[A/N: I am back from my hiatus! I happened to take a trip to Scotland during my hiatus and got to write a few chapters while I was there. They won't be posted for a while, but I'm excited to see how I imagine things now that I've seen where the inspiration for it was sparked.]

Having coffee in the solarium at Sirius' new house eased the blow of finding out that she would have to move. She only cried a little. She'd been so happy to move into that flat after years of seeming to struggle. It was the first place she'd ever lived where she felt safe and comfortable.

But Grimmauld Place wouldn't be so bad. She really liked Grimmauld. It was old and dusty and there were a lot of questionable relics lying around, but it also felt like home. She got to know Sirius in that house. Got to meet Theo in that house. She'd had more than one memorable moment there with Harry. Every room in that house held a good memory for her, even if the same wasn't true for Sirius.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Remus said to her.

Rory shrugged. "Nothing to be done about it, I guess."

"Tonks is probably not going to sleep until she figures out how they found where we live if that makes you feel better," Remus said.

"It does," Rory said. "But I hope she's actually sleeping. You can't really be an effective person if you don't sleep well."

"I want you to remember you said that the next time you get stressed out," Remus said.

"I could tell you the same," she retorted.

"Sirius, Theo, and I are going to pack up the flat while you stay with the Weasleys for the day," Remus said.

Rory nodded her understanding. "I'm sorry this summer isn't going the way you planned."

"Could be worse," Rory replied. "And there's still a lot of good to come."

"I appreciate your optimism," he said as Harry walked into the room. "Good morning, Harry."

"Morning," he replied. "Am I interrupting? I can come back."

"No, no," her dad said getting to his feet. "I'm going to head out and get started. I'll see you later this evening."

Harry took a seat beside Rory as her dad left the room.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"We have to move," Rory said. "Our flat's not safe anymore."

"I'm sorry," he said. "I know you love that place."

Rory shrugged, "It's not all bad. I'll get to stay at Grimmauld Place."

"Oh, good," Harry said. "I know Sirius hates it but, I don't think it's all bad."

"I was thinking the same thing," Rory agreed. "Needs a bit of work, but once you get all of the racist, old-timey wizard stuff out of the house, and get it cleaned up it's probably pretty nice."

"Speaking of racist, old-timey wizard stuff, what about Kreacher?" Harry asked.

"Sirius' problem, innit," Rory said.

"Technically," Sirius said appearing in the doorway, "you'll be the only member of the Black family living there. So he's actually your problem."

Rory frowned. "Are you trying to pawn Kreacher off on me?"

"I would pawn the whole house off on you if I could," Sirius said, "but Remus says I shouldn't force you into being a property owner until you're 17. But at least I know what to get you for your birthday next year."

"What am I supposed to do with a house elf?" Rory asked. "A house elf who hates me, by the way. He just hurls insults at me, and I've done nothing but be nice to him."

"Didn't you keep making jokes about how he probably died in the walls?" Sirius asked.

"Well you saw to it that he was never around to hear those jokes now didn't you," Rory said pointedly.

Sirius frowned. After yelling at Kreacher and telling him to "get out," Kreacher had left the house and promptly run off to Bellatrix Lestrange. It was still unclear how information Kreacher had revealed to her, but he was too much of a liability to be freed. But it stood to reason that perhaps if Sirius hadn't been so nasty to Kreacher all the time, he might not have run off in the first place.

"You could send him to Hogwarts," Harry said. "He could work in the kitchens and Dobby would keep an eye on him."

"That's a good idea actually," Rory said. She looked up to Sirius. "You should run it by Dumbledore."

"I'm all for it. It will definitely make him less of my problem," Sirius said. "Brilliant idea, Harry."

"It's a burden being this smart all the time," Harry replied.

Rory rolled her eyes. "Is this what the two of you do every day, just sit around and gas each other up?"

"Obviously," they said in unison.

Rory rolled her eyes. She didn't remember them being this obnoxious with each other last year, but she was glad they were comfortable together at least.

