SIXTY

"IT'S FRIDAY, OCTOBER seventeenth. Welcome back to Potterwatch, our second ever broadcast, I hope you found us all okay! I'm your host, River. Today I am joined once again by Rose and first time corespondents Red and Rodent."

"Rapier," Fred corrected harshly.

"Whatever," Lee said, "We have a few updates regarding our travelers. No word on the whereabouts of Harry Potter quite yet... however, some recents deaths have come to light. Pretty short list today. We start with Lachlan Bradshaw, twenty one, Muggle found dead in his home. We believe it was the killing curse. Mary Gilmore, fifty two..."

Rory watched as Lee carefully read each name on the parchment in front of him. It was heartbreaking, but it was all they could do. Giving people justice by bringing light to their deaths was morbid as ever, but it needed to be done. She was glad — as selfish as it was — she was had the words Aaron Archer, fifteen weren't on that list.

"... and finally, Freya Andrews, thirty, died from injuries sustained during a werewolf attack." Lee finished, setting the parchment down, "Now, a moment of silence for them as well as the unnamed Muggles murdered by Death Eaters."

Rory shut her eyes and listened to the white noise, holding her breath as she did so. A few seconds later, Lee began speaking again.

"Remember if you have any information regarding recent attacks, please speak up so we can give them the sliver of justice we can... now, Rose with our segment Pals of Potter."

The girl inhaled and leaned towards the microphone, "Rose here! First and foremost, fifteen year old Aaron Archer is still missing. Any information is helpful. We currently have no word regarding Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, and seventeen year old Dean Thomas who are actively on the run."

"Tell me Rose," Lee began, "do you think it's safer to be on the run, or would you tell our listeners that being at home, always on guard is the better option?"

"Well," Rory sighed, knowing she had to be very careful with her words, "Some people don't have a choice, do they? Sometimes the only thing you can do is run. It doesn't make you cowardly. I think oftentimes we equate it as running away from our problems, our responsibilities... but if you can stay home, you should. Look out for your families and your Muggle friends and neighbors. But if you must be out there, don't forget what we're fighting for, what this is all about."

"Beautiful sentiment, Rose," Lee said, "Red, would you like to add to that? Or perhaps you can catch our listeners up on what was covered last time?"

"I think Rose stated it perfectly," George nodded, "As for last broadcast, correspondent Romulus — who cannot be with us today — has told us he believes Harry Potter is still alive and last I spoke to him, his stance remained. I have to agree with him there! I feel as if we would know if the Chief Death Eater got to him."

Lee smiled, "Speaking of — Rapier? Any news on his whereabouts?"

Fred shook his head, despite the listeners not being able to see as he did, "Afraid not, River. Same as last time. If anyone knows anything and can safely speak up, please do."

"Well, with that, we'll see you next time. Hopefully we'll bring good news and can report back to you as soon as possible. Be sure to tune in," Lee said.

"The password will be McKinnon," Rory said, "be safe, keep faith, and goodnight."

The broadcast ceased and they all stayed silent for a moment, waiting for Lee to speak first.

"I'm going to try and get Kingsley on next time," he nodded, "he reached out after our first broadcast. Told Lupin he wanted in on it, can keep the listeners updated on Muggle relations since he works closely with their Prime Minister. You two did great by the way, sorry you couldn't make it last week."

Fred smiled, "Rory did great last time though. She's a natural! You don't even need us."

Rory shook her head softly, "I've got nothing on your rapier wit. Nice code name by the way. Fitting."

"Much more clever than yours," Fred rolled his eyes, "Rose? Is it because you're so beautiful like a rose?"

"How did you manage to insult me and compliment me in the same breath, Weasley? And besides, it is clever. Briar Rose was Aurora's pseudonym from Sleeping Beauty, you know, who I'm named after? She had to be called Brair Rose to keep herself safe. Speaking of — Lee, my dad wants to be on. He listened last week and came to me saying he needs to get in on this. Wants to be called Ringo."

"Perfect," Lee nodded, "of course he can be on. It's good to change up the correspondents anyways, safer that way. Tell him where to find me and maybe we can broadcast again next week."

"It'll be good for him to have something to keep his mind busy," she sighed, "His line of work isn't too cheerful at the moment, that doesn't help."

"I can imagine," Lee mumbled, "how's your step-mum holding up?"

