bracing her hands against his chest.
Severus’ hands were busy, too, sliding over the curve of her hips up to her breasts to thumb her nipples even as his own hips bucked beneath her. He started to lose his rough rhythm and she knew he was getting close.
Grinning mischievously, she purred, “Your turn to come for me, Severus.”
He howled, his hips shuddering, and in that moment Aurora leaned in, kissing him fiercely as he pulsed several times inside her.
Collapsing atop him, she tucked her face in his neck, smiling. She felt fabulous. “Took us long enough to get to this point,” she whispered.
His arms came around her, cradling her. “In my wildest dreams I never thought we would--” He paused. “Not that I regret--”
Raising her head, she smiled down at him. “Good, because I don’t regret it either,” she assured him. “In fact, I hope we can continue this.”
“Aurora.” Severus sat up, still holding her close. “Things are...happening in the world. Dark times are coming. I want you to remain safe. I--”
“Shh. I can take care of myself,” she reminded him, staring intently into his troubled face. “I have for a long time, you know. And I know some of what’s coming.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
She sighed. “My research. I call it the celestial code and I suppose it’s time I told someone about it--”
It took several minutes to explain what she’d done with her father’s theories. Luckily, Severus’ clever and intuitive brain caught on immediately and by the time she finished they were sitting cross-legged on her bed, facing each other, pillows piled up around them. “You’re saying that you can see the future?” he asked.
Aurora nodded. “In a sense. I’m working on narrowing it down so that I can see more details.”
“That’s--” He shook his head. “Have you told anyone else?”
“Just you so far.” She sighed. “I thought I’d work out more of the kinks before talking to the headmaster.”
Severus sighed, leaning forward and clasping her hands. “I would think long and hard before sharing this information with Albus or anyone.”
“But why?” Aurora asked. “Perhaps it could give him some edge, some advantage to help stop what’s clearly coming.”
“Stop it?” Severus said. “It seems to me that by your own theory, what will happen has already happened. How can you stop it?”
Dear me, he’s quick. Aurora bit her lip. “The celestial code shows the whole picture but not all the little things. I suspect tiny details can be changed such that the eventual outcome will remain constant.”
“What ‘tiny details’?” he asked, eyes narrowed.
Yes, far too quick. “Small things that shouldn’t alter the overall outcome of things.”
“Like who lives and who dies?” Holding out his left arm, he said, “This Mark determined my fate a long time ago.” He looked away. “I doubt I’d survive another such conflict.”
Twisting her wrists, she grabbed his hands, squeezing them. “You’ll survive if you want to, if you have a good reason.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And you believe you can give me one?”
Moving up onto her knees, she kissed him. “I believe so, yes,” she whispered against his mouth.
“Merlin, woman,” he groaned. “You don’t play fair.”
She smiled. “Have you forgotten I’m Slytherin? My dear, I play to win.”
Pulling her close, he twisted, lowering her onto the bed before settling on top of her. “Indeed. Then so shall I.”
It was very early morning when Severus left. Aurora sat up, watching him dress. When he turned to look at her, his eyes kindled. “Venus in the morning,” he whispered.
She smiled. “I’m alone no more.”
After a long, lingering kiss, which had made Aurora wish they had more time, he’d slipped out the door. Collapsing back into her bed, she closed her eyes, relieving the previous night in all its glory. Then, her eyes sprang open. “Damn, I can’t sleep now. I must find out what’s wrong with Lupin!”
With a great sigh, she pushed away the bedclothes, sitting up. As soon as she stood, however, she winced as infrequently used muscles reminded her of her strenuous night. A shower first, she decided. And perhaps a Pain Potion. She smiled. And then I discover Lupin’s secrets.
It was not to be, however. As soon as she’d stepped out of the shower she was met by an elf, its hands twisting in distress. “Professor is summoned! The Headmaster needs all staff at once.”
Aurora sighed. “Lovely. All right, I’ll be there as soon as I can, but I’ll require a large cup of tea on my arrival.”
The elf bobbed its head and disappeared.
By the time Aurora arrived most of the other staff, including Severus, were there.
What would I do without elves? Aurora thought, spotting her tea waiting at her customary seat between Poppy and Charity. Again thanking Merlin that her dark skin colour easily hid blushes, she slipped into her seat before taking a sip and humming softly. Perfect.
“Good morning,” Charity said. “You look tired.”
Aurora smiled at her. “’Morning. And yes, it’s a bit early for me. I only went to bed a few hours ago. My hours aren’t conducive to such morning staff meetings I’m afraid.”
Charity nodded before turning away to speak with Hooch. Aurora’s explanation didn’t seem to fool Poppy, though, who took one look at her and whispered, “Well, don’t you look like the Kneazle that ate the canary. Did you have a good night?”
