AN: Hello and welcome to my new story! The idea sort of came to me on a lark; it's a very long tale involving a Chrome plug-in, a Tumblr post, and from my daily perusal of the news. Yes, this is Gilmore Girls in the Harry Potter universe. I honestly have no idea if it's been done before, though it probably has many, many times. However, I have a very specific plot and purpose for this story; it's not just all fun and games. This story will share similarities between the HP books and the GG show, and many beloved characters will appear. As time goes on the plot will grow darker, but for now I hope you enjoy the beginning.
Summary: Rory Gilmore thought she was just your average kid, although with a few strange abilities. However on her 11th birthday she learns a secret, thrusting her into a world she only ever imagined in her books. But this new world is not as wonderful as it seems, and something dark lingers on the horizon. GG/HP AU.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls, Harry Potter or that song from The Lovin' Spoonful.
Strange Magic
Prologue: Do You Believe in Magic?
Part One
Stars Hollow, a small village located in the English West Country, was as idyllic of an enclave one would ever find. Hidden off the nearby A road, the town was often ignored by the passersby as they hurried on their way to the larger towns beyond. The villagers preferred it this way, for it kept their small hamlet friendly and unchanging, especially while stores like Tesco and Asda invaded the other towns around them. Those who did visit found the village charming, as if the town and it's inhabitants were lifted from the pages of a book.
Even though visitors to the town found the villagers somewhat quirky, the townspeople thought themselves to be perfectly normal, thank you very much. This couldn't be truer of the residents of 22 Church Street, for this is where the Gilmores lived. This was the cottage of Lorelai Gilmore, the young woman who ran the local Independence Inn. Friendly and bubbly, she was always sporting a smile, her blue eyes twinkling as she told another witty joke to anyone who would listen. She talked fast and laughed slow, leaving those she spoke to struggling to keep up. She was just another slightly eccentric resident, but her neighbors loved her all the same.
"Beautiful girl. If only she'd let me find her a date," said Ms. Patty the dance teacher, chuckling to her group of friends.
"Wonderful mother," added Mrs. Weston, the baker. "She's a little too energetic, but her daughter is most polite and ever the perfect little angel."
"All she ever does is drink coffee," scowled Luke Danes, the pub proprietor. "How can you claim to be British and never drink any tea? It's not right I tell you."
All in all, everyone loved Lorelai Gilmore, even if she tended to drive some neighbors batty.
But her daughter, Rory Gilmore, was different.
From first glance, Rory seemed no different than any other ten-year-old. She loved to read, and she was often found near the village library, her nose stuck in a book. She did very well in school, and her teachers often boasted what a perfect student she was. Her classmates, however, found her odd, for whenever she was around, strange things happened that no one could seem to explain.
When Rosie made fun of her braids, Rory said nothing in return but Rosie walked around with her hair sticking straight up for the rest of the day. No matter how hard Rosie tried, she couldn't force her hair back down. Paul, the class bully, put glue and glitter on the back of her uniform during craft time; Rory simply shook her jumper and it fell right off. However, Paul had to walk around with glitter glued to his uniform with no explanation how it got there. Or even during the school recital when Miss Patty's dance class performed for the school, Rory twirled and fell on her arm, her forearm bending in half. Miss Patty ran onstage breaking the scene, horrified at what she just saw. Rory stood up, simply shook out her arm to straighten it out, and asked to be excused. Confused, Miss Patty let her leave, though Rory wondered what made her bones turn to jelly in that brief second. As she walked away, her bones were still as strong as ever.
For all the weird things that happened to her, Rory discovered that she actually could make things happen if she really concentrated. If she forgot to turn off her light before bed, she could focus on the switch and the light would go off. Or she could make the volume increase on her radio or telly. Sometimes if it was a beautiful day, she would speed up the school clock so they could play outside longer. They were little actions like that - the things she kept secret because she didn't want her mum to worry. No matter how brilliant Rory thought her abilities sometimes could be, she thought her mother wouldn't think the same.
