Chapter 4
WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT Rory had abandoned her post, it isn’t fair that Jacob is being such a dick about it.
She'd gotten there in time and helped arrest the guy, she'd apologised profusely on the journey back to the office and even as they left for the day.
Rory doesn’t expect to get off scot free, she understands she made a mistake and she’s lucky nothing bad had happened, but she doesn’t deserve this.
A simple telling off from the Head Auror and maybe a caution, but not this mountain of paperwork. And sure, maybe it’s because she’s the new Auror on the block, but this is ridiculous.
Rory is convinced she’s going to knock the pile over and die of blood loss from the excessive paper cuts.
She throws what seems like the hundredth piece of paper to the side and snatches the next up, slicing her index finger in the process.
"Stupid bloody paper!"
Rory growls and glares at the stack of filing, debating whether it’s worth incinerating the entire stack.
"How goes the paperwork?"
Jacob asks with a smug smile. Rory turns her murderous glare to her partner and slams her hands on the table. Her partner takes a step back at her sudden ferocity as a pile of paperwork topples. The infamous Weasley glare is clear on Rory's face, the same one her grandmother had stared down Bellatrix Lestrange with.
"How goes the paperwork? Did you just ask me how goes the bloody paperwork? I'll tell you how goes the bloody paperwork!"
Rory growls, standing up. Jacob falls back into his own chair as Rory paces around her desk.
"I've cut myself so many times, I'm starting to get lightheaded. That bloody stack has fallen over so many times and I'm not even gonna pick the stupid thing up! My hand is cramping like crazy and honestly I've gotten used to the pain. Oh, and I've ruined about a handful of your stupid documents by spilling the bloody ink on them!"
She yells, snatching the ruined pile and shaking them in Jacob's face.
"Well..."
"Don't you 'well' me! Now, I know I screwed up but I got there in time and I've apologised enough. I refuse to do any more of your paperwork. If you want it done, do it yourself. Don't be such a lazy, spoilt, petty, prat!"
Rory yells. It feels good to get her frustrations out.
"Well I'd hoped my best and my newest Aurors would get along, but perhaps not."
The voice of MACUSA's President says. Both Aurors freeze and quickly spins to face him.
"Mr Quahog, sir. I was just..."
Jacob stutters in embarrassment.
"Getting yelled at by Ms Weasley. Yes, I saw."
Samuel chuckles lightly, it had been quite a sight indeed. Such a tiny woman yelling at a hardened Auror, terrifying him so much he cowered in his chair.
"Sir..."
"I understand that you feel angry at Ms Weasley for her actions yesterday afternoon. But I feel she has served ample punishment."
Samuel says. Rory lets a breathe out in relief, no more paperwork.
"Yes Sir."
Jacob nods.
"Thank you."
Rory says to her president.
"But do not let it happen again, Ms Weasley."
Samuel warns, taking his leave.
"Of course sir."
Rory nods.
Jacob stands up shakily, still eyeing his partner nervously.
"I guess I owe you an apology now."
He says awkwardly. Rory glares at him.
"Yes. You do."
She huffs.
"I'm sorry, okay? I just, my last partner and I were close and he died. Forgive me for being reluctant to trust another person after that."
His excuse makes sense. Anyone would be reluctant to work with someone new, but an Auror has it worse. There’s a bond between partners.
"I understand."
Rory nods. Jacob doesn’t question her, it’s a common tale within the Auror community.
"You're not so bad kid, hard worker with fire. Some of the others and I are going out to grab a few drinks to celebrate catching that bastard yesterday. Care to join?"
Jacob offers.
"Sure. But you're paying as an apology."
Rory informs him. He frowns at that.
"I'll buy you three rounds, but that's it."
He corrects, bringing a laugh from Rory.
"Better than I expected."
She admits, grabbing her coat and following Jacob from the office.
