"He'll be here eventually," Hermione promised.

"I know," Rory replied quietly. She knew Harry would be here at some point during the summer, but every second that he spent with the Dursleys felt like she had to pretend he wasn't having a bad time. She hadn't wanted to write him two letters back-to-back, but her conversation with Dumbledore had set her off. Her frustration with the Order had set her off. Her frustration with her dad set her off.

Rory hadn't thought that she was bothered by her dad saying that the Dursleys were his family and that's why Harry stayed with them. But the words that had tumbled out of her mouth last night were true. If biological relation was so important, then did it mean nothing that she thought of Remus as her dad? She loved Sirius. She really did. But her dad had been the one to sit up with her when she was sick, to read her bedtime stories, to teach her to read and write and walk. Remus was her dad. Genetics could get wrecked because he was her dad.

But suddenly it was so important that Harry stay with his biological aunt because they were his family.

If he was making concessions about Harry and his family, did he think that it'd be easy to drop her with Sirius?

"Has he written you at all?" Ron asked.

"Obviously," Rory said, rolling her eyes. "Five or six times."

"Wow," Hermione said. "He's only written us twice."

"Well, we're not snogging him," Ron said. Hermione elbowed him in the ribs, but Ron was right. Rory had barely written Matilda and Neville so far. She wrote to Harry whenever she had a spare thought. It wasn't that she loved Harry more than Matilda and Neville, she was just in love with Harry. It was an entirely separate feeling.

"What did he say when he wrote?" Hermione asked.

Rory's cheeks burned. "He heard 'Super Trouper' on the radio and thought of me."

"That's so sweet," Hermione said.

"What's a Super Trouper?" Ron asked.

Rory was about to introduce Ron to the magic was ABBA, but at that moment, her dad walked into the library where they were sitting.

"Aurora," he said.

"Yes?" she asked. She couldn't bring herself to be rude even though she was angry enough to be that way. She still loved her dad even if he didn't take her side this time.

"We're going to go for a walk down to the shops," he said.

Rory groaned. "Fine." They were going to have another conversation she knew. But she got up and followed him from the house anyway.

It was a surprisingly sunny day. And they walked in silence for a block or two. But then Remus spoke.

"I love you," he said. "You will always be my daughter. And before anything or anyone else, you are what I think of. And I'm sorry that I made you think otherwise."

She was quiet for a moment while the words sank in. She knew her dad loved her. Of course, he did.

"I love you too," she said because she was angry but she still loved her dad. "But I don't understand Dumbledore's logic. It feels cruel. And I don't-."

She felt tears sting her eyes. Remus stopped walking and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Tell me," Remus said. "Even if you think I'll be angry."

Rory did think he would angry.

"I don't think he actually cares about Harry," Rory said. "He cares about Voldemort. And the needs many outweigh the needs of the few. And Harry is the few."

"Dumbledore cares about Harry," Remus said.

"Then why did he leave Harry in Surrey? Why acknowledge that Harry has had an awful upbringing and still send him home?" Rory asked.

Remus took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Aurora, it's complicated," he said.

She scoffed. "I wish you would stop talking to me like I'm a child. Like I don't understand the gravity of the situation. He wants something from Harry, and when he gets it, he'll kill him. And if he can get to me before he gets to Harry it'll be even easier. It's not complicated. It's just easier to lie to me about it."

"That is not what this is," Remus said. "I know you care-."

"Just stop," she groaned, tears rolling from her eyes. "I'm not angry about the way Harry has been treated just because I'm his girlfriend. Maybe I'm more vocal and insistent about it because I'm his girlfriend, but… What if it was me? What if went through all that and had no one to come home to? And the people that actually about me wouldn't tell me why they were just letting me sit there? Alone?"

Remus sighed. "You're right. It's unfair. I can't imagine having to endure all of this alone."

"Then why are they doing it to Harry?" she asked.

"Dumbledore is certain that for now, he's safer in Surrey," Remus said.

"But if he safe here too, why leave him there?" Rory asked. "I'm sorry, I just don't understand. And I don't have a good feeling about it at all."

"None of us wants Harry to be with the Dursleys. Molly has told us repeatedly that she would take him in permanently if she could. Of course, she'd have to fight Sirius first," Remus said.

"Mrs. Weasley would win," Rory said.

Remus chuckled and he seemed relieved. "I don't like it when you're angry with me. And I know you're getting older and you're not going to tell me everything anymore, but I need you to trust me. Even when it doesn't make sense sometimes, I need you to trust me."

Rory nodded, wiping tears from her eyes. "Okay."

"And it might bring you some peace if you know that Tonks was very adamantly on your side at the meeting last night and I think her feelings are a little hurt," Remus said.