"We'll be heading out in a bit to get you to Molly and Arthur's house. Make sure you're ready," Sirius said. He walked out of the room.

Rory's head reclined back on the couch and she stared up through the pane of glass above her.

"Do you like it here?" Rory asked.

"It's nice," Harry said. "It's very easy to be here. Normal, or as close to normal as it can be for me anyway. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"I think I've cornered the market on the shoe dropping this summer," Rory said.

"Well, I did a lot of that last summer," Harry said.

Rory nodded in agreement and then let out a sigh. "Everything will work itself out. I just have to keep reminding myself of that. And things could be worse."

Harry kissed her. "Definitely."

Rory was anxious the morning of Harry;'s birthday. She'd made the treacle tart from Mary Berry's cookbook for Harry in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place. She couldn't imagine trying to make it with Mrs. Weasley hovering around her the whole time. She was stressed enough as it was without being glared at. She had enough to worry about today.

"You're going to be fine," her dad said when they arrived at the Burrow. You've already been chatting frequently enough that meeting in person is just a formality."

Rory knew this logically, but she was still filled with blind panic that it was all going to go poorly.

Sirius was probably even more anxious than Rory was though. There were tables and chairs set outside with a few fun decorations. Mrs. Weasley would not waste an opportunity to make a special event. Sirius was standing at the table pushing things around and rearranging them.

"You two could try not to look so terrified," Remus said. "Theo looks exceptionally calm."

"She's convinced herself that Atlas will hate her, but she was friends with Anna before she went into hiding, so she's not worried," Sirius said. "I, however, have a history of not making a great first impression. His first impression of me was that I was a serial killer."

"Well, so was mine," Rory pointed out.

"Yes, and you hexed me," Sirius said.

"I thought you were trying to kill me," she said.

"Relax," Remus said. He checked his watch. "Their portkey will put them here in five minutes. Relax."

Rory sighed and surveyed the yard for Harry. She walked over to him.

"What if he thinks I'm weird?" Rory said by way of greeting.

"You are weird," Harry said. "It's part of your charm."

Rory hugged him as her heart pounded in her ears.

"You're worried about if he likes you, but what if he doesn't like Harry?" Ron asked. "Might just think your boyfriend is some famous idiot."

Harry frowned. "Thank you, Ron. I wasn't even concerned about that."

"Really?" Ron asked in surprise. "After her grandfather didn't like you, I'd be worried a trend was starting the way things usually go for you."

"Again, thank you," Harry said tersely.

Somehow Harry's discomfort was actually making Rory feel more relaxed.

"I think you're both overreacting," Hermione said. "It's going to be fine."

Rory took Harry's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Hermione's right," Rory said. She let out a deep breath. She was nervous and excited. "I just need to relax. He's been really nice in all his letters. Just need to ground myself."

"Listen," Harry started, pulling Rory away from the others, just out of earshot. "I know I just freaked out a bit, but there's no reason for you to freak out. You're incredible and amazing and brilliant. Your brother is going to love you. I promise."

Rory nodded and kissed him. "Happy birthday, by the way. Sorry I've commandeered it for a family reunion."

"Happy to make the sacrifice for this," Harry said. "You and Sirius… I know how much this means to the two of you." He brought his hand up to her face. "It's going to be good."

She looked over her shoulder to her dad who was chatting with Mrs. Weasley.

"This is awkward of me to ask, but do you think you can check in on my dad a bit?" Rory asked.

"What for?" he asked.

"It's just… Sometimes I think the more I love Sirius, the less he thinks I love him. That he's less of my dad now Sirius has come back around. Which isn't true, obviously, but—."

"You think seeing all of you together like a family will make him uncomfortable?" Harry asked.

Rory nodded. "He won't say so, but I know that he's got some insecurities about it. I don't want him to but—."

"Rory, Matilda doesn't call you the Remus Lupin Fan Club for no reason," Harry chuckled. "I'm happy to casually remind him if you like."

