FORTY THREE

DEAR RORY,

I miss having you here at school. Things have changed a lot. We got a new Potions professor! His name is Professor Slughorn. He taught when dad was in school. Dad must have been good at Potions because Slughorn invited me to join this club of students he has. We get to go to dinners and there's a Christmas party. Ginny is in it too, along with Harry and Hermione. It's not that bad. The only thing is, now Snape is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher! It's the worst! I mean, maybe not as bad as Umbridge I guess.

Lots of kids haven't come back. Some are being pulled during lessons to be sent home. One of our Prefects, Hannah Abbott had to leave because her mother was killed. I'm getting worried. About you, dad, Cory... everyone. Even mum. I know, she's awful, but they're killing muggles too! It just scares me. I hope everyone is staying safe. I can't wait for Christmas with everyone!

Thanks for the birthday gift, by the way! The cookies were delicious! And tell the twins thank you for their gift! Luna and I have been playing with the Reusable Hangman nonstop. It's been a fun distraction from everything else.

I hope business is well at both shops. The McDowell twins and their blonde friend have been talking to me a lot more lately. They're funny. I like them. Cleo let's me use her nail polish so now I'm ten times cooler (you should send me some from the shop.... only if you want though). I still miss you a lot. Professor Burbage was asking about you and I said all is well so don't make a liar out of me!

Write back when you can. I love you lots.

Your brother,
Aaron

Rory smiled as she read the sentiments dancing across the parchment. She was glad Aaron was doing alright and things were not so awful for him. He was good at keeping positive, it was definitely the Hufflepuff in him.

The girl decided she would write back the next day, because she had places to be.

Something amazing about leaving Hogwarts was that she could finally officially join The Order of the Phoenix. Every other time they had a meeting, neither Rory or the twins could make it due to their conflicting schedules. However, they finally all had a day off in mid November.

Rory insisted they walk since it was only just twenty minutes from them. Fred and George seemed against the idea because "it's cold!" But Rory told them to bundle up and get over it. The girl grabbed the first scarf she could find and put her warmest jacket on. The three of them exited Diagon Ally through the Leaky Cauldron and began walking towards their destination. The girl held the gold and black yarn on her neck close to her and shoved her hands in her pockets.

Twenty minutes was not a long time for a walk, for Rory. The twins found it absolutely dreadful and made sure Rory was aware. They complained the entire time and immediately asked for a hot cup of tea once they entered Grimmauld Place.

Mrs. Weasley was happy to oblige since she clearly missed her boys.

Remus stood up from his seat as Rory entered the dinning room and gave her a hug, something she wasn't expecting.

"How are you, dear?" He asked softly, "Everything alright?"

Rory nodded, "Yeah... are you alright?"

Remus looked more tired than he usually did. His face was slightly more scarred and his eyes, less warm. Rory couldn't imagine what he was going through. Losing his partner and one of his best friends all in one, the worst kind of heartbreak.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me, though."

The usuals were at the meeting. Remus, Tonks, Andrew and Cory, the Weasley's, Mad-Eye, and Kingsley. Bill and Fluer (who were now engaged) were also in attendance. Rory was glad Mundungus wasn't there given the fact she absolutely hated him and Fred and George loved him.

Rory hadn't seen any of the other members since Christmas. Ever since the death of Sirius she could tell the aura was different.

She sat down between Fred and Tonks and George sat on the other side of the table next to Bill.

"So," Mad-Eye began, his harsh voice almost startling Rory, "Abbott's killers haven't been found yet, although Tonks suspects it was Selwyn and Pettigrew. I think she's right."

"How come?" Bill Weasley asked, leaning into the table.

"Well," Tonks began, "It was sloppy. There was no calculation involved. It reminded me a lot of when the Bluthe's were killed this August. The scenes were identical almost. The only thing that saved Mr. Abbott was the fact he was out that night."

Rory listened intently. She was amazed with how brilliant they were at putting pieces together. It felt like one the old policeman shows she would watch with her mother when she was little.

"Do we know when they'll strike again?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Mad-Eye shook his head, "Could be tomorrow, could be a month from now, could be as we speak."

The girl grabbed Fred's hand from under the table and gave it a squeeze. He gently rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.

"Can we stop one before it happens?" Cordelia asked.

"We can try. The best we can do is find where they're hiding and get them locked up but... I hate to say they're getting smarter," Remus said flatly. Cordelia nodded and sank slightly into her chair.

There was a pregnant pause which Mr. Weasley broke, "I think I might know who their next target is going to be."

All heads in the room turned to the man and Rory held her breath.

"If Selwyn and Pettigrew are following the same pattern — allegedly — then I can only assume that Lynette and Jameson Blaine are going to be next." The Weasley man said.

"Blaine? Like Kirsty Blaine?" Rory asked in a hushed tone.

Mr. Weasley nodded, "Yes, they do have a young daughter, as did the Abbott's and the Bluthe's. Jameson is a muggle born and Lynette well... she's got Veela in her which to them makes her a half breed." Rory noticed as the man's voice lowered the more he spoke.

"I know 'zem," Fleur said softly, "Lynette 'as known my mother for years. Why 'zem? Zey are just a 'erbologist and a Floo Network Authority officer!"

"Well, You-Know-Who isn't very picky about people's professions, is he?" Mrs. Weasley said, coated with distain.