"I'll talk to her. And the Sirius and Mister and Missus Weasley," Rory said. "And I feel like… With Harry it just… Maybe I was overreacting, but it felt like you guys didn't care and I just… I guess it partly is that… I love Harry."

"I know," Remus said. Her face went hot as he nodded. "Dumbledore said it's good that Harry has you in his corner. To make sure the rest of us remember that he's still a 14-year-old boy and not just someone Voldemort is looking to hurt."

"So all of my irritating ways paid off?" she asked.

"You were heard loud and clear," Remus said.

"Good," Rory said. She hugged Remus and held him tightly. He squeezed her back. "Dad?"

"Yes?" he asked.

"You're not going to leave me are you?" Rory asked.

"Why would you even ask that?" he said pulling away from her so he could look at her.

"You just kept saying that the Dursleys are his family, but you're—and I love Sirius, I do. But you're my dad. And I don't think just because Sirius is related to me makes his relationship with me more important than yours. And I'm just afraid that you'll think I'm better off with him, but-."

Rory couldn't get her words out. She was sobbing.

"Aurora," he said pulling her into a hug. "I'm never going to leave you. Not ever ever ever. Don't think for a moment that I'm ever going to leave you. Never you."

"Promise?" Rory asked.

"I promise," he said.


Harry was trying hard not to be frustrated with Ron and Hermione for their lack of communication the last few weeks. Their letters were vague and lacking. Rory, at least, told him that she was not allowed to tell him what was going on until he was there.

The most recent of her letters had been back-to-back. He didn't mind it of course. Rory told him everything, except things she was told she couldn't say. Her first letter was normal. The second later was definitely angry.

Harry,

It's bullshit that you're still in Surrey. No one has given me a good excuse about why you can't at least go visit Ron this summer. In an ideal world, you'd come around here for a visit, but I'm sure that's out of the question.

But I can't believe they're making you stay with the Dursleys right now. I've been so unlike myself, scared and tired and not sleeping, but I've always got my dad to wake up to. I always wake up with someone looking after me, showing me love. And you had to endure something much worse it feels like and you're just alone.

They think I'm only worried because I'm your girlfriend and I'm too lovesick and obsessed to see sense, but you're a person, Harry.

I love you so much. I miss you. I hate that you're not here. It's not fair. And I'm so upset with my dad and DD and the Weasleys and don't get me started on Dumbledore. You just deserve more than this.

I've never been angry with my dad before and the fact that I can't talk to you about this is killing me. There's no one else I want to talk to but you.

Yours Always,

Aurora

Harry also hated that he was in Surrey right now. He was not having a great time. But it made him feel a bit sick to know that Rory was so upset about his living situation. He had painted a very grim picture of his life with the Dursleys, and it wasn't exaggerated, but he hated that it made her upset. He didn't want her to be upset.

So he sat down to write his own letter, hoping that he could be more eloquent than he'd been previously.

Rory,

I hate that I'm here too. I wish I was with you, or anywhere other than here, really. I'm sure Dumbledore has a good reason for making me stay even if I don't know it. You said not to get you started about him. Did something happen?

I don't want you to worry about me. I'm going to be fine. The nightmares are bad, but I keep reminding myself that I'll get to see you soon, and that makes it okay.

I'm sorry you're angry with your dad. I know you're very close. I remember third year when you were angry with him and you were miserable. I hope you're not like that right now. I know you probably can't tell me why, but I promise I'll listen to anything and everything you have to say when I see you again. I hope it's soon.

I love and miss you too. But I'm fine. Don't worry.

Love

Harry

He sent the letter off with Hedwig and sat back down on his bed. It was sweltering inside. Harry had taken to going on walks in the afternoons and listening to the news outside of the window of his house so he could be prepared to hear signs of Voldemort's return.

There had been none. Rory had told him as much, but there was nothing else he could do to stay updated on his own. The Dursleys forbid him from subscribing to The Prophet, though Rory had told him "Ron has been using the paper to line Pigwidgeon's cage because that's all The Prophet is good for."

Harry was stuck in Surrey with no news, no friends, and no Rory.

It was strange to him that he knew he missed her more than Ron and Hermione. He did miss his friends, of course. But Rory was different. He felt an ache inside of his chest being away from her. Every time she told him she missed him, he felt himself ache a little more. He wanted to kiss her, to hold her, to hear her laugh and see her smile. He missed her so completely that it was like a part of himself was missing without her.

He wanted to be away from the Dursleys, certainly. But mostly he just wanted to be with Rory again.

Harry had no idea what love really was until it struck him full force in the face with Rory. He would do anything for her. He never wanted to see a bad thing happen to her.


Rory tried not to be in a bad mood about Harry, but she did miss him loads. She was grateful that she didn't spend every night at Grimmauld Place. They weren't allowed to send letters to Harry from there, and they didn't want Hedwig, Harry's very noticeable Snowy Owl, flying around the house all the time delivering his letters.

