THE ROOM IS ON FIRE, INVISIBLE SMOKE. AND ALL OF MY HEROES DIE ALL ALONE. HELP ME HOLD ONTO YOU.
taylor swift

SEPTEMBER FIRST, TWO THOUSAND, possibly the most important day of Rory Archer's adult life. Maybe September second would top it since that would be her first day of teaching, but there was a certain feeling of anxiety for the feast and the sorting. Her students would see her for the first time, along with the rest of the teaching staff. She was going to be introduced as Professor Archer for the first time! It was what she'd been waiting for since she first met Remus when she was fifteen and realized she wanted to be just like him and touch students' lives.

That morning she woke up feeling more alive than she had in years. The sun seemed to shine brighter and she could even hear birds chirping! It was only eleven in the morning, which meant the kids would board the train just about now. Rory decided to just Floo to the school before the feast to be as prepared as possible. She had already set up her classroom, even the small flat connected to her office was ready for her.

Picking her outfit was difficult, but she decided on a deep red-colored dress to show her Gryffindor pride. She had hours until she had to change, though. First, she showered, taking an extra long one for both hygiene and mindfulness. Then, she did her hair, adding a bit of curl to spice things up. Finally, she ate a decent breakfast

It was nearing ten o'clock, and she just finished her meal, placing her dishes in the sink and with her wand, washing them. Normally she did chores without magic, but the girl detested washing dishes due to the feeling of food on her hands. She still had an hour until she had to be at the school.

She popped on a record, one that would make her feel good. Obviously, she chose Billy Joel.

She heard the chirp of an owl over the music and curiously went to the window to investigate. It was Percy's owl, which she immediately recognized. The animal had a small bouquet of various flowers in its talons and a letter attached, tied together by twine.

With a smile, she accepted the gift and opened the letter.

Dear Professor Archer,

Best of luck on your first day on the job! Your students are blessed to have you as their professor!

Much love,
Percy

Percy truly was an amazing friend, and Rory was glad to have someone. Sure, she had her parents and Emily, but Rory felt a strange separation from them at times and often found Percy to be the only one she had left.

He was her true chosen family.

With his well-wishes and the food in her stomach, she was ready. Of course, she had to slip on her dress and make sure her makeup was just right. She sat at her vanity and looked in the mirror at herself.

It had been a while since she'd done that. Her reflection was something Rory avoided after the war. George covered the mirrors around the flat and she didn't care how she looked in the slightest, anyway. Even when she moved out, she didn't fancy looking at herself, in fear she wouldn't recognize the girl staring back at her.

The last time she'd seen herself in a mirror was before the war, before Fred died, before Marina died before she lost everything. She knew that when she looked again, her appearance would be brand new and that was something she wasn't quite ready for.

Sure, she'd glanced at herself as she did her makeup for a night out and used it to make sure the curling iron would not burn her, but she never really looked.

Until now.

Rory realized how beautiful she was. Her brown eyes, although not pools of honey like some, were dark as the dirt from which flowers grow. Her hair cascaded past her shoulders, perhaps frizzy or knotted at times was still like a crown she wore with pride. Often in her youth, her brunette locks were her deepest insecurity. She always wanted beautiful golden hair like both her mother and her namesake. However, they became something she loved. She was proud to look like her father and have the dark features she did. Her hair wasn't too dull or mousy, and her eyes weren't too dark or ugly.

In the mirror, looking back at her, was a brave, strong, clever, and beautiful woman.

RORY HELD ON TIGHTLY TO HER TRUNKS AS SHE TRAVELLED THROUGH THE FLOO NETWORK. She had popped out in her classroom which was the same as it has been left a few months prior.

McGonagall's letter prompted the staff to meet in the Great Hall upon arrival. So, she set her things down and headed over. The school was very strange so empty. She enjoyed it as she walked through to the Great Hall.

"Ah, Rory! We're just waiting on the new potions professor then we'll get started." McGonagall said as Rory entered.

Rory raised an eyebrow and took a seat with the rest of the staff, "Slughorn retired?"

"Well don't act so surprised. Oh, perfect timing. Everyone, meet Cassius Torres, our new potions professor."

