Aurelia's Story

The following quote, and the songs ‘Fistful of Love’ by Antony and the Johnsons, and ‘What It Takes’ by Aerosmith inspired this story; "Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart." --Marcus Aurelius

Set in the CoS

Aurelia Pendragon hummed softly as she made her way to the dungeons. She was about to have Advanced Potions with Professor Severus Snape, a lesson made even more enjoyable by the fact that he had not taught Advanced Potions to any student before. Her great-uncle, the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, held high hopes for her to become the first Potions Mistress in the United Kingdom.

Aurelia caught sight of herself in a mirror as she passed, and cast a critical eye upon her reflection. Her long black hair fell down her back, curling softly at the ends, and her grey eyes had a sparkle to them which denied definition. As befitted a lady of her stature, she took a great deal of care in her appearance. Aurelia was the last of the Pendragons, an ancient line which could be dated back to King Arthur himself. When she came of age last month, she inherited a great deal of land in Cornwall. This, however, was not well –known. Aurelia was already treated differently because of her relationship to the Headmaster, and she had no great desire to increase that further. Even more importantly, the secrets of the rest of her lineage were kept in Tintagel Castle, and those must not be revealed – Professor Dumbledore had sworn her to secrecy when he told her the truth on her seventeenth birthday. Aurelia’s parents had passed away when she was five, and she grew up with her closest remaining relative, Aberforth Dumbledore, her grandfather. His wife had been a Pendragon, and their only daughter, Edith, married Charles Potter. Aurelia had been their only child, but Charles’ older brother Thomas had a son, James, who was fifteen years older than Aurelia. It was decided by the families that James would continue the Potter line, and Aurelia that of the Pendragons. When Aurelia’s parents were murdered by the Death Eaters, it was decided that her Potter lineage should be entirely hidden, and she took on the name of Pendragon completely. Less than a year later, James and his wife Lily were also killed, and their son Harry grew up with his last relatives on his mother’s side. Harry did not yet know any of this, and it had been decided that he would not be told until he too reached seventeen – as of now, he was but twelve, and already had more than enough to deal with.

Professor Snape was waiting for her outside the dungeon. “Miss Pendragon,” he acknowledged her with a slight smile. “I have an interesting challenge for you tonight. I have recently begun brewing Veritaserum, and I require some assistance with the final stages. Whilst I believe you capable, I do not wish for you to think that this is not extremely difficult. It will require your full concentration.”

“Certainly, Professor. If you could show me where to begin?” And so passed a good three hours, the two talented Potions brewers toiling away. The room was hot, and Aurelia felt herself glowing with perspiration. As she swept her hair back off her face, they heard a knock on the door. Intrigued as to who would call upon Severus Snape at this late hour, she turned round to face the door. As it swung open, she heard Severus Snape hiss.

“Ah…Lucius. This is not a…convenient…time for you to call.”

Lucius Malfoy brushed him aside and swept into the room. As he caught sight of Aurelia, his eyes widened, and she felt her heart begin to beat faster in her chest. “Madam,” he said. “I do not believe I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance?”

Severus stepped forward, with a sullen look on his face. “Lucius, this is my most talented student, Aurelia Pendragon. Miss Pendragon, my old school friend, Lucius Malfoy.”

Aurelia felt a stirring in her mind of the traditional customs she had been studying since she discovered her heritage. The Malfoys were, along with the Pendragons, one of the most ancient and powerful families in the country. The country had been divided into sections, each lorded over by one of these families. The Pendragons had had Cornwall, and the Malfoys…”Good evening, Lord Wiltshire,” she murmured, making a curtsy in deference.

Lucius’ eyes opened yet further, and he appeared impressed. “I did wonder what had happened to the Pendragons – now I see they are as talented and beautiful as ever. A pleasure indeed to finally meet you, Lady Cornwall,” he said as he raised her hand to his lips. Their eyes met, and the moment was only broken by Severus’ interruption.

“What was it you wanted, Lucius?”