They weren't allowed to write to Harry so much. Except Aurora did because she was able to go home, and she could receive as much mail as she liked when she was there.

Aside from Harry, Rory also wrote to Matilda and Neville. She could tell them nothing of note but lamented that she would likely be unable to see them for her birthday like they usually did.

"Neville says that his grandmother is livid about what the papers have said about Harry," Rory told Ron and Hermione. "It makes sense though. His parents were in The Order last time."

"Were they?" Ron asked. Rory nodded. "What happened to them?"

"Um… I don't know actually. He doesn't talk about them much," Rory replied. But Rory knew it wasn't her secret to tell.

"There you are," Fred said, appearing in the doorway of the library.

"Hello," Rory replied. "Can we help you?"

"I was just wondering if you've talked to your friend, Matilda, at all.," Fred said.

"I have," Rory replied simply.

"And has she mentioned me?" Fred asked.

"No, actually," Rory replied. This was a lie. Because every letter Rory had gotten from Matilda mentioned Fred and asked if he was pining over her, if he missed her, if he'd moved on from her. If he had, was she pretty? Rory couldn't tell Fred all this though.

"I get the feeling you don't like me very much anymore," Fred said.

"Matilda is my best friend," Rory said. "Forgive me for not wanting to be chummy with her ex-boyfriend."

"But if she hasn't mentioned me, then why does it matter if we're chummy or not?" Fred asked.

"It's the principle of the matter. She's my best friend. You dumped her. You automatically end up on my fecal matter roster. Those are the rules," Rory said. "If Harry and I ever broke up, I don't expect these two would still be hanging around for a chat."

"That would be awkward," Ron said.

"Exactly," Rory agreed. "Anything else I can help you with Fred?"

"Nope. Just confronting you with my curiosities," Fred said. He walked off and Rory rolled her eyes.

"Mattie asked about him when she wrote to me," Hermione said.

"He doesn't need to know that," Rory replied. "Girl code."

"Are you going to tell Matilda he asked about her?" Ron asked.

"Obviously," she replied.

"I'll never understand you girls," Ron said. "What if they want to get back together?"

"They don't," Rory said. "At least, Matilda is solidly against the fact they kind of blackmailed their way into entrepreneurship."

"Didn't Harry help them as well?" Ron asked.

"Yes. All the money he got in the tournament he gave to them for their joke shop," Rory said. "But they also blackmailed-."

"I know, I know," Ron said dismissively. "Just weird that she thinks it's a big deal. I mean, didn't her dad kill people?"

"Just because your parents committed a crime doesn't mean you're suddenly okay with all crime," Rory replied.

"Well, have you considered that we're all guilty of harboring a fugitive?" Ron asked.

Rory rolled her eyes. "Keeping an innocent man out of jail is not the same as blackmailing someone with a gambling problem."


Tonks had been hesitant about joining The Order of the Phoenix initially. Her parents had mentioned it to her first. But when Kingsley and Moody talked to her, she knew that she couldn't say no.

She was glad that she had. Not just because she knew she was doing a good thing by helping take down Dumbledore even though Cornelius Fudge was oblivious to what was going on, but because she liked the people in the Order. Not only that, but she rather enjoyed spending time with the children now that they were here.

Especially, Aurora. Tonks had tried not to be completely biased. They were cousins after all. Her mum and Sirius had been close when they were children. Tonks and Aurora had practically the same age difference. Not to mention that, despite all of her complaining, she probably enjoyed Remus's company most of all as well.

All the same, Tonks had taken to having dinner with them after all of the meetings, and even on the weekends when she wasn't busy. Things had been dicey at first, after Aurora's blow up, but she'd apologized and softened and was a completely different person now, though she still often talked about Harry and was not shy about the fact that she grew more and more frustrated every second he stayed with his aunt and uncle.

"The only good thing about him being there is that we can talk to each other about Bake Off," Rory said.

"You watch Bake Off?" Tonks asked.

Aurora nodded.

"She quite the chef herself," Remus said.

"Well someone has to be. I watched one Jamie Oliver episode and realized that there was food out there other than fish and chips," Aurora said.

"Not a cook then, Remus?" Molly asked.

"Not even a little," Aurora said. Remus frowned at her. "I'm sorry. That's not true. Your beans on toast is unrivaled."

"Haha," Remus replied.

"It was nice when he worked at Hogwarts and he was forced to eat a green vegetable with every meal," Aurora said. "You can't live on potatoes alone."

"Not with that attitude," Remus said.

She laughed, as though it was something they joked about often. Seeing Remus as a dad and not just Sirius's very intelligent, but slightly annoying friend, was eye-opening. He was made to be a dad to this girl. Aurora adored him. It was sweet.

