Harry and Rory walked back to the common room together in silence. Rory seemed deep in thought, and Harry was too. It had been quite a night.

The common room was blessedly empty when they entered and Harry was relieved that he'd be able to collect himself before going back to his room.

"What a night," Harry said.

"Everyone's going to assume we were expelled if we don't get back to our rooms soon," Rory said.

"Probably would've been if not for Dumbledore," Harry said.

"I'm sure we'll both get an earful about it this weekend," Rory said.

"What do you think is going to happen now that Dumbledore's gone?" Harry asked.

Rory paused for a moment. "Umbridge is going to take over as headmistress. She'll start interrogating us for information. The press is going to lose its mind when they hear about Dumbledore… Things are going to get significantly worse."

Harry frowned. "I'm guessing that's not just an educated guess."

"Afraid not," Rory said.

"Well, that's pretty par for the course," he said. Rory nodded.

"I'd better get to bed," she said.

"Right," he agreed. "Thank you for going with me. I know you didn't have to and you nearly got expelled for it. And I know you kind of hate me, so thank you."

"Harry, I don't…" she sighed, seeming completely exasperated. For the first time in a long time, he looked at her face, really looked like he had before. He noticed then how tired she looked.

"You've got a connection to Voldemort in your head. I can't imagine what that's like. Especially since it makes you feel out of control of your own body," Rory said. "I just remembered that last time you saw Dumbledore when I grabbed your hand it… It kept your head in the right place. This didn't seem like a situation where you would be okay to wing it. So what else could I do but go with you? I had to make sure you were okay."

Right. Of course. Because Rory would go out of her way for anyone. Even for him. Maybe especially him,

"You didn't have to," he said.

"Yeah, I did. Harry, I don't think you're a bad person," Rory said. "I mean, honestly, I think you're a great person. The DA, that interview with the Quibbler, everything with Sirius and my dad you…" She trailed off and then let out a deep breath. "I'm personally furious with you beyond words. I still feel like…" Harry watched tears cloud her eyes before she wiped them away. "What I mean is that I don't hate you. It'd be a lot easier for me if I did, but unfortunately, I don't. I never could. You're out there risking your neck every day for other people whenever the opportunity presents itself, even if everyone around you finds it mentally exhausting."

Harry didn't know what to say or do listening to Rory talk like this.

"You and me. We were a mess… But everything outside of us... That was good, Harry. You are good. Don't forget that," she said.

He was grateful that Rory didn't hate him. That there was part of him that she still liked. But what could he say or do right now?

She told him goodnight and started to walk upstairs, but she stopped and turned around to him.

"Don't drink anything Umbridge offers you," Rory said.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"If she offers you a drink, don't drink it," Rory said.

"Is she going to try to poison me?" Harry asked.

"No. I don't think she's trying to murder you this time," Rory said.

Now they both paused.

"This time?" Harry asked. "She's tried to kill me before?"

"I guess so?" Rory said.

"You don't sound sure," Harry said.

"Well this is the first I'm hearing of it, same as you," Rory said with a frown. Harry chuckled. "What?"

"If there's one thing we can always count on it's for your predictions to be unpredictable," he said.

Rory gave Harry a reluctant smile. "I'll see if I can glean when she may've tried to kill you previously."

"I appreciate it," Harry said. "I'll think of some way to pay you back."

She shrugged. "My services are always free for you, Harry Potter. I don't think the universe will give me much of a choice in that. Hasn't so far."

"Seems that way," Harry said. He wanted to say more to her. He had a lot of things he wanted to say, another apology for starters. But since he couldn't find the right words, he smiled at her instead.

"What?" she asked.

He shook his head. "It's just nice talking to you again. Like, actually talking to you."

Rory smiled at him again. She reached out and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "Goodnight, Harry."

She started up the stairs, but then he remembered something.

"Hey, Rory," he said. She looked down at him. "About your patronus-."

Rory held up a hand and let out a chuckle. "I know. Crazy that it's an owl. You know once upon a time the English considered owls to be a bad omen. Some might say the same about me."

"But it's weird how-."

"Sure, it's weird," Rory said walking back down the stairs. "But does it matter?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You don't think the form your patronus takes matters?"

"I think it does matter. It matters loads," Rory said. "But I don't think it matters to you."

"Why wouldn't-."

