The tutoring began to pay off, almost immediately and Rory's spellwork was becoming far superior to Paris' and Rory was relegated to the top of her year, overall. Hermione and Paris were closer together in ranks, but Rory was certain that it was only because of Hermione's run-in with the basilisk, leaving her petrified.
Paris gave up on torturing Rory, since Rory had threatened to hex her dorm-mate if she harmed her ever again. They still weren't friends, but as long as she didn't need to fear Paris' wrath, it was okay.
Rory went home to Stars' Hollow, no closer to winning Harry's heart, but as friends, they had grown much closer and Rory knew that the three Gryffindors were not leaving out, intentionally, but trying to protect her from the dangers that lurked.
They were not the only ones. Lorelei, who had learned from Emily's lectures about staying up to date with Rory's school and the world she had been thrown into, decided to subscribe to the Daily Prophet. It was through reading these, that she learned about Harry's past and his heroics. She also had read about the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban. It was rumoured that he had played a part in the murder of the Potter's was in pursuit of Harry, in order to finish the job, Voldemort couldn't. There was talk, that the protections around Hogwarts were to be heightened but the staff and the Ministry of Magic, although the details had not yet been specified. Lorelei was not taking her chances. She had decided to keep Rory home from Hogwarts until Sirius had been captured, in spite of Rory's protests and Richard and Emily's assurances that nothing would harm Rory in that school. As far as they were concerned there was no reason to cease the education that a fine school like Hogwarts could provide for Rory, but the little girl was Lorelei's only child and there was no way she was going to risk losing her. Unlike her parents, Lorelei loved Rory above everything and everyone else.
Rory was devastated that she would not see Harry, Hermione and Ron for a long time. Seeing how upset her daughter was she suggested Rory invite the three of them to stay at the end of the summer break.
Rory owled her three friends that very day. Straight away, Hermione responded with a long letter, while Ron responded with three lines, one of those which he had asked if Ginny could come too. Rory knew how messed up, Ginny had been after the Chamber of Secrets debacle when she had found the Diary of Tom Riddle, which had bewitched her into opening the Chamber of Secrets. It had resulted in the many student's being petrified and the endangerment of her own life. For that reason only and in spite of her feelings for Harry, Rory sent Ron a reply to say, "yes, please bring her, too."
To Rory's dissappointment, there was no return owl from Harry. She tried to focus on the fact that at least Ron, Ginny and Hermione were coming to stay.
A week later, she received another owl from Hermione, telling Rory what a wonderful time, she was having in Florida with her parents. She also wrote that she couldn't wait to see Rory again. Rory returned an owl asking if she had heard from Harry. Knowing that his cruel uncle had been known to with-hold his mail, she asked Hermione to check on him somehow.
Rory tied the new note on the owl's leg and opened the window so he could fly out, back to Hermione.
The next morning another letter arrived with terrible news. "Harry's missing! He ran away from his Aunt and Uncle's house and he hasn't been seen, since." Rory could barely see the page, as it grew more and more blurred by her tears. Rory was going to have to face facts. Harry was not coming with Ron, Hermione and Ginny, because he was nowhere to be found and possibly in grave danger.
Two weeks before the school semester was supposed to start, four people arrived, via Floo, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and to Rory's surprise and delight, Harry. She threw her arms around the startled boy.
"Oh, Harry, I was so worried about you! I'm so glad you're alright."
"Thanks, Rory, that means alot to me to hear that."
"We found him hiding out in the Leaky Couldren and, well, he was delighted to come with us," Hermione gushed, giving her friend a hug.
"Merlin, these bags are heavy, Ginny. What did you pack in here, the whole Burrow?" Ron threw them down in disgust. Rory giggle, as she watched the display. Ron, the thought to herself, was such a drama queen. "Ron, you're always complaining," Ginny retorted, glaring at her older brother who simply returned her glare. Ginny picked up her bags and looked at Rory, expectantly. Lorelei walked in at that moment, noticing Ginny struggle. "Hey, guys. You must be the friends Rory keeps telling me about. Rory, you're so rude." She winked her daughter playfully. "Here, I'll take these. I have a treat for you all." Hermione raised one eyebrow with intrigue. As a muggle-born, she was accustomed to the ways of muggles, but Lorelei Gilmore, who she assumed was a muggle, was different to anyone she had ever seen, possibly on the eccentric side of things. Ron simply let his eyes wash over her a little too intensely. Ginny screwed her face up at him in disgust. Through it all, Harry smiled and shrugged his shoulders as they all followed Rory's mother. "I have reserved rooms for you at the Independence Inn, since my humble little home just isn't equipped for so many guests at once. Rory you will be staying there, too."
"Really, Mom? This is way too much," Rory responded with shock.
"Of course, Rory. You're a good kid and I trust you. Michel will be there, of course, but he'll be no bother, and Sookie, Tobin or I will be there so you'll be fine."
"Thanks, Mom. You're the best." Rory peaked her mother on the cheek and Rory marveled ant hoe much her little girl was growing up.
"Okay," Lorelei said, clapping her hands together, "Let's get this stuff over to the inn and then I am going to treat you all to lunch at Luke's."
"Thank you, Mrs Gilmore," Hermione said on behalf of them all.
"You're quite, welcome, Hermione, is it?" Hermione nodded, thankful that that the woman had pronounced her name right. "Oh and just call me," Lorelei. No formalities here, in fact I forbid it. This house and the inn, is casual, casual, casual!" Rory was wondering if her mother had been spending too much time with the new Chef, Sukey.
Harry, relaxed, was beginning to like this woman and he could tell Rory had inherited her fun personality from Lorelei. Rory, he noted to himself, appeared to be slightly more sane in comparison.
Later, they all followed Lorelei into Luke's Diner and Rory and her mother squashed two tables together, to make room for Rory and her friends. Lane had joined the other five children and so there was no room for Lorelei, who in spite of protests from the group, decided to sit by herself at the counter and engage in her usual flirtatious banter with Luke.
Ron, Ginny and Harry studied the scruffy owner of the diner. He looked so grumpy, but occasionally he would flash a smile their way. He was a curious looking muggle, with his backwards baseball cap and shirt that looked like it was made from a kill. Hermione, having spent time in the United States already, had seen characters like Luke before, but was still just as intrigued by his manner. Then he approached them to take their order. Rory, to her friend's surprise, order a steak burger with everything on it and double cheese. Ron, particularly impressed that the girl ate nearly as much as he did. He decided to order the same thing, while Ginny and Hermione both ordered a salad. Harry, however was unsure of what to order. There were so many delicious choices and Harry was starved, but he still felt weird about ordering something huge, like a burger, when he wasn't paying for it. So he ordered a plate of fries. "Oh, can you bring some ketchup over, too, please Luke? Oh Harry, you have to try some ketchup. It's delicious."
Luke returned to the counter, where Lorelei was holding an empty coffee cup put for a refill. He took it with a huffed and poured a fresh cup. "So," these are Rory's school friends? They're a funny bunch."
"Oh, stop it! They're cute!" Lorelei punched him, playfully on the arm.
"Lorelei, puppies are cute. Children are monsters."
"Rory's not a monster," she argued.
"Rory's different. Rory's Rory." Luke said.
"She's a good kid, isn't she?"
Luke nodded. "You're very lucky, Lorelei. Some kids don't turn out so well."
