Well hello again! My it has been quite a long time and for that I am sorry. This chapter took me almost a year to write lol. I finally managed to finish it for you lovely readers and I hope that I will have made the wait worth it for you. I hope that themes in this chapter won't push some of you away.

Saturday, July 24th, 1999

Aurora was radiating happiness as she finished checking every product Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes had to offer in their stockroom. She really had no idea how George did it all, he somehow was able to make all of the product, manage a business, sustain a healthy relationship, and stay cheerful most of the time. But, Aurora knew that George probably stayed busy for a reason. She knew from Angelina that after his brother Fred's death, he couldn't even look at the place. It took a lot of encouragement and help from his friends and family to reopen the business and try and move on with his life.

It had only been a few months after Fred's death when Aurora first met George. He was looking for employees to help him fix up the business again and keep it going. Angelina made more of an effort at first to make friends with her. In the beginning, George only came down to the sales floor a couple times a week. But now, it had been over a year since Fred's passing and George seemed to be handling it as well as he possibly could.

Since Saturday was one of their busiest days of the week, Ginny came around and was working at WWW for the day. Ginny didn't exactly have a full time job, she had been recently trying out for several different women's Quidditch teams but she hadn't been recruited yet.

Finishing her morning shift, Aurora was happy to take her break. She looked forward to the usual banter between her coworkers who were also on hiatus.

Unsurprisingly, in the break room was Ginny and Harry sitting and talking together on the couch. Aurora almost felt bad for invading on their privacy, but she knew they wouldn't mind as they were at work and they were friends anyway.

"Hey Aurora," Ginny said, turning around at her walking in.

"Hello," Aurora said jovially. She took her lunch out of the magically chilled cabinet in the corner. It was very reminiscent of a muggle refrigerator, which Aurora had been accustomed to most of her childhood. After getting her lunch bag, she sat down on the couch adjacent to the other couch.

"Did Hermione decide not to come today?" Aurora asked Ginny, knowing that on usual Saturdays the whole Weasley clan came to help or hang out. It had become quite the tradition.

"No, we encouraged her to come but she said she didn't want to. She hasn't really wanted to do anything recently actually. I knew she would react to Ron leaving on his first assignment badly but I didn't think she would completely disengage." Ginny explained, clearly concerned for her friend.

"I know this might be a pointless question, but does she know where he is or anything about his mission?" Aurora asked, not fully knowing the situation but already assuming that the answer was no.

"No, she doesn't. She tried to get it out of him but he didn't say a word, there's no way Ron would put her in the situation where she knew information that could put her in danger," Harry interjected, "I don't know either, by the way."

"Why is she so afraid after everything you all have been through over the years?" Aurora questioned the pair. While she understood the worry and fear, she couldn't imagine herself being so worried that she couldn't go anywhere.

"Honestly, i think it's because of what happened to Draco," Ginny explained, "it was his first mission and he was injured. She's afraid that it could happen to Ron too."

"We tried to keep the information of what happened to Draco from her because we knew it would make her even more worried and upset, but she heard about it at the Ministry while she was at work." Harry told her.

"But what happened to him was unusual, they're still not even sure what happened." Aurora told them. She didn't know any more than what Draco had told her, but apparently the Ministry didn't either.

"How can they not know what curse hit him?" Ginny asked skeptically. "Shouldn't the Ministry know every spell in existence?"

"I'm not sure. His wounds are quite severe and unusual." Aurora sympathized with Ginny's skepticism.

"If you don't mind me asking, what are they exactly?" Harry asked curiously.

"Well, he has a lot of deep cuts and lesions all over his body and quite a few bruises. He looked pretty bad in the hospital." Aurora offered, hoping that Harry would know of a curse like that.

After she said Draco's symptoms, Harry and Ginny looked at each other curiously and back at Aurora.

"What?" Aurora said, confused by their sudden behavior.

"You say that he doesn't know what curse it was, or he doesn't remember at all?" Harry questioned her as if he knew something she didn't.

"Yes, why?" Aurora asked, leaning in, very interested in what Harry had to say.

