Harry was still in mild disbelief that he had a girlfriend, especially since initially he'd done a great job of making Rory think that he had absolutely no interest in her. But somehow, he'd managed to pull it off. And seven months later, she loved him, and he loved her.
Before break, before Voldemort, they'd floated the idea that they might spend one of their adjoining birthdays together and go on a date somewhere in Surrey or London. But that was off the table now. He had gotten her a gift all the same, and a cheesy birthday card that played "Super Trouper" by ABBA when you opened it.
Before he sent it off, he read the letter he'd gotten from that morning so he'd be able to write back.
Harry,
I've somehow missed you more this past week than all the other weeks combined. I kept staring at your present and waiting and waiting and waiting until I could send it. When Hedwig brought your last letter I had to practically rip it out of her talons. And then she bit me! I will make her love me!
I know you probably think I'm the epitome of beauty, that I can do no wrong, and that I'm just the perfect girlfriend in general, but I do have my faults. One of those faults is gift-giving. Obviously, I've never had a boyfriend before and so the only guys I buy gifts for are my dad, Neville, and that's the end of the list. And I just get them books, but it felt weird and impersonal to get you a book. So I did cheat a bit and ask for advice on what to get you.
…And I ended up getting you a book all the same! But it's a special book. It's actually my favorite in the whole world. And it's fiction, but it's very in-depth. The good news is, you've probably seen the movie which is also great, but (and I hate to be that person) the book is so much better.
Regarding your last letter, I still have nothing to report except I was promised that I'll get to see you this summer at some point. Likely soon. There's so much I want to tell you that I can't put in my letters and some things that will just take so long to write out that there's no point in writing it.
I miss you terribly, and I've missed you more since I've sat here writing this letter. I hope you're able to visit soon. I won't shut up about it and I'm getting on everyone's nerves. So either your pleading letter or my tactic of being as annoying as possible will break them eventually.
And I love you. Every day without you makes it more glaringly obvious how much I love you, and it sucks to be away from you. I can't wait to tell you how much I love you to your face. I know we're certain to be supervised when I see you, but rest assured it will not stop me from also kissing your face off. I can be quite sneaky when necessary. Happy Birthday, my love.
Love Always,
Aurora
Rory's letter was perfect. Everything about her was perfect. He didn't care that she'd gotten him a book. Hermione always got him books.
He opened Rory's package and in his hands was a small, paperback copy of Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. Dinosaurs. Science. Peril. And this was his girlfriend's favorite book. Harry had of course seen the movies many times, but he'd never even known it was a book first. After he had breakfast he sat in his room started to read.
Rory woke the morning of her birthday with an ache in her chest. Her fingers absentmindedly twisted the small nylon bracelet on her wrist. She'd worn it every day since Harry'd given it to her and only took it off when she showered.
She missed Harry especially since she couldn't stop thinking about how, in a perfect world, they'd have been able to go on one normal date without worry. But no. Because a Dark Wizard wanted to kill her boyfriend.
There was a knock on her door.
"Come in," she said finally sitting up.
"Happy birthday," Remus said opening the door, keeping one hand hidden from her line of sight. "I got you something, but you have to promise me that you will eat something other than your usual two boiled eggs for breakfast today."
"What is it?" Rory asked.
He stepped all the way into the room revealing that he had in his hand a large, plastic cup of dark liquid.
"Is that an iced americano?" Rory asked.
"It's 32 ounces of iced americano, so again, please eat real food. I feel irresponsible giving you this much caffeine," he said.
"Oh, but I love you for it," Rory replied climbing out of bed. She almost grabbed the coffee, but stopped herself and hugged her dad first.
"Thank you for the afterthought," he said.
"I love you," she said sweetly, and then she took the coffee.
"Get dressed. Molly has made enough food to feed an army, so you have no choice but to uphold your end of the bargain," Remus said.
"I don't recall ever having to bargain for my birthday gifts before," she replied.
