A New Dawn at Hogwarts

Chapter Three: Arrivals
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"Scales?"

"Yes."

"Cauldron?"

"Yes."

"You've repacked that trunk at least ten times," Severus remarked as he leaned against the doorframe of his daughter's room, surveying the jumbled mess within.

"I just don't want to forget anything! What's next on the list?"

Severus sighed irritably as Steven continued to read from the list. "Robes?"

"Got 'em!"

"Wand?"

"Ooh, I just had it a minute ago -" Aurora picked up the robes from her trunk as she searched frantically for her wand, and was surprised when it appeared over her shoulder. Turning, she saw that her father was holding it out for her to take.

"On the bed," he chided

"Thanks!" she said, putting it in her trunk.

"That's the last of it." Severus had not been exaggerating when he commented on how often she'd been checking her trunk. It seemed as though every few moments that day, she and Steven had checked the contents. Now, less than twenty-four hours before her departure, every fiber of her being seemed alive with excitement.

"Now, if you are quite through -" Severus began.

"What about my schoolbooks? Have I packed them?" Aurora asked, looking frantically around her room.

"On the bottom, next to your cauldron," Steven answered with an indulgent grin.

"Oh, good."

"We need to have dinner now," Severus intoned, his patience wearing thin.

"I'll be just a minute, I want to make sure -"

"Everything is in there, child!" His eyes mirrored the impatience he felt, and he heard his voice rising with agitation. "We will go down and eat. Now!" His tone left no room for argument as she followed him down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"I was like this right before I left for my first year, Ra," Steven confided as he swept into the kitchen behind them. Since their trip to Diagon Alley, he'd seemed much more receptive to sharing in her enthusiasm for starting school. Aurora hadn't asked why - she was just happy that he'd come around. "I remember being so excited that I'd finally get to go to Hogwarts and learn some jinxes to try on Severus."

"Did you learn any good ones?" she asked, averting her eyes from what she was sure would be a disapproving glare from her father.

"None I hadn't learned before first year," Severus said with a contemptuous sneer.

"I seem to remember one occasion-"

"Eat," Severus said shortly. "I have no wish to travel down memory lane with you."

Aurora looked at her father curiously before turning back to her uncle. "What did you do?"

Steven leaned in closer, looking at Severus with a twinkle in his eye as he spoke. "I followed him and your mum out to their favorite spot, and just as he was about to kiss her, I shouted 'petrificus totalus!' and he fell into the lake!" He guffawed loudly, and though she struggled to suppress it, a giggle erupted from Aurora's own mouth. When she turned to see her father's reaction, the laughter died in an instant. His lips were set in a straight line, and his hands were clenching the table so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. His eyes seemed to be staring off into another world.

"Father?" she ventured. Severus abruptly looked at her, and regained his composure as Steven cleared his throat uncomfortably. For a moment her father was silent, content to stare at his brother with a look of loathing.

"I need to be getting to Hogwarts to prepare my classroom. Aurora, I'll see you after you arrive tomorrow evening. I have left an ample supply of the glamour draught - do not forget it." He stood and went through the back door, where his trunk was waiting. Aurora watched him go, guiltily thinking of the counter she'd finished just that morning, but he did not look back before Disapparating from the garden.

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"That was odd, even for Father," Aurora mentioned later as she helped Steven put the dishes away.

"I shouldn't have told that story," Steven admonished himself softly. "He does go odd when he remembers your mum."

"The story was funny, but -" she broke off, biting her lower lip as she struggled with her thoughts.

"But what?" he asked as they climbed the stairs to her bedroom.

"Well, maybe I didn't get sad because I don't have any memories of her." She sat on her bed, clutching one of her pillows. "He never talks about her, not even when I ask him directly." Steven sat on the edge of her bed, waiting for the inevitable request. "What was my mother like?" He sighed, frustrated as always that he couldn't give her the information she needed.

"Ra, I've told you everything I know."

"I know," she said softly. "I just like to hear it, even if it's not much."

"All right, then," he conceded with another sigh. "You have to remember, I only spent two years with them at Hogwarts - and your father was never one to let me hang around him at school. All I knew about her was her name - Marie McDowell.

"It seemed as though you could never find your father without your mum," he relayed quietly. "I lost track of them after they graduated - but heard they'd been married soon afterward." He paused and looked down at his hands. "After you were born, your mum wrote to me. Invited me to come and stay with them. I did, for the rest of that summer. But then I went back for my final year at Hogwarts, and when I returned -"

"She was dead." she finished for him. He nodded sadly. "How -"

"You know perfectly well that I don't know." He patted her leg affectionately. "Your father was hired on at Hogwarts for the following term, and Malichi and I were entrusted with you. But I can tell this - you are the spitting image of your mum - right down to the tip of your nose."Aurora's face remained clouded, a slight frown pulling at the corners of her mouth.

