Harry was nervous. Rory talked about her grandfather all the time. He'd worked for the ministry at one point and was well known for looking into things like poltergeists and such. Harry didn't really know in depth about what he did. But he did know that Rory respected his opinion very much so he wanted to make a good impression.

Not only that, but Harry still felt like he was on incredibly shaky ground with Rory's dad. Things were better than they had been when he and Rory were broken up, but now he felt like he'd have to watch his every move with Rory to make sure he didn't do anything that might give the wrong idea.

"Harry, I think it's perfectly natural for your girlfriend's dad to be the slightest bit wary of you," Sirius said as they walked down the hall to Rory's flat. "I think Remus only liked you so much initially because he liked James."

"And then he remembered that James was an idiot and realized that idiot's son was dating his daughter," Theo said.

"Something like that," Sirius said. They stopped outside of a door and Sirius knocked. "Besides, don't worry about Remus. Aurora won't let him give you a hard time. And Lyall is going to love you. Who doesn't love you?"

"Historically speaking, lots of people," Harry replied.

The door opened and he felt a weight unshackle itself from his heart. Rory was standing there, looking ridiculously pretty as she always did, in a sleeveless pink dress. She had her hair pinned back from her face and curls tumbled over her shoulders.

"Hello," she said with a pout, welcoming them inside.

"What's the matter with you?" Sirius asked.

Rory motioned across the flat to the balcony doors where Remus and Tonks seemed to be having a very heated discussion.

Sirius sighed. "Oh, my favorite idiots."

He grudgingly pulled Theo along as Rory closed the door.

"What's going on there?" Harry asked.

"I have no idea," Rory said wrapping her arms around him. "Dad's been acting weird all day. I thought maybe he was worried about his dad coming over or maybe things were still weird with Sirius, but Tonks got here 10 minutes ago and they've been out there on the balcony pretending they're not arguing for about half that time."

"Weird," Harry said. "Especially since you've been convinced something was going on between them."

Rory let him go and shrugged. "Maybe I was wrong."

"Maybe this whole thing with Emmeline has just got everyone a bit shaken," Harry offered. Rory nodded in agreement. Sirius seemed to take the news rather hard which Harry hadn't expected.

"I'm just saying, the vibes are off tonight and I was not expecting that," Rory said.

"Really?" he asked as she led him to the kitchen. "This seems like just the kind of thing you'd want to plan for."

"I know," she replied with a sigh. "I just haven't… Haven't really been in touch with my inner eye much these last few weeks."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You mean you can't?"

"Won't," Rory corrected him. She picked up a wooden spoon and stirred a pot on the stove.

"Why not?" Harry asked.

She shrugged. "Kind of freaked myself out I guess, after all that stuff at the ministry. And after what happened to Emmeline—."

"Rory, that's not your fault," he assured her.

"I know," she assured him. "I'd rather just use this power to do fun stuff like sneak around with you or tell Matilda why her dating Seamus is a bad idea. But then I'm also spouting off prophecies about my uncle dying and divulging information that I'm not even supposed to have to Voldemort. And there's still a stupid cult out there, by the way, and I have no idea what's going on with them and no one can learn more about them because I killed the only person who had all the answers about why I'm even like this. I'd rather just not be like this at all."

Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her away from the stove.

"I know," he said. "And I'd rather not be connected to Voldemort, and I wish that we could both just be perfectly normal and not weird. But we're not. And hiding from all that isn't going to change anything."

She nodded. "I know." She kissed him. "I think I just need a little more space from all that."

Harry hugged her tightly. "Don't blame you."

The balcony door opened and everyone walked back into the flat. Everything seemed to have cooled down, but it was clear there was still some discomfort on Tonks and Remus' part.

"Try not to worry about all that for now," Harry said. "Tell me about your grandfather and all the possible ways I could make a fool of myself tonight."

Rory managed a laugh and he was delighted to see her relaxing. "You're not going to make a fool of yourself. My Grampy is going to love you because I love you."

"I hope you're right," he said. Rory had only reassured him slightly, but he was still nervous. At the very least, she seemed to be in a better mood now that Tonks and her dad weren't arguing anymore.

Harry helped Rory fill dishes to set on the table. Just when things were about ready there was a knock on the door. Harry's heart started beating faster.

"You'll be fine," Rory assured him as Remus opened the door. The man who walked inside looked remarkably like his son. He was not as tall as his son and was hunched with age, but Harry could easily see what Rory's dad would look like 30 or 40 years from now.

Lyall greeted Remus and Sirius and then turned and spotted Rory.

"There you are," he said as he walked over to her. She squeezed him tightly. "Leave it to you to make a whole evening of this."

"You know I can't help myself," Rory said.

Lyall looked over to Harry. "So this must be that boy you keep talking about."

Harry was doing his best to be calm and act normally.

"Grampy, this is Harry," Rory said as he walked over. "Harry, this is—."