"Merlin, I can't believe you're going to be 15 already," Sirius said.

"Yep. Getting old," Aurora said.

"Any fun plans?" Tonks asked.

She shook her head. "I usually go to visit Neville, his birthday is two days before mine. And we hang out and have a small party with Matilda, but obviously not happening this year. And Harry and I were going to try to make plans to go on an actual date in London because his birthday is the day before mine. But, again, obviously not happening. Not that I'm not looking forward to having cake with you fine people, but I would like to give Voldemort a piece of my mind about ruining my birthday plans."

"Fifteen was a good year," Sirius said. "Do you remember fifth year, Remus?"

"I have no choice but to," Remus replied. "That was the year IT happened."

"Oh, right," Sirius said.

"What as IT?" Aurora asked.

"Not important," Remus said. "Just know that Sirius made a very poor judgment on his part and James had to clean up his mess."

"Oh, is this that time Harry's dad saved Snape's life?" she asked.

"How do you know about that?" Sirius asked.

"Well, first year when Voldemort was trying to kill Harry, Dumbledore said the reason Snape was so mean most of the time, but still saved Harry was because his dad saved him when they were in school together," she explained. "Dumbledore made it sound like a big deal, according to Harry anyway. I think it solidifies my argument that Snape is super salty."

"Well, how did Snape almost die?" Tonks asked.

"It's not important," Remus said.

"Yes, unlike Severus we're not super salty," he said.

After dinner, the children left the dining room and ran off. Tonks stayed to help clear the table, helping Remus carry the dishes from the table downstairs to spare Molly the trips.

"That girl of yours is really something," Tonks said as she sat the dishes in the sink.

"She is," Remus replied setting his armful down. "Dunno how I did it. But she's remarkable."

"What does she want to do when she leaves Hogwarts?" Tonks asked.

Remus sighed. "She could do anything she wanted, and she knows it. Makes it difficult to choose."

"Must be lovely raising someone so modest," Tonks joked.

"Indeed," Remus said. "I think she was leaning toward journalism, but her recent run-ins with the paper might've soured her on that."

"She'd probably be an excellent writer. She's so well-spoken," Tonks said.

"I think she can do whatever she wants," Remus said. "But she…" He paused. "Let me show you."

They walked upstairs from the kitchen and headed to the lounge where the teens had gathered.

"Aurora," Remus said. "Why don't you play a tune for us on the piano?"

Aurora groaned. "Are you trying to make me show off?"

"Yes," he replied.

"If you insist," Arora said making her way over to the dusty piano. She played a few scales on it to start, making sure it was in working properly. "Any requests?"

"'Sing us a song you're the piano man,'" Hermione said.

"Shut up, Hermione," Aurora laughed with a snort. "I only know show tunes and ABBA. And like two Elton John songs."

"ABBA?" Tonks asked. "You like ABBA?"

"No, no. I don't like ABBA. I love ABBA," Aurora said.

"I would not have expected ABBA to be where your taste in music leans," Tonks said.

"Tonks, how do I explain this to you? Liking ABBA is not about my taste in music. It is a way of life and people who don't like them can't reach the ideal plane and that is what Plato talked about," Aurora said.

"Wow. Okay," Tonks said.

Then Aurora's fingers started playing. "I have a dream, a song to sing, to help me cope with anything..."

Tonks was silent. She couldn't believe the voice coming out of her. And everyone was silent as she played. Her fingers stumbled over some of the keys, but when she sang, it didn't matter. She was enchanting. There had to be some magic to her voice. There had to be something that made her sound so captivating.

When she was done everyone applauded. Aurora's face was red, but she got up from the piano bench and gave a dramatic bow.

"Tell me she wants to sing," Tonks whispered to Remus.

"She doesn't want to sing," Remus said.

"I can't… What?" Tonks laughed. "Sorry, I just can't believe it."

"She loves singing. But she doesn't like the attention," Remus said.

"It must be a testament to how much she likes Harry that she's dating him if she hates the attention," Tonks said.

Remus chuckled. "She's in love. Love makes you do crazy things. Especially when you're 15. It does make me happy to see how happy she is with Harry, even if every other conversation we have is about him."

"What about you," Tonks asked curiously.

"What about me?" he asked.

"Do you date? Or are you just content to be a bachelor for life?" Tonks asked.

"Given my condition, I don't think I could attract many prospects," Remus said.

She scoffed. "Because you're a werewolf?" He nodded. "I think that's ridiculous if you don't mind me saying. You should give yourself more credit than that."

"I appreciate the thought, but I'm still content," Remus said.

"Never wanted any other children besides her?" Tonks asked.

"Maybe if there weren't the strong possibility they'd be like me. But otherwise, I'm happy to just have her," Remus said. "And she's a handful on her own as it is."