Lucius dropped her hand, and smiled. “I believe Severus is angered by my interruption of your lesson, my Lady. However, I am sure he will agree that he has worked you quite hard enough tonight – why, it is nearly midnight! Severus, I will call on you again when I next visit the Headmaster, but let me for tonight bid you farewell, and I will accompany Miss Pendragon back to her quarters. These are dangerous times in the castle, and the last thing I desire is for harm to come to my Lady.”

Severus, though clearly struggling to think of an objection, could not, and grudgingly gave his assent. “Good night, Miss Pendragon. And don’t forget the essay on Amortentia is due next lesson, please.”

Lucius took Aurelia’s arm, and they walked through the door together, Severus staring after them. “Which common room am I to escort you to, my Lady?” he said, still maintaining eye contact with her.

She looked up at him for a few moments more, before replying, “I am a Gryffindor, my Lord, although I expect that will surprise you.”

He raised his eyebrows as he said, “It does. I had you down for a Ravenclaw or Slytherin, with your talent and the attention Severus was paying you. Although being a Gryffindor is not to be unexpected, I suppose, with your noble heritage. Seventh floor it is then – that at least gives us a while longer before we have to part.”

Conversation seemed to come easily to them as they strolled through Hogwarts, and Aurelia was finding it more and more difficult to tear her eyes away from Lucius’ face. It seemed far too soon that they reached the seventh floor. Just before they reached the Gryffindor common room, Lucius paused. “I have heard stories, my Lady, of a magical room on this floor. They say that it becomes whatever the occupier needs it to be, for however long they need it.”

“Indeed? And what would you wish it to become, my Lord?”

Lucius’ eyes darkened, and he moved so that his body was pressing Aurelia’s up against the wall. She looked up at him, and noticed for the first time the aristocratic beauty of his face, and the way his long blond hair was currently brushing her shoulders… “I? I would have it become a place for us to spend the night together. My mind is filled only by you, and I desire you more than anything else before. Please, my Lady, put me out of my misery. I wish for nothing more right now than to make love to you, and I beg you to allow me. For if you don’t, I fear that I will be forced to take you regardless. I am a dangerous man, my Lady.”

Aurelia moved her head up towards his, and let her body answer for her. Her entire body tingled as their lips met – she had never felt anything so intensely before. The sound of Lucius groaning served only to make her want him more, and she needed more from him. He pulled her closer to him, and kissed her deeply. With a great effort, she broke away, and smiled at him. “It has often been said that I actively seek out danger, my Lord. But you will take nothing from me that I am not willing to give. Good night, my Lord.” As she walked away from him, she could not stop herself from trembling.

Lucius stared after her. Difficult though it was to believe that she had refused him, it was clear that she desired him as much as he did her. Yes, he would have her for his own, there was no question of it. He ran his tongue over his lips, for he could still taste her there. He feared that he would find it difficult to find satisfaction anywhere else now. Lucius sensed that someone was watching him, and spun around. Severus was leaning against the wall, and he looked angry indeed.

“Lucius. Perhaps you’d care to persuade me exactly why I shouldn’t go to Dumbledore and tell him exactly how you propositioned and threatened to rape his great-niece, the girl he loves as dearly as if she were his own daughter,” Severus hissed.

Lucius smirked, and walked towards him. “Why, Severus, I do believe you are jealous.”

“Don’t be so ridiculous, Malfoy. She is a student, an extremely talented one granted, but still a student.” But red spots were rising on Severus’ cheeks.

“One you are offering Advanced Potions to, when you have not taught it to any student before? Surely you do not think me to be that foolish, friend. But I thank you for taking the time to help improve my Lady’s mind – I must confess, I have always found intelligence to be attractive. Coupled with her beauty and lineage – why, she is irresistible, don’t you agree?”

Severus whipped his wand out of his robes, and he and Lucius assumed the duelling stance. Most fortunately for them, they were interrupted by the sounds of the caretaker, Argus Filch, coming along the corridor towards them. “Professor Snape, some of the students are out of bed on the third floor. I thought that you could assist me in punishing them?”

