Aurelia's Story

“I will believe
What I want to believe
Nobody needs
To do my thinking for me
I know the score, I'm always out of line
It's as if I was born in the wrong place in time
And nobody understands just what's in my mind
But when I face the light
Somehow it all seems right
Don't you know it feels like
Heaven's falling
Down on me”

Heaven’s Falling, Cheap Trick


Christmas proved to be a difficult time for Aurelia Malfoy. She and Lucius should have been enjoying their first Christmas with Ariadne and Gabriel, but each of them had too much on their minds. For Lucius, it was the fact that he could not shake the image of Severus Snape raping Aurelia from his mind. Even worse was the knowledge that should he attempt to take revenge, Voldemort was more than likely to take Aurelia from him; that much he had made perfectly clear. As for Aurelia, she not only had the aftermath of the rape and its effects on Lucius to deal with, she also had the constant worry of a recrimination from Lucius’ attack on the Weasleys. Added to that was the strain of watching Draco for signs of where his loyalties lay. The stress of looking after four-month old twins seemed miniscule in comparison.

By the time Draco returned to Hogwarts in January, Aurelia still had no clear idea about his future, and had had more than enough of Severus Snape intruding upon her marriage. She resolved to go to Hogwarts herself to speak with Severus directly. The next day, she quietly slid out of bed and hastily scribbled Lucius a note before he awoke and stopped her before Apparating to Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall greeted her at the school gates. “Good morning, Aurelia. We weren’t expecting you today. Is everything well?” she asked concernedly.

“Fine, thank you Professor. I merely need to speak with Severus on Order business,” Aurelia replied, biting her lip nervously.

“You know the way then, Aurelia. I shall not keep you, as I have business to attend to myself. Take care,” Minerva bade her farewell then walked towards Hogsmeade.

As she approached the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom where Severus now taught, Aurelia paused and slid her wand out of her robes before opening the door. She swore under her breath as she realised she had walked in on the sixth year class containing Harry and Draco. Harry frowned as he noticed her drawn wand, and she quickly concealed it. “My apologies for interrupting your lesson, Severus. I shall wait outside until it is concluded.”

He shook his head abruptly and raised his eyebrows suggestively. “No matter, Aurelia. Class dismissed.” The students hurried out of the room, and Aurelia lowered her head as Ron Weasley shuffled past looking even paler than normal. Harry paused as they passed her and looked at her quizzically. She nodded reassuringly and mouthed “Later,” at him as Draco approached her.

“Aurelia, what a pleasant surprise to see you again so soon. Everything is well at home, I take it?” her stepson asked confidently.

She embraced him. “Perfect, thank you,” she replied, noting with pleasure Severus’ displeased expression. “I am merely here to discuss some business with Severus.”

Draco nodded as comprehension dawned on his face, kissed her hand and walked away, the last student to leave the classroom. As soon as he was through the door, Severus whipped his wand out and swiftly locked the door. He slowly turned to face her, licking his lips as he did so. Involuntarily, Aurelia began to back away. He chuckled cruelly. “Back for more of the same, I take it?” he asked.

Her face hardened. “On the contrary, Severus, I am here to tell you to apologise to Lucius.”

For the first time that Aurelia could remember, Severus laughed out loud. “For what? Following our master’s orders and having a thoroughly enjoyable time in the process?”

Aurelia fought against her fear. “For betraying your oldest friend, Severus, and for betraying me. Foolishly, I trusted you, but now I see everything you have done has not been to protect me. Instead, you have been constantly trying to tear Lucius and I apart. No longer will you get away with it, though.”

Severus faltered as he recognised the strength in her face. “As long as our master gives me permission, neither of you can stop me.”

“In that case, I am delighted to inform you that your campaign to destroy my marriage is at an end,” Aurelia replied sharply. “Our master will not give you further permission to interfere with my happiness; I can assure you of that.”

Severus looked disbelieving. “What makes you so certain of that? I have done much that needs rewarding, and you are the perfect toy.” He smirked.

“What happens between our master and I is none of your business, but I have no doubt that he will never allow you to even lay a finger on me again. He is very possessive, after all. Now that I have made myself perfectly clear, I would thank you to unlock the door,” she said softly, but losing none of the power and meaning in her voice.

However, Severus did not move from between Aurelia and the door. Instead, he came closer to her and spoke equally softly. “Who says he has to find out?”

“If you are implying that I would allow you to touch me –“ Aurelia replied disbelievingly.

“Not at all, Aurelia, you have given me no reason to believe so. However, a well worked memory charm can do wonders…” he said musingly, before suddenly springing towards her and wresting her wand from her grasp.

With a loud bang, the door flew open and Aurelia turned her head to see Harry framed in the doorway, fury evident on his face. “Get away from her, Snape,” he said threateningly. Aurelia pushed Severus onto the floor, snatched back her wand and rose.

“Snape, I will fucking kill you for what you have done to her!” Harry said furiously.

Aurelia pulled him into the room and sealed the door shut. “Harry, stop. Severus will not dare touch me again,” she stated, staring challengingly at Severus.

“How can you say that?! A minute ago he tried to rape you again!”

“How – “ Aurelia trailed off, a wry smile on her face as Harry guiltily stuffed a length of flesh coloured string into his pocket. “Extendable Ears? I’m sure I saw Fred and George with those last year.”

Severus finally spoke up. “Potter, how dare you spy upon me?” he demanded.

Harry looked at him incredulously. “Don’t even try to take the moral high ground with me, Professor,” he spat sarcastically. “I had every right to listen in, as I suspected you from the very start.” He shook his head wryly. “At least I have been proved right about you, you slimy git.”

