[A/N: Will likely not update again until December on account of participating in NaNoWriMo! Have a happy Halloween!]
"My head of house said that I was lacking certain specific necessities required for being a prefect," Tonks said at dinner. It was the night before they were to return to Hogwarts and they were having one last dinner together before setting off.
"What qualities?" Ginny asked.
"Well, the quality of not getting into trouble for one," Tonks said. The children laughed. Tonks was going to miss these kids while they were in school. It would of course be easier to have their meetings knowing that there were no extendable ears about, but she enjoyed being around them.
Plus they all thought she was incredibly cool. She would miss people thinking she was cool, rather than just some newbie.
"What about you, Sirius?" Ginny asked.
Sirius howled with laughter. "No one in their right mind was going to make me a prefect. I spent too much time in detention with James and mouthing off to teachers."
"Ah, so it's genetic," Neville said throwing a look at Matilda.
"I only mouth off to Snape. Not all of my teachers," Aurora said.
"Trust me when I say that mouthing off to Snape is also definitely an inherited trait," Remus said looking at Sirius.
Sirius pat Remus on the head. "Moony here was the one to get the prefects badge our year if you couldn't tell. He was the good boy."
"I think Dumbledore was hoping I could exercise some control over my friends," Remus said. "Needless to say I failed abysmally."
"Yeah, that tracks with these two as well," Matilda said motioning between Ron and Hermione.
"No prefect ambitions for you then?" Sirius asked.
"No. I'm constantly threatening to fight the Slytherins in our year," Matilda said dismissively. "Rory's the one who actually managed to assault any of them."
"When did you assault one of your classmates?" Remus asked.
Aurora was glaring at Matilda. "Dude!"
"I wouldn't be too hard on her, Remus. She did kick him in defense of you," Arthur said.
"Oh! I forgot all about that time she kicked Malfoy at the World Cup!" Matilda said. "I was thinking of the time she slapped him in December."
"She slapped him twice that time, actually," Harry said.
"Okay, Judas and Brutus. Do you mind shutting up now?" Aurora said looking back and forth between Harry and Matilda.
Remus was clearly trying to be cross with Aurora, but he had to suppress a smile. Tonks and Sirius were both biting back laughter.
"Please refrain from hitting your classmates," Remus said instead. "Even if it's Draco Malfoy."
"I mean, he deserved it. Every time. And don't worry, it's not like she's the only one at the table who's given him a walloping," Matilda said.
"So Harry's guilty too, then?" Sirius asked.
"I wish," Harry replied. "Hermione for starters."
Hermione's whole face went red. "I mean—I just—he was being very mean to Hagrid. And I can only stand being called a mudblood so many times."
"So, the prefect has a dark side," George said.
"Looks like we don't give you enough credit, Hermione," Fred said.
"Well," Hermione started, "Ron hit Malfoy as well."
Ron fumbled over his words and pointed to Neville. "Well, Neville helped that time."
"Wow, it would've been easier to determine which of you didn't hit Draco Malfoy," Ginny said.
"He's really that bad?" Tonks asked.
All at once, the children chimed in about how awful Draco Malfoy was.
"Draco Malfoy is an equal opportunity cuncbag, but Harry usually gets the worst of it," Aurora said.
"I don't know what that word means, but don't use it again," Mrs. Weasley said wagging a finger at Aurora.
"What's his beef with you?" Tonks asked.
"I exist?" Harry said with a shrug. "I told him I didn't want to be his friend before we were sorted and I guess he's still mad about it."
"Oh, right. He was being a mega jerk to Ron when we first got to school and you were like 'not today Satan. I just met this kid, but we stan Ron Weasley where I come from,'" Matilda said.
"Stan? Who is Stan?" Sirius asked.
Aurora was snickering in her seat and Hermione and Harry were giggling also, but also admonishing her.
Aurora started to explain the concept of "stanning" someone to Sirius and Remus shook his head as he listened.
"I think Aurora has taught him a new muggle slang term every day that she's been here, and I'm afraid that means Sirius has been stockpiling the words to at some point weaponize them against me," Remus whispered to Tonks.
She laughed. "I'm sure you exaggerate."
"Do I?" Remus asked, looking at her seriously.
