THIRTY EIGHT

DEAREST RORY,

Fred here! George is behind me, incase you were wondering. We're both upset we missed seeing you win the Quidditch Cup! However, we're glad you patched things up with Marina and she ditched that dickhead. She wrote to George the other day — oh he didn't want me to tell you that. Too late, Georgie. Anyways, N.E.W.Ts have started? AHHHH! Good luck! You'll do great, I know you will. We're almost ready for opening day! I'm a bit nervous, but it'll be alright. Wait until you see our WonderWitch collection, I can't wait to show you. Sorry — we can't wait to show you. Our job offer still stands. At least help for opening day, yeah? I saw a help wanted sign in the window of that bakery next to Madam Malkin's, I attached the application to this letter so feel free to fill that out if you'd like. You could hook us up with free sweets if you worked there! As always, tell Aaron we said hello. Let us know if you need anything. I love you.

Yours,
Fred (and George)

Dear Rory,

Congratulations on winning the Cup! I'm so proud of you. I just know you're going to do wonderful on your N.E.W.Ts, don't even worry about that. I'm writing to you mainly because I have something to tell you. Aaron is getting one as well so no need to bring him over. For the past few months I've been seeing someone and it's getting quite serious. Her name is Cordelia Elliot, she works for the Quidditch League as a scout. We met at your first match. She's really great, you're going to love her. We'll be at King's Cross to pick up Aaron. I can't wait for you to meet her, I know this is probably a bit strange, you're allowed to react however you need to. Let me know if you need anything. I love you.

Love,
Dad

Dear Fred (and George),

The Charms theory N.E.W.T. was quite easy, I have high hopes for the practical one as well. I definitely am going to pass DADA and Muggle Studies. I'm not sure about the others though. I'm a bit reminiscent watching your brother and his friends scramble for their O.W.Ls. They'll be just fine. I'll fill out the application, but I'll be sure to work at the shop for opening day. Have you found any other employees? I posted the application on the House news board like you asked and had Aaron and Luna post them to Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. I don't know any Slytherins though, sorry (not like you mind). Will you be at King's Cross when term ends? I'll be meeting my dad's new girlfriend there apparently. Crazy stuff, guys. I better write back to my dad now so I'll end this here. Be safe, I love you.

Yours,
Rory

Dad,

That's great! I'm happy for you! I'm very excited to meet her. I'm glad you found someone who makes you happy. N.E.W.Ts are going really well, I'm excited to finally leave though. I love Hogwarts but, I'll be back, I know I will. I just miss everyone so much. I hope Remus and the others are well as always! I'll see you soon. I love you.

Love,
Rory

Rory put the letters she had written in the small talons of the bird who delivered them and it flew off.

"How are they?" Angelina asked, pouring herself some orange juice.

Rory nodded, "They're great! Will you guys be at opening day? They want me to work, so I better see all of you there."

Lee smiled, "Wouldn't miss it for the world! Did they say anything else?"

"Well, they said that little bakery next to Madam Malkin's is hiring... The Gemini Cafe. They sent me the application. Oh! And my dad has a girlfriend! She's a Quidditch scout, so that's pretty cool. Cordelia something —"

Angelina split her orange juice all over their area of the table. Ron, who was sitting nearby, jerked the textbook in his hand away and shot Angelina and look.

"Bloody hell, Angelina." He mumbled.

The girl didn't seem to care.

"Cordelia Elliot is your dad's new girlfriend?" Angelina yelped, sticking her elbow in the orange drink. Marina giggled and got out her wand to clean up the mess.

Rory nodded, "Yeah, she is. Have you heard of her?"

Angelina gasped as if Rory had strongly offended her, "Rory. She's the best scout in the league! She was the Seeker and Captain of the Appleby Arrows when she was only twenty! Rory, I can't believe you're forgetting. She's on the bloody poster Ginny gave you for Christmas. Remember? We read her interview in Inside Quidditch together first year. She was literally on the cover! And she was the first woman to be pictured solo on the cover of that magazine in it's history!"

Rory wasn't in Ravenclaw for a reason. A very good reason. She knew the name felt vaguely familiar. However, she didn't expect Cordelia to be such... an icon.

"How come I haven't heard of her?" Lee asked.

Angelina shot him a dirty look, "Well, you see, Lee — women in sports remain a bit unknown compared to their male counterparts. Especially if you aren't a hardcore fan. She didn't play for too long either, only about seven seasons."