"I'm not sure how you'll react to this, but that sounds very similar to a spell I cursed him with in our sixth year at Hogwarts. The incantation was Sectumsempra, I had found the spell in my potions book, and not knowing its power, I stupidly cursed him with it. I am very sure he would remember the incident and the injuries he sustained." Harry admitted to Aurora, hoping she wouldn't act out at him.

"Why would you do that? I know you two were not fond of each other in school but the curse you're describing sounds a little extreme." Aurora questioned.

"I didn't know it was such a severe curse, I thought it would be a simple curse that wouldn't do much harm. I never truly meant to try and kill him. But, whoever knew about this spell did want to hurt him in that way." Harry said guiltily.

"But why would he not think of it? I know that he suffered from a little memory loss but something like that I doubt he would forget." Aurora considered.

"Like I said, the symptoms are similar, but not exact. There were never any bruises with the spell I cursed him with, and most of the wounds were only on his upper body" Harry said, "even so, you should remind him and ask him if he told anyone of the spell."

"I will, I want them to catch whoever did that to him," Aurora said, thinking of the pain Draco must still be in from his wounds, her heart ached for him.

"And so does the Ministry, its almost embarrassing to the Auror department that they couldn't figure it out." Harry explained from his knowledge of the workings of the department.

Through the rest of her workday, Aurora thought about the curse Harry told her about. Surely Draco would've remembered such an occurrence. Trying to put it out of her mind, Aurora tried focusing on her work and helping the many customers flooding into the store. The busiest days were the most tiring, but also the most fun.

She noticed that George and Angelina seemed so happy and they couldn't seem to take their eyes off each other. It was so nice for her to see a couple so happy, it gave her hope that one day she would be on the road to getting married and settling down. She knew she was a bit young for it yet, but she couldn't help but dream of it.

. . .

Aurora was exhausted when her day at work was finally over, she was on her feet almost all day. As it was the middle of the summer, the sun was still high in the sky as she walked down Diagon Alley. She had never lived in such a lively and bustling place, there was never a shortage of people in the streets going about their daily business. The liveliness was so much a part of her life now.

Ollivander's shop was busy with young children anxious to receive their first wands. Aurora shuffled past them carefully and walked down the little hallway to the stairs leading up to her apartment. When she walked in, she heard a familiar flutter of wings that always made her smile.

Lucille ruffled her pretty white feathers as Aurora walked up to her and gently took the letter in her beak.

Aurora,

I was wondering if I could see you tonight, my night is completely open.

Draco

Aurora smiled and quickly found her stationery and wrote a reply saying that she would love to see him and that he should meet her at her house at seven o'clock for dinner. No matter how much time they spent together, Aurora never lost the feeling of excitement from seeing him.

Looking at the clock in her kitchen, Aurora noticed that she had about an hour to make dinner and get ready. With a wave of her wand and a few simple incantations, Aurora started an easy recipe for lemon chicken that she remembered.

As the meal cooked, Aurora went to her bedroom and scanned her closet for something suitable to wear. She knew that this date was pretty casual and that she really didn't need to worry too much about what she wore but she still wanted to look nice. She chose a simple pair of capris, a white top, and a blue pendant necklace.

Going back into the kitchen, Aurora set the table and finished cooking the meal as she waited for Draco to arrive. She wasn't sure how she was going to bring up the curse Harry had told her about but she knew that doing so might help him remember.

Soon enough there was a knock on the door and Aurora felt the familiar pounding of her heart and went quickly to let Draco in.

As soon as she opened the door, Aurora couldn't help smiling. Draco always looked so handsome and it still baffled her that he was hers.

"Good Evening," Draco said as he smiled back at the beautiful woman in front of him.

"Good evening to you," Aurora said back, stepping back inside to let Draco in. Just seeing him made her heart flutter and yearn for him as she still was feeling pangs of missing him from when he was away for so long. And this knew knowing of her love for him set her a bit on edge, what if he didn't feel the same?

