Chapter Text
Fandom: Harry Potter
Main Relationships: Aurora Sinistra and Harry Potter; Aurora Sinistra and Remus Lupin; Harry Potter and Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger; Remus Lupin and Sirius Black; and Sirius Black and Harry Potter
Main Pairing: Aurora Sinistra/Sirius Black
Background Pairing: mentions of James Potter/Lily Potter
Warnings: alternate universe; canon divergent; het; Aurora Sinistra: True Crime Author; and Remus Lupin: True Crime Author
Prompt: (Prompt) Gold
Summary: In which Professor Aurora Sinistra was curious about Mr. Harry Potter, leading her to reach out to an old friend, Remus Lupin, and they develop a strong interest in Sirius Black and the events of that Halloween.
Fade to Black
I: The Reunion
Aurora Sinistra eagerly perked up when Minerva called the name of Harry Potter. Like every other magical person, she recognized the name of the Boy-Who-Lived – the child that survived the Killing Curse and somehow defeated the Dark Lord. Unlike most people, Aurora thought of a puffy-cheeked baby with green eyes and bright toothless grin. Aurora was something of a family-friend to the Potters – mainly through her relationship with Sirius Black, Harry’s godfather.
As the eleven year old stepped up, Aurora got her first real look at him in years. He had James’ messy dark hair, and a small and lean build. To Aurora’s surprise, his school robes looked a few sizes too big.
“I have a knut that says Ravenclaw,” Rolanda Hooch said. She grinned.
“He looks like a Hufflepuff,” said Christopher Kemp, the Muggle Studies professor.
“Gryffindor, like his parents,” Aurora said. And Sirius , she added silently to herself. It was for the best if she didn’t mention Sirius Black.
Aurora watched with a small smile as the Sorting Hat placed Mr. Potter in Gryffindor. During the Sorting and the festival, Aurora kept stealing glances at him. As the students left the Great Hall, Aurora sighed, deciding she should send Remus Lupin an owl.
Over the years, she had maintained a casual friendship with Remus. It was her friendship with Remus that led to her meeting Sirius. Their friendship was strained following the deaths of James and Lily and imprisonment of Sirius. They each struggled to understand how Sirius – joking, loving, and foolish brave Sirius – could betray his best friend to the Dark Lord.
When she sat down at her desk, Aurora stared at a blank sheet of parchment for a few minutes. She didn’t know what to write. It had been a few weeks since her last letter to Remus. Running her finger along the edge of the quill, Aurora sighed before she forced herself to pick it up.
Dear Remus,
It’s the first of September, and this is my fourth year teaching at Hogwarts. I still struggle to believe I’m back here teaching.
I am pleased to tell you that Harry has started his first year. He’s a little small and
pale with James’ hair – just as dark and messy – with glasses. I heard some of the others saying his eyes are exactly like Lily’s. When I get the chance to see him in class. I’ll share more.
I won the staff bet on his Sorting. Harry was Sorted in Gryffindor – just like his parents. From what I could see, Harry is friends with the youngest Weasley boy, Ronald.
If you would like, I can continue to write to you about Harry.
Sincerely your friend Aurora
Aurora waved her wand, casting a silent Drying Charm, before she folded the letter and addressed it to Remus Lupin . She stood up, grabbing the letter as she walked over to the owl perch in the corner of her room where her barn-owl, Goldenrod, was perched.
Reaching out, she ran a hand down her owl’s side.
“Think you’re up for delivering a letter?” she asked.
Goldenrod turned, fixing her dark eyes on Aurora. The owl hooted once, sticking out her leg.
Aurora laughed as she secured the letter. “This is for Remus Lupin,” she told the owl.
Goldenrod hooted twice before she spread her wings.
Waving her wand, Aurora silently opened the nearby window.
Goldenrod left her perch and exited through the window with a few flats of her wings.
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Classes started the next day. Aurora skipped breakfast, allowing herself to sleep in. She stayed up into the early hours of the morning and she was usually up around lunchtime. The house-elves knew to bring her a tray around eleven with the latest issue of The Daily Prophet . Lucky for Aurora, she was able to mooch copies from her coworkers.
When she finished eating and looking over the newspaper, Aurora turned her attention to her lesson plans and her teaching schedule. Unlike the other professors, Aurora taught each day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays. She taught one year each time with sixth-year and seventh-year classes occurring on the weekend nights. Those classes were small, and Aurora encouraged her students to pursue independent projects. In fact, she didn’t take attends most lessons, and she only required attendance when students had deadlines on their projects and other assignments.