"Just fine," Rory replied, "only just had one scare about a month ago when they... came. But everything is perfect. As perfect as it can be, having a child during a war."

"Can't even fathom how scared she must be," Lee looked down, "send her my well wishes and tell your father how to reach me. I'll see you lot soon, alright."

The three stood up, surrounding Lee's small kitchen table in his dimly lit studio flat. Rory gave the Jordan boy a tight hug and a sweet goodbye before apparating first back to her and the twins' flat. Then Fred came, then George came seconds after.

Potterwatch was an idea Lee brought up to Fred while he came by the shop one day. Rory had initially planted the idea in him by accident when they were in their seventh year and she stated Dumbledore's Army reminded her of rebellions during the Muggle World War Two and their underground radio shows that were part of it.

Fred went to Rory with the idea, who went to Remus. The twins decided not to be on the first show, letting Remus (aka Romulus while on the air) and Rory join Lee while they listened from the shop.

Lee had already been working for the Wizarding Wireless Network before when he lived in Hogsmeade. However, he was now attempting to move his location. The first show was broadcast from Remus' home. The most recent was from Lee's one bedroom, which he would be excavating at the end of the month.

Rory was glad for the time being she could stay at her flat with the twins, not have to go into hiding. Same with her father and Cordelia. However, maybe if they had gone into hiding Aaron would still be with them. Or maybe not. The world was funny like that. Nothing was certain, it never had been.

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A TIME TO BE BORN, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

The record Fred bought at the paper shop spun on the player, playing the song as Rory stirred the pot on the stove. She pointed her want at it, and turned the volume up. The steam from the pot softly hit her in the face and felt hot, but calming on her skin. The light smell of the stew she was making basked over her senses.

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

It was November seventh now. Aaron's birthday. But Aaron wasn't there. She didn't know where he was, still. Potterwatch was becoming more successful and she spoke on a broadcast at the beginning of the month, the twins had been on it another time, too. But Lee was carrying the show along with Remus, who became a more permanent corespondent.

Still, there was no news of Aaron. She was starting to think the worst, but something in her heart still felt he was alive. The same thing in Remus' heart that swore Harry was alive. She dreaded the day she would wake up and no longer feel it.

"Smells amazing, dear," Andrew smiled as he set the table. He was over for dinner, as well as Cordelia. Their own morbid way of celebrating Aaron's sixteenth birthday.

"Thanks," Rory said, plastering on a false smile, "I'm not nearly as good a cook as you but, I think I'm picking up a few things."

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

"You are," Andrew smiled, "I'm sure you're much better than George and Fred."

"Hey!" Fred whined, "I mean... George is pretty good."

"What?" George asked loudly, "Can't hear you over this bloody music."

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

Rory turned off the record player with a spell as the song faded out.

"Ecclesiastes three, one through eight," Rory sighed, "Turn, Turn, Turn, a song Christine actually let us play in the house. She approved of The Byrds, which was probably why it wasn't in my initial collection. Still appreciate their sentiments though. A good reminder for us all."

"That's my girl," Andrew smiled, nodding approval of her musical analysis, "Less chat though, I'm starving."

"Tell me about it," Cory groaned, holding on to her stomach. It looked as if she were going to burst any day now, which was possible given she had only a few weeks until she was actually due. The nursery was nearly done. Rory had come over to help paint it a light creamsicle orange color and set up the crib which didn't take long when they used their wands.

The pregnant woman dug into her stew first and most aggressively, heavily enjoying each spoonful.

"Wine anyone?" Andrew asked.

"Yes please," George beamed, holding out his glass. Andrew poured the red beverage in the boy's glass and did the same to Rory and Fred.

Andrew weakly raised his glass and sighed, "For Aaron."

"For Aaron," they mumbled back, sipping their liquid as Cordelia downed a cold glass of water.

Rory was proud of her cooking, she just wished Aaron was there to eat with them. She longed for his laughter to fill the room, to see his bright polish clad hands curiously pick at his food, to listen to his voice start quiet but get louder and more confident as the night went on. His soul was the most pure thing there was in their dark, twisted, world. She needed it, she needed his solace badly.

But there was a time to laugh and a time to weep. A time to gain and a time to lose. Perhaps she just needed to be patient, because to everything, there was a season.