Generally Umbridge poking around into any part of Rory's life was unwelcome. But when she stopped by to see how their performances were shaping up, Rory was feeling quite proud of herself. They'd gotten through the few songs they'd picked so far and then started on the song they'd picked for Gryffindor; Rory and Ara were just getting into a rhythm when Umbridge rose to her feet.

The room went silent. Rory braced herself for Umbridge to take issue with the fact that Rory was leading the group in this song.

"Professor Flitwick, do you recall the list of songs I gave you?" Umbridge asked.

"You said they were suggested songs," Ara jumped in before Flitwick could.

"I didn't realize I would need to specify that the list of suggested songs was the only list you could draw from," Umbridge said.

"But this song is pure Gryffindor," Rory said, trying not to sound too irritated. THe song they'd picked was "Brave" by Sara Bareilles. Muggle music, yes, but unmistakably Gryffindor. Ara had been the one to suggest it, "I thought you wanted-."

"A celebration of magic. Of tradition," Umbridge said. "We don't want to sully this celebration with muggle music."

Rory rolled her eyes. There was no point in arguing. This wasn't going to be happening.

"Choose a different song." Umbridge said. "I won't hear another word about it. Umbridge looked over to Rory as if she were the main reason they'd chosen an unapproved song. For once, that wasn't the case.

When choir was over she walked with Stephen back to Gryffindor tower, not bothering to hold in her frustration now that Umbirdge was gone.

"She doesn't want to 'sully' it with muggle music. How can you be so openly bigoted and hold a job in office?" Rory ranted. "Although I guess it's perfectly reasonable considering who her boss is."

"We'll find a better song," Stephen said.

"Why should we?" Rory asked. "A celebration of tradition. Sounds like that same 'progress for the sake of progress must discouraged' bullshit she was spewing at the beginning of the year."

"Sounds like it," Stephen said. "You really think we should just use the one we picked."

"Yes. That'd show her. As if we don't have any muggle born students in our school," Rory scoffed.

"Well," Stephen started, "We could change... All of the songs."

Rory stopped midstep. "All the songs?"

"Right. We can learn the ones she wants us to sing, but when we go in front of the minister we... Surprise her," he said.

"We'd get into a load of trouble. I'd probably get expelled," Rory said. "But... Might be worth it to see her head pop off."

"Let's do it," Stephen said. "I'm sure I can convince the others. I don't think Ara will need convincing."

Rory nodded in agreement. Ara once threatened to fist fight Umbridge if given the chance, so she would definitely go out of her way to humiliate Umbridge.

"When are we supposed to pull this off? We've got DA tomorrow night and we're both going home for Easter break," Rory explained. Then she groaned. Going home for Easter sounded wonderful when she'd first gotten her letter from her dad, but the more she read on the less excited she became. Naturally, she wouldn't be the only one going home. Harry would be going as well. Even though the Weasleys and Hermione would also join them, Rory hated the idea of spending three weeks stuck in the same house as Harry with no escape.

"You're the only person I know who doesn't want to go home for the holiday," Stephen chuckled.

"Not going home exactly. Visiting with the Weasleys. With their bonus child," Rory explained.

Stephen nodded. "Harry. Makes sense that you wouldn't want to go. Seemed like you two were getting on better now."

Rory shrugged. She was not being outwardly as miserable as she felt, She was doing her best to portray that she was doing perfectly fine. She was certainly doing better, as long as she wasn't looking at Harry. Or Cho. And then she remembered. All the good and the bad.

"It'll be different when I've got nowhere to be away from him," Rory said. "Unless I hide in Ginny's room for three weeks."

"Well, if you need any company while you're cooped up, feel free to send me an owl," Stephen said. "See if you can think up a list of songs Umbridge will hate and we can commiserate tomorrow. Just whatever songs you think will set her off."

Rory managed a laugh. "Any divergence from the list is sure to piss her off."

"Right, so why not just go for it and make the trouble worthwhile," Stephen said as they reached the stairs up to Gryffindor tower.