"Wow," Rory whispered. She was very impressed with her father to say the least.

[][][][][]

"N.E.W.TS ARE FINALLY DONE, Ced." Rory sighed, "Now I've got a week left of just... hanging about I suppose. It just makes me think how much changes in a year. A year ago you were still here, Umbridge wasn't ruining our lives, Fred and George were at school, Fred and I weren't dating, all that hadn't happened to Marina... I feel like I've been a bit naive but, your death really changed that for me. There's a lot of evil around us, and it's more than just Death Eaters or You-Know-Who. Can life get any crazier? Oh wait, yeah it can. Last night, or this morning — McGonnagal got attacked and Hagrid left. I dunno a lot of the details, Ron wasn't telling me much about it. I hope that's as bad as it gets for a while, I'm sure everything is going to be fine though. I'll talk to you again soon, maybe for the last time in a while. I'll be back though, don't worry."

As always, the tree remained quiet. Rory smiled, knowing that he had heard her nonetheless. It was just after dinner time, but luckily the June sun hadn't quite set yet. Rory smiled as she softly pulled at the grass beneath her. She got up, brushed any dirt off of her, and headed back to the common room.

On her way into the portrait, Seamus and Dean shot out, grinning like she saw Fred and George do so many times.

"Oi! Rory!" Dean smiled, "Seamus here and I are planning a dusk-till-dawn end of exams celebration in the common room tonight. I know parties are sort of... your area of expertise so —"

"Excuse me?" She raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

Seamus lightly hit Dean and turned to Rory, "Well we know last month you helped... supply the Quidditch Cup party. We found an alternate seller in case you're all out, though."

Rory crossed her arms and sighed. In front of her were two sixteen year old boys asking her, Head Girl, for alcohol. Before she could answer, Harry came running out of the portrait hole.

"Hey! Harry! D'you want to chip in a couple of Galleons? For firewhisky?" Dean asked, but was ignored by the bespeckled boy. He seemed to be in a hurry, that worried Rory.

"Okay, come closer," Rory said in a hushed tone. The two boys leaned in, looking hooked on her every word. "I've got a case of firewhisky under my bed. If you want the goods though, Kirsty Blaine. The sixth year girls dormitory is like a bloody pub. Her and Cleo combined have enough firewhisky, hard butterbeer, and knotgrass mead for the whole house."

A smile, identical to that of a child on Christmas morning, crept across their faces. They followed Rory back into the common room and headed towards Kirsty who was to their luck – just by the fireplace.

"So, Kirsty," Dean said sitting next to her, Seamus sat on the other side making the Scottish girl roll her eyes.

"I'm not going out with you, how many times do I need to tell you?" She sneered.

"No!" Dean said, embarrassed, "I came here to inquire... about your stash. Seamus and I are throwing a post exam celebration and word on the street is you've got quite the collection."

Kirsty sighed, hesitated with pursed lips, then said, "Okay. Yeah. I should probably get rid of most of it before we go back home. Twelve Galleons for the lot. I'm feeling generous."

Seamus looked like he was going to cry tears of joy, "Wow! Thanks, Kirsty! You're the best."

"I know," she shrugged, "What are we waiting for? Let's get this party started."

And so they did. Rory decided she wanted to remember her last party at Hogwarts, so her job for the night was babysitting the McDowell twins (Kirsty didn't need that kind of personal attention, the girl could handle her alcohol very well... for now).

"Hey, Rory," Cleo giggled, "Who d'you think is the prettiest girl at Hogwarts?"

Rory sighed, "Erm, I guess I haven't thought about it. You, I guess?"

Cleo softly pushed Rory's arm, "No, silly! Don't lie to me! I think that Luna is the prettiest girl. She's like... like a woodland fairy."

"I guess Kirsty, then?" Rory shrugged.

"I think you're the prettiest, Rory," Zane said.

The Archer girl sighed as the twins beside her burst into a fit of drunken laughter. She was very tempted to join her fellow Gryffindors in drinking their weight in alcohol, but she wanted to stay responsible and only have a spiked butterbeer.

"Rory! Did you say I was the prettiest girl at Hogwarts?" Kirsty beamed, finishing off another swig of mead. "I actually literally am I think! I've got Veela in me, ya know?"

Rory smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I sort of always assumed you did. How much?"