Rory smiled at him. "You're the best, you know?"

"I do know, actually," he said. She chuckled and kissed him. There was a pop on the other side of the yard and Rory looked over her shoulder. Two new people had appeared in the yard. Remus walked over and greeted them. Rory let out another deep breath. "There you go."

She let go of Harry and walked over to Sirius and Theo. They looked at the pair. A tall, golden-skinned blonde woman stood there with a young boy with short cropped curly dark hair. He had the same warm complexion that Rory did and from where she stood she could see that he also had Sirius' gray eyes. He was grinning, confident, wildly more confident than Rory felt. He looked remarkably like Sirius, much in the same way Rory favored Theo.

Remus shook Atlas' hand and they walked over

So this was her brother.

"Anna," Theo said

Anna, Atlas' mother, looked like she might cry.

"Theo. I really thought you might be dead somewhere," Anna said.

"I'm sure people would've tried if I didn't make you believe that," Theo replied.

The women hugged and Rory chanced a glance at Atlas. He smiled at her.

"This is gonna be super awkward, so I'm just gonna dive in," he said. "I'm Atlas. You're Aurora."

"That sounds about right," she said.

"Nice to meet you in person. Your handwriting makes me feel like trash by the way," he said.

"I do have pretty excellent penmanship," she replied more casually than she felt. "You can call me Rory, by the way. Most people do."

"I don't call you that," Sirius chimed. "I didn't think I was allowed. Rory."

She winced. "Yeah, that doesn't feel right. Don't call me that again."

Sirius scoffed and extended his hand out to Atlas. "Sirius."

"Nice to meet you," Atlas said shaking his hand. "Super glad you're not actually a serial killer."

"Mass murderer, technically. Lots of people all at once in a single place is a mass murder. Serial killing involves people spread over distance and time," Rory said and instantly regretted it. Why was she talking about the definition of murder right now? Atlas chuckled. "Sorry. I just do that sometimes."

"Don't apologize for using your brain," Atlas said nonchalantly. "When else are you going to have the opportunity to talk about the difference between a mass murderer versus a serial killer? Never."

Rory chuckled. "Guess that's true. And also I guess he didn't actually kill anyone."

"You guess?" Sirius asked.

"Sorry. Forgive me for having the slightest bit of anxiety right now," she said.

"Yet you pulled that murder fact right out of thin air," Sirius said. "Interesting."

Rory turned back to Atlas. "He's like this all the time, by the way."

"Good to know," Atlas replied. He glanced down at Theo who was still talking to Anna who was now crying. "I'd introduce myself, but it looks like they're having a moment."

"Theo is worried that you'll hate her," Rory said.

Atlas let out a deep breath. "I mean, my mom told me all this stuff about you guys and her basically from day one. She made it sound like Theo had good intentions. And my mom is the best, so it's not like she dumped me off with some weirdo."

Rory looked over to her dad who was chatting with Mrs. Weasley again. She thought her dad was the best. She'd had a good life. It wasn't perfect, but she wouldn't trade it.

"I'm sure she's got her own stuff to deal with. That's between her and her therapist," Atlas said.

Rory laughed. "No one here is in therapy and everyone should be, but I understand the sentiment."

Atlas laughed this time and Rory felt herself relaxing. This felt normal. Natural. Atlas was even better in person than he was on paper. She looked over to say something to Sirius, but he'd slipped away. He wanted to let her talk to Atlas on her own.

"I haven't had many conversations with Theo. A few here or there," Rory said. "She never wanted to be a mother and she's never tried to force herself into that position, but she's been nice to lend an ear which is good. I think her expectations are based on how things went when I met her."

"Bad?" Atlas asked.

"Kind of. I'm pretty close with Sirius. He feels like he is my dad a lot of the time, and knowing that she made him sit in prison for 12 years really didn't make me have any positive feelings about her," Rory said. "We talked and I understand why she did it, but… I'm very overprotective about people I care about. So, I'm still getting to know her. And it's good, all things considered. She doesn't push any of my boundaries and just lets me take the lead."