It was hard sometimes for Rory, feeling so different and out of place. It helped she lived in a small village where everyone was a little odd. Rory had everything she wanted: she had her mother, her best friend Lane, and her books. Even as difficult as school could sometimes be; home was home. She could take the taunting from her classmates, the strange looks from her teachers, the confused looks from her mum. She knew it would get better soon; it just had to. That's what the boy told her and Rory, desperate for any explanations about her abilities, believed him full stop. She didn't see him lying about this.
Tomorrow, everything was going to change. Tomorrow was Rory's eleventh birthday.
"Happy Birthday, baby girl," Lorelai whispered to her daughter early in the morning of Rory's eleventh birthday.
"Hi, mum," Rory replied with a yawn, sliding over to one side of the bed to allow her mum to lie next to her.
"Eleven years old. I can't believe it. Time has flown by."
"But it feels so slow."
"You'll understand when you're older," Lorelai chuckled. "How do you like your life so far?'
"It's been wonderful," Rory smiled, looking up at her mum.
"It's hard to believe that eleven years ago, I was cursing the midwife as she told me to push."
"Because you were in pain and it made you feel better," Rory repeated, remembering her mother's story from years before
Rory snuggled up to her mum's side, Lorelai throwing an arm around her head. "I love you, mum."
"I love you too, sweets," she replied, kissing the top of her daughter's head. "So love, any wishes for today?"
"I hope it will be magical."
It wasn't until late last March when Rory first learned she was special.
Rory and her friend Lane were sitting in a field near the inn, close enough where they could still hear Lorelai call but not close enough to attract attention from visitors to the inn. They came here often after school, whether it was playing in the field or just to talk. The two had spent the afternoon picking wildflowers, choosing the prettiest ones to bring home to their mothers.
"Lane," said Rory. "Watch what I can do." Rory laughed as she floated the flowers above their heads, making them spin in a giant circle.
"Rory, stop. That's not funny," Lane cried, her eyes fearful as she watched the white flowers turn.
"Come on, it's brilliant," Rory exclaimed, as she held out her hand and the flowers flew into her palm. She collected the stems, binding them together with string. "Look at this." Rory then made the petals open and close, the flowers repeatedly blooming.
"Mummy says that's the devil's work," Lane said, moving away from Rory.
"It won't hurt you. Here, take them to your mum." She held out the bunch to Lane, who hesitated before reaching out and grabbing the stems. Lane hastily gathered her bag, muttering a goodbye before rushing home. Rory picked more flowers, deciding to make another bouquet for her mother.
"I know what you are," a boy's voice called out. Rory turned, surprised to see the new kid at school behind her. He had dark hair and sullen eyes, sporting the scowl she was so used to seeing on him. He was a loner and kept to himself, never bothering to introduce himself to his new classmates. Rory found it odd he was talking to her now, that he even was watching her in this place so far from school.
"Oh really? What am I?" Rory asked in a mocking tone, expecting a joking answer.
"You're a witch. You can do magic," he said in awe, his eyes slightly brighter than before.
"I don't believe you."
"It's true! You're a witch and I'm a wizard!"
"Oh yeah? Prove it."
The boy frowned before reaching down and snapping the stem of a nearby wildflower. He held it in his palm and focused before the flower floated over the grass to Rory. Rory held out her hand in disbelief, the flower landing gently in her palm. "Believe me now?" he teased, walking closer to sit next to her on the grass.
"Maybe," Rory replied, watching him with wide eyes.
The boy held out his hand, giving Rory a broad grin. "My name's Jess."
From that day forward, Rory and Jess were fast friends. They met every day after school, meeting at the clearing near the Inn. Jess told her all about the magical world, Rory stopping his speeches often to ask him questions. Rory was glad she finally found an explanation for her abilities, even happier that she found someone as nice as Jess to help her understand. For the first time since Rory discovered what she could do, she felt her abilities were not a curse after all.
"And when we're eleven we'll go off to Hogwarts, where we'll learn how to cast spells and make magic potions," Jess told her one day not long after they met.
"Spells and Potions?" asked Rory excitedly. "It's just like in all the stories!"