"Your actual gift is at Grimmauld Place," Remus said.
"Ooh, what could it be?" Rory asked.
"A surprise," he said. "And also there's someone in the kitchen for you."
Rory raised an eyebrow and walked out to the kitchen. Sitting on the kitchen counter was a familiar snowy owl.
"Hedwig, we meet again," Rory said.
The bird chirped at her and she walked over, cautiously grabbing the parcel and letter. Hedwig snapped at her, but Rory's fingers remained unscathed.
"Hedwig does not seem to like you," Remus said.
"Well, she didn't bite me this time at least," Rory said. "I thank you for that. Though I imagine Harry probably told you specifically not to bite me." Hedwig chirped again. "Yeah, that's what I thought." She turned to her dad. "I'll get dressed."
She took the parcel and envelope into her room and closed the door.
First, she opened the envelope. There was a letter and a card tucked inside. She pulled out the card. It was a rendering of Donna and the Dynamos from Mama Mia! It read "Happy Birthday" across the top in bright blue, glittery letters. She opened the card and it started to sing "Super Trouper" and the card read "I hope it's super!"
Rory closed the card and clutched it to her chest. Harry understood her. Someone at a greeting card company somewhere made a niche ABBA-themed birthday card that only someone like Rory could love, and Harry saw it and knew she had to have it.
She opened the package he'd sent and revealed a lovely brown messenger bag, printed all over with tyrannosauruses. It would be perfect to replace her old school bag that had seen better days.
Finally, she unfolded his letter.
Dear Fish,
I've had a few words with Hedwig for you. She needs to learn to not eat my girlfriend's fingers. I didn't realize she could be so jealous.
I had no idea that Jurassic Park was a book. I've started it and there is a lot of science, but I suspect that's part of why you enjoy it. You like your brain to always be working, even when you're enjoying something.
Your gift is not a book, and I feel kind of silly because a book didn't even cross my mind. Do I even know you at all? I still hope you like it even though it's more practical I guess. Maybe I'm just overthinking it. Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid are the only people I've ever gotten gifts for, and the first time I ever received a present that wasn't a dirty sock or a coat hanger I was 11-years-old. I also have no idea what I'm doing.
I don't like that we're both having miserable summers. I hope you're right and that I get to see you soon. I did not think I could love or miss one person as much as I love and miss you.
Love,
Harry
Rory reread the last line of the letter three times and it made the ache in her chest feel even bigger. She did not know she could love or miss someone so much either. She felt tears stinging her eyes and she wiped them away.
She would be fine. They'd promised she'd be able to see Harry soon.
When Rory walked into Grimmauld Place, she could hear a lot of commotion from the dining room.
"Sounds like they're having a party in there," Rory said.
"There's someone here to see you," Remus said. "It's not Harry before you get too excited."
Rory walked down the hall and into the dining room. The same people Rory had expected to see were present, but there were two new faces.
"Mattie! Neville!" Rory cheered. She dashed over and embraced them both. "I can't believe you're here!"
"I cannot either," Matilda said squeezing her back. "Do you know how early I had to wake up today? We had to take the tube. Have you ever been on the tube? It's underground."
"Well, it is called the Underground so that should've tipped you off," Rory said.
"I dunno. Muggles and their science. It's magic all on its own honestly," Matilda said.
"Did you survive, Neville?" Rory asked.
"I think so," he replied. "You know how she over dramatizes things."
"I was not overdramatizing it," she said.
"All right, you lot, sit, sit. Eat," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Where's Sirius?" Rory asked taking her seat.
"He's feeding Buckbeak," Ron said.
"Why is that name familiar?" Neville asked.
"It's the hippogriff that 'attacked' Malfoy third year," Hermione said.
"I thought they killed him?" Neville asked.
"No. That's how Sirius got out of Hogwarts after they caught him," Rory said.
"So you're hanging out with two fugitives? Pretty cool," Matilda said.
