"Christ, Aurora. Are you all right?"

Fred looked at me in deep concern as I entered the shop behind Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"We just ran into Malfoy," Hermione whispered.

"Yeah, things got a bit ugly between Harry and Draco's mummy." Ron scoffed. "God, you can see where he gets it from."

"Don't." I said, squeezing my eyes shut. My heart was in too much pain to deal with this. I wasn't sure what was going on but something had definitely changed in Draco.

The way he acted - it was strange. It was only last summer that he told me his mother had tried to persuade Lucius to allow him to attend Cedric's funeral and helped him find out my whereabouts when I had disappeared under the radar.

But I suppose a lot had happened since then.

The room tipped and I grabbed the nearest person, which happened to be Fred, and clung onto his arm as another wave of nausea passed.

"Merlin, Aurora," Fred said, looking alarmed. "Come with me. You look like you could do with a glass of water."

I didn't argue as he led me to the back of the shop, allowing me to stay clinging to his arm.

We went through a door behind the till which opened up to a small stairwell, at the top of which was Fred and George's flat.

"Here, sit down," he said, helping me towards a large red sofa after we climbed the stairs.

I made myself as comfortable as I could in my state whilst Fred disappeared and made a cluttering sound in the kitchen.

He returned moments later, a glass of water in his hand which I gratefully took from him as he sat down next to me.

"Thank you," I trembled, almost spilling it everywhere as I took a shaky sip.

"You really do look terrible." Fred said, shaking his head as he took the glass off of me. "Surely it can't all be over the ferret?"

"Don't call him that," I whispered, trying not to cry, knowing he was somewhere down the road and yet I couldn't even talk to him.

"I'm sorry, but I'm finding it hard to like the git when he makes one of my dearest friends so unhappy."

"It's not his fault. It's difficult for him, because of his father."

"Oh yes, his father who tried to kill you not so long ago." Fred scoffed bitterly. "What a family."

"We love each other," I implored trying to get Fred to understand. "He made me promise to stay safe, whatever happens."

"What a hero." He gritted. "To be honest Aurora, the only way you can stay safe is to keep away from him. I don't think old what's-his-name would like it if he found out that one of his follower's kids was running around with what he would consider to be a blood traitor. Stay safe - stay away. If Malfoy really does love you as much as he says he does, then he would follow this through, too."

Tears fell from my eyes because I knew he was right. And, I realised, that Draco really did love me because that is exactly what he was doing. It still didn't stop it from hurting though.

I felt Fred's arms go around me as he held me, holding me to him whilst I sobbed on his shoulder.

Footsteps pounded up the stairs and I lifted my head to see George entering the flat.

"Blimey, Aurora. What's the Slytherin twat done now?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Fred shaking his head warningly, silencing George.

"She felt a bit woozy, so I brought her up here for a glass of water," he explained.

"Yeah, Mum was just saying that you haven't been well these past few weeks." George muttered, sitting the other side of me. "Not pregnant are you?" He added, chortling.

A cold, plunging horror sank somewhere deep in my stomach as I tried to work out when I last had my period.

In my anxiety about Draco, I had totally forgotten about it. I certainly hadn't had one since I'd left Hogwarts.

I was late.

"Aurora, I was joking," George said, looking alarmed at the horror on my face.

"Woah, what? I didn't even realise that you and him were..." Fred tailed off looking just as horrified as I felt. "Please tell me that you were careful, Aurora?"

"Yes!" I stated at once. "I was using a potion. And I was told it was one hundred percent effective."

I had even taken it to Madam Pomfrey, who gave out contraceptive advice with no questions asked (Another measurement put in place by Dumbledore after Draco and I were caught in the cabin.). She tested it right there and then and reassured me it was genuine. She also said it couldn't go out of date, so I felt confident using it again when Draco and I got back together.

"Well then," said George uncertainly. "You should be fine."

But I didn't feel it.

George went out to get me a test, just in case, while Fred sat with me holding my hands.

"You'll be fine, if Madam Pomfrey says the potion was the real deal then it's the real deal. You're probably just ill because your mind is all over the place with everything you've been through. Maybe you need to take it easy. Why don't you stay here with George and I for the rest of the holidays? It's a lot less chaotic up here and we'll look after you good and proper."

By the time George had returned with the test, I was feeling positive that Fred was right. I had been going through an emotional time, after all.

But just to be sure, I took the test.

"How long?" Fred asked, as I came out of their bathroom, stick in hand.

"Two minutes."

I paced the living room carpet, my heart hammering in my chest. Fred and George remained silent as we all listened to the tick tick of the clock. It seemed deafeningly loud.

"It's been two minutes, Aurora." George said gently.

Holding my breath, I looked down and slowly turned over the stick in my hand.

It was positive.