"Lyall Lupin. Just Lyall is fine," he said, shaking Harry's hand.

"Nice to meet you. Rory talks about you all the time," Harry said.

"Oh, does she now," Lyall said. "And here I was thinking she only knew how to talk about you."

Harry chuckled and felt himself relax a bit.

"Remus," Lyall said, "come show me around. I'll have plenty of time to interrogate this boy once dinner is ready."

Harry helped Rory finish setting the table. Rory was giddy beside them as she moved.

"He didn't hate me immediately," Harry said. "That's good. Plenty of time to screw it up still."

"You'll be fine, Lovey. You're in your head too much," Rory said. Then she lowered her voice to a whisper. "If it makes you feel better, he doesn't care for Sirius."

That stunned Harry. "Why?"

"Because of his charming personality, among other things that I will have to tell you about later," Rory said.

They sat down to dinner: prime rib, carrots, green beans, and mashed potatoes with gravy made entirely by Rory.

"She would not let me help her," Remus said. "I'm a much better cook than I used to be."

"He is," Rory said. "Grampy, did I tell you that over Easter break Dad actually knew how to make risotto without using a recipe? I had to make sure no one was impersonating him."

"Genetically predisposed to that, I'm afraid," Lyall said.

"Probably explains why he's abysmal with potions as well," Rory said.

"Abysmal is a bit harsh. I did perfectly acceptable on my potions OWL, thank you," Remus replied.

"Potter, I hear you're slightly better than adequate," Lyall said.

"Oh, yes," Harry said. "I got an E on mine. Was hoping to do better."

"Yes, I heard about that nonsense with you not being able to take potions because of needing an O and that it's thrown your whole career trajectory off," Lyall said.

"Sorry, what?" Tonks asked suddenly. She looked over to Harry. "You don't mean to be an auror anymore?"

"I can't take potions without an O on my OWL and I need NEWT-level potions for the entrance exams," Harry said.

Tonks groaned. "That's bloody frustrating. I almost feel like he did that to be intentionally spiteful."

"Dad said he thinks he just has high standards," Rory said.

"I think he's just a cunt," Tonks said. Then she caught herself. "Sorry."

Harry he felt kind of glad that Tonks was frustrated about this too. She was an Auror after all. She didn't get to be one by accident. Lyall didn't seem too impressed with Tonks' language though and frowned. She didn't seem to notice or care as she went back to her meal.

"You want to be an educator instead. That's a fine path," Lyall said turning back to Harry. "I like that you have a path, unlike some children at this table."

"My path is to see what happens," Rory said casually. "I'll figure it out. I'm taking the right NEWTs to be able to do something in Magical Law Enforcement so, worst come to worst, I'll have options. I think it's ridiculous that I have to have my mind made up about my future already if I'm being honest."

"Yes, I know. I've heard your little rant before," Lyall said. "I think you should look into research and development."

"I can't imagine why," Rory said. She turned to Harry, "That's where he used to work for a time."

"That's how I got my start as an expert in non-human spirituous apparitions as you know," Lyall said. "What was it you said to me just recently about muggles and their 'supernatural' experiences."

"I said that I think experiencing poltergeist activity where there should be none is something worth looking into," Rory said. "Especially where muggles are concerned. They get up to weird stuff when they look into ghosts and such."

"Like using talking boards, you mean?" Sirius teased.

Rory chuckled.

"Muggles would try to make a spirit out of thin air if they could," Lyall said.

"You mean like a tulpa," Harry interjected.

The whole table was silent. Rory blinked at him.

"It's, supposedly, a 'thought form' when people create a sentient being out of nothing, just using their brains and energy and such," Harry said. "Like the Phillip Experiment."

"The Philip Experiment?" Lyall asked, a smirk on his face.

"These muggles in Canada back in the 1970s," Harry started, but Lyall held up a hand.

"I'm quite familiar with the Phillip Experiment and Tulpas, my boy," Lyall said. "I think you know more about my field of study than my son does. Did my granddaughter coach you?"

Harry shook his head. "No. I just happened to watch a documentary about parapsychology last summer. I don't get out much when I'm with my aunt and uncle. This is just a big convenient coincidence."

"Convenient indeed," Lyall said.

Dinner could not have gone better, at least where Harry was concerned. Lyall had loved Harry. He was charming and funny and randomly knowing about Tulpas had impressed him. Rory was impressed as well. The shock on her grandfather's face had made her fall even more in love with Harry. He was more brilliant than he gave himself credit for.

She was surprised by how easily Harry fell into conversation with Lyall during dessert while Rory and her dad cleared the table. It was nice. Her dad was definitely still on edge about something. Whether it was Tonks or Sirius or her grandfather Rory didn't know, but he managed to keep it to himself for the rest of the night.

"I can't believe I was worried over nothing," Rory said.