Aurora glared at her but Poppy only winked. Aurora sighed. “I’ll tell you later,” she murmured.
“Yes you will,” Poppy agreed, grinning.
No one was grinning by the time Dumbledore told them the reason for the impromptu staff meeting, however. “Sirius Black has been spotted in Hogsmeade,” he said, holding up his hand as about ten people all tried to say something. “The Ministry has promised increased security but, as you all know, there are ways to get into the castle. I must ask you to be extremely vigilant.”
Looking around, Aurora saw various expressions on her colleagues’ faces. Severus appeared impassive, what she’d come to think of as his ‘I’m thinking deeply’ look. Flitwick, Hooch and Minerva all looked fierce as if daring Black to show up. And Lupin--
Aurora narrowed her eyes. Lupin simply looked thoughtful. As if he’d sensed someone’s regard, he lifted his gaze, staring at her for a moment before looking away.
Oddly shaken, Aurora listened as Dumbledore proposed a new patrol schedule. Damn, there goes my research time, she thought as he informed her she would need to patrol until four in the morning.
Glancing over towards Severus, she caught his eye, relieved to see no signs of regret there. She smiled and he inclined his head infinitesimally.
“...Professor Snape shall take Professor Lupin’s shifts and classes for the next few nights while he is away on personal business,” Dumbledore concluded. “Now, unless there are questions we shall adjourn. Please do not discuss these most recent developments within hearing of the students. The last thing we need to deal with is panicked children.”
Everyone rose to leave but before Aurora could move, short fingers clasped her wrist. “You look hungry, dear,” Poppy said. “Why don’t we get some breakfast?”
“I--” But Severus was already leaving the room with Dumbledore. As she watched, however, Severus glanced back at her over his shoulder and the look he sent her made her warm all over.
“Oh yes,” Poppy said firmly. “It’s definitely time for breakfast.”
Poppy extracted the entire story over eggs, sausages, toast, beans and tomatoes, save a few personal details that Aurora wasn’t about to share with anyone. “So apparently we now have a...thing,” she concluded. “Although I can’t assume anything.” She looked down at her hands. “This may just have been a casual one-off for him.”
“Oh pish!” Poppy exclaimed. “Does Severus honestly strike you as the casual sort?”
Aurora cleared her throat. “Not especially, no,” she admitted.
“Hm. Well it sounds like rather more than just a mere thing to me,” Poppy said, sipping her tea. “I think it’s clear he cares for you. He’s certainly possessive.”
Aurora smiled. That had been rather encouraging. And while she hadn’t told Poppy about her research project, she had told her about Severus’ reaction to the idea that she found Lupin ‘charming’. “Possessive is...acceptable, as long as he doesn’t think that means I’m going to stay out of the thick of things.”
“What things?”
Aurora smiled. “Any things.”
Poppy smirked, raising her teacup as if in a toast. “Good for you, my dear. I must say, I’m looking forward to this.”
So am I, thought Aurora, smirking.
By the time she returned to her quarters, though, Aurora was very tired and her mind was racing. The combination of not having got much sleep the night before and Dumbledore’s early meeting had meant no time to do more translating of the celestial patterns and she was beginning to wonder if Severus was already tired of her.
Casting a Tempus Charm, she sighed. She had just enough time to get some sleep before classes started. Refusing to consider whether or not Severus would return to her that night, she undressed, slipping into bed where, despite her expectations, she fell asleep immediately.
When she woke, her customary light dinner had been delivered so she got up and, after eating, got ready for her first class.
Once the lessons were done, she went on her patrols, being extra careful to scan the corners for trysting students and for unauthorised personnel. Dumbledore’s warnings about Black fresh in her mind, she checked the school wards very carefully before finally retiring.
As she neared her tower, her footsteps slowed and for a moment she pondered marching down to the dungeons to find Severus. Then, she sighed. We made no promises to each other. If he doesn’t want anything more to do with me I can’t force him--
“There you are.” Emerging from the shadows, Severus startled her and she pointed her wand at him. For a moment he had an almost hesitant expression on his face before it was replaced with his usual impassivity. “I see that you’ve returned safely. Good evening, then.”
As he turned away, Aurora lowered her wand and exhaled. He came! “Severus. Wait, please. I’m...glad you’re here.”
He paused but didn’t turn around. “Indeed.”
She smiled. “Yes. It saved me having to go looking for you.”
At that he spun, staring at her. “You mean you want--”
“Oh yes,” she said, opening her door and gesturing. “I definitely want. Won’t you join me?”
“Very well,” he murmured, sweeping past her. “After all, we have more...discussions to conduct.”
She laughed, following him inside. “Most definitely.”
~
Continued in Part 3