Cytherea ate her dinner in silence before storming her way back up to Gryffindor. Promptly, she sat in a chair that faced the door, and waited for this Aura girl. Who was she to talk to her like that, and in front of her own brother! And he didn't do anything about it! She growled thinking about it. A small and wicked grin crossed her face. Cytherea seriously considered hexing the girl the moment she stepped through the door.

But that probably would lose her points with Vulpy, and she didn't want that. Fine, she'd just talk to the girl. And while she did, she'd make it extremely clear that if she messed with him in anyway, Cytherea would ruin that pretty face of hers. With an absurd giggle Cytherea pulled out her wand and started spinning it in her fingers.

'Patience, patience,' she thought. It wouldn't take long for them to finish dinner. At some point Aura would have to come home. And when she did, Cytherea would be waiting. She had all night.

Aurora was floating on air that night.  Not only did someone actually talk to her, she gained a friend: her first friend ever, and she had a feeling she picked an amazing one.  Saying her goodbyes to Vulpes, she made her way to Gryffindor tower with an unusual spring in her step and a silly grin plastered to her face.  She spent her dinner with her new friend at Slytherin table, and by some shift in the universe, various people came up to them as if Vulpes and Aurora were something of a spectacle.

It was amusing, of course, but there was one comment that made her a little flustered.  A Hufflepuff by the name of Figaro had insinuated that Aurora was Vulpes's girlfriend; which was of course absurd.  Though she clearly stated they were just friends, when they left the Great Hall that evening, she had the feeling the impression was more than just friendship.  She sighed and pushed those silly thoughts away: she didn't want anything to ruin her rare good mood that evening.

Once through the Portrait Hole leading into the Gryffindor common room, she spotted a peculiar scene: Vulpes's sister, whom Aurora earlier chastised, was waiting like a spider with a mischievous look that made Aurora quirk her eyebrow in curiosity.

Finally, the girl stepped through the portrait. About bloody time! Cytherea flipped the her wand around in her hand and pointed it at the girl. "You..." she hissed. "Aura, or what ever! We need to have a little talk." Without hesitation, Cythrea leapt from her seat and stormed up to the girl, stopping less than an inch away from her, glaring up into her face defiantly. "What did you do to my brother!" she spat venomously.

Cytherea pressed the tip of her wand unto the girls stomach. "He's never sat by and let someone talk to me like that before!" Her words came out like a low growl. "So, temptress," she hissed. "What did you do to get him under your thumb so easily? Shake your hips some?"

She half expected the girl to push her out of the way. Actually Cytherea really hoped she would. Not only could she tell Vulpes that his friend was so mean to her, she'd have a good excuse to hex her.

Aurora didn't flinch when Cytherea charged up to her: face less than an inch apart and wand pressed onto her stomach.  This girl has no idea how easily I could disarm her, she thought in mild amusement, but looked down at her sympathetically.  I must make amends.

"Cytherea, I apologize for chastising you in front of everyone like that.  It was impolite, and I truly am sorry." she said sincerely without moving.  "As for your brother, I didn't do anything to... tempt him or sway him in anyway shape or form.  Now, will you please withdraw your wand and step back a little so we can discuss this like civilized people?" she said softly, not at all trying to be snarky.

Cytherea growled slightly, but complied removing her wand and stepping back. She cast the girl another fierce glare before spinning on her heels and walking back to her chair, sitting quickly and crossing her arms, keeping her wand more or less aimed at Aura. So she didn't do anything, huh? Cytherea highly doubted that to be true.

She tapped her foot idly. "Fine," she finally spat. "Then explain to me why Vulpy didn't say anything when you said that to me!" Cytherea's voice shook slightly. For some reason she felt like she was about to cry. "And you're supposed to be his friend!" she hissed in disbelief. "I don't see how a boy like him could be friends with someone like you!"

Aurora furrowed her eyebrows and stepped toward the girl, whose voice was shaking as if about to cry.  Cytherea looked truly upset, and Aurora felt guilt for the first time in years.  "I don't see how a boy like him could be friends with someone like you!" Cytherea hissed, making Aurora stop in place.  What does she mean by that?  Someone like me? she wondered and knelt before the girl.

"First of all, I imagine he didn't say anything because, well, he probably agreed with me.  You'd really have to ask him that."  Aurora said softly and eyed the pointed wand idly.  "And second, what do you mean by you don't think a boy like him could be friends with someone like me?" she asked lightly, looking up at Cytherea's purple eyes.

Feeling her eyes well up, Cytherea turned her face from the girl. Could that be the case? That Vulpy had finally grown tired of tired of her antics and would just stand by and watch as other put her in her place? She suddenly felt extremely guilty, she'd made such a scene in front of all his new friends. He never had friends before...

"I dunno..." she managed weakly, still avoiding the girls gaze. "Aura, he's never had friends before! I've never even seen him talk to a girl before, much less smile at one!" Finally she turned her eyes back to her. "And Vulpy is so nice, and caring and protecting! And you just seem so..." Her voice died in a hiccup, and Cytherea wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

She turned her face away again. "I feel so stupid..."

Aurora smiled at her sheepishly and set her hand on shoulder gently.  "I understand.  You love your brother and are protective of him.  Just because he has found a friend doesn't mean you're being replaced or anything.  Nothing can compare the bond of a brother and sister." she said sympathetically.

