Harry couldn't get it out of his head that Rory's mother was alive. Rory didn't seem to be able to get over it either. She'd gotten another letter from her uncle, Levi Goldfinch, stating that he intended to meet with her during the Christmas holidays. That he'd arranged it with her dad. That she'd get to meet him on December 22nd.
Harry couldn't help but remember how they'd spent December 22nd the year before. It was their last day of classes before the holidays so they'd taken exams, sat curled up together on the couch for a while and then she'd given him a long kiss goodnight.
What a difference a year made.
But, Harry had a plan. He wanted to make their special to make up for all the crappy things he'd done since school had started. Even with getting kicked off the Quidditch team and his numerous detentions from Umbridge, Rory still managed to go out of her way to check in on him, to see how he was fairing. To just be there.
Rory was there so much for him, and what had he been doing aside from wallowing in self-pity?
No, he had to do something special for her. It took some planning and effort, but he'd told her they were having a date that afternoon and to be prepared.
When the day came, Rory dressed slightly nicer than usual which pleased Harry because it meant she was taking this seriously. It was nothing more than leggings and one of her knee-length jumper dresses, but the dresses were saved for special occasions, like dates with Harry.
Harry took her hand at lunchtime and led her to the Room of Requirement.
"You know, I think it's cheating a bit to use the room of requirement for our date," Rory said.
"Well, I figured this way we could actually be alone without any of our roommates being annoyed at us hogging the dorm all afternoon," Harry said. "Close your eyes."
"You have a surprise in there for me then?" Rory asked.
Harry gently shushed her and Rory closed her eyes. Harry grabbed her hand and she heard the door open. He led her inside. She heard the door click shut behind them. Harry led her further into the room and then let go of her hand.
"Okay. Open your eyes," he said.
She opened them and was left speechless. For the most part, it was the Room of Requirement she was used to, but it seemed smaller now, and cozier. There was a red and white checkered blanket on the floor along with a few cushions. Two candles sat on the blanket on either side of a large, wicker picnic basket, and atop the basket was a small vase of flowers.
"Harry, this is lovely," she said. Harry looked immensely proud of himself but still flushed with embarrassment at her words.
"I had Dobby pack the basket for me. And Neville helped me with the flowers," Harry said. He motioned for her to sit and she did.
"I really just thought we'd hang out or whatever today," she said. "This is so nice."
"I told you, you deserve something nice for putting up with me for a whole year. Especially lately," he said. "I know I haven't been really easy to deal with recently."
Rory could not help but agree with that. "Lucky for you, I am a fan of grand romantic gestures."
"I wouldn't say this is grand," Harry said.
"I think it is," she said. She kissed him. "And I think you're grand too." She kissed him again.
"Do you want your present?" Harry asked. "Because I really want to give it to you. It's been sitting in my trunk all summer."
"Since summer?" Rory asked.
Harry nodded. "I bought it ages ago. I kept thinking 'I really hope she doesn't break it off with me before I have the chance to give this to her.'"
Rory laughed. "All right then."
Harry handed her the flowers and opened the picnic basket. Sitting on top was a slender, white jewelry box. He handed it to her and she eyed him curiously. He looked like he might explode if she didn't open it right then.
She opened the box and inside was a dainty rose gold necklace with three tiny rose gold stars dangling from it. Rory's jaw dropped. She looked up at him.
"It's just like-."
"Sophie's necklace," Harry said with a nod. "From Mama Mia. It's rose gold though because I know you said it goes with your coloring better."
Rory was speechless. She was well and truly speechless. What could she say? "Thank you" and "I love you" didn't really do justice to how seen she felt right now. Harry could definitely be oblivious and his attitude lately left her in a tizzy most days. But he definitely loved her. And he definitely wanted to keep her. And he definitely wanted her to be happy. He certainly knew how to make her happy.
"Usually when you get excited or nervous you talk a lot, but you haven't said anything for a while," Harry said.
Rory looked up from the necklace and up at him again.
"I just really don't know what to say," she said.
"Do you want to put it on?" Harry asked.
