I stirred, sensing eyes penetrate me.

"Draco," I murmured as his lips kissed my forehead, and then my nose, and then my lips.

"I love you," he breathed, his warm breath tickling my lips. "I love you so much."

My eyes finally opened and immediately fixed upon his.

"Tell me about her," I breathed, only wanting to hear one thing, "Tell me about our daughter."

He held me tightly to him as he told me about how our little girl was crawling around and babbled incomprehensible words. He didn't stop as tears poured down my face, understanding that even though it hurt; it was something I needed to hear.

It hurt so much, it killed me, in fact. I was broken without her. The only thing that made me feel anywhere near okay was Draco.

"Put your hands on my head," he said, "let me show you her."

I clasped trembling hands to either side of his head, looking up into silver grey eyes which stared lovingly down into mine.

"I don't know how-"

"I'll show you," he murmured hoarsely as he placed his own hands upon my head and closed his eyes.

I was hit with the sudden image of a little girl - my Nova, giggling delightedly as a mouth blew a raspberry into her neck. "Da-da," she cooed, "da-da."

I pulled my hands violently down, not being able to bear the pain. She had changed so much, it physically hurt my heart.

"Aurora," Draco implored, trying to prise my face up to meet his. "I promise you'll see her again."

But he didn't get it; nothing would make up for the time I'd missed with her. Nothing. I felt as though I was mourning a death.

Draco held me as I sobbed violently into his shoulder.

"You stay here, baby," he murmured in my ear. "I'll bring you some food. Don't worry about classes; I'll make up excuses for you."

I didn't argue with him. I was exhausted and was desperate to be looked after.

"It's going to be her birthday next week," I said sadly, as he placed a plate of toast and a cup of tea down on the bedside table.

"I know," he murmured quietly, sitting down on the edge of the bed and tenderly stroked my hair.

"Is your mother going to do something nice for her?" I asked, feeling a tight squeeze in my chest.

"I've been allowed time off school to go and visit her." Draco said, his eyes not quite being able to meet mine. "We're having a small birthday tea."

"She'll see you, that's nice." I whispered, trying to ignore the pulsing pain push through my body.

"Don't cry, Aurora." His voice was soft and gentle as long, slender fingers tenderly danced down my cheek.

But I couldn't stop crying any more than I could stop breathing. I found myself curling up into a ball and continued to weep, allowing my sadness to consume me.

I was tired of trying to be strong. Tired of fighting for what's right. I just wanted my baby back.

******

Arms flung around me when I eventually found myself back in the Ravenclaw Tower later that day.

"Oh Aurora, I'm so glad you're okay!" Cho cried. "We were all so worried to hear that you had gotten caught."

"I'm okay." I said hoarsely, my throat sore from having the spent the day crying on Draco's bed.

I had decided to go and make my presence known, fear bubbling that they might have thought I'd gone on the run again and interrogate Draco.

"Rumour has it you've been helping the Golden Trio, is it true?" Cho whispered looking around furtively for eavesdroppers.

I shook my head, deciding it would be safe for everyone if I just kept quiet. I wondered how Harry was getting on and prayed they were on their way to getting more Horcruxes.

Cho seemed to understand my reluctance to talk, and gave me a quick sad hug before letting me go and get settled back in my old bed.

It was strange being back in Hogwarts. It felt nothing like the school it had once been. Death Eaters roamed the halls and the students were full of fear.

I was careful not to be seen with Draco but it was difficult, especially as most of our classes were shared. He was often summoned out of lessons to get called to the Carrow's office. I couldn't help but notice the grim expression on his face before it vanished under his mask - something he appeared to be required to wear on these office visits.

"What do they get you to do?" I had asked one evening when I snuck into his room.

"Please don't ask me that," he replied, his face looking sickened as he pulled me tightly up against his chest. "I couldn't bear to see the look in your eyes. It's bad enough seeing the way you look at me when I'm wearing that mask."

"I hate the life you've been forced into," I trembled, imagining him being made to inflict pain on others - children.

"And I hate the life you've been forced into too, Aurora." He said sadly, kissing my hair, and then my lips.

Our love making was fraught, intense and passionate during those weeks at Hogwarts. It was as though we knew this time together was only going to be short lived before we would ripped apart again.

This became evident when, one morning at breakfast, I received a thick cream envelope, embossed in gold writing.

"That looks smart," Cho observed, looking mightily impressed. "I wonder who it's from."

It was an invitation.

Dear Miss Aurora Diggory,

Mr and Mrs Parkinson invite you to witness the marriage of their daughter

Pansy

to

Draco Lucius Malfoy.

Ceremony followed by reception at Malfoy Manor

Saturday 21st March 1998

16:00

I stared down at it in utter horror, the words causing a horrible sickness to swoop low through my stomach.

"This is Pansy's idea of a sick, twisted joke!" Draco roared furiously when I showed it to him later, enquiring if he knew I'd been invited.

"It's only a couple of weeks away," I cried, fear of losing him so soon again making me feel panicked. "I thought it was going to be in the summer - after you'd finish school!"

"I'm sorry," he swallowed, looking pained. "I should have told you. The Dark Lord moved it forward."

"Why?" I quivered, although deep down knowing the answer before Draco said it.

"Because he wants us to start trying for a family sooner." He swallowed again, not meeting my eyes. "When we return after Easter, this room will be our marital suite."

I looked down at the bed in horror and felt a queasiness like no other as vivid images of Draco and Pansy's naked bodies writhing together flashed before my mind.

"I've figured it out," Draco said, following my gaze. "I'm going to slip her a potion. I'm going to try and hold off getting her pregnant for as long as possible."

At his words, I retched, my whole body doubling over as I clutched my stomach in pain.

"You- you're going to have sex with her," I gasped as the true cold horror of the situation dawned upon me. "in this room, as I lie sleeping in the same building."

"I'm sorry, Aurora. I'm so sorry."

The words were like a knife to my heart.