The first week flew up. Aurora kept an eye on Mr. Potter at meals and whenever she could, fighting the urge to approach the boy. He didn’t know her. As far as Mr. Potter knew they were strangers and nothing more than student and professor. If Sirius hadn’t betrayed the Potters, Aurora would be Sirius’ wife and Harry would know who she was. In fact, Harry would probably be friends with hers and Sirius’ children.
Aurora sighed, her thoughts traveling to the diamond ring hidden in her wardrobe. Eleven years later, she still had the ring and she still loved him. Despite everything he had done. For whatever reason, Aurora found she couldn’t stop loving Sirius Black.
In her first class with the combined Gryffindor and Hufflepuff first-years was Wednesday. Class had gone well. Most of the students yawned through the lesson and a few were able to complete the first assignment in class. Aurora was pleased to note that Harry was among them.
A pecking at her window drew Aurora out of her thoughts. She smiled at the sight of Goldenrod. She hadn’t seen her owl in a few days – since she sent that letter to Remus. Walking over to the window, she opened. Goldenrod flew over to her perch, staring at the witch with unblinking brown eyes. The owl hooted before dropping her head into the food bowl.
When Goldenrod finished eating, Aurora approached her owl and she removed the letter. The letter was addressed to A. Sinistra in Remus’ familiar handwriting. Opening the letter, she read:
Dear Aurora,
Thank you for the news on Harry. This is the first I’ve heard in years. The last I heard was from Dumbledore shortly after that Halloween, and he merely told me that Harry was safe.
What is he like?
Can you send me any pictures?
Do you think he needs any pictures of his parents? I have several from our schooldays, and some from the wedding. I can copy them.
Is Harry friends with the Longbottom boy? I remember Lily and Alice wanted their sons to be best friends. I don’t think Harry met any of the Weasley children before.
Does Harry have any other friends?
I would appreciate any updates on him. I want to meet him, but I know that won’t be allowed.
Thank you, Remus
When she finished reading the letter, Aurora folded it. Remus’ letter brought up some memories that she wanted to avoid thinking about. Instead she focused on Remus’ idea about pictures and photographs for Harry. That wasn’t something she had thought about. Personally, Aurora had several pictures as well – though most of hers had Sirius in them. This was something she would bring up with Minerva and some of the other staff members.
“I’ll write a reply later,” she muttered, placing the letter on her desk.
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The following Wednesday, Aurora watched as the first-year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors collected their telescopes and packed their belongings. Her eyes lingered on Harry.
“Mr. Potter,” she called, “please stay after.”
The students muttered. Some students glanced between Harry and herself.
Aurora watched as Mr. Weasley whispered something to Harry, and Harry responded with a head shake. Ms. Granger shook her head before leaving with Mr. Longbottom. As the class walked away, Harry hung back. He looked uncertain, nervously shifting from foot to foot.
“Come with me, Mr. Potter,” Aurora said, leading the way to her office.
It was a short walk, just down the hall from the Astronomy Tower. Aurora’s office was large in size for the rare occasion her office doubled as a classroom. Her office was painted a dark shade of blue with the various constellations painted in shades of silver and gold. A muggle model of the solar system hung in one corner.
Harry’s eyes widened at the sight, lingering on the red planet of Mars.
“It was a gift,” Aurora recalled with a bittersweet smile. It was a gift from Sirius when they started dating. He saw it in a muggle bookstore with Lily and he was excited to buy it and give it to his girlfriend.
Harry nodded.
“Come, sit,” Aurora ordered as she moved to sit in one of the armchairs away from her desk. It was an informal meeting, unrelated to school.
Looking more nervous, Harry took the offered seat. “What’s this about, Professor Sinistra?” he asked.
Instead of answering, Aurora handed over a picture of James and Lily from their wedding. The couple was smiling and waving at the camera.
Harry’s green eyes widened as he reached out with trembling hands to take the picture. “M-my parents?” he asked, his gaze fixed on the picture.
“Yes,” Aurora replied. “That was taken on their wedding day.”
“W-where did you get this?” Harry asked, looking up from the picture. His fingers tightened around the edges, looking ready to hoard his new possession.
“It’s mine,” Aurora answered. “I knew your parents.” It was true, but the complete truth was more complicated and that story was best to be saved for another time.
Harry’s green eyes widened. “W-were you friends?” he asked.
Aurora took a few seconds before answering, “We were. I got to know them after Hogwarts.” When they attended Hogwarts, Aurora was a year behind them in Slytherin and she barely registered a second glance. It was her friendship with a few Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws that led her to meeting Sirius and later James, Lily, and their rest of their friends.
Nodding, Harry’s eyes dropped back to the picture. “Do you have others?” he asked.