"We learn more than that, too. We learn about magical plants and we're required to take History of Magic as well. When we're older, we can choose more classes, like Arithmancy or Ancient Runes."
"Wow, I can't wait. I want to read all these books now."
"We've got time," Jess said, watching Rory smile as she imagined her future. "We have seven years to learn it all."
They didn't spend all their time talking about magic and Hogwarts, though. They often spoke about school, or Rory explained the newest village gossip. Jess found Stars Hollow weird, but he enjoyed the crazy stories all the same. Sometimes they even spoke about their home life, Jess finally opening up after Rory explained her own family history.
"So your mum just left your dad and decided to move here?"
"Yeah," Jess murmured, picking at the grass. "My mum and dad don't really get along, so she decided to stay with my uncle for a bit."
"And your uncle lives in town?"
"My uncle owns the village pub."
"Wait!" exclaimed Rory, "your uncle is Luke?"
"Yeah, that's him."
"But I don't understand," said Rory, her face deep in thought. "Your mum is a witch. Your family is magical. Does that mean Luke is a wizard too?"
"No, he's a squib."
"A squib? What's that?"
"It's when a child with magical parents has very little or no magical ability," Jess explained. "My grandparents noticed that he showed almost no magical ability, and when his eleventh birthday came, he never received his letter. Uncle Luke continued to go to muggle school, like any other kid."
"Wow, I never knew," whispered Rory with a newfound appreciation for the kind man who always was willing to help Rory and her mum. She was suddenly struck by unpleasant thought. "What if I'm not magical enough? What if I don't get my letter?" she asked, her voice fearful.
"Oh, Rory," Jess answered confidently. "You have loads of magic. You'll get your letter, I promise you. Although I think someone from the school comes to your house, since you're muggleborn and all."
"I really hope you're right, Jess."
When Jess missed his first day of school in May, Rory decided he must have been sick. When he missed the next day, Rory figured he must have had a fever. Otherwise, he'd let her know. On the fourth day, Rory demanded answers. She marched into Luke's Pub, heading straight for the counter. "Mr. Danes, Mr. Danes," Rory called, hitting the bell at the bar. Luke poked his head from the back, scowling at the noise Rory created.
"Okay, hold your horses. What is it?" he asked as he walked to the front of the bar.
"Where's Jess? He hasn't been in school for the last four days. I know he hates it, but you know he has to go!"
Luke looked at her sadly. "I'm sorry, Rory. I guess he didn't tell you."
"Tell me what? What happened?" she demanded, her eyes wide in fear.
"Jess and his mother moved back to Liverpool a couple of days ago."
"Did they move back with his father?" she asked softly, her eyes staring at the counter.
"Yes," Luke answered simply. "I thought you knew."
"I just wish he said goodbye," Rory whispered, before shuffling out the door. She returned to their hidden field, deciding to read until it was almost dinner time. Afterward she slowly walked home, remembering all the happy times they shared. Although they hadn't known each other very long, Jess was now her closest friend. He understood her fears about her newfound abilities, reassuring her that it would all work out in the end. He wouldn't be here, though. She couldn't share her excitement when she received her letter, they wouldn't talk about their books and their new classes, and they would talk about the muggle books they read when they just wanted to pass the time. Rory had no way to contact him now, and even if she did, would he want to hear from her if he didn't bother to say goodbye? She desperately hoped to see him again. If what he said was true, she'd see him in a year on the train to Hogwarts.
"Blow out the candles and make a wish!"
Rory smiled as she looked out over the crowd, before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She blew hard, grinning again when her friends laughed and clapped. She tried to keep a happy face, but deep inside she was incredibly dismayed.
Rory was so sure she was going to receive her letter today. Jess had promised her. He insisted that she had the magical gift, that her talent for unusual things wasn't just a fluke. She was jittery all day and even her teacher noticed. However her mum didn't notice any change in her behavior, thinking that Rory was just too excited for the party tonight.