After chatting closely for a while, Draco and Aurora sat down for dinner. Aurora hoped she did the recipe correctly, she wasn't one for cooking but she enjoyed learning, and eating.

"So, what were you up to today?" Aurora asked Draco as she took a bite of her chicken.

"Well, I went to the ministry briefly to speak with Phil about the case. He sent me home almost immediately since I am not fully recovered. But, he also said that they did want me to come in soon to see if I might identify my attacker." Draco said, nervous about encountering the person who tried to kill him.

"I'm surprised they aren't urgently trying to get you to identify him. I thought that they were very eager to close the case?" Aurora mentioned while feeling bad that Draco still wasn't completely healed.

"I am too. I should be all healed up in a few days, the potions the healers gave me are quite strong. At least they taste that way." Draco said and chucked a bit, "Anyway, how was your day?"

"It was busy, but not more than usual. The hot topic at work has been George and Angelina's wedding. Apparently they're planning on having it New Year's eve. It'll be a nice way to ring in the new millenium." Aurora said while smiling.

"That should be a fun time, are you in the wedding?" Draco asked, wondering if he might be invited, probably not. He would be disappointed if he had to spend new years without Aurora but he would never attempt to sway her away from going.

"I don't know, Angelina hasn't really mentioned that part of it much. I hope so but it's alright if I'm not." Aurora concluded.

After a few moments of silence from them eating, Aurora remembered what Harry had said and knew she should mention it.

"Draco?" She asked a bit shyly, as she didn't know how he would react to her bringing up the event with Harry.

"Yes?" Draco responded looking back at her.

"Um, I was talking with Harry today at work and he mentioned something that might jog your memory about whoever attacked you." Aurora said carefully.

"What was it?" Draco asked, genuinely curious about what Harry had to say.

"He told me about a curse he used on you when you were in your sixth year that sounded similar to the injuries you have it was called septum-."

"Sectumsempra," Draco interjected, "I remember it. But my injuries are not the same exactly." He said, but he knew they were similar.

"Could it still be it?" Aurora inquired, feeling more comfortable noticing that Draco wasn't upset at her bringing it up.

"I don't think so, I mean no one else really knows of it. Severus Snape created it years ago and no one knew of it until Harry discovered it in his potions book and used it." Draco explained, thinking deeper if anyone else could have known it.

"Are you sure?" Aurora asked, wanting to know more about the curse.

"I can't be sure that no one else has seen it in that book from years past but I can't recall that I told anyone of it, I was quite embarrassed at the time that Harry got the better of me." Draco acknowledged.

"Do you have any hard feelings towards him still?" Aurora questioned, knowing already that Harry didn't for him.

"No, not at all. That whole time is behind us and I'm glad its over." Draco assured her, obviously wanting to move on from the topic of his past.

Noticing they were both finished with their meal, Aurora waved her wand and the dishes popped into the sink and began cleaning themselves. Growing up having to do dishes by hand made Aurora appreciate the simple spell.

"Did you want to take a walk this evening?" Aurora wondered, wanting to get out of the apartment for a while.

"Sure." Draco said as he got out of his chair. Before they left, he wanted a moment alone with her, he stepped forward toward her and hugged her close.

Aurora smiled to herself with her face pressed to his shoulder. He smelled so clean and manly, she thought about how it always made her feel a way she never really felt before. Like as if she needed to be near him, to touch him. She didn't know what to think of these new, almost sexual, feelings for Draco.

Draco looked down at Aurora and kissed her softly, taking in the feeling of her in his arms. It felt so right being with her like this. He knew that he wanted more, but he wouldn't push her. It would happen when she was ready.

Pulling away from the kiss, Draco took Aurora's hand and led her to the door. They walked out of her apartment and down the stairs to the dark streets of Diagon Alley. The street was only illuminated by a few street lights and lights coming from inside the local pubs.

Holding hands, they strolled down the alley for a while silently, enjoying each other's presence.