"I want you to know that I would never do anything to hurt him.  He's special to me, and I care about him.  He's my first friend, too, you know.  I know I've always been a loner, but he was actually the first one who ever willingly talked to me." Aurora said softly.  Aurora had never comforted anyone before, and it was an odd experience, she noted.  "And it's Aurora, by the way." she added lightly.

Cytherea blinked. "A-Aurora?" she muttered. At least she was close. "Okay..." she nodded slightly. Cytherea gave a slight sob and wrapped her arms around Aurora. "I'm sorry.." she said weakly. And she really did mean that. Thinking back, Cytherea did remember that she saw her off on her own all the time. In fact, Antigone had once made a dare with Cytherea, to see who could annoy her the most.

But Vulpy was the one who stopped her. He probably didn't even remember it was Aurora, but the second he had heard of their plans, he made certain that Cytherea had no part in the matter. And so she didn't, and because of that, Antigone didn't do anything either. She thought it was no fun on her own.

"So he's special to you too, huh?" she asked into Aurora's shoulder. "That's good. He needs all the friends he can get." Cytherea gave another small sob and considered something. What if the two of them started dating? That wouldn't be so bad, really. "Would you ever date him?" Cytherea asked quietly. "Because I'd approve of it if you did."

Aurora was shocked at the sudden hug from the girl who wanted to hex her brains out not two minutes ago, but relaxed and lazily patted her on the back.  Two hugs in one day, she realized.  Must be a record, she commented with a smile.  "So he's special to you too, huh?" Cytherea asked  into her shoulder.  Aurora smiled brightly and gave a slight nod.  "Would you ever date him?" she asked quietly, making Aurora's heart stop.

She hadn't really considered it, to be honest.  The only time it crossed her mind was when Figaro brought it up, but now that it was actually out there as a possibility, she didn't know what to think.  Pulling back a little, she smiled sheepishly at Cytherea and thought of the most vague and non-committing answer she could think of.

"I haven't actually thought of it, Cytherea, but if there ever would be a time, I'm glad that I have your approval.  You'd be the first one I'd ask it from." she said lightly.

Cytherea smiled and hiccuped again slightly. "I think you should think about it." she said happily. Aurora really wasn't so bad after all. Not to mention she was a Gryffindor. Everyone knew the best house was Gryffindor, so it would be only fitting that her brother dated someone from here.

"He seems to like you. From the look on his face." Cytherea invented. She couldn't actually tell, but the idea of the two together made her happy. "And I doubt you'd find a better guy." She smiled at Aurora. If they got together they'd be the cutest couple in the school, and Cytherea loved the idea of being the one who helped entice it.

Suddenly she realized she had her wand in her hand still. Feeling embarrassed she quickly tucked it back into her pocket, looking sheepish. "And I'm sorry for being so... well you know.

Aurora blushed and subconsciously agreed with the part about not finding a better guy, but didn't let it slip past her subconscious.  She reflected back on her encounters with Vulpes, trying to find an inkling where he would have suggested something more than friendship.  Then she remembered him saying something about having a thing for a Gryffindor.  Somehow, this information made something in her sink, but she didn't think anything of it.

"It's okay.  It's only natural, Cytherea.  If I had a brother..." she started but trailed off and shook her head dismissively.  "Never mind.  So, what now?  Friends?" she asked, holding out her hand for a shake with a warm smile.

Cytherea grabbed Aruroa's hand and shook it vigorously "Yep! Friends!" she said happily, returning the smile. In the back of her mind Cytherea began to formulate a plan on how to get Vulpy to fall for Aurora. As far as she knew, he didn't like anyone else, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue. Details, details.

"And don't worry about Vulpy. I'm sure he'll say something soon enough." Cytherea winked. This would be a fun summer. Hopefully before the term ended something would spark between the two, and then they could write letters to each other. Which naturally Cytherea would steal and read and use the subject matter to tease Vulpy with. And then maybe they would visit each other, and then Cytherea and Aurora could talk about stuff. Maybe Cytherea could help her give insight to what Vulpy was thinking. She smiled in delight of the idea.

"Anyway!" She said cheerfully standing up from her seat. "I'm gonna go finish my homework for tomorrow. I'll see you around, yea?" Cytherea gave Aurora a quick hug and skipped towards the stairs.

"And good luck with Vulpy!" she called over her shoulder before heading into her dorm.

Aurora smiled brightly at Cytherea's enthusiasm.  "And don't worry about Vulpy. I'm sure he'll say something soon enough." Cytherea winked.  The comment made Aurora look away uncomfortably into the fire.  Maker, she's really adamant about the idea, isn't she? she noted nervously.  Aurora hugged Cytherea again and said good night as she skipped toward the stairs.  Aurora remained there on the floor, puzzled and a little shaken.

Being friends with someone is one thing, but being in a relationship like that is a whole other. she thought and sighed deeply before standing up and turning towards the stairs leading to her dormitory.  On her way up, millions of thoughts swarmed her brain like a virus, though she couldn't decipher them all.  It all lead back to the possibility of being more than just friends with Vulpes.

Just take it one step at a time, Aurora.  You just became friends and you don't want to muddy things up.