"Sorry, let me rephrase," she said. "We're broken up. Why do you care what my patronus is?"

"Rory, it's an owl," Harry said. "It looks just like-."

"And so what if it does? What does that change? What does that mean for you?" she asked.

What did it mean for Harry? Why did he care one way or the other about what her patronus was or if it was something to do with him?

"It's not lost on me what my patronus is, Harry. To be honest, if I really think about it, I don't even think it's a surprise," she said. He saw tears in her eyes again. "I broke up with you because you kissed Cho. Because I didn't feel like I could trust you anymore. Because I..." She stopped and shook her head. "It doesn't matter how I feel."

"Don't think that your feelings don't matter to me just because we broke up," Harry said.

Rory fought back a laugh as a tear fell from her eye. "Good to know."

"Rory-."

"Harry, I'm absolutely not having this conversation with you," Rory said. "I don't owe you an explanation. And you don't need one."

"Do you-?"

"Harry, listen to me," she said, taking a step toward him. "I love you."

The words stunned Harry. He didn't know what to say. He wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

"I didn't break up with you because I don't love you. But you have a girlfriend. And you were going to break up with me anyway. Whatever I feel for you, whatever my patronus is, it doesn't matter," Rory said. "Right?"

It shouldn't matter. But it did matter. That Rory loved him. That she didn't end things because she didn't love him. She didn't trust him. But she was right. It shouldn't matter that Rory loved him or that her patronus so strongly resembled Hedwig. Because Rory wasn't supposed to matter anymore. But she did. It all mattered.

There was only one thing he could think to say.

"How did we get here?" he asked. "When did things get to be so... So hard?"

Rory shrugged. "I honestly can't remember."

"I wish things had been different," he said.

This clearly was not something Rory wanted to hear, and he regretted saying it almost immediately. Of course, she wished things had been different. She'd literally just told him she still loved him.

"I'm going to bed," she said. "Can you do me a favor and just... If you like that I've never hexed you, just try to never talk about my patronus. To me or anyone else."

Harry nodded. "I do like that you've never hexed me."

"Thanks," she replied. "Goodnight, for the last time, Harry."

As he watched Rory walk up to her room, he felt a tug of longing, of wanting. He missed the way it felt that brief moment when they were talking like things were normal. He couldn't stop thinking about the way it felt when she held his hand. He missed her.


Rory got to her room and Matilda tossed her arms around her.

"Oh, we thought you were expelled for sure!" Matilda said.

"You have that little faith in me?" Rory asked.

"Have you heard yourself sass Umbridge before? Of course we thought you got yourself kicked out," Hermione said.

"Fair," Rory admitted. "But Harry and I live to torment Umbridge another day."

"What happened?" Parvati asked.

"First of all, Umbridge has a whole Inquisitorial Squad running around doing her dirty work for her. Ranks include Draco Malfoy, of course," Rory replied.

"Excellent," Lavender huffed. "As if he wasn't annoying enough."

Rory couldn't agree more. "Marietta Edgecombe ratted us out to Umbridge. Aside from Umbridge bringing her in as a witness, it's written all over her face that she's done it."

"Did she look that guilty?" Parvati asked.

"Yes, but also, Hermione and I jinxed the sign-up sheet so that anyone who snitched gets the word 'sneak' written across their face in ugly little pimples," Rory said.

"Wow, Hermione, you're very cutthroat," Matilda said. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

"We're well past that, but I love you," Hermione said.

"The Minister of Magic was there. And two Aurors. And Ron's brother, Percy. Fudge showed up to expel Harry," Rory said.

"So how'd you talk your way out of it?" Matilda asked.

"I didn't. They got their hands on our sign-up sheet which says 'Dumbledore's Army' and Dumbledore said 'you got me, I recruited these children to help me overthrow the government' and then he left," Rory said.

"He left?" Hermione asked.

"If he's gone, who's headmaster now?" Lavender asked.

"I have a terrible, sinking suspicion that Umbridge will be," Rory said. "But that's that."

"Fucking hell. Without Dumbledore we're totally screwed," Matilda said.

"I kind of agree," Rory said. She sat down on her bed. "They think tonight was our first meeting so spread that around. If Umbridge tries to question you, lie your ass off or you'll end up like Edgecombe."