"You know, you're quite clever when you put your mind to mischief," Rory said.

"Not mischief, Rory. Creative problem solving. I'm a Ravenclaw after all," he said. "I'll leave the mischief up to you."

They heard footsteps coming up the corridor and turned in their direction. Harry was walking toward them.

"I think that's my cue," Stephen said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight," she said. And then, he hugged her. It took her by surprise, but she hugged him back. And it felt nice. When was the last time she'd been hugged when it wasn't by Neville or Matilda? When she wasn't crying? "I think I needed that."

"Happy to pass them out as needed," he said.

"I might take you up on that," she said.

He gave her a wink and then waved goodbye, saying goodnight to Harry as their paths crossed. A moment later Harry was standing across from Rory.

"Study group?" Harry asked.

"Choir. He just walked me to the tower," she said.

"Oh. That's nice of him," Harry said.

"Yep," she agreed. "He has the past few weeks, but I really needed to vent about Umbridge today. She shot down one of our songs because it was muggle music. Every time I think I couldn't dislike her more, she outdoes herself."

Harry nodded.

"Just left the library then?" she asked.

Harry nodded. "How'd you-."

"You're always with Cho in the library if she doesn't have Quidditch practice. You're incredibly easy to find these days as it turns out," Rory as she started up the stairs. "Although I guess that would be helpful in an emergency."

"Didn't realize I was so predictable," Harry said.

"You weren't always," Rory said with a shrug. "But everybody changes. Natural part of life."

Harry said the password and the door swung open. "I guess so."

"Goodnight," Rory said as they stepped inside. She walked through the common room and up to her dorm. Matilda was sitting on her bed, her nose stuck in a book. "Mattie."

"Rory, I love you, but I am trying to absorb today's transfiguration lesson by osmosis , just staring at the chapter hoping it sticks," Matilda said.

"I think Stephen Cornfoot was flirting with me," Rory said.

Matilda snapped her book closed and looked over to Rory. "Lots of boys flirt with you, Rory."

"I wouldn't say lots," she replied sitting across from her on her own bed. "But Stephen doesn't."

"No he doesn't," Matilda said. "You don't sound like he was out of line."

Rory thought of her words carefully. "I don't think I minded. He walked me back from choir practice and you know, I felt normal. I mean, I went off about Harry for thirty seconds but he totally distracted me. I'm not saying that I like Stephen or even that I'm over Harry, but..."

"Can't remember the last time you felt normal?" Matilda asked.

"Sometimes I think that if Harry said he dumb and being ridiculous and wanted to try to work things out, I'd take him back in a second. And other times, I feel like he needs to grow up and that I'm better off," Rory said. "It's like I'm afraid to not miss him anymore... To not love him anymore. Isn't that stupid?"

Matilda shook her head. "It's not stupid. Matters of the heart are complicated."

"Can you come with me for Easter break?" Rory asked.

"Mum is insisting that I stay at Hogwarts where my dad can't get me, though I doubt he's even thinking of me. I might be able to convince her if I tell her I'm with your dad though. She trusts him loads," Matilda said. "But I can't exactly tell her where I'd actually be going if I went with you."

Rory sighed. "It's just I'm not super stoked to be spending three weeks trapped in the house with him. And everyone is going to be so weird about it. I can tell that my dad is going to be extra annoying about making sure I'm 'okay' every minute. Which I'm sure I won't be."

"You will be fine," Matilda said. "Maybe this is what you need to get over him."

Rory was hopeful that this would be the ultimate outcome, but she also worried that this would be the outcome. There was something comfortable about holding onto him. Maybe part of her still wanted to work things out despite how angry she was. She was sad. She missed him. But also she didn't.

It was complicated.

888

At the DA meeting the next day was the last day they'd be working on Patronuses. After Easter break, they'd get to work on something new.

Rory had resigned herself to believing that she was not going to be one of the ones who produced a full patronus, but she was good at encouraging the others. She went to make her rounds, but before she could, she felt hands on her shoulder.

"Nope. Not today," Harry said. "Practice."