She nodded, pulling the chain from the box. She handed it to Harry. The metal was cold and she felt her skin break out into goosebumps as he clasped it around her neck. Then he wrapped his arm around her from behind and kissed her cheek. Rory wanted to melt into him.
"I love you," she said. "I got you something too, but it seems stupid now."
"I'm sure it's fine," Harry said. He let her go and Rory reached into her bag.
"I made it myself because, well, I wanted to get you a proper gift for Christmas and you know we don't-."
"Rory, it's alright, I promise," he said. "You don't have to explain yourself to me. Ever."
Rory took a deep breath and nodded. She reached into her bag and pulled out the stack of cardstock, tied together with a ribbon. Her face went hot when she handed it to him.
"It's a coupon book," she said as Harry flipped through it.
"Ah, 'borrow class notes without being sassed.' That'll be useful," Harry said. "And there are multiple 'review essay for mistakes.' I'm glad you know what I truly need."
"You don't think it's lame?" Rory asked sheepishly.
"Of course not," he said. "You sat down and thought about all of these. And you made this with your own two hands. It's even perforated."
"That was not easy to do by the way," Rory chuckled.
"Exactly my point," Harry said. "It really is the thought that counts, Fish. It's perfect. Thank you."
"I love you," she said.
"I love you too," he said and kissed her. He flipped through the book. "Wand polishing? You know that's funny because when we did the weighing of the wands last year before the tournament, they were photographing all of our wands and everyone else's looked so nice and it never even occurred to me that I should polish or clean mine. It was all-."
Rory placed a finger to his lips. She chuckled. "It's a euphemism. I'm not going to actually polish your wand."
Harry's eyes widened in surprise.
"Right," he said snapping the coupon book closed. "I'll just save that for later then."
She chuckled and kissed him again. Then her fingers came to rest against her necklace.
"Thank you," she said. "This is… It's perfect. All of this."
"I know I can be a bit… Oblivious, I guess? But sometimes I do know how to get it right," Harry said. He unpacked their lunch: chicken paninis, Caprese skewers, fresh fruit, a small treacle tart baked in the shape of a heart, and he'd even managed to secure two bottles of butterbeer.
"Are you nervous?" Harry asked as they ate. "About your uncle?"
Rory nodded. "Always thought maybe when I was older I'd look up my uncle, to see if he was alive or something. This is all far beyond anything I was expecting."
"I don't think anyone was expecting this," Harry said. "But it's a good thing isn't it?"
"Guess that depends on what he's like," Rory replied.
"Well if he's anything like you, he'll be excellent," Harry said.
Rory smiled. "I'm glad I have you for all this. I don't know what I'd do without you. Sometimes I feel like I can't properly gather my thoughts without you around. Since I stepped off the train this year I've had an unshakable sense of impending doom. Everything has gotten worse every single day. I don't know if I'd have it in me to be optimistic about anything without you."
"The feeling is mutual," Harry said. "Kind of insane that we've only been back here barely three months and things are so… Crap."
Rory nodded. "It's Umbridge."
"And Voldemort," Harry said. "A combination of the two."
"That's the whole reason my uncle has come round," Rory said.
"Sounds like he wants to help at least," Harry said. "And maybe they'll be able to prove Sirius is innocent."
"If nothing else comes of this, I want that," Rory said. "I want him to be able to leave the house. To have a life."
"Me too," Harry said. "Sucks we can't talk to him in the fireplace anymore."
"Yeah," Rory said. "I think he's lonely."
"Wouldn't you be?" Harry asked. Rory nodded. She sat her head on his shoulder.
"He'll be better at Christmas once we're all back," Rory said. "You'll feel better too."
"I think today has helped a bit as well," he said.
"Me too," she replied. She tapped his nose. "Think we'll make it another year?"
"I certainly want us to," he said. He kissed her forehead.
Rory got back to her dorm just after dinner. Their lunch date had gone long, quickly stretching into dinner. They'd had lunch, talked about her family, they kissed, fell asleep, woke up and kissed some more, and talked more. But mostly kissing.