Rory whipped her head around and rolled her eyes with frustration and annoyance. Cassius' smile only widened when he saw her. He took a seat next to her and thanked McGonagall for the introduction.

Rory was furious. She prayed to God asking to never see Cassius again. She thought he was a Muggle but nooooooooo he had to be a wizard and now her co-worker. There were probably hundreds of candidates for the job so why on Earth did McGonagall go with Cassius? Did he charm her pants off too?

"Fancy seeing you here, sweetheart," he whispered in her ear. The woman ignored him and rolled her eyes, bringing her attention to McGonagall.

"Now that we're all here, let's begin. Today marks another exciting year at Hogwarts. Due to an influx of retirements, we have a record number of new employees: four. We have Miss Rory Archer teaching Muggle Studies, Mr Cassius Torres as our potions professor, Miss Willow Abercrombie and Mr Shane Sun, both assigned Healers for the Hospital Wing. I'm sure you'll all get to know each other very well this year." McGonagall went on.

Willow and Shane both looked only a few years younger than Rory. Willow had long red hair and a myriad of freckles across her pale face. She looked like what Rory would imagine the goddess Persephone to look like. Shan was handsome with dark hair and dark eyes and a muscular build, perhaps if Willow was Persephone come to life then he was Hades. Come to think of it, she recognized him from school. He was in Gryffindor and tried out for Quidditch a few times. It was nice to see him grown up and doing well for himself.

"All staff is required to have one-on-one meetings with me twice a month or more often if needed. Another staff requirement is night rounds which you'll make once a week. Now here at Hogwarts we put students first but academics is highly valued..."

McGonagall went on to explain things like guidelines for punishments and what would constitute giving one. It was all very standard and procedural. The moment she dismissed them all, Rory began to quickly walk out of the Great Hall. Of course, Cassius had other plans and began speaking to her.

"I know what you're probably thinking right now. 'What? This is crazy!' but sorry love, I'm afraid I can't say the same for myself. You're a terrible liar."

Rory stopped once they passed through the doors of the hall. She huffed and rolled her eyes, "I... I knew. Gosh, I hate you!" She turned on her heel and walked towards her classroom, but Cassius still followed. "Please leave me alone."

"I'm just practicing," he trailed on.

Rory stopped once again, "For?"

"Our weekly rounds together. Didn't you see the schedule yet?"

"This has to be some sick joke."

It wasn't a sick joke at all, actually. According to McGonagall's schedule, every week on Wednesday nights both Cassius and Rory would patrol the castle from nine at night until one in the morning and then again on Saturday nights from two in the morning until six.

Rory spent the rest of the time leading up to the feast in her classroom, making sure it would be in perfect condition for students. Cassius had left her alone and went off to his own classroom and she finally had some peace.

That was until she had two visitors at her door just an hour before the feast.

"Hello!" A perky Scottish voice said, one that didn't belong to Kirsty Blaine.

"Oh, hello!" Rory smiled, looking up and seeing the new hospital wing workers.

"We didn't have much to do before the feast so we've been exploring the castle and meeting everyone," Shane explained.

Willow nodded enthusiastically, "I'm Willow and this is Shane. He's a mind healer and I'm a... body one. So you teach Muggle Studies? That's so interesting!"

Rory shrugged, "I wouldn't say that."

"I'm pureblood so Muggle Studies was like the coolest when I went here. It should really be required for everyone for at least a term." Willow said.

"Yeah, I agree," Rory smiled. "How long ago were you at Hogwarts?"

"I was a year older than Harry Potter. I don't feel like doing maths right now. Shane was a year younger. I was Hufflepuff."

"You were Gryffindor with me, right?" Shane asked. Rory nodded.

"My whole family's Hufflepuff. Mum, dad, even my auntie Dealla. Anyway, we'll see you at the feast, yeah? We've still got to meet that new potions Professor. D'you know him? Looked like you did after the meeting but I wasn't sure if he was just really friendly."

Willow sure did talk a lot.

Rory shook her head and chuckled softly, "We have a complicated history. We've run into one another a couple of times this summer. He must think we're friends but trust me — we aren't."

"Someone ought to tell him that," Shane chuckled. "See you at the feast, yeah?"

"Yeah, it was nice to meet you two!"