Rory sighed. "I think we've proven that I can't do it."

"Nonsense. You're just too in your head about it," he insisted.

"Or I just can't do it," Rory said.

"None of that. It's your night tonight. I can feel it," Harry said. "Get to work."

He didn't let Rory get a word in edgewise before he walked away. She wanted to be annoyed, but it was like this every week. She would say she couldn't do it, Harry would tell her she was being ridiculous and be his usual sweet, encouraging, genuine-self and Rory would have to spend the rest of the evening reminding herself that she broke up with Harry because he kissed another girl, and that he was presently dating the girl in question.

So Rory got to work, as she had the last few weeks. She never got it quite past the shield.

"If you manage to produce a full patronus, I will kick Harry in the crotch for you," Matilda said.

"Please don't do that," Rory said. "Not that there's any danger of me being successful."

From the other side of the room, there was applause. Rory turned her head and watched Cho's swan glide across the room.

Cho seemed excited and turned, looking around the room, presumably for Harry. Rory looked for him as well and spotted him on the other side of the Room of Requirement. He seemed to spot Cho. Rory braced herself for the discomfort of watching him cross the room and embrace Cho. But it didn't happen. He smiled at her. And then gave her a thumb's up.

Rory looked over to Matilda.

"Did he just watch his girlfriend perform a piece of advanced magic and then give her a congratulatory thumb's up from across the room?" Matilda asked,

"That's gotta be rough," Rory said, nonchalantly, turning away from the awkward scene. She surprised herself with the smug thought "Harry would never have done that to me." She shook the thought away.

"Shit, she's coming over here," Matilda siad.

Rory turned her head back and saw Cho was approaching her. Rory lowered her wand and turned her whole body to face her.

"How'd you know?" Cho asked.

Rory blinked at her. It took her a moment to realize what she was talking about. "Oh, the swan."

"How'd you know?" Cho repeated.

Rory shrugged. "Told you I was good at Divination."

Cho gave her a once over that made Rory feel wildly uncomfortable. She could practically feel Cho's thoughts without meaning to: Rory was good at Divination, sure, but Cho had her corporeal patronus. She had Harry. Rory was nothing. She had nothing.

Cho started to walk away. Rory didn't want to talk to Cho. Didn't want to be her friend. Rory didn't even want to call out Cho for being an opportunist who fully went after a boy who was in a relationship. But...

But, god help her, Rory was feeling petty.

"Hey, Cho," Rory said. Cho stopped and looked over her shoulder. Rory smiled at her and gave her a thumb's up. "Good job."

Cho frowned and walked away. Matilda walked up to Rory, mouth agape.

"Aurora Delphine Lupin, I had no idea you could be so bitchy and petty. I'm so proud," Matilda said.

Rory wasn't going to antagonize Cho in anyway. At the end of the day, it was Harry and Rory who made a combined effort into blowing up their relationship. But rory felt that Cho was kind of to blame. Just a teensy bit.

"It felt kind of good," Rory said.

"Good enough to make a patronus?" Matilda asked.

Rory let out a breath and attempted the charm. Again, Rory made a shield, an impressive one, but that was it. "Guess not. Not meant to be."

Matilda rolled her eyes and Harry walked over.

"How's it going?" he asked.

"It's not happening," Rory said. "I cannot do it. I'm throwing in the towel."

Harry shook his head. "I told you, tonight's your night, Rory. It's happening."

"Well, have you got some, for lack of a better term, 'magical' solution that's going to make me suddenly capable of this?" Rory asked.

"Cho's attempt to help her almost worked," Matilda said.

Rory cut her a glare.

"You were right about the swan," Harry said. "I'd be impressed, but you're right about most things."

"Yes, I am," Rory said. "And-."

"Most things. Not being capable of performing this charm is not one of them," Harry said. "I know you can do it." He moved to stand behind her. He helped her hold her wand aloft as if adjusting her posture would be the thing that did the trick.