Tonks laughed again. "Okay, you're right. He's definitely going to torment you. On the bright side you, won't have to handle him alone."
"How kind of you," Remus replied.
"Oh, I didn't mean me. Surely someone else will pop round to keep him company though," Tonks said. Remus rolled his eyes and she laughed. "No, he's not all that bad."
"No. Not at all," Remus said. "And despite all of his arguments to the contrary, I think he would've been a fantastic father if he hadn't had the opportunity taken from him. He has matured a lot since he's come back. I can only credit Harry and Aurora for that."
"Life changes when you have responsibilities," Tonks said.
"It certainly does," Remus said.
"Speaking of which," Tonks started, "I've been curious, why did you take in Aurora?"
Remus sighed. "It hadn't been my intent originally. I was just with Sirius the night it all happened. He went out to find Peter. And Theo went out to get dinner and never came back. Then I found out about James and Lily. And everyone assumed he'd also killed Theo. I just happened to be the one who was looking after her when it happened. Initially, I reached out Theo's brother, Levi, but a month passed and Dumbledore said I should take her to Sirius's mum. That went about as well as you can expect. Although, she didn't slam the door in my face immediately."
"She didn't want to take her in?" Tonks asked.
"Wouldn't even consider it," Remus said. "'Leave her out on the street for all I care.' That's what she said to me. Then she slammed the door… And that's when I knew I couldn't leave her."
Tonks was shocked. To say something like about your own grandchild. To hate your own child so thoroughly that even their innocent child is a stain to you. Tonks couldn't fathom.
"I knew eventually I'd have to tell her about Sirius. But I wanted to make sure she was happy first. That she grew up with the love and support that Sirius never got," Remus said.
"I think you succeeded," Tonks said. "She adores you. Even when she thinks you're 'super annoying.'"
Remus chuckled. "I recall you also believing I was 'super annoying.'"
"You were, but then your daughter showed up and you started being all nice to me," Tonks said.
"I have to set a good example for her," Remus said.
Tonks chuckled. "I'm sure as soon as she's back at Hogwarts, you'll be back to properly teasing me again."
Remus shrugged. "Probably not. You've grown on me."
Tonks was kind of stunned for a moment. She'd been over nearly every day this summer, spoken to everyone in the Order at length multiple times, but it really was Remus's company she enjoyed the most. She enjoyed almost everyone's company, and she was a natural extrovert so tended to bring the fun with her, but Remus seemed to click with her.
Although, Remus was best friends with Sirius, and if anyone was more extroverted than she was, it was her cousin. Remus was one of those soft-spoken people who collected extroverts as friends it seemed.
"Well, I suppose you've grown on me too," she replied.
"You suppose?" he asked.
"Yes, I suppose," she replied with a laugh. "Still not entirely sure that I'm over that dig about me tripping over the umbrella stand."
"Well, to your credit, you did trip over the curtains last time, and not the umbrella stand yesterday, so you're moving up," Remus said.
Tonks rolled her eyes, but Remus looked so pleased with himself that she couldn't help but smile back.
"Oh, no. You know what I just realized?" Aurora asked. "Who do you think Snape offered up as prefects for Slytherin."
They all groaned.
"If it's not Draco and Pansy I will literally die of shock," Matilda said.
"Who else in their year has the brains for it?" Ron asked. "Definitely not Crabbe and Goyle."
"Zabini might, but he's also one of Malfoy's biggest fans. And there's Theodore Nott. Nott would be my top choice for Slytherin prefect because he thinks Malfoy and his gang are idiots and doesn't want to be affiliated with them," Aurora said. "I mean, he's never spoken to me except once in charms class when he was forced to. I'm sure he says horrible things behind our backs like all the Slytherins do, but he doesn't like to stir the pot."
"Whereas I live to stir the pot," Matilda said. "Again, I was never in the running for prefect."
"Pansy's the only real choice in Slytherin," Hermione said.
"I mean, if Snape wants an enforcer, he could definitely go with Millicent Bulstrode," Ginny said.
"Our flat's just down there," Rory said, directing down the street with her head. "The gray building."
Harry looked down to where she was motioning. "You don't live far from Grimmauld at all."