Parvati and Lavender hadn't come up to the dorm yet, but Matilda and Hermione were there, both already in their pajamas.
"Have an enjoyable day?" Matilda asked.
"Yep," Rory replied. She stepped out of her shoes and walked over to her dresser to pull out a set of pajamas.
"Did you do anything special?" Hermione asked.
"We had a picnic in the Room of Requirement. It was lovely," Rory replied.
"Anything else special?' Matilda asked waggling her eyebrows at her.
"No," Rory replied rolling her eyes. "It was nice, just the two of us. I feel like we kind of hit a reset button."
"That's good," Matilda said. "No offense, but he'd been rubbing me the wrong way since Hogsmeade. You deserved some groveling."
"That's what he said too," Rory replied.
"Well, at least he's got some self-awareness now," Matilda said.
"He got me a necklace," Rory said pointing to it on her neck.
"Aw, that's cute," Hermione said.
"It's just like the one a character from my favorite movie wears," Rory said.
"Oh, geez. That boy," Matilda said. "Lucky he's got his act together. You're soulmates. He's the only one who would find something from that ABBA movie you love so much."
"Did he like your coupon book?" Hermione asked.
"He did," Rory replied. "He especially appreciated that most of them were for help with homework."
"You always help him with his homework," Matilda said.
"Help him with assignments without being sassed," Rory said.
"Haha. Watch out. Ron might steal one of those. I think he's about sick of me," Hermione said.
"I don't think Ron will ever be sick of you," Matilda said. "He only pretends to be annoyed by you."
"He must be a very good actor," Hermione said.
"Clearly," Matilda said.
Rory had changed into her pajamas by now and she climbed onto her bed. Harry's scent still clung heavily to her skin. She could almost feel him wrapped around her again.
"Do you really think Harry and I are soulmates?" Rory asked.
"I think you might be," Matilda said. "You fit."
"I agree," Hermione said.
Rory nodded and pulled her curtains closed. She climbed under her covers and closed her eyes. Again she imagined the way it felt with his arms wrapped around her, the way she seemed to melt perfectly into him. They did fit.
As Christmas approached, Harry's mood continued to improve. He was looking forward to seeing Sirius again and getting a break from Umbridge. He felt for the first time, maybe ever, that he didn't want to be at Hogwarts.
At the very least, the DA was something he looked forward to each week. Because they were able to meet inconsistently, Hermione had taken some galleons and used a Protean Charm on them so that they would turn warm and display the time of the next meeting.
As far as the meetings went, everyone was making excellent progress. And Dobby had gone out of his way to decorate the room for the Christmas season.
"I think for the last meeting next week we should do, like, a review season. Go over everything else we've already done," Rory said after their meeting. She was writing things down in a notebook as she had after every meeting. She'd been tracking everyone's progress.
"Good idea," Harry said. "Dunno how I'd organize all this without your help."
"Quite happy to be of service," she replied.
Harry took a seat behind her and she relaxed back into his chest.
"You ever think about being a teacher?" he asked.
Rory wrinkled her nose. "Not at all."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"No," Rory said. "Have you thought about it?"
"Maybe," he said. "Still think I'd like to be an Auror though."
"I can't imagine being an Auror. Far too much work in my opinion," she said.
"…Why don't you want to be a singer?" Harry asked. "You say you don't want the attention, but there's more to it than that. I'm sure of it."
Rory sighed and then chuckled. "I don't have any business being a singer. I mean. I know I'm pretty good."
Harry scoffed. "Brilliant more like it."
"Yes, yes. But… My dad can't keep a job because he's a werewolf. My other dad spent 12 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit after he was thrown in there without a trial. Hogwarts is in chaos because the ministry is afraid of a teacher and a teenage boy overthrowing the government. I mean… I can do something about all that can't I? I mean. I'm a good singer, but I'm brilliant too," Rory said. "Wouldn't it be better if I helped people instead of, you know, singing at them?"
Harry sighed and smiled at her. "I guess that does make me a bit hopeful. And I think it's obvious that you're capable of arguing your point. You can be quite convincing when you want to be."