"I think what Fleur was trying to say was that... what do the Death Eaters gain from killing them? Or any of these families?" Rory said defensively.

Andrew took a heavy breath and spoke his first words of the meeting, "Power."

The rest of the meeting ended as somber as it began. The Aurors set up a plan to find the Blaines and move them somewhere safe in case Mr. Weasley's instinct was correct.

Kingsley and Mad-Eye went, while the others stayed back for tea.

"Sorry your first meeting was a bit grim," Andrew sighed, "Most of them are nowadays."

Rory nodded, "It's alright. Although grim, this sort of stuff is important. How's St. Mungo's?"

Andrew rubbed his hands together and looked down, "Well, it's been better. The attacks we don't hear about as often are the ones that don't end in death. At least not right away. Most of them are at St. Mungo's. We get so many new patients coming in every day... a lot of them hit with curses not even magic can heal."

"Oh," Rory said quietly.

"Can I actually have a word with you, alone?" Andrew said in a more hushed tone. Rory nodded and got out of her seat to follow him out of the dinning area into the open area of the basement by the steps.

"What is it?" Rory asked, getting slightly worried. What could Andrew possibly have to tell her? Was he going to break up with Cordelia? Had something happened to Aaron? Was he disowning her? Rory was not a very rational thinker at times.

"Well..." Andrew said, looking rathe nervous, "I've been doing a lot of thinking. You saw what happened to Remus and Sirius. Maybe Bill and Fleur have the right idea... I know we haven't been together long but I just know Cory is meant for me. You and Aaron are the only other family I've got left so... what do you say? Do you think it's a good idea? Asking Cory to marry me? Remus thinks I should go for it, but I wanted to hear what you think."

Rory had to stop herself from squealing from excitement. She threw her arms around Andrew and softly bounced on her heels.

"Yes!" She said with wide eyes and wider smile, "Do you have a ring?"

The man nodded and fumbled his hand in his jacket pocket. He pulled out a small wooden box and opened it. Inside sat the most beautiful ring Rory had ever seen. It had a thin silver band with a light purple gemstone in the center. Very simple but very Cory.

"Dad! That's beautiful! You have to do it!" Rory beamed.

Andrew put the ring back and anxiously rocked back and forth on his heels, "Alright. I know she was engaged before and that didn't work out... I just don't want to scare her."

Rory sighed, "Well that was because her forty year old Quidditch coach trapped her into an engagement for publicity when she was twenty four causing her to retire from playing after she fled to Greece to avoid the marriage. This is much different, Dad." She had done some research on Cordelia after Andrew's initial letter he had sent months ago... she was a lot more complex than anybody would think. That made her perfect for Andrew.

Andrew cracked a smile and nodded, "You're right. Okay... should I do it tonight? After the meeting?"

"Why not?" Rory shrugged, "Not to be morbid but, tomorrow might never come. Just, don't be too nervous. Cook a nice meal for her, play some music, tell her how much you love her, and when the time is right just ask."

The man chuckled softly, "Can't believe I've been married before and I'm asking my eighteen year old daughter for relationship advice."

"Hey!" Rory said, softly hitting his arm, "Last time I checked I've been in a relationship longer than you."

Before Andrew could respond, Tonks stumbled out of the kitchen area and said, "Tea's ready."

The two came back to join everyone else, Rory returning to her spot next to Fred.

"What was that about?" Fred whispered.

"I'll tell you later," she whispered back and he nodded. Rory softly blew on the tea cup in front of her and waited for it to cool just right. Many of the Order members planned on staying until Mad-Eye and Kingsley returned.

The girl dreaded the idea of walking home now that the sun had set, but she knew with the twins she would be safe.

An hour had passed since the meeting concluded and Mrs. Weasley was starting to worry.

"You say you know Kirsty?" Rory asked Fleur.

Fleur lit up and nodded, "'Er grandmother knew mine before 'er family moved out of France. Zey were like sisters! Our families 'ave stayed close. Kirsty and I were like 'zis when I came to 'ogwarts." The girl raised her hand slightly and crossed her middle and index finger.

"I had no idea," Rory said, a slight pain in her chest. "I quite like Kirsty, she's very funny."

"She is isn't she?" Fleur said with a smile.

Part of Rory wished she hadn't asked. It would have been better if she knew absolutely nothing about them.

There was a knock on the door, Remus went up the steps and opened it. The basement was silent, but everyone could hear the staggered and clunky steps of Mad-Eye above them.

The two men came down the stairs, Kingsley not with them.

Tonks stood up, "What's happened? Where's Kingsley?"

Mad-Eye sighed, "The Blaines were dead on arrival. Kingsley is still at the house, just in case their killers come back or when the er... clean up crew arrives. It seems they've been dead for about two days now, but we aren't sure."

"What about Kirsty —" George spoke up.

"McGonnagal is aware, she's telling the girl right now." Mad-Eye nodded.

"Does she have any other family?" The Weasley boy asked with concern.

The man hesitated, "We aren't sure, but we think her grandmother — on her mother's side — will take her in. McGonnagal knows more of the details, she'll be alright though."

Reality hit Rory very hard that night. She couldn't sleep, she just lay awake as Fred snored quietly next to her. She wanted to wake him up, to shake him and ask him to hold her. But she couldn't. She couldn't disturb him with her thoughts. She didn't want to spoil his sleep. So, she decided to write back to her brother before she forgot.

Because Rory wasn't promised a tomorrow.