"Nope," she replied. "And it's a short walk to the train station, which I appreciate because taking the bus is a nightmare."
Harry would not soon forget his girlfriend's horrible motion sickness. She couldn't fly on a broom and even on the Hogwarts express generally had to have the blinds down so she didn't get queasy.
"Ever been on the Knight Bus?" Harry asked.
"No, thank god," Rory replied. She linked her fingers with Harry's and even though all their friends and half the Order, including Sirius in his dog form, were walking with him, he didn't mind.
Since Harry's chat with her dad, he'd made a point to avoid any unnecessary physical contact. Save her for the odd hug here or there, he'd, as promised, kept his hands to himself. Rory was still more daring than he'd ever been and still made sure she kissed him before bed every night. But it was clear she was unhappy with the way the last two weeks of their summer turned out. All morning she'd been holding his hand, hugging him, whispering in his ear. Harry wouldn't have been surprised if she didn't find some way to kiss him on the train ride back to school.
He wouldn't have minded it.
When they did reach King's Cross and head over to the platform, Harry found that he had a difficult time saying goodbye to Sirius. He was going to miss him loads. Harry knew the feeling was mutual, but that didn't make it any easier.
"Take care of yourself," Harry said to him.
"No more being reckless," Rory added when she'd finished hugging her dad.
"No recklessness from either of you as well," Lupin said.
"My goodness, I hope I have no reason to get into trouble this year," Rory said. She hugged Lupin again and he shrank himself a bit so she could plant a kiss on his cheek. In addition to not being very tall, Rory had the disadvantage of her dad standing at 6'2" which was tall by regular standards. Lupin even towered over Harry, but he practically eclipsed his daughter.
Then Rory knelt down to Sirius and wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you. Be safe," she said.
The train whistle blew.
"All right, you lot, let's not miss the train this year," Mrs. Weasley said.
Rory quickly dashed over to Tonks and they exchanged a few words before embracing each other. Tonks looked a bit like she might cry when they parted. And then they headed to the train.
"What'd you say to Tonks?" Harry asked.
"I just asked if I could write to her," Rory said. "Didn't want to be presumptuous about our relationship."
Harry didn't think it would have been presumptuous for her to write to Tonks at all. They were family after all and had gotten quite close from what Harry had seen.
"I love you all, but I might die if I don't find Parvati and Lavender," Matilda said.
"I understand," Rory said.
"I'll find you at lunch," Matilda promised and then headed off.
"We should find a cabin as well," Harry said to Ron and Hermione. They both flushed.
"Actually, we're supposed to go to the Prefect's cabin," Hermione said.
Right. Harry had forgotten. Rory squeezed his hand.
"Neville, Ginny, are you going to abandon us as well?" Rory asked.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," Neville said.
"Me either," Ginny said.
They found a cabin occupied only by one other person. A small, blonde girl was reading a news magazine upside down.
She looked up at them and smiled. "Hello."
"Hi, Luna," Rory said stepping into the cabin. "Mind if we join you?"
"Not at all," she replied.
Harry had no idea who this girl was.
"Have you met Harry and Neville?" Ginny asked.
"Not Harry," she replied.
"This is Luna Lovegood. She's in my year. A Ravenclaw," Ginny said.
"Nice to meet you," Harry said as he watched Rory attempt to put her luggage on the top rack without climbing onto the seats, but was failing. Harry took her trunk and easily hoisted it overhead.
"Must you embarrass me in front of Luna?" she asked.
"I think even she can see you're a bit too ambitious for your size in this case," Harry said.
Rory stuck her tongue out at him and plopped down in her seat.
"How's the paper doing?" Rory asked.
"Good. Though most people are reading The Prophet right now," Luna said. "But that's normal." She looked over to Harry. "My dad and I think it's quite awful how they're portraying you and Dumbledore. I think you would know better than anyone if Voldemort was around?"
Harry had no idea who this girl was, though she gave him strange vibes, especially since she was reading the paper upside down and had a faraway look to her. He wasn't sure if her support would hurt or help.
"Thanks," Harry said all the same. He looked to Rory. "How do you know each other?"
"Our dads are friendly," Rory said. "Mister Lovegood tends to run on the fringes of society."
And with Lupin being a werewolf, he was certainly on the fringe.