Remus glanced over his shoulder to Harry and Lyall and then looked back to the sink. "You really didn't tell him about tulpas?"

"I'd never heard the word before tonight," Rory said. Remus put plates into the sink and she smiled at him. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?" he asked.

"I don't know, maybe because things seemed the slightest bit tense between you and Tonks tonight which is super weird," Rory said.

"Don't worry about it," Remus said. "We've all just had a very long week."

"You're sure?" Rory asked.

"Yes. Stop worrying," he said. "I'm glad you're having a good night."

"Me too," she replied. She hugged her dad. "You're the best, you know that?"

"I always appreciate the reminder," he admitted.

"Happy to give it," she said.

Harry walked over to her. "Rory, that pastry you made—."

"Mary Berry," Rory said with a shrug as she let go of her dad. "I have her recipe books in my room."

Harry gasped. "Can I see them?"

Rory looked to her dad, who nodded. "Leave the door open."

"Nope. I'm going to close the door and we're going to sneak out the window and elope and get addicted to drugs and drop out of school and live on the streets," Rory said, taking Harry's hand and leading him down the hallway to her room.

She almost pushed the door closed to irritate her dad but thought better of it, leaving it cracked open just a sliver.

"So," Harry said looking around her room, "this is where the magic happens."

Rory laughed as he sat down on her bed. "We're not allowed to use magic outside of school as you know." She pulled a book off her shelf and sat beside him.

"Not the kind of magic I was referring to," he said before planting a kiss on her lips.

"Not much of the inappropriate kind happening here either, I'm afraid," Rory said.

"I did make several attempts to steer things in that direction when I talked to you at night," Harry said.

"I knew it," she said, smacking the book in her lap. Harry laughed. "See, it's your own fault I attacked you at your aunt and uncle's house. Spent two weeks getting me all keyed up when you talked to me every night and what was I supposed to do with all the pent-up... I don't know. Frustration."

"Frustration? Is that what they call it?" he teased.

Rory pouted and he kissed her. He went to pull away but Rory closed the distance between them and captured his mouth again. She cupped the side of his face and kissed him deeper. She lingered against him for just a moment longer before pulling away and letting her head drop against his shoulder.

"What was I saying?" she asked.

"Something about being frustrated," he replied. "And it being my fault."

"It is," she said.

"Well, feel free to take these particular frustrations out on me any day," Harry said.

Rory kissed him, and again, she kissed him deeply. Harry placed his hand on her shoulder and leaned into her. He smiled against her lips and she gently bit at his lips. Harry's hand slid down her shoulder and he grabbed her bicep.

Harry pulled away, which Rory hated, but she was down the hall from her family with her door partly open.

"It's possible that I might have a few lingering frustrations," she said, pecking him on the lips again.

"I'm really going to need you to stop talking like that and keep your lips to yourself or there's going to be a problem," Harry warned.

Rory sighed and leaned away from him. "I miss talking to you every night."

"Me too," he admitted.

"I hope you're having fun though," Rory said.

"Yeah. Be more fun with you," Harry said.

"I think we've had our one and only sleepover this summer," Rory said.

"Probably right," Harry said. Rory handed him the recipe book. "Has Matilda written to you about this party she's having?"

Rory nodded. "Her house is pretty well protected, like Grimmauld Place. Dad actually doesn't see an issue with me going aside from the mostly unsupervised teenagers at a house party."

"Won't her mum be there?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, but Mrs. Cerbus is kind of checked out," Rory said. "I think your husband murdering a bunch of people doesn't really leave you in a good place mentally."

"Right," Harry replied. "I forgot about that."

"I'm expecting Tonks to get roped into supervising us," Rory said. "Matilda can be very persuasive when she wants to be."

"She doesn't take no for an answer," Harry said. "You two have that in common."

"That's why we get along so well," Rory said. "Don't know how we managed to snag Neville if I'm being honest."

"You don't take 'no' for an answer so he was never allowed to leave," Harry said. Rory laughed. He reached out and brushed a stray strand of her hair back from her face. "It's much nicer to see your face in person than in a mirror."

"Yours too," she said. She kissed him again, just as she heard tense voices coming from the other room. Rory frowned. "I think I may have accidentally made my dad have a miserable night."

"In your defense, you didn't know things with him and Tonks were weird," Harry said.

"But I did know about Sirius. And I get the feeling a lot that he only spends time with my grandfather for my sake," Rory said. "I might owe him an apology."

"If your dad didn't want you spending time with your grandfather he wouldn't let you," Harry pointed out.

"Maybe," Rory said. "But my Grampy is the one who looked after me during the full moon when I was coming up. He didn't have anyone else. He didn't really seem to have a choice about it. It was either get help from his dad or give me up."

She rested her head on Harry's shoulder.

"Well, maybe they're all upset out there because your grandfather hates me," Harry said.

Rory scoffed. "You're wonderful. I don't buy that."