"Not often enough," she said. "Otherwise, Umbridge wouldn't be an issue. Then again there isn't anything you can do when people are willfully ignorant. Or just plain evil."
"Want to be Minister of Magic?" Harry asked.
Rory laughed. "No. Too much work. But maybe in their office. I'll go wherever Hermione puts me. If that girl doesn't end up running the country then people can stop calling me a seer."
"I'm a bit terrified by the prospect of you and Hermione walking together," Harry said. "But in a good way."
"Thank you," she replied.
On Friday morning, Rory headed down to breakfast with Hermione and Matilda, as usual. When they entered the Great Hall, she noticed people watching her.
"Oh, boy," Rory said. "It must be out."
Rory had been bracing herself the last several weeks for the news about her family to come out and it seemed the time had come.
She sat down at the table and Neville held a copy of The Prophet out to her. The headline read: THE GOLDFINCHES LIVE.
"Here it comes," Rory said.
"What do you think people will say?" Harry asked.
"Nothing if I'm lucky," Rory replied.
"And realistically?" Harry asked.
"Probably ask me a thousand times if I knew," Rory said. She had no choice but to read the whole article, just so she would know what everyone else knew. They mentioned Sirius, only in so much as he hadn't murdered Theodosia, but it did not take away from the fact that he was ultimately convicted of Peter Pettigrew's murder.
"This is insane. They're not going to even consider looking into Sirius's case," Rory said. "This is bullshit."
Harry let his hand rest on the small of her back.
"At least they'll be distracted from you for a while," Rory said.
"I'd rather me than you," Harry said.
"At least it's not because of you this time. I'm the one with the family that's suddenly coming out of hiding," Rory said. "But, even so, this has got to be a good thing in the long term, right? If not for me, then for Sirius."
"Hope so," Hermione said.
When Rory finished reading the article, she looked at the picture on the front of the paper. It was definitely an older picture of her uncle. But she'd never seen a picture of him before.
"You alright?" Harry asked.
Rory nodded. "Yeah. I'll be fine."
They headed to class, and for most of the morning, things were fine until they got to the dungeons for potions.
"Ah, there she is," Malfoy said.
"Merlin, here we go," Rory grumbled. "What, Malfoy?"
"Looks like you've got a real family after all," he said. "Bit sad though since it sounds like even your mother didn't want you."
Rory's blood boiled. She had to give Malfoy credit; that was a well-aimed blow he'd given her.
"Piss off," Harry said putting a protective arm around Rory.
"Oh, Potter," Malfoy started, "let's start with you and-."
"Yes, we all know, my parents are dead and apparently I'm crazy," Harry said. "Get some new material. You're getting stale."
"So are you and your girlfriend. Always spouting off about You-Know-Who hoping someone cares," Malfoy said. "Can't really blame you. Especially Lupin. The only person that cares about her is a filthy werewolf."
Rory wrenched out of Harry's grasp and punched Malfoy square in the face. It hurt her fist and she felt his nose crush beneath her hand. Harry pulled her away and blood began to gush from between Malfoy's hands as he held his hands over his nose.
"What's going on here?" Snape asked, opening his classroom door. But it was obvious. Rory was clutching her injured hand and Malfoy's nose was leaking like a faucet. "Twenty points from Gryffindor, Lupin. Parkinson, please escort Mister Malfoy to the hospital wing."
Pansy shouldered her way past Rory as she led Malfoy upstairs.
Rory's hand was red and tender, but she knew her request to visit Madam Pomfrey would fall on deaf ears.
The upside was that Rory and Neville were able to have class without being harassed by their two Slytherin counterparts. But Snape more than made up for that. With Rory's visibly bruised and swelling hand slowing her down, and with Neville struggling as always, he ended up harassing them relentlessly until class was over.
"Let's go see Madame Pomfrey," Harry said when class was over. "Your hand doesn't look good."
"Maybe you fractured it," Hermione said.
"Certainly feels like it," Rory said. "Who knew Malfoy's face was so hard?"