"I think we must've met just after my mother died," Luna said.
"I think so," Rory replied. "Feels like ages ago. And I feel like I never see you around school."
"I keep busy," Luna said simply. "So do you."
"My dad will be delighted to hear I'm finally having a proper chat with you after all this time," Rory said.
"Well, well, well, looks like all the trash has decided to settle in one place."
Harry groaned as he looked over to Draco Malfoy standing in the doorway, his prefect badge glittering on his chest.
"Potter, not a prefect then?" Malfoy asked.
"Nope. Not even remotely interested," Harry replied. A lie, but he wasn't going to tell Malfoy that.
"Not even your girlfriend?" Malfoy went on.
"I think I've assaulted you and called your favorite teacher a cunt too many times for me to be trusted to set a good example," Rory replied. "Who's the other one? Parkinson?"
"Yeah. Glad you can recognize superiority when you see it," Malfoy said.
Rory rolled her eyes. "I don't think Snape exactly had the cream of the crop to choose from when it comes to picking prefects this year, so don't pat yourself on the back too hard there."
"You think you can get away with being disrespectful like that again this year?" Malfoy asked. "I'll just toss you in detention."
"Aw, you wouldn't do that to me. We're family," Rory said.
"The hell we are," Malfoy sneered.
"Oh, but we are, Draco," Rory said. "Sirius Black and your mum are first cousins. That makes us second cousins, and super-duper related. You don't want to go around being an asshole to your favorite cousin do you?"
"Don't you go around telling people that," Malfoy said.
"I'm going to tell everyone if you don't fuck off," Rory said.
Malfoy glared at her. "You keep slumming it with Loony and Longbottom. But just know I'm going to be dogging your every move this year."
"Merlin, Malfoy? Why are you so obsessed with me? Go find a girl to harass that isn't related to you!" Rory shouted. A few passers-by stopped and then continued walking, whispering to each other. Rory had officially gotten the rumor mill rolling.
"You're going to regret that," Malfoy said.
"We'll see, cousin," Rory replied. Malfoy slammed the door closed and walked off. Rory sat back down in her seat. "He's probably going to give Ron and Hermione an even harder time now, but I think they can manage."
"They are prefects," Harry said. Rory kissed his cheek.
"And I think you're perfect, Lovey," she whispered in his ear and then kissed his cheek.
She'd been calling him that lately. Lovey. He didn't even know if she realized she was saying it, but he liked it. Rory could call him Bob and he'd probably like it.
"Are people really still calling you that?" Neville asked Luna.
"I don't mind it so much. I'm used to it by now," Luna replied.
"Call you what?" Harry asked.
"Loony Lovegood," Ginny replied with a roll of her eyes. "Stupid nickname."
"Why do people call you that?" Harry asked.
Luna held up the magazine in her hands. "My father runs The Quibbler. It's a news magazine, but some would say it's not very credible. People think the things he prints are just nonsense. I guess they think I'm a bit loony as well."
"I think people are idiots," Rory replied.
"You say that all the time," Neville said.
"Well no one has proven me otherwise yet," Rory said. She closed the blinds on the window as the train got to its cruising speed.
"I wish you wouldn't do that," Neville lamented.
"Would you rather I vomit all over you?" she asked. She pulled her legs up onto the seat and reclined against the wall.
"Guess not," Neville said with a sigh.
Then walking past was Cho Chang and another Ravenclaw girl. Cho stopped briefly.
"Hi, Luna. Hi Harry," she said.
"Hi, Cho," Harry replied while Luna gave a small wave.
Cho smiled and continued on.
"Guess the rest of us are chopped liver then," Rory said.
"Maybe she just didn't remember your names?" Harry offered.
Rory gave him an incredulous look and he realized that it was probably a stretch to assume that Cho didn't at the very least know Rory's name.
"Well, I'm sure she's just got a lot on her mind is all," Harry said.
"Haven't we all," Rory said dismissively.
Harry got the slightest feeling that Rory was maybe feeling a little defensive? Jealous maybe? But he thought that had to be crazy because Rory was usually unflappable. Besides, Cho's boyfriend had just died. It's not like Cho was going to be even remotely interested in Harry after what happened to Cedric. That would be crazy.