•
•
•
THE NIGHT HAS TAKEN AN odd turn. After drinking themselves into quite a state, Rory and Jacob decided the group should visit a muggle bar. The other Aurors are skeptical at first but after some teasing from Rory, they all make it in.
After a few rounds, it’s decided that the newest Auror duo has exceeded their limit and need to go home.
"We're gonna get him home. You sure you don't want one of us to help you get home too, Rory?"
One Auror offers. Rory is pretty sure his name starts with a D.
Dylan, Danny, Damian, Don, Daniel.
Well, it’s one of them.
"What? No! Imma catch a cab!"
Rory yells happily.
"Really?"
Dylan, or whatever his name was, asks.
"Yeah! The ... the yellow submarine. That'll take me home."
She confirms.
"What is she talking about?"
Another Auror asks.
"Well, if you're sure. I'll come check on you tomorrow morning at your desk."
Dylan offers. He is a nice old wizard.
"Okay. Bye bye."
Rory giggles and waves the other Aurors off. They quickly disapparate and she’s left standing by herself.
A chill runs up her spine and Rory hugs her coat close. Looking around, she realises no cabs are going to be in this area and she doesn’t know how to summon one.
With a huff, Rory sets off walking. It won’t be a long walk, she’s sure of it.
"Rory from Cornwall!"
A familiar and welcome voice calls. Rory spins and the biggest grin spreads across her face.
"Pietro! Hiya!"
She yells and runs at the tall muggle, throwing her arms around him.
"Uh, are you okay?"
Pietro asks as the woman he’s met three times hugs him so tight.
"Oh I'm really good! I screwed up my first day at work because I had tea with you. Silly pretty Pietro, distracting me from work. But it's okay! I got there in time and Jacob and I arrested the guy. But he was mad and made me do so much paperwork, and he was such a prat about it! So I yelled at him! Gran would be really proud."
Rory rambles, with the odd uncontrollable giggle thrown in. She giggles even more as she feels relief in Pietro's mind at the revelation Jacob is her work partner.
"Are you drunk?"
Pietro realises.
"Yep! To apologise for being a git, Jacob took me out drinking with the other Aurors. They took him home. I wanted to ride in a cab but there's none about. So I have to walk."
Rory says in a rush, Pietro struggles to follow.
What the hell is an Auror? Pietro has no clue.
"I will walk you, wouldn't want any bad guys to take advantage of you."
He offers, prying Rory from him and taking her arm so she doesn’t stumble over.
"Of me? Never! Did you know, my uncle is Harry Potter!"
Rory asks, looking up at Pietro with an intense stare.
"Who?"
He asks, is he supposed to know Harry Potter?
"Oh silly pretty muggle. He's a hero."
She snorts at him. So silly.
"I don't know this Harry Potter. Is he an English hero? I would have to ask Stark."
Pietro tells her and she instantly starts crying.
"No! No I didn't tell you that!"
She hella in a panic.
"Oh, right. Of course."
Pietro backtracks, hoping to calm her down. She sniffles and wipes her eyes.
A happy gasp leaves her.
"Hey! Do you wanna have some tea?"
Rory asks, slapping his arm excitedly.
"Sure. But I don't think any shops are open."
Pietro points out, earning a snort.
"Silly pretty Pietro. I'm British, I have tea at home."
Rory reminds him.
"Right. And where is that?"
Pietro asks. This seems to stun Rory. Where does she live? It used to be Shell Cottage but now she lives in New York City. But where?
"Um... that way!"
Rory guesses, pointing ahead.
"Let's go!"
•
•
•
AFTER ALMOST AN HOUR OF wandering, Pietro manages to guide Rory to her apartment.
Thinking she'd forgotten about the offer for tea, Pietro leaves her at the door. Rory stares back at him with wide eyes.
"Aren't you coming in?"
She asks quietly.
"For tea?"
"Ooh! Tea!"
Rory cooes and practically runs into the kitchen. Pietro follows in fear of her hurting herself, his night just got even more interesting.