Severus snarled, “Fine, very well, Argus. I shall be there shortly.” And the caretaker hobbled off, muttering about corporal punishment and the ‘good old days’ under his breath.

“How the mighty are fallen, Severus. Associating with Squibs – a far cry from the old days indeed,” Lucius said, with a cruel smile on his face. “Stay away from her, Severus. She is mine. Rest assured, if you attempt to thwart me in any way, I will ensure that your position here becomes untenable. Remember your last mission from Voldemort before he…well…I will have no hesitation in passing on my ‘recently recovered’ memories. That, my friend, is a promise.” With that, he stalked away.

****************************

Aurelia went through her lessons in the next few days in a daze. She could still feel Lucius’ arms around her, and his lips upon hers, and she wanted nothing more than to experience that again. Potions in particular was a difficult lesson, for Professor Snape seemed keen to pick up on any mistakes she made, and she was unusually clumsy. Her classmate, Percy Weasley, touched her arm to get her attention. “Lia, you’re supposed to be stirring that potion clockwise, not…”

The rest of Percy’s sentence was drowned out by a loud explosion from Aurelia’s cauldron. The contents of it ended up over Professor Snape, who had just bent in to criticise her work. “You stupid girl!” he said, clearly rattled. “Detention here at seven this evening.”

Aurelia looked at him, and felt all the tension of the past 48 hours come to the surface. “Perhaps, Sir, if you had not been so quick to criticise, but faster to help, the mistake would not have happened.”

The rest of the class burst into hysterics, but Professor Snape’s face went white. “You will stay here after the lesson, Miss Pendragon, to discuss your behaviour today and after your last lesson.” With that parting shot, he walked out of the classroom and into his office.

Whilst the rest of the class packed up their equipment, Aurelia pondered over Professor Snape’s last remark. Surely he did not know what had passed between herself and Lucius – she shivered as she thought his name – after the lesson? And if he did, she would have to beg him not to tell Uncle Albus, for his anger would be grievous to behold. His hopes for his great-niece certainly did not include consorting with a married man, one who was alleged to be a Death Eater no less.

Professor Snape came out of his classroom, and put his hands on her desk so that his face was close to hers. He stared at her for about a minute before speaking. “Miss Pendragon, you do not realise what you are getting yourself into. Lucius Malfoy is much more than merely a ‘dangerous man’.”

Aurelia blushed. “Professor, I understand that you are concerned, and I apologise for my behaviour in today’s lesson. However, I can assure you that I certainly do realise. You seem to forget that not only did I grow up in the Hog’s Head, but that having Albus Dumbledore as a close relative meant that I was by no means unaware of the events and aftermath of the War growing up. I was a very resourceful child,” she said with a smile, “and I heard much that was likely not intended for my ears. And I can certainly defend myself if necessary – you know my grandfather as well as most. He’s a paranoid old man, and he had me able to cast the Protego and Stupefy charms by the age of seven. By the age of nine, I was able to use them effectively against Uncle Albus.”

Severus sighed, and walked around the table so that he was sat next to her. “Aurelia, I have never doubted your talent. No one who knew you could. But that does not stop me from fearing for your safety. Already, Lucius is determined to claim you for his own. If he does not get what he wants, I would not want to be the one who stood in his path. I know I should tell Albus about this...” Aurelia gasped. “Do not worry, because I will not yet. Lucius is not above making certain allegations against me if he suspects interference. Just remember that Albus is an extraordinarily intelligent and powerful wizard, and I would not be willing to bet that he does not already know. May I suggest that you serve your detention with him tonight, and discuss it with him?” Severus rose from his chair.

Aurelia grasped his arm. “Thankyou, Sir…Severus.”

He turned back towards her, his face blank. “You are welcome, Aurelia. If not for your own sake, then for your family’s, please be careful.”