As Rory lay in bed later that evening, she thought back to her wish, hoping against hope it would come true. She just had to be a witch, she just had to! There had to be an explanation why she didn't receive her letter today. She sighed and rolled over, staring at her fuzzy clock. It was after midnight and her birthday was officially over. A lone tear rolled down her cheek and onto the pillow, Rory swiping quickly at her eye. She drew the covers over her head, hoping to forget the disappointment of the day.
"What did you learn in school today, babe?" Lorelai asked the next night over dinner.
Rory pushed around the fried rice on her plate, before stabbing a piece of sweet and sour chicken with her fork. "Nothing much," her daughter murmured, her eyes downcast.
Lorelai frowned as she studied her daughter over the table. Rory had been in a mood when she left this morning, and Lorelai figured she was just grumpy from lack of sleep. However she stomped into her room after arriving home from school, closing the door until Lorelai called her for dinner.
"I'm not hungry anymore. Can I go watch some telly?" Rory asked, setting her fork down on the plate.
Lorelai smiled. "Of course, if your homework's all finished. Just take your plate up to the sink, please."
Lorelai watched her daughter as she rinsed off her plate then walked to the living room. Lorelai sighed, deciding she lost her appetite as well. It wasn't like Rory to eat so little for dinner, especially one of her favorite foods. Lorelai grabbed the takeaway containers and put them in the fridge, grabbing her plate to bring up to the sink.
After cleaning up their dinner, Lorelai decided to join Rory in the living room. Rory had found a rerun of an American sitcom; her daughter was so focused that she didn't notice her mum until Lorelai fell onto the couch next to her and threw an arm over her shoulder. Rory leaned into her mother's side, resting her head in the crook of her shoulder. Lorelai looked down at her daughter concerned. Rory slightly smiled at the joke onscreen, her grin doing little to hide the sadness in her eyes. Lorelai hoped that eventually her daughter would confide in her, but for now, Lorelai would just join her and offer a warm embrace.
Mother and daughter sat there, huddled on the couch for nearly a half-hour, both chuckling as they watched an old comedy. Rory's mood slowly improved, Lorelai happier that the show could provide her daughter some comfort. The doorbell rang in the middle of the program, Lorelai frowning as she wondered who it could be. Probably just Babette, she thought, as she left Rory on the couch to answer the door. However when Lorelai opened the door, she was frozen in shock, for on the other side stood a person she'd not seen in over eleven years.
"Evening, Ms. Gilmore."
"Professor McGonagall?" Lorelai managed to say once she found her voice.
"Yes, it's been a long time," the elder woman chuckled. "I'm here to see your daughter. May I come in?"
"You'll receive your supply list and instructions for your arrival at the platform in a letter this summer, Ms. Gilmore. As for now, I hope you'll enjoy the book."
"I will, Professor. It looks brilliant. I can't wait to start reading it tonight," Rory said with a grin, her palm rubbing over the raised lettering of her new Hogwarts: A History book.
"I do have something important to tell you before I leave for the evening," McGonagall said seriously, waiting for Rory to focus back on her. "It's imperative that you keep your abilities a secret from now on. At Hogwarts, we do not allow children who are not of-age to perform magic while not at school. It is my understanding that you've been performing magic in front of others, correct?"
"Yes, Professor," replied Rory ashamedly.
"You will no longer be able to do so." McGonagall then gave Rory a small grin before she said, "however, the occasional bout of accidental magic will be acceptable. That is part of the purpose of Hogwarts; you'll learn to hone your abilities so that accidental magic becomes infrequent."
"I promise, Professor," said Rory earnestly. "I'll try really hard!"
"That's good to hear." McGonagall stood, smiling at Rory a final time. "I really must be leaving now. I've taken up enough of your time this evening. Miss Gilmore, it was a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to seeing you again next fall," she said with a hand held out toward Rory. Rory took it enthusiastically.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, too," replied Rory excitedly.
Lorelai, who had been standing off on the side of the room watching the entire exchange, said, "Rory, why don't you go to your room and start reading? I'll walk Professor McGonagall out."
"Okay. Goodnight, Professor," Rory said as she walked out of the living room.
"She's a lovely girl, Lorelai. Incredibly talented."