“I do,” Aurora replied. “My friend Remus was a friend of your dad’s during their Hogwarts days. I can ask him for copies.”
“Please?” Harry requested, looking back at her.
“I have one other,” Aurora offered before she could overthink it. This picture included James, Lily, and their closest friends – Sirius among them. She knew that most people preferred to ignore James’ friendship with Sirius, but that friendship meant so much to James. Aurora knew the pair thought of themselves as brothers.
“C-can I have it too?” Harry asked, desperation in his tone. He whispered, “T-this is the first one I have.”
Aurora’s heart clenched at the thought. How was that possible? She had always assumed whoever raised Harry told him about his parents.
“Yes,” she told him, withdrawing the picture of her inner robe pocket. She glanced at it, taking in her smiling face and Sirius’ arms around her as he laughed at something with James, Remus, and Peter.
Holding the picture out to Harry, she added, “I’ll tell you about the others another time.”
Harry hesitantly reached out before grabbing the picture, as if he expected Aurora to change her mind.
“Thank you, professor,” he whispered.
Aurora smiled. “Have a good night, Harry,” she said, standing up. “Let me get you a pass,” she added, taking a hold of her wand and silently summoning her hallpasses and a quill. She quickly filled one out before handing it to Harry.
Harry took the pass as he stood up. He left the office, holding his new pictures close.
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The next day, Aurora sat down to write her reply to Remus.
Dear Remus,
Do you have any idea you raised Harry? I gave Harry two pictures, and he told me those were the first he had of his parents. I find that to be rather concerning.
From that meeting, I can tell you that Harry is interested in more pictures. I’ve started making copies of mine, and I would love to pass on yours as well. In addition to making the copies, would you be willing to share stories? Like maybe explain a few of the pictures or something. I’m starting to assume that Harry knows next to nothing about his parents.
Harry is a good student. He’s friendly with his Housemates and other classmates. It is my understanding that he sits somewhere in the middle of the class and he quietly takes notes. According to Minerva and Filius, he is among the first students to master spellwork and he assists his classmates, most notably Mr. Weasley and Mr. Longbottom.
Outside of class, I am happy to share that he takes after James. Harry had his first flying lesson today. I didn’t witness anything, but Minerva was happy to brag that Harry is now the new Gryffindor Seeker and he is just like James when it comes to flying. Maybe Gryffindor will have a chance to win the Quidditch House Cup this year.
From what I can tell, Harry’s closest friend is Mr. Weasley. He spends time with his other Housemates, most notably Mr. Longbottom – Alice and Frank’s son – and Ms. Granger – a muggle-born witch. Outside of Gryffindor, he gets along with his classmates, but I’ve heard he has something of a rivalry with Mr. Malfoy.
Off the topic of Harry, I have a few questions about that one thing we never talk about. Sirius.
You knew James and Sirius longer than me. Were there any signs? I can’t stop thinking about that last year lately. I was busy with my Mastery, and I know I was never the most observant, but I can’t remember anything about Sirius changing. He hated his relatives and everything they stood for. In fact, I remember him throwing a letter from Regulus in the fire – I think Sirius regretted that when he learned Regulus died.
But you knew Sirius. You were friends for years. I remember “the guys nights” that happened once or twice a month. Did you notice any changes in Sirius?
Sincerely, Aurora
Staring at the letter, Aurora debated sending it. This wasn’t the letter she meant to write. She wanted something happy and focused on Harry – Mr. Potter, she reminded herself. With a sigh, she used her wand to cast a wordless Drying Charm before she folded the letter and addressed it to Remus Lupin .
Aurora stood up, leaving the letter on her desk. Maybe she would send it tonight. Stealing another look at the letter, Aurora forced herself to leave her room.
She sent the letter after her classes were over before she could change her mind.
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Remus’ reply was short, and she received it on Saturday.
Aurora
Three Broomsticks. Room 12.
-Remus
Aurora looked at her watch. It was nearing dinnertime, and she had class with the sixth-years that night. Deciding she needed to see Remus, left a note canceling class on her office door and the door leading up to the Astronomy Tower. Most of the sixth-year knew which days they needed to attend class and the first homework assignment was due the following week.
Dressing in a casual sage green robe, Aurora left the castle for Hogsmeade at a brisk pace. She didn’t really pay attention to the walk. In the village, she smiled politely to the villagers as she made her way to The Three Broomsticks.
Once inside, she headed to room twelve and she knocked on the door.
Remus Lupin opened the door.
“Aurora,” he greeted, “it’s been awhile.”
“Remus,” she greeted, offering him a small smile.
“Come in,” he said, stepping aside and opening the door wider. “We have a lot to discuss.”