"Dope," Atlas said. "And Sirius?"

"Very cool. My dad would say he's too cool sometimes. He lets me get away with a lot. I guess I tend to be impulsive," Rory said.

"Carpe diem, baby. Sometimes you just gotta go for it," Atlas said.

Rory laughed. "Exactly. My dad always wants me to think before I act, but sometimes Sirius is like 'if you tell Snape to go fuck himself I would approve.' Snape is my potion's professor by the way. He went to school with Sirius and my dad and he's the absolute worst."

"That bad?" Atlas asked.

"I can't even begin to explain," Rory said.

Atlas looked past Rory's head and smiled curiously. "Your friends are super bad at pretending to not stare."

Rory sighed and looked over her shoulder. Harry, Ron, and Hermione quickly turned away.

"They are a rather conspicuous bunch," Rory admitted.

"That's really Harry Potter?" Atlas asked. Rory nodded. "It's weird. He looks so… Normal."

"He is pretty normal. Just was thrust into some extraordinary circumstances," Rory said.

"Relatable," Atlas said.

"Definitely," Rory said.

"They can come over. I don't bite," Atlas said.

Rory turned around, "Hey!" They looked up and she waved them over. The trio shuffled over.

"Hello, friends of Rory," Atlas said.

"Atlas, this is Ron," Rory started. "This is his family's place by the way."

"You're the one who likes the same Quidditch team she does?" Atlas asked.

"Yeah. You follow Quidditch?" Ron asked.

"Nah. Not really a thing back home. I don't do sports at all really," Atlas said. "But I did look up Chudley and I think you two might be their only fans."

"They'll have their season," Ron said confidently.

Rory chuckled. "This is Hermione."

"Full disclosure, I had no idea how to pronounce your name until this moment," Atlas said. "Nice to meet you anyway."

Hermione giggled as Atlas shook her hand. Rory watched a flicker of irritation pass over Ron's face. Harry seemed annoyed too, but for an entirely different reason than Ron.

"And this is Harry," Rory said.

Atlas looked over at Harry. "Harry Potter. You're kind of like the man who needs no introduction."

"Please, we don't want his head getting bigger than it already is," Rory said.

"Rory's been talking about you all summer," Harry said.

"Which is a nice change since she usually never shuts up about Harry," Ron said.

"Hush," Rory hissed at him.

"Nah, it's cool. I can tell she tries to not talk about you in all her letters," Atlas said. "But you come up a lot."

"Wow, Rory. It's like you're in love with me or something," Harry teased.

Her face burned with embarrassment. "Glad everyone's getting along. Just how I imagined."

"Happy birthday, by the way," Atlas said. "Sorry to crash your little shindig."

"It's alright," Harry said. "If anyone probably needs things to not be about him for once, it's me."

"This is like a joint thing though, right?" he asked, motioning to Rory. "I'm surprised Neville and Matilda aren't here."

"Matilda is a lot to handle right when we've first met," Rory said. "Next time, I'll be able to have Neville prepped to keep on her best behavior."

"Ooh, I like girls who have to be prepped to behave," Atlas said.

"Atlas!"

They turned their heads and Anna motioned him over to Theo.

"Theodosia's ready to chat," Atlas said. "Feel free to talk about me behind my back." He smiled and walked off.

Rory turned to her friends.

"Wow, and here we were thinking you were a copy of Sirius," Ron said. "I for one think he should never meet Matilda. Can you imagine?"

"I can actually," Rory said. "Not that you all weren't sufficiently embarrassing. Hermione—"

"Sorry!" she apologized her face turning beet red. "I dunno what happened! I forgot how to talk for some reason. He's... Very charming."

"Probably the same reason Ginny has," Harry said nodding across the yard. Ginny was standing by the kitchen door, mouth slightly agape as she watched Atlas.

Rory sighed. "Well thank goodness he lives on another continent or everyone would lose their sense I suppose."