"Got to be a bit satisfying seeing Chang's best friend get leveled like that," Parvati said.

"A bit," Rory admitted. The room was silent for a moment and she surveyed her roommates. "What?"

"Oh, you think we're not going to talk about how your patronus is Hedwig?" Matilda asked.

"Hedwig is not my patronus," Rory said. "It just happens to be a snowy owl."

"Still kind of weird that your patronus is the same animal as the familiar of your ex-boyfriend," Hermione said.

"And that's all it is. Weird," Rory said.

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, really, and if there were more to say would I tell you, undercover Harry Potter informant?" Rory asked.

Hermione gasped. "I am not-." She stopped short as Rory stared at her. "Okay, yes, I would tell him everything you say. But you can't blame me. He's my best friend."

"And you're a great friend," Rory said. "But there's nothing to say. It's a snowy owl. Maybe I'm just cool and majestic and a bit snappy when needed."

"Like Hedwig," Hermione said.

"I'm not a freaking owl, Granger," Rory said.

"But your soul is," Matilda said.

"I'm not entertaining this," Rory said. "My patronus has nothing to do with Harry Potter. End of story."

"... Didn't you get him that owl bracelet for Christmas?" Matilda asked.

"Yes. Because he has an owl," Rory said.

"Sure, sure," Matilda said.


The next morning a decree came down from the Ministry officially instating Dolores Umbridge as headmistress of Hogwarts. She also received a brief letter from her dad:

Dear Aurora,

You are completely exhausting. Please stop.

Love,

Dad

Rory had, literally, seen it coming.

After classes were over, she was summoned to Umbridge's office. At the appointed time, she showed up and saw Harry coming outside. Her stomach was already in knots and seeing Harry there didn't help.

"You're alive," Rory joked trying to be casual.

"Well, you told me not to drink anything," Harry pointed out, "But murder would draw unwanted attention."

"Agreed," Rory said.

Rory's conversation with Harry the night before was still at the forefront of her mind. She was still thinking about her patronus. She wanted to write to her dad and ask him what it meant, but she was mortified at the thought of doing that, especially since she really knew what it meant.

She would rather not dwell on it, but how could she not?

"She asked if I knew where Dumbledore was. And Sirius," Harry said.

Rory nodded. "Thanks for the heads up."

"I owed you one," he said. "Try not to get yourself expelled."

Rory scoffed. "The audacity of Harry Potter to tell me not to get myself expelled."

Harry laughed. "Touché."

Rory went to Umbridge's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in," she answered.

Rory pushed the door open and walked inside. The same table she sat at for detention was there, but this time there was a teapot and a cup of steaming tea.

"Please, sit Miss Lupin," Umbridge said.

Rory sat down.

"Have some tea, dear. While we chat," Umbridge said.

"Oh, no thank you. If I have caffeine this late in the day I'll be up all night," Rory said.

Umbridge's façade of kindness melted away immediately.

"Drink it," she insisted. "It's herbal. No caffeine."

Rory grabbed the tea cup and brought it to her lips, but she did not drink from it. She only pretended.

"Thank you," Rory said. "What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Being that you were part of this rebellious army, it is assumed that you know where Dumbledore is," Umbridge said.

Rory frowned. "Sorry?"

"Where is Dumbledore?" she asked.

"I don't know," Rory said.

Umbridge frowned. "You don't know?"

"I do not. You saw him leave the same as I did. How would I know where he went?" Rory asked.

"You were in cahoots with him before, why wouldn't you know where he is?" Umbridge asked.

"I don't know where he is," Rory said. "Sorry."

Umbridge frowned. "And what of Sirius Black?"

"What about him? Do I know where he is?" Rory asked. "No one knows where he is. That's the whole thing with him being a fugitive."

"But you don't think he's a murderer?" Umbridge asked.

"No," Rory said. "But I also don't know where he is."

"You're lying," Umbridge said.

"I am not," Rory said, setting the mug down on the table. "How would I possibly know where either of them is?"

"Have you been in contact with Sirius Black?" Umbridge asked.

"No. How would I have?" Rory asked. "I don't know where he is. How could I contact him?"

Umbridge was fuming mad. Rory pretended to take another drink of tea and then looked around the room.

"Why aren't you in the headmaster's office? It's much nicer than this one," Rory said. "I thought you'd take over there now that Dumbledore was gone."