Rory felt goosebumps on her skin. She couldn't remember the last time he'd stood this close to her, or touched her at all. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

She went to move from his grasp, but he leaned closer to her, he whispered in her ear. "You're the only fish who can climb a tree, remember?"

He gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze and stepped back from her.

And Rory did remember. She remembered sitting with him in Divination, that first prediction she made about ferrets. She remembered barely being able to meet his eye and the false air of confidence he exuded that day. She remembered when he said he was average and how Rory knew immediately it wasn't true. Realized she wouldn't even be standing in this room with him now if she hadn't believed in him. She remembered quoting Einstein and boldly proclaiming that there wasn't much she was bad at. And Harry had told her she was a fish who could climb trees.

And she was. How many times had Snape said "Regrettably, this potion is exceptional." How many sneers had Umbridge given her as she passed Rory's perfectly scored assignments. Between Trelawney and Firenze, everyone was hearing about her exceptional divination skills. There was not a single teacher who could deny her brilliance. Not a single classmate who would disagree. She was clever and stubborn and relentless.

She remembered something Sirius said to her over the summer, the first night she stayed at Grimmauld, "You really have grown to be more remarkable than I ever imagined."

And he was right. Rory was remarkable. She'd lived in such a fog for these last weeks, and had forgotten just how remarkable she was.

Rory took a deep breath. "Expecto Patronum."

And on the heels of that feeling, that pride, those happy memories, her wand produced not its normal shield. But it took shape and there it was, soaring overhead. An owl. Not just any owl. It was unmistakably a snowy owl.

All elation Rory felt instantly popped like a balloon.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me," she muttered to herself.

Everyone was applauding her, but Rory was frozen. Then she turned and looked at Harry. And he seemed every bit as shocked as she was.

Before anyone could say anything the door opened and Dobby ran in frantically.

"She knows! She knows!" Dobby shouted.

And at the words, it hit her. Run.

"Who knows what?" Harry asked.

"Umbridge," Rory said. "Knows where we are."

"Yes! She's coming. Harry Potter and his friends must leave!" Dobby said.

Harry didn't waste another second. He started sending everyone out in groups and Rory hung behind, wanting to make sure everyone got out safely. He instructed everyone to split up as they headed back to their common rooms. But when Rory left, she went right after Harry.

"The whole point of us splitting up was so that no more than one of us can get caught," Harry said.

"You're going to get caught," Rory said.

He sighed. "Of course. So why are you letting yourself get caught?"

"Just trust me," Rory replied.

They continued to stealthily walk back to the common room, though Rory knew it was superfluous.

"Your patronus," Harry started. Rory held up a hand.

"You cannot possibly think now is the appropriate timing for this conversation," Rory said.

Harry nodded. "Good point."

As they reached a corner, Rory peered down the hall, and something felt off. She turned to mention this to Harry, but suddenly her legs went rigid and she fell over on the ground. She was unsurprised to see Harry fall down beside her.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't everyone's favorite couple," Malfoy said, coming to stand over them. "Or ex-couple I hear. Like I told you, Lupin. You're better off."

"You know being a prefect doesn't allow you to go around jinxing your classmates?" Rory grumbled as Malfoy reached down and took her wand.

"Actually, I'm out here looking for you two and your little band of troublemakers," he said, taking Harry's wand as well.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Harry asked.

Malfoy reversed his jinx and ushered the pair to their feet.

He pointed to the badge on his robes, beside his prefect badge. A shiny badge bearing the letter "I." "See this? Means you're not allowed to talk back to me anymore. Umbridge has had enough of your nonsense."

"What's 'I' stand for? Ignoramus?" Rory asked.

"Inquisitorial Squad. A special selection of students hand picked by the high inquisitor herself to help enforce the rules around this godforsaken place," Draco said.

Rory rolled her eyes. "Should be a 'B' for bootlicker."

"You can keep making jokes, but you've really done it with this one," Draco said. "The Minister is here. You've earned yourselves a one-way ticket out of here. I'm willing to bet on it."

"I'll take that bet," Rory replied. "If I win, will you shut the fuck up forever?"