"Come on," Steven instructed, standing from the bed. "I didn't want to get you depressed before you leave for school. Time to sleep." She scrambled under the covers as he turned out her light. As he leaned down to kiss her goodnight, she threw her arms around his neck.

"Thank you, Uncle Steven."

"You're welcome, Ra. Now go to sleep." Walking to the door, he looked back over at her, his heart nearly bursting. As he shut the door, he thought again that she should be told the truth about what had happened, but he had made a promise to Severus, and he would stick by his word.

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Between the excitement of leaving for Hogwarts, the knowledge that the counter to the glamour potion was hidden in her pocket, and the questions that were always left unanswered after hearing about her mother, Aurora found it very difficult to sleep. Getting out of bed, she went over to her bookshelves, where she'd hidden the one thing she treasured above all else - a tiny bottle of lilac scented perfume. It was all she had of her mother - her uncle had given it to her when she was five, telling her he'd managed to hang on to it when her father was getting rid of all of her mother's other things.

Whenever she felt sad or lonely, Aurora would get the bottle from her hiding spot and inhale the scent. She'd never even considered using the contents, partly because she was afraid her father would find out she had it and take it from her, and partly because she didn't want to lose the only link she had with her mother. Now, as she put the stopper back on, she placed it gently into her trunk. There was no way she was going to go ten months without it. Crawling back into bed with the scent of lilac hanging in the air, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

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Severus Apparated in Hogsmeade, the wizarding village located near Hogwarts, feeling very surly. His mood was not improved by the appearance of a few of his colleagues as they exited the Three Broomsticks, a popular pub.

"Severus! Back from another mysterious summer trip, I suppose?" Professor Pomona Sprout was a short witch with unruly curls. She taught Herbology, and was by no means a shy person. Accompanying her were Madame Poppy Pomfrey, head of the hospital wing; Professor Minerva McGonagall, who was Deputy Headmistress, head of Gryffindor house, and who taught Transfiguration; and none other than Albus Dumbledore himself.

"Pomona, Minerva, Poppy - Albus." He nodded curtly to the quartet as he levitated his trunk and began to walk towards the school.

"When will you tell us what you do all summer?" Professor Sprout pressed as they fell into step beside him.

"When will you understand that it's none of your concern?" Professor Sprout's eyes hardened slightly at his tone. She walked away with Madame Pomfrey, speaking so that they were sure to be overheard by everyone.

"Of course, it's hard not to believe the rumors about his connection to You-Know-Who, what with all this secrecy about his holidays." He gritted his teeth and continued walking as if he hadn't heard her, though he would have loved to try a tongue-locking jinx on her. He sniffed as he thought of the reaction he'd get from his employer, forgetting that Albus was there until he spoke.

"Don't mind Pomona, Severus. She's been quite bitter since you rejected her invitation for dinner last year."

"Headmaster, I would prefer not to discuss this." Albus laid a hand on Severus' arm, stopping him from proceeding. He rolled his eyes skyward, and then looked back at headmaster, his head cocked in agitation, as the older wizard spoke again, a glint of humor shining in his eyes.

"Pomona's bitterness has only gotten worse since someone has started the rumor that you run to a woman every summer."

"Why you insist on spreading those blasted lies is beyond me," he replied darkly.

"I know that, but you should not remain a bachelor forever, Severus. In fact, I believe I know just the witch for you, she's -" Severus pulled his arm from Albus' grasp, his temper beginning to rise as he continued to the castle.

"How are Steven and Malichi?" Albus inquired, his voice light and innocent as he swiftly changed the subject.

I know damn well that Malichi writes him, Severus said to himself, though he chose to feign ignorance. "They are, as usual, very tiresome. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother to go back."

"No you don't," Albus said kindly. Severus saw him turn his head from the corner of his eye, no doubt ascertaining if there were any eavesdroppers before asking the inevitable: "How is Aurora, Severus?" He couldn't stop a smirk from twitching onto his lips as he remembered how happy she was about attending Hogwarts.

"Very excited about coming here this year. Steven has been filling her head with stories of the countless mysterious secrets she'll find, of course." His face darkened as he continued. "However, my presence here is not as eagerly anticipated." He pushed open the front door of Hogwarts and made his way to the first floor, where the teachers' quarters were.

"And I'm sure that is entirely your doing. I did express concern over forcing her to take on an assumed name."Severus' jaw clenched as Albus continued on. "Does Aurora notice that your eyes light up when you talk about her? Or do you hide that from her as well?" The words were spoken softly, but they served only to increase his ire. He was tense and rigid as he spoke the password and entered his room. Albus followed him unhesitatingly.

"Much as I appreciate your concerns-"

"She won't be a little girl forever, you know. If nothing changes, one day she will realize that all of her efforts to get close to you have failed, because of you, not her. Then you'll have lost her. Haven't you lost enough already? Is it really worth all of that?"