Lorelai sighed, looking to the direction of her daughter's room. "Yes, she is. Professor, may I talk to you outside?" McGonagall nodded and opened the front door, Lorelai following after her. When they were outside and Lorelai had closed the door, she turned to her old professor and said, "When no letter came yesterday, I thought Rory was perhaps a squib." Lorelai sat on the bench in front of her house, her shoulders sagging.
"You were quite busy yesterday. I didn't want to intrude. Anyway, we thought it better to do the introduction in person," McGonagall replied, joining Lorelai on the bench. "As you didn't officially finish Hogwarts, we weren't sure how much Rory knew about our world. It's no small secret you left our world to live in the muggle one."
"I don't know if I want to send her," Lorelai whispered, staring out into the distance.
"You may not want to, Ms. Gilmore, but your daughter is a very gifted witch already. Do you want to deny her her birthright? She's only going to get stronger, her incidents involving accidental magic more frequent. She needs to learn to control it."
"No, I guess," Lorelai began, before turning her focus back to her old teacher. "It's just been hard, raising her on my own. I wonder if I'll be able to handle it, Rory involved in the magical world while I am not." She sighed again as she thought of another concern of hers. "But even then, I can't afford the uniforms and supplies. What about a scholarship?" she asked McGonagall, looking hopeful.
"The school offers a small stipend for children in need, however…"
"That's great!" Lorelai interrupted. "That will make it easier. So do I apply or," she trailed off, waiting for McGonagall's answer.
"Ms. Gilmore, you have to be approved by a committee,"
"If I have to give them my financials that's fine," Lorelai replied quickly. "They'll see how we're just scraping by every month."
"It isn't you, Ms. Gilmore." McGonagall hesitated, her mouth forming a frown. "It's your parents."
"My parents have nothing to do with Rory and me," Lorelai replied, her voice hard.
"Even so, they won't approve scholarship money to the granddaughter of a wealthy Governors Board member, especially if it means taking money away from more deserving students. They won't see the need."
"I'll just have to find another way," Lorelai declared.
Lorelai sighed over her cup of coffee, thinking about the direction the day had taken. She thought she was safe yesterday when no letter arrived. How wrong she was! Deep down she always knew Rory had the gift; it would be odd if she didn't based on her parentage. It was only wishful thinking on Lorelai's part, thinking she could keep Rory removed from the magical world. But Lorelai had managed it, hadn't she? She left that world ten years ago and never planned to return.
Lorelai hung her head in her hands, agonizing over her next move. How was she going to afford all this? They had only lived in the cottage for a year, finally moving out of the shed behind the inn last winter. Money was still tight. Maybe she could find a second job? But Lorelai saw so little of Rory as it was and she was still so young. She couldn't leave her alone that often. That wouldn't be an option.
She thought of her parents, sitting in their manor many miles away. Did they know about Rory's acceptance? They had to, there was no way her father wouldn't hear from McGonagall or Dumbledore. What would they say if she showed up on their doorstep asking for money? She had never really visited, only sending the occasional letter when time allowed. If she asked for money, it would come with strings, that she was sure of. Yes, going to her parents was out of the question.
Lorelai stood from the dining chair, walking over to Rory's open door. Her daughter lay in bed, her nose buried in the book McGonagall had brought her this evening. "Hey kid, ten more minutes and then it's time for bed."
"Okay, mum. Goodnight." Rory smiled and returned to her book.
"Night, sweets." Lorelai closed the door gently, walking back over to grab her cup. She finished her coffee, placing the empty mug in the sink. She leaned against the counter, finally coming to a decision. Her solution was a long shot, but it was at least worth the attempt, right?
Lorelai grabbed her mobile off the counter, turning off the lights as she walked upstairs. She closed the door to her room, sitting on the side of her bed with another long sigh. She took out her phone, scrolling for a familiar number in the list. Lorelai pushed call and waited for an answer.
"Hi, Christopher. It's me."
"Lor?" asked the voice from the other end. "What's up?"
"We need to talk about Rory."
AN: *Parts of this story shamelessly stolen from both older Gilmore Girls episodes and the Harry Potter books and films.
Thanks for reading.