After a while, Draco remembered something he discussed with his mother the day before. He finally decided to mention Aurora to her. She was happy that he had found someone to be with but Draco knew that she had to pass her judgement before she really approved. He knew already that she would like her because she was exactly the kind of girl she wanted for her son. After telling her, Draco's mother invited them to a dinner party she was hosting the next week. Draco dreaded his mother's long dinner parties but he knew she wouldn't accept no for an answer.

"Aurora?" Draco asked quietly.

"Yes?" Aurora responded to him, looking up at him sweetly.

"I know I haven't really mentioned this much but, would you like to meet my mother? She's invited us to a dinner party on Tuesday. You don't have to if you don't want to of course." Draco almost wanted her to say no, but he knew that they'd have to meet eventually. He wondered if she would be surprised to see where he had grown up.

"I'd love to," Aurora said, admittedly nervous, "It would be nice to meet someone from your family."

"It will be at my parent's manor, where I grew up." Draco mentioned. He didn't know how she would quite react to his childhood home, he knew he came from a wealthy family and used to flaunt it as a child. But now he didn't want to talk about it, he didn't see a need to brag. Draco wanted to make his way in the world on his own.

"That'll be nice." Aurora smiled, she was happy that Draco felt comfortable enough to invite her to meet his mother. It was nice to know he was taking things as seriously as she was.

It was getting late when Aurora and Draco arrived back at her apartment. The clock read ten thirty.

Aurora yawned as they stepped through the door. She was tired but she didn't want Draco to leave. He had never stayed over at her house before and didn't know if he would want to.

Knowing she didn't want him to leave, she decided to be brave and ask, "Do you want to stay over tonight? It's late as it is."

A little surprised, and delighted by her question, Draco replied, "Yes, if thats alright with you."

Aurora walked up to him and gave him a quick kiss, "I have work tomorrow morning so we should probably get ready for bed now."

"Of course," Draco said, following her to her bedroom and closing the door behind them.

Draco had never been in Aurora's bedroom before, it was small and a bit girly. Her bedspread had flowers on it and her walls and little paintings of muggle cities. He could recognize Paris as one of them.

Aurora went into the bathroom to change into her pajamas, she wasn't sure how Draco would feel about her changing right in front of him. She wore a short chemise that fell loosely on her body. It was far too warm of a night to wear anything more. Looking at herself in the mirror, she wiped off any remaining makeup from the day with a wet cloth and brushed her hair out smooth.

Walking out of the bathroom, Aurora noticed that Draco was now in just his boxers. He must've felt the same about the heat. She could also see his remaining bandages on his shoulder and chest. He was looking aimlessly out the window at the other side of Diagon Alley.

As Aurora slipped into bed, Draco turned around and looked at her in a way Aurora had never been looked at before. She could see in his deep grey eyes that he desired her.

When Draco looked at Aurora in her light blue chemise, he couldn't help but stare at her perfect curves. He knew that he'd been trying not to show his immense desire for her in that way but he couldn't help it in that moment.

Aurora smiled at Draco as he got into bed with her. He immediately kissed her softly while laying slightly above her. Her lips were soft against his and complied to his kiss. Amazingly, she seemed just as eager to be close to him as he was for her. Running his hands down her soft curves, Draco kissed her more passionately.

Aurora couldn't believe how much she wanted Draco in that moment, she couldn't get enough of him. She kissed him hard and placed her hands gently on his chest making sure she didn't touch his wounds. Draco pulled Aurora closer to him, forcing her to move her hands to his muscular back.

Feeling the familiar desire rising in him, Draco felt himself harden, but he wasn't shy about it again. He wanted Aurora to know that he wanted her.

Immediately, Aurora felt Draco's length press against her stomach. She blushed as she continued kissing him feverously. She knew that she wanted this, she just needed to be brave.

To get even closer to him, Aurora placed her leg over his side and pressed herself against him. She ran her fingers through his hair and she could feel the desire in herself pooling in her most private area. It was such a new feeling for her, but she loved it.

Becoming aware of Aurora's boldness, Draco moved his hand up her chemise to feel her soft skin. Once he started touching her, he couldn't stop exploring. His hand finally rested on her bottom. Aurora's body pressed against his firmness made him feel like he never had before. He truly wanted her with every fibre of his being.