At least she'll still be alive, he thought, taking the headmaster by the arm and escorting him back to the hall.

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Aurora and Steven stood at the barrier between platforms nine and ten, looking around for Muggles watching them. Aurora took a deep breath. This was where it all had to start. She had taken her glamour potion - as instructed, and as far as she knew, her uncle didn't suspect a thing. It was going to be tricky - being sure to drink the counter potion after she was out of sight of her uncle, but before she'd already met anyone else. There was only one way -

"I can see myself to the train," she offered, bracing herself for the hurt look she knew was coming. She was not disappointed. "Well, what are people going to think? You look just like Father - and he teaches at the school - they'll know something's fishy the minute they spot you. I'm to pretend I don't know him, right?" Steven's expression remained sorrowful.

"I'm going to miss you, Ra," he said, leaning over and hugging her tightly.

"I'll miss you, too. But we'll see each other in June," she said brightly, her hand going into her pocket and clutching the phial of glamour counter tightly. Steven nodded, and then smiled.

"You'll have a ripping time at Hogwarts," he assured her. "But just in case..." he stuck his hands in his pockets. "Pick a hand, any hand," he instructed, holding them out in fists. She tapped on the left one, and he opened it to reveal a deck of cards.

"Now, I know that your father doesn't approve of Muggle magic, but I thought you'd enjoy showing some of the other children those tricks I've showed you. But it's our little secret, okay?" He winked at her as she giggled and nodded.

"I promise."

"Good girl." He kissed the top of her head as she began to move towards the barrier with her trolley. "Send me an owl if there's anything you need!" he called after her.

She burst through the barrier onto platform nine and three quarters just as the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station. There were people milling all around; parents were saying goodbye to their children, and the children were doing their best to join their friends who they hadn't seen all summer. Aurora grinned as she made her way to the first car. She found an empty compartment easily, and after securing her trunk, she curled up on the seat and withdrew the phial.

Her body trembled with excitement - would it work? - as she uncorked the potion and drank it in a gulp, and then pulled her jacket over her head as an extra precaution. She heard other children filing onto the train, some in her own compartment, but she didn't risk peeking out until the train had started moving. Closing her eyes and whispering to herself, "Please let it work, please let it work," she pretended to be waking from a refreshing nap. Facing the window, she cracked open an eye - and saw the familiar hazel reflected back at her. Now jubilant, she looked around the compartment with interest.

A tall girl with short brown hair was sitting directly opposite her, regarding her curiously through her intense green eyes.

"Hello, Aurora. I'm Erin. Erin Cafferty."

"How'd you know my name?" she asked defensively.

"Usually people say 'nice to meet you' or something a bit more polite."

"Sorry," Aurora said with a frown. "It's, er, great to meet you, Erin. Now would you mind telling me -"

"Trunk," Erin replied with a smirk.

"Oh," Aurora said as she relaxed slightly. "Sorry about that. I'm just a bit excited about going to Hogwarts. My f-" she stopped. She'd almost spoiled things already! She was Aurora Rinkle again, who lived with her great-uncle Malichi Melison. "I was nearly sent somewhere else," she finished lamely.

"I know how you feel. Nicole almost sent me to Beauxbatons."

"Really?" Aurora asked with a fresh wave of unease. "That's where I was meant to go, too!" She and Erin stared at each other for a moment before Aurora asked, "Um, who is Nicole?"

"My mum. She finally decided that learning French just to go to a school would be silly." She smiled, then turned to stare out the window. Aurora didn't have much time to puzzle over what she'd said as a girl seated next to her tried to engage her in conversation.

"Hi! I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. Your name's Aurora? That's pretty. Mine's Jamie Hobbs." She extended her hand, and Aurora shook it warily.

"Hullo."

"I'm a first year as well. Which house do you think you'll be in?"

"I've no idea," Aurora answered honestly.

"I'm hoping to get into Slytherin. My mum was one, and she loved it!"

"Slytherin? Better not get your hopes up too much," Erin interjected from the corner.

"Why not? I guess I've got as much chance as you do to be in there!" Jamie's voice had risen, and her lips were pursed in a slight pout as her grey eyes narrowed at the taller girl.

"Exactly." Erin turned again to stare out the window, and Jamie exchanged confused looks with Aurora.

"What was that about?" Jamie whispered. Aurora shrugged as she looked back at the mysterious girl sitting across from her. She obviously felt as though she knew things the others didn't. Aurora frowned as she glanced up at her trunk, which had been magicked to read 'Aurora Rinkle'. Odd, she had never noticed it...Before she had time to dwell on the matter, an announcement was made to change into their robes. Aurora complied, sticking her mother's perfume bottle in the pocket. By the time she was ready, they'd arrived at Hogwarts.