She took Severus’ advice, and walked up to the Headmaster’s office. It was nearly Christmas anyway, and she could do with some advice on what to get Grandpa for Christmas – the goat jokes were beginning to wear thin now. As she approached the gargoyle, she wondered what the password would be this time. She smiled, as she remembered what were scampering over the desk on her last visit. “Ice mice!” As she ascended the stairs, she could hear two voices drifting down towards her. Surely not?…

Professor Dumbledore opened the door to greet her, and swept her into a hug. “My dear niece! To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Well, Uncle, I had hoped to get some advice from you, but I see you have company, so…”

Lucius Malfoy stepped forward. “We meet again, Miss Pendragon. I must apologise if I have inconvenienced you, but I had to speak to the Headmaster regarding the latest attack. Most unfortunate, and the board felt it necessary to pass on their condolences.” His eyes, again, remained fixed on her during his speech.

She met his stare. “Not at all, Mr. Malfoy. I quite understand that my uncle must attend to the school first and foremost.”

Professor Dumbledore, who had been watching the exchange over the top of his glasses, stepped between them. “Actually, Aurelia, I believe that Mr. Malfoy has said all there is to say on the subject now, so if you take a seat, I shall be with you in a moment.” He turned to Lucius, and said, “I am sure that you will in touch again soon Mr. Malfoy, but I have family business to attend to, so for now, good night, and have a merry Christmas.”

“Oh, I am positive that I will. Good night, Professor, Lady Cornwall,” said Lucius, as he threw a lingering glance in Aurelia’s direction and went down the stairs.

It was clear to Aurelia as Dumbledore walked towards her that he had picked up on the unsaid part of the conversation. He looked as serious as she had ever seen him as he sat opposite her. “My dear niece,” he sighed, and put his hands to his head. “When did you meet Lucius Malfoy, and why did he address you as Lady Cornwall?”

“That was what I wanted to talk you about, Uncle. But first, you must promise me to let me deal with this myself. I am, after all, an adult, and this is my life.”

“Very well, dear, much as it pains me to see you so matured, I do accept that.”

“Thankyou,” replied Aurelia, and she gave him a hug. As she returned to her seat, she saw a tear trickle down the Headmaster’s cheek. “What’s wrong, Uncle?”

Professor Dumbledore looked away as he said, “There is something you need to know. We had hoped that it had been misinterpreted, but after seeing the two of you together tonight, my doubts are removed.”

Aurelia’s heart began to beat faster – surely this could not be anything good, to upset him so?

“There was a prophecy made about you and Lucius the day you were born. It was difficult to ascertain whom it was about at first, but it seems that you and Lucius are the only couple that fit. I do not understand it myself, it seems so unlikely – but then, who are we to understand the workings of fate? Here, I have it written down for you.”

Aurelia took the small slip of parchment he offered her without a word. It said, “The golden child and the bringer of light shall come together…against all odds they will grow and become one. The darkest one will bind them, and they will serve under him, but he will not know whom they protect. The golden light will herald the end of the darkness of the snake…”

After reading it through twice, Aurelia looked up. “I knew he wasn’t gone for good, Uncle. I think most of us had already accepted that. I don’t understand though – does it mean that I will take the Dark Mark? Because I swear –“

Dumbledore stopped her. “Do not swear to that, Aurelia. We never know what will be required to ensure our safety and that of others. If you are to be joined with Lucius…Oh, it does pain me to think so. He is the last man I would wish for you to fall in love with. He is not deserving of you, my dear.”

“And…it is definitely Lucius and I that it refers to?” Aurelia said, then answered her own question. “My name, of course, means golden, and as for Lucius…lumos…Lucius…I presume it is a Latin name, something to do with light? So together we would make the golden light.”

Dumbledore nodded. “Yes, that was our interpretation as well. Lucius means bringer of light, though I would imagine Abraxas intended it more as a nod to Lucifer than to light,” he commented, with a slight smile.

“Is the record of the Prophecy in the Hall at the Ministry?”