Severus backed away from the anger on Harry’s face as he clearly struggled to contain his own temper. “Whilst you may believe that you are the little wonder boy who has the right to know everything, my personal life is none of your concern, you arrogant child,” he said condescendingly.

Aurelia intervened before Harry let slip that he knew of his and Aurelia’s relationship. If Severus knew of that, he would tell Voldemort, who would be furious. “Severus, I shall deal with Harry. If I hear there have been any recriminations for him as a result of today, I shall have no hesitation in telling our master that you attacked me. I expect Lucius to receive an apology from you in the morning. Harry, come with me.” She took Harry by the arm and walked out of the classroom, trembling as she did so. The second the door slammed shut behind them, she sank back and slid down the wall.

Harry instantly knelt down beside her. “Aurelia, do you want me to fetch Professor Dumbledore?”

Aurelia shook her head vehemently. “No, my life will be forfeit if you do so, Harry,” she replied tiredly. “If Uncle Albus finds out about this, Severus’ position as a spy will be lost, and I am the only person who could possibly have betrayed him so.”

Harry paled as the significance of her words hit him. “Are you telling me that Snape is on Voldemort’s side after all? Professor Dumbledore has to know!”

She paused for a long time before replying. It was clear that Harry had guessed the truth, and perhaps if he knew for sure he would be more on his guard. “I believe so. I have seen what I consider to be cast iron evidence to prove so. You must see the dilemma I have though, Harry. I am the only one who could betray any of the Inner Circle to the Order, but if I do so I can guarantee you that I would be dead within twenty four hours. If that were to happen, the prophecy would go unfulfilled. We simply cannot take that risk. All I can do is try to ensure that Severus does as little damage as possible.”

Harry frowned. “Well, you won’t be the only one. I won’t tell anyone what you’ve told me, but you can be sure that Ron, Hermione and I will be keeping a very close eye on the old bastard from now on.”

Aurelia embraced her cousin gently. “Thank you, Harry. If you ever need to speak with me confidentially, send an owl to Tintagel Castle. The house elves will ensure I get the message. Please, though, do not tell anyone of the castle. There are many powerful artefacts there that I would prefer remained hidden.”

They heard footsteps around the corner, and Aurelia rose hurriedly as Albus came into view. “Aurelia,” he said urgently, “what are you doing here?” He did not wait for her to answer, but instead began ushering her out of the castle. “You need to get back to Malfoy Manor immediately.”

Aurelia’s heart dropped. “Is it my babies?” she demanded frantically.

Albus shook his head. “I have just heard from Arthur that the Ministry are planning a raid on the Manor. Apparently, they have new evidence against Lucius.”

Without another word, Aurelia gathered up her robes and ran out of the castle before Apparating home. The front doors were wide open, and she hastened into the study, her heart thumping inside her chest.

Arthur Weasley was stood just inside the door, and Lucius was behind his desk, under guard from six Aurors with their wands drawn and the Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour. Arthur looked at her sadly. “Aurelia, we have been waiting for you to take charge of the children before we take your husband away.”

Her heart sank, and she looked at Lucius with tears in her eyes. His fury was evident, but she also saw something she was not accustomed to seeing in her husband’s eyes – fear. “Why is he being arrested?” she asked, though she knew the answer already.

“We have received new intelligence that Lucius Malfoy is a member of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s Inner Circle, and was responsible for the murder of Charles Weasley.” Scrimgeour spoke up. “Mr Malfoy does not deny the charges.”

“No I do not,” Lucius spat. “No longer will I deny my master. Do as you will with me, for soon he will complete what he is doing and I shall be free and at his side. Darling, I apologise,” he said, turning to Aurelia, “but we shall be together again shortly, I assure you.”

With those words, the Aurors bound him and Aurelia sank to the floor for the second time that day as they marched him away. Arthur held back as the others left the manor, and touched her shoulder gently. “Aurelia, I realise this must be a terrible shock for you, but you must understand that we have a job to do, and that job is to keep the public safe. You know as well as I do that Lucius is a Death Eater.” She nodded mutely. Arthur continued, his voice beginning to shake. “My family suffered greatly in the First War, and I will do anything I have to do to prevent others suffering as we did.” Aurelia flushed as she remembered that her husband was responsible for that suffering, and her tears began to fall in earnest. Arthur rose, and looked down at her sadly. “I cannot let the murderer of my son roam free, not for anyone. Go to your children, Aurelia, they need you now more than ever. If you need anything, Molly and I will always be here for you.”

Arthur left the manor, and Aurelia rushed to the bedroom she shared with Lucius and hastily threw together a trunk full of essential items for herself and the twins. She would take them to Tintagel Castle until Lucius was released. That was the only way she could ensure their safety. Aurelia shrunk the trunk down to a manageable size then took the twins in her arms, preparing to Floo away. Before she could do so, however, Voldemort appeared in front of her, his red eyes flashing with rage. “Are you going somewhere, Lady Malfoy?”

“Yes, away from you,” she answered recklessly. “Until you return my husband to me, I and my children will have nothing further to do with this war.”

Voldemort growled angrily. “What makes you think I will allow you to do so, Aurelia?”

“Oh, you have no say in the matter. When I entered your service, my price was that I have Lucius by my side. Because of you, he is no longer here. When you return him to me, my service shall resume. It is that simple.” Before Voldemort could compose a reply, she Flooed to Albus’ office, hoping desperately that Voldemort would not dare follow her there.