Sirius walked into the dining room and surveyed the room.
"Ah, the birthday girl is here," he said. "And I'm assuming these are your two friends."
"Matilda, Neville, this is-."
"Freaking Sirius Black," Matilda said. "His face was only all over the newspaper for basically all of third year. You look less insane than you did in the papers."
"Not being around dementors all day and night has greatly helped my disposition," Sirius said.
"I can imagine," Neville said.
"What are you drinking?" Ron asked.
Rory held up her cup. "An iced americano."
Hermione shuddered. "Of course that's your beverage of choice."
"It's just espresso and water," Rory said.
"That's it?" Sirius asked. "On what planet does that taste good?"
"Planet Aurora," she replied.
"She only drinks black coffee while we're at school," Ron said.
"And when she's home," Remus replied.
Ron, Hermione, and Rory got Neville and Matilda up to speed on what they'd been doing all summer with the Order of the Phoenix.
"Underground stop Voldemort group. I like it. Especially since Fudge is like the worst," Matilda said. "After the way, he acted after Rory saw Crouch die and didn't believe her? And then all the stuff he's been saying about Harry in the paper? What a freaking jerk."
"Where is Harry?" Neville asked. "I just, kind of assumed he'd be here."
Rory took a long swig of her coffee. "You are not the only one, Neville."
"Aurora," Remus warned. "I think it's too early for one of your tirades."
"I hardly go on tirades about it," Rory said. "We'll talk about it later, Neville. I think everyone here is sick to death of me talking about Harry."
"You're not wrong there," Ron said.
"So they're just letting him hang out in Surrey?" Matilda asked. "But they have this whole house with all this protection."
"Dumbledore thinks he's safe at home," Rory replied. She was well past wanting him out of Surrey for unselfish reasons. At this point, she just missed him.
"It just feels funny to run this whole operation without him here," Matilda said.
"Agreed, but you know, Dumbledore is in charge," Rory said.
At the end of the day, that is what it came down to. Dumbledore was in charge and Rory just had to deal with it. Harry would be here on Dumbledore's timeline, not hers.
"Did he get you a birthday present at least?" Matilda asked.
Rory nodded. "It's a new bag for school with dinosaurs printed all over it. It's really cute."
"Didn't you get him a book about dinosaurs for his birthday?" Neville asked.
"I did," Rory replied.
"You two are disgusting because I know that it wasn't planned," Matilda said.
"It was not," Rory replied. Then she sighed.
"Aurora Delphine Lupin, you are not allowed to be mopey on your birthday because you miss some boy. You are much too cool for that," Matilda said.
"I know. I'm trying to not be mopey," Rory said.
"Try harder," Matilda said. "Tell us who all is a part of this Order of the Phoenix."
"Well, there are loads of people, I don't know them all. The Weasleys. My dad and Sirius. Tonks, she's an Auror. And Kingsley Shacklebolt, also an Auror. Moody, the real Moody," Rory said. "Who's that shifty guy?"
"Mundungus Fletcher," Hermione said.
"Mum thinks he's stealing," Ron said.
"I think so too!" Rory said. "But who else is there? Oh, McGonagall and Flitwick. And fucking Snape."
"Snape?" Neville asked.
"I haven't seen him once while I've been here, though I've heard his voice in their meetings," Rory said.
"Is he less douchey outside of Hogwarts?" Matilda asked.
"Definitely not," Ron said.
"I think they spend half their meetings trying to make sure Snape and Sirius don't have an actual fistfight," Rory said.
"I would love to see that though," Ron said.
"Me too," Rory replied.
"So what do they do?" Neville asked.
Rory shrugged. "Won't tell us anything. Especially me."
"But they just let Snape hang out?" Neville asked. "How do they trust Snape?"
"'Dumbledore has a really good reason' is the answer I keep getting," Rory said.
"Sounds like bullshit," Matilda said.