Umbridge turned red and Rory knew she'd touched a nerve. Dumbledore's office would not recognize Umbridge as headmaster and so it would not allow her inside. It was currently the school's worst-kept secret.

"That will be all, Miss Lupin," Umbridge said.

Rory got up from her seat and left quickly.

She was surprised to see Harry still there in the corridor.

"You're still here," she said.

"I figured it wouldn't be long," Harry said. "I wanted to make sure you were alright. She's much worse to you than she is to me."

"I think she was a bit too flustered about me not giving her information for her to be her usual cruel self," Rory said.

"Good," Harry said.

"You don't have to check up on me, you know?" Rory said. "One of us has the luxury of being able to predict the future and know when bad things are going to happen."

"I know," he said, "but I still care about what happens to you. Regardless of where things stand with us."

Rory felt her heart squeeze because that was just the kind of thing Harry would say. That was one of the reasons she loved Harry. He really would just look out for her if he had the opportunity. He still cared about her even though he had a new girlfriend. That didn't make Rory feel good. Seeing Harry didn't do anything other than make her chest ache.

"Well… I can take care of myself," Rory said. "And I can handle Umbridge on my own."

"Sure," Harry said. "But, you know you don't have to do this all on your own?"

"Again, pretty bold statement coming from Harry Potter of all people," she said.

"Fair," he replied. "But I really just was making sure things were okay."

"Harry, it's not that I don't appreciate you looking out for me, but I don't need it. And I don't want it right now," Rory said. "Not from you."

Harry nodded. "You're right, I get it."

Rory hated having this conversation with him. She still loved Harry. She thought of him when she woke up in the mornings and before she fell asleep at night. She sat next to him in class and remembered his smile, the scent of his cologne, and the way Harry just existed. There were very few things about Harry that Rory didn't love.

"I get it, Rory, really," Harry said. "I'll give you your space, but I think we both know we can't go on avoiding each other forever. I told you I need your help. With everything. And this dream I had-"

Rory was on high alert immediately. "You got behind the door?"

Harry was startled. "I did. How did you... Nevermind. Stupid question."

Rory chuckled. She glanced behind Harry and far down at the end of the corridor she saw Cho striding toward him.

"Look, we can talk about it during the holiday," Rory said. "You're headed to your lesson with Snape now, right?" He nodded. "Right, and I think someone else is going to want your time before then."

Harry turned his head and saw Cho as well. "Probably right about that."

"I'll talk to you later," she said. She waved goodbye and scurried away before Cho could reach him.

Cho was visibly in a mood, likely because he was talking to Rory.

"What was that about?" Cho asked.

"We both had a meeting with Umbridge. Shouldn't have been surprised by it after last night," Harry said. "Speaking of which, are you alright?"

Cho blinked at him for a second. "Am I alright?"

"Umbridge hasn't been giving you a hard time or anything has she? Not tried to question you at all?"

"Oh, no," Cho said with a shake of her head. "I'm fine. I wanted to just say, about Marietta. I had no idea she was going to do something like that."

Harry scoffed. He certainly hadn't been expecting that either.

Cho frowned. "She thought she was doing the right thing."

"Well, good for her," Harry said. "I'd have been more than happy to get expelled if it meant she could clear her conscience."

"That's not fair," Cho said with a huff. "She was scared of what would happen if we got found out. She's really a lovely person. She just... She made a mistake."

"'A lovely person?' Cho, she sold all of us out, you included," Harry said.

"It's just hard for her," Cho went on. "Her mum works for the Ministry, and-."

"Ron's father works for the ministry and he hasn't got 'sneak' written across his forehead," Harry pointed out.

Cho grimaced. "That's a really nasty trick, by the way. Rory should've told everyone that she'd jinxed the sign-up sheet."

Harry shrugged. "I think it was brilliant."

Cho went bright red. "Of course you think it was brilliant if it was Perfect Aurora Lupin's idea."

Harry let out an exasperated groan. "You know what, Cho? I really have better things to be doing right now than having this argument with you."

"Far be it from me to delay you then," Cho said dismissively. "Be on your way."

"Gladly," he said, turning away from her. But he paused. He had one last thing he wanted to tell her. He turned around to face her. "And by the way, Hermione is the one who jinxed the paper. Not Rory."