"Well, my mother's grandmother was one... makes me one eighth! It doesn't seem like a lot but... it's more than anybody else in this room!" She laughed, plopping down on an armchair next to Rory.

"Do you have special powers?" Zane asked.

Kirsty rolled her eyes, "You've already asked me that before. If I do, I haven't seen them yet. I think I've accidentally seduced a few men. Nah, I think that was just my irresistible charm. I don't think I've ever been mad enough to get red eyes like my mum. So... no, nothing special."

Rory wished she had some sort of special thing like Kirsty did, or Tonks, or Professor Trelawney. The girl felt very average, even for a witch. She didn't wish to spend the night sulking, so she ignored her inner monologue and took a sip of her drink.

"Rory, I'm gonna miss you!" Cleo whined.

The girl shrugged, "Come down to Fred and George's shop, I'll probably be there a lot. Although, I've applied to another job so hopefully that works out."

Zane smiled, "That's so fun! We'll keep an eye on Aaron, he's such a cutie."

"Ohmygosh!" Kirsty squealed, "I know, right! I wanna put him in my pocket."

Rory began laughing alongside her slightly younger friends. It was a shame she only began associating with them in her final year and couldn't get to spend years with their humor.

Eventually, Marina, Angelina, and Lee joined. Neither of the three very intoxicated.

It was a great night spent with great friends. However, Rory knew it was just a bit too good to be true.

[][][][][]

THAT SUNDAY, RORY ENTERED THE Hospital Wing, her school bag which was once filled with books, was now overpouring with Chocolate Frogs. She made her way over to a bed on the left side of the room, where the freshly risen sun was cascading light on the dreary atmosphere. There Aaron sat with his arm in a sling.

"Special delivery," Rory sighed, placing the bag down on the bed next to Aaron that belonged to Ron Weasley for the time being. Hermione was in the bed next to Ron and Ginny was sitting at the foot of it with a wounded ankle. Neville was in a chair between Ron and Hermione and Luna was sitting on Aaron's bed. Harry hadn't arrived yet.

"Oh?" Ron grinned, looking at the contents of the bag.

Rory crossed her arms, "From Fred and George. Don't have them all yourself, Ron."

"Rory -" Aaron said as the girl was about to leave, "Are you alright."

What a brilliant question. Rory was the furthest thing from alright, but how was she to mention it with everything going on? Friday night, while she and her fellow Gryffindors were partying, Aaron along with Luna, Ginny, Neville, Ron, Hermione, Harry and members of the Order (including her father) were fighting Death Eaters at the Ministry.

Rory was at first, upset with Aaron for agreeing to do something so reckless in the first place. However, she eased up once her brother explained it was all an accident and he never intended to break his arm in the Department of Mysteries. He was simply walking back from dinner with Ginny and Luna when they walked in on Harry shouting and devising his plan to save Sirius (who he had a vision of being tortured). Aaron and the girls were meant to be a distraction so Harry could sneak into Umbridge's office... well, after getting the woman attacked by Centaurs and the group of students flying to London on Thestrals, they ended up being ambushed by Death Eaters.

It got worse, though. These things always did. If Aaron and the other's being injured wasn't bad enough, Sirius had been killed. Rory had to mourn in private, given none of her friends knew Sirius or knew of him as a good man like Rory did. The worst part of all of it was that You-Know-Who was back, in his fullest form for the world to see... he was back.

"I'm fine, Aaron. I'm just glad you're safe. All of you." Rory spoke. "I'm going to worry about all of you next year. Don't hesitate to write me any time, any of you, alright? Even if you think it's stupid. I'll see you all at the feast tonight, yeah? I'm proud of you guys."

"Thanks, Rory," Hermione smiled, "I think I speak for everyone when I say we'll miss your... antics."

Rory smiled back and nodded.

And so began a new chapter of her life. That night, she ate her last dinner at Hogwarts and slept in her dormitory next to her best friends for the last time. The next morning she woke up, her trunk packed at the foot of her bed remembering when she first emptied it seven years before. The little girl who shyly introduced herself to Angelina and Marina that night could never conjure a glimpse of everything she was going to go through. Perhaps that was a good thing, what would be the fun in knowing your future?

As she walked out of the portrait for the last time, biting back her tears, she knew her sadness was only temporary. She was going to be back. Rory was always good at finding her way back home.

END OF PART IV