"Don't get her started," Hermione said. "Dumbledore withholding information is her second favorite thing to rant about."
"I do not rant," Rory said.
"What's her favorite thing to rant about?" Neville asked.
"Harry being stuck in Surrey," Hermione said.
"That falls under the umbrella of 'Dumbledore withholding information,'" Rory said.
Matilda sighed. "Well, we're here for the rest of the summer. Perhaps you can use our expertise to learn something."
"I have no expertise to offer," Neville said.
"Your existence will be enough I'm sure," Matilda said.
Rory was glad to have Matilda and Neville at Grimmauld Place. She didn't feel out of place spending all day with the Weasleys and Hermione, but they were Harry's people. And Matilda and Neville were hers. She was practically able to forget that she missed Harry for the first-time weeks. But he was there, at the back of her mind always.
"This would be a pretty swanky house if it weren't for all the snake stuff," Matilda said.
"And the cobwebs," Rory said.
"And the portrait of my mother that likes to yell slurs at people," Sirius said.
"You always hear about the Black family and how they're super old school wizards. But to see it is really something," Matilda said. "Kind of makes you wonder what the Malfoys live like."
"Probably the same, except not abandoned for over a decade," Sirius said.
"Gran says they live in a big, old manor house," Neville said.
Rory scoffed. "Of course they do. Remember how ostentatious their tent set up was at the World Cup?"
Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden wailing of Walburga's portrait in the hall.
"Tonks is here," Rory said as Remus and Sirius went out into the hall to assist her.
"Sirius was not joking about the slurs," Matilda said as quiet returned. "That's his mum?"
"Yep," Rory replied.
"I don't think it would be a big deal if we moved it," Tonks said as she entered the dining room.
"But then how would we know you were coming?" Remus said.
"Oh, haha," she replied.
"Besides, if we move it then you won't know where it is and it will increase the likelihood of you tripping on it," Sirius said.
"I don't think knowing where it is has given her an advantage either," Remus said.
"What are we talking about?" Matilda asked.
"That ghastly troll leg umbrella stand," Tonks said. "I think he should just throw it out."
"But where would we put our umbrellas?" Sirius asked.
Tonks hissed something to him under her breath that caused Mrs. Weasley to hit her atop the head with a spoon. She rubbed the back of her head and looked over to Rory. "Happy Birthday."
"Thanks," she said. "Neville, Matilda. This is Tonks. She's my cousin actually. Her mum is actually Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange's older sister."
"Sorry," Neville and Matilda said in unison.
"Thankfully we've never met. Though I have talked to Lucius Malfoy several times and he is… Not great," Tonks said.
"To be polite about it," Mr. Weasley said.
"Tonks, this is-."
"Matilda Cerbus and Neville Longbottom," Tonks said. "Your names stuck in my head because I'm an Auror. I know of your parents."
"You're an Auror?" Neville asked.
"Yep," she replied.
"They let you have pink hair when you're an Auror?" Matilda asked.
"They let you have whatever color hair you want when you're an Auror," Tonks said, pushing her fingers back through her hair, turning it purple as she did.
"Whoa! Are you a metamorphmagus?" Matilda asked. Tonks nodded. "That's so freaking cool. You were probably a shoo-in for Auror."
"So they say," Tonks said taking a seat. "Although it took a few tries for me to pass my stealth and tracking exam. I can be a bit clumsy."
"I'm sure they picked up on that given your dramatic entrance," Remus said.
Tonks poked him in the arm. "Aurora, you must tell your dad to start being nice to me."
"Have you considered that you might be clumsy because you're a metamorphmagus?" Hermione asked.
"And being clumsy is the price she has to pay for being gifted?" Sirius asked. Tonks rolled her eyes.
"Well, you are constantly altering your appearance and changing your center of gravity, and your weight and all that, maybe your body just has trouble orienting itself because of the constant changes," Rory said.
"Exactly," Hermione said.
"Brilliant," Tonks said.