"Quiet," Malfoy hissed. "Get moving."

He led them up to Dumbledore's office and waiting inside were Dumbledore, McGonagall, Cornelius Fudge, Umbridge, Kingsley, Tonks, and Percy Weasley.

"Caught these two on their way back to their common room," Malfoy said.

"Well, done Mister Malfoy. Your father will be so proud to hear how you're helping your school already," Umbridge said.

Rory desperately wanted to level a snarky remark at this, but McGonagall, who was well used to Rory's tomfoolery by now, shot her a stern look.

Besides, she wasn't here to sass Malfoy or Umbridge. She was there for Harry.

Umbridge and Fudge looked positively beside themselves with glee.

"Well, I'm sure you know why you're here," Fudge said.

"I really don't," Rory said.

"We were just on our way to our common room," Harry said.

"Why?" Umbridge asked.

"Because it's almost curfew and we're not allowed to be out," Rory said matter-of-factly.

Umbridge went red at this. "And where were you before?"

"Tutoring Harry," Rory said.

"Perhaps we should bring in our witness," Fudge said.

"Oh, yes!" Umbridge said. "Mister Malfoy."

Draco gave a nod and left the room.

Beside her, Rory could feel Harry pulsing with anxiety. He was tense, almost angry as he watched Dumbledore. But she knew this wasn't Harry she was feeling. She gently grasped his hand. She felt something that wasn't Harry, but it was gone the moment she touched him. And there he was. The anger dissipated and Harry looked over to her, almost as if he was waking from a trance.

Rory gave his hand a squeeze, a reminder, that she was there, this was real, all the other things he was feeling weren't his own. She gave him an encouraging nod and hoped he knew that this was why she'd come with him. To ground him. She went to release his hand, but he held onto her. Their eyes met, and Rory could see in his eyes, don't let go. She wouldn't.

Malfoy returned a few minutes later with Marietta Edgecombe. Cho Chang's best friend. Rory felt simultaneously furious at Marietta, but also a little satisfied that Cho's friend had been the one to turn on them.

Even more satisfying than that was evidence of Hermione's jinx: the word "SNEAK" emblazoned across her forehead in a gathering of large, purplish pimples. Hermione had warned everyone that if someone ratted them out, they would know who. Marietta had just learned that the hard way. It had turned out even better than Rory was expecting it to.

"Miss Edgecombe, you did the right thing in telling us about this," Fudge said. "Can you tell us what I was for? And who else was there?"

Marietta lifted her eyes to Fudge's and then looked back down to her feet.

"Go on, tell him," Umbridge insisted.

But Marietta said nothing.

"Have we found a counter jinx?" Fudge asked.

"Not yet," Umbridge said. She looked over to Rory.

"What?" Rory asked.

"I know you've something to do with this," Umbridge said.

"Not a week ago you said my grades aren't an accurate representation of my actual intelligence, but now you're positing that I'm clever enough to think up a jinx that's capable of outfoxing you?" Rory asked.

Once again, McGonagall's soul seemed to leave her body as she witnessed Rory sassing herself ever closer to a probable expulsion.

Umbridge leered at Rory, but pivoted away from her very valid observation.

"No matter. Whether or not Miss Edgecombe speaks, we know about your little meeting in the Hogshead in October," Umbridge said.

"And what evidence do you have of this meeting?" McGonagall asked.

"An eyewitness of course," Umbridge said. "Willy Winddershins was at the pub at this time and reported all of this to me."

"Dolores, I'm sure Mister Potter and Miss Lupin won't deny the fact that this meeting took place, but let me remind you, these types of gatherings weren't illegal at the time of their meetings," Dumbledore said.

Rory was relieved that Dumbledore was coming through for them again for once after being virtually absent all year.

"Yes, but months have passed since then. And all the meetings that took place since then have certainly been against the rules," Umbridge said. "I'm sure Miss Edgecombe can tell us all about the meetings that have taken place since then, isn't that right?"

Marietta looked at Umbridge and slowly shook her head.