Aurora knew that this was it, she wanted to make her move. She didn't know exactly what she was doing, but she moved her right hand between them slowly until it was resting on the outside of Draco's boxers.

Draco sighed at her touching him outside of his boxers, he wanted her to keep going so badly. He kissed her passionately to show her he wanted her to continue.

Aurora kissed him back with the same fervor and began to stroke it slowly and smiled to herself when she got a pleasurable sigh from Draco. Feeling her own desires building, she forgot all of her shyness and boldly reached her hand down his boxers and touched his bare cock. It was slightly wet as she stroked the whole of it, she couldn't see it in the dark but she knew it had to be quite large.

Draco couldn't help but moan from what Aurora was doing. He had never felt something so good in his life. He almost couldn't believe she had never done that to anyone before. As she continued to stroke him, he knew he couldn't last much longer and he knew that he wanted to try and please her too.

Sensing that Draco was coming close to peaking, Aurora quickened her pace and kissed Draco's neck softly and moaned a little at her own passion for him building in her panties.

It was all over for Draco when he heard Aurora's little moan, he suddenly felt himself climax and moaned loudly from it. It felt like nothing he'd ever felt before and couldn't believe she could make him feel like that. He wanted to be able to do the same thing to her.

It startled Aurora when Draco came and her hand was suddenly soaked. She couldn't believe she had been able to do that to him. She didn't even know what she was doing, yet she was able to please Draco.

A little embarrassed, Draco quickly grabbed his wand from the side tabled and cleaned himself up.

Aurora smiled at Draco and kissed him softly. Draco kissed Aurora back lovingly as he continued to explore her curves with his hands. He had never seen that side of Aurora before and was anxious to see more of it.

Aurora had not forgotten the desire that had been rising in her the whole time, and when Draco began to touch her again, she knew she wanted to feel what she had made Draco feel.

Nervously, Draco kissed Aurora passionately, and ghosted his hand down her stomach and to the soft fabric of her panties. He could feel that she was wet and he gently slid his hand down the hem of her panties and touched her smooth and wet folds gently. Aurora moaned quietly, spurring him on to keep going.

Draco rubbed her sensitive nub, making Aurora whimper for more. Aurora was surprised at this new feeling of pleasure, she didn't want Draco to stop.

Slowly, Draco slid one finger inside her. She felt so wet and so tight around it, he continued to slide it in and out trying to be gentle with her as she seemed almost fragile to him. He kissed her gently as he played with her sensitive nub and slid another finger inside her. Aurora let out another beautiful sounding moan.

The way Draco was making her feel was unreal, she knew that she wouldn't be able to take it much longer. She kissed his neck again and down his chest and back up to his mouth to kiss him with so much need as she began to feel herself climax from the gentle strokes of his hand. When she hit her peak she whimpered Draco's name quietly. She had never had an orgasm before this, but now she knew why so many girls always talked about them at school.

When she was done, she kissed Draco softly. He looked into her eyes lovingly and Aurora giggled, she felt so shy after it was all done that she cuddled close to Draco and buried her head in his shoulder.

Draco held her close and smiled, he never knew that he could be this happy. It wasn't because of what they had just done, but because he had a woman who cared for him enough to show him her true self. He knew that he loved her, but he didn't know when the time was right to say it.

. . .

Sunday, July 25th, 1999

Draco laid awake in the early hours of the morning next to Aurora who was fast asleep. He had managed to forget their earlier conversation about his attacker until now. Could it really have been Sectumsempra? He couldn't think of anyone else who knew it, but there was no other curse that he knew of that could do the same damage.

Now that he had been thinking about it, he knew he had to find out for himself. He needed to go to the ministry and help with the questioning, he needed to know who attempted to end his life just when he found something to live for.

Thinking of this reason, he turned over to Aurora who was peacefully sleeping. She looked so calm and beautiful. He kissed her forehead softly and fell back asleep at her side. .

AN: It took me a long time to find my own courage to write something like this and to post it. Please tell me what you think and review!