“Yes, it is, but until Voldemort returns, I do not feel we need to worry. Only, you, your grandfather and I know its contents.”

“Okay, well…I’ve got a lot to think over, I suppose. I think I’m going to go for a walk, if you’ll excuse me?”

“Of course – but don’t forget, my dear, I will always be here if you ever feel you need someone to talk to,” Professor Dumbledore gave her a light kiss as she descended down the staircase.

A hand closed over her mouth as she reached the bottom of the stairs, and before she could reach for her wand, an arm encircled her and held her tightly. The body she was pressed into felt familiar, and she swore she would recognise that scent anywhere. She was certain that Lucius was the man holding her, and this was confirmed when he whispered in her ear, “I told you I would have you, my darling.”

Aurelia slid her tongue through her lip, and began gently licking the hand on her mouth. Lucius moaned, and spun her around to face him. “And I told you, my Lord, that you would have what I was willing to give. Tonight, that is everything. Perhaps we could find somewhere more…private?” Lucius pulled her into a deeper embrace, and Aurelia responded.

Aurelia and Lucius took every opportunity they could to meet up. However, Aurelia was not naïve. She knew that divorce was practically unheard of in the wizarding world, and she did not expect Lucius to leave Narcissa. It was difficult to find any other interpretation to the prophecy though. For them to be joined together, they both had to be available. Moreover, there was the other flaw in the plan – Voldemort was to be the one who was to join them together. It was clear to all, though, that Voldemort was not around to perform this task. Aurelia sighed. What, she wondered, was the point of putting herself through the pain of the man that she loved going home to another woman, merely to fulfil a prophecy that currently couldn’t even be true? She sat down to write the most difficult letter of her life.

Two hours later, in Malfoy Manor, Lucius roared with anger. He had become accustomed to having what he wanted, and ever since meeting Aurelia, she had been the one thing that he desired the most. Now, she was telling him that she no longer wished to see him. Clearly, that cursed old fool Dumbledore had a hand in this. No, this would not do. Lucius hissed as he strode to the front of the manor. He would Apparate directly to the school, and sort this out immediately. However, as he walked through the entrance hall, he was stopped by another owl dropping a scroll into his hands. He narrowed his eyebrows as he slit the scroll open, and as he read it, a cruel smile spread across his face. “A double attack?” he said out loud. “Well, it seems that Dumbledore has lost his touch. Eleven signatures is all I need, and that should be easy enough…”

An hour later and Lucius had the signatures he needed to force Dumbledore’s removal from Hogwarts. As he marched up to the school gates, he paused to reflect upon Aurelia’s reaction when she discovered that he had forced Dumbledore out of the school. For the first time, he felt a prickle of unease – after all, he did not want to hurt her – much. After all, she had rejected him. It was only right that she should learn the results of her actions. He was quite decided. Dumbledore would go tonight, and then he would teach Aurelia the consequences of rejecting a man of his stature. Lucius smirked. He was rather looking forward to that…

The evening had been going so well. Dumbledore had left with Minister Fudge, leaving Lucius free to search for Aurelia without interruption. That was where he had encountered his first problem of the evening – he could not find her anywhere in the castle. The longer he searched for, the more frustrated and angered he became. Suddenly, he felt a pull towards the lake, and followed his instincts.

Aurelia sighed as she looked out towards the lake. Today had been a difficult day, and she did not feel ready to return to the castle yet, despite the fact that it was an hour past curfew already. She was still uneasy that Lucius had not replied to her letter, and now Uncle Albus had been forced out of the school following the attack on Penelope and Hermione. A wave of dizziness passed over her, and she trembled. Perhaps she should just lie down against the tree by the take for a while longer before returning to the castle.