Umbridge chuckled. "Excuse me, Miss Edgecombe, did you understand the question? There have been many meetings since October, correct?"

Again, Marietta shook her head. Umbridge was clearly upset at this. She grabbed Marietta's arm and started to shake her, insisting that she speak up.

"She clearly means 'no,' Dolores, unless she's speaking some sort of sign language not yet known to humans," McGonagall said. "I might learn to control myself if I were you."

Umbridge promptly released Marietta and righted herself.

Truthfully, even Rory was stunned that Marietta was lying. She was certain that she was about to earn herself a one way ticket out of school.

"Well, at the very least, we know there was a meeting tonight," Fudge said.

"Yes!" she reached into her robes and pulled out a sheet of parchment. "I sent one of my Inquisitorial Squad students to see if they left anything behind. I found this. It's a list of all of their members."

Rory did her best not to react as Umbridge handed Fudge the list. He practically danced with glee.

"And look what they've named themselves: Dumbledore's Army," he laughed. He was practically dancing. "Look!" He showed Dumbledore the parchment. He seemed unbothered by it.

Dumbledore let out a sigh. "Well, I suppose that's it then. Would you like a written statement or will this suffice?"

Everyone in the room seemed baffled by these words.

"Come again?" Fudge asked. "Statement?"

"Well, it's plainly obvious isn't it? Dumbledore's Army," Dumbledore went on to say.

And then Rory realized what was happening. Rather than letting Harry get tossed out of school over this, he was taking the fall for it.

"You mean to say—You've been plotting against me this whole time?" Fudge said.

"Indeed, I have," Dumbledore said.

"Wait!" Harry started to say, letting go of Rory's hand.

"Quiet, Harry or I'll have you leave," Dumbledore said.

"Yes. I came here with every intention of having you expelled this evening," Fudge said. "Instead-."

"You get to try to arrest me. Isn't it wonderful?" Dumbledore asked.

"Weasley, are you getting this all down?" Fudge asked.

"Yes, sir!" Percy replied, scribbling furiously into his notepad.

"Excellent. Now all that's left to do is get you to Azkaban and-."

"Ah, right," Dumbledore said. "Here's where we'll diverge on things a bit."

"Pardon?" Fudge asked.

"You seem to be under the impression that I'm going to go with you quietly," Dumbledore said. He shook his head. "But I'm not."

Fudge scoffed. "You intend to take us all on single handedly then?"

"Only if you're foolish enough to try to stop me," Dumbledore said.

Rory felt herself pushed to the floor beside Harry. There was a flash of silver light, what sounded like a gunshot. Someone shouted "No!" Rory heard the cry of Dumbledore's phoenix. And then there was silence.

Rory opened her eyes and saw that she and Harry were being protected by Professor McGonagall.

"Are you two alright?" she asked.

"Yes," Rory said as Harry helped her to her feet. She looked around the room and saw that only she, McGonagall, Harry, and Dumbledore were currently conscious.

"Unfortunately, I had to go after Kingsley and Tonks as well to make it look convincing," Dumbledore said. "Good of Kingsley to be so quick to modify Edgecombe's memory on the fly. That will be useful."

"Sorry, but it kind of seems like you're pretending to stage a coup to get us out of trouble," Rory said.

"I am. And for good reason," Dumbledore said.

"And that reason is?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore turned to Harry. "Practice your occlumency. Do everything Severus asks you to. Close your mind to Voldemort no matter what. It will all make sense later." Then he turned to Rory. "I've doubted you before, and I apologize for that. Insist that your instincts are to be trusted. And keep each other safe."

Rory wanted to say something because she was tired of people speaking to her in cryptic messages.

"You must act as if no time has passed," Dumbledore said. "I'll be in touch."

Fawkes flew to Dumbledore and a second later they were both gone. Everyone in the room came too. Fudge ordered everyone set out to look for him and ran from the room leaving McGonagall, Harry, Rory, Marietta, and Draco in the office together.

McGonagall ushered them from the office back to their common rooms.