As Lucius caught a glimpse of dark hair by the tree at the lake, he quickened his pace. He was certain that Aurelia was the owner of that hair, and his suspicion was confirmed as he drew closer. She swayed on the spot, and he got there just in time to catch her in his arms as she fell. Lucius ran his tongue over his lips, and drew a deep breath. Here in his arms, entirely unprotected, was the woman who not twelve hours ago had told him she wanted nothing more to do with him. Not only that, but she was the great niece of the man he had just caused to be suspended. Yes, this was going to be sweet indeed. “Ennervate,” he murmured, pointing his wand at Aurelia.

Aurelia’s sight was hazy. All she could see was the blackness of the lake stretching out in front of her, and as she glanced up, she caught the sight of blond hair and a pair of cold grey eyes, eyes which were fixed most decidedly upon her. “Lucius?”

Lucius pulled her closer towards him, and traced the outline of her mouth with his fingertip. “Yes, Aurelia. I think we have much to discuss, do we not?” He bent his face towards her, and for the first time Aurelia truly realised the danger of the situation she was in. She automatically reached for her wand, and Lucius shook his head. “Oh no, Lady Cornwall, magic will not help you now. Your wand is where you left it, in your cloak. And anyway, this is not to be a duel.” He chuckled. “No, it is more of a…lesson, I suppose.” He gently brushed her hair back off her face, and stared at her for a few seconds longer before Aurelia broke the silence.

“What lesson am I supposed to be learning?” Despite her fear, Aurelia was making no effort to break free.

Lucius did not answer. Instead, he merely raised his wand and said, “Imperio.”

Aurelia’s head cleared of everything but Lucius. He held her with one arm as he released the clasp of his cloak, and then shifted to slide hers off as well. As he claimed her with a deep bruising kiss, she pressed herself into him. However, as he pushed her up against the tree and muttered the charm to remove their outer clothing, a voice spoke up in the back of her mind. This is wrong, it insisted. You don’t want to do this, remember? The prophecy cannot be fulfilled without Voldemort… It was as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water. Aurelia desperately tried to push Lucius off. His eyes widened.

“It appears this may be even more enjoyable than I expected, my Lady Cornwall. This certainly takes me back to the days of the Dark Lord’s reign. However, none of the prizes I claimed then were as stunning as you. Coupled with the fact that I have been unable to find satisfaction elsewhere since being with you; yes, I shall enjoy myself tonight.” He pushed one hand roughly onto her mouth to silence her protests, and ripped off her underwear with the other. He divested himself of his as well, and he shook with anticipation as he saw the mingled fear and anger in her eyes. “I can tell that you still lust for me, Aurelia, but I am more than willing to do this the hard way.” With that, he drove himself into her with one stroke, and ran his hands over her body.

Aurelia began to hate herself for the way her body succumbed to his touch, against the wish of her mind. Lucius, whilst never gentle, had always been a talented and generous lover, desiring her to have as much pleasure as himself. Tonight, whilst he was being significantly rougher, he seemed determined that she should enjoy herself against her will. They climaxed together, and he pulled her down on top of him as they slid to the ground. They stared at each other, both aware that they had reached the point of no return.

Lucius kissed her softly. “I do love you, my darling.”

Aurelia shook her head. “This can’t continue, Lucius. Tonight merely reinforced that in my mind. You are with Narcissa, “Aurelia shuddered as she said it, “and a Death Eater.” Lucius went to deny it, and Aurelia smiled. “No, I do not judge you for that. I was made fully aware of who you are before I began our relationship. But that makes it infinitely more difficult for us to be together. However, if circumstances change…”

Lucius raised his eyebrows. “Specifically?”

“I do not believe that the Dark Lord is dead. When he rises again, we may find that our path becomes smoother. But until then, I have to insist that you do not come near me.” Aurelia bit her lip, and looked away from him. This was more difficult than she had imagined.

They kissed, and broke away for the final time. Lucius and Aurelia looked into each other’s eyes, then walked away from each other. Lucius Malfoy vowed on the spot that the instant that the Dark Lord returned, he would be by his side. Aurelia Pendragon vowed to ensure the fulfilment of the prophecy which would bring her and Lucius together, and the end of the Dark Lord forever.