Chapter 9
UPON FINALLY RETURNING HOME TO her flat, Rory is ambushed by her cousins. Albus, James and Lily nearly knock her over with their overexcited sneak attack. Thankfully, her Uncle Harry is standing behind her and he’s pretty solid.
Through laughter, Rory herds her cousins back and leads her aunt, uncle, and friend/prisoner into her flat. Thankfully, the children haven’t destroyed it while their parents left them unsupervised.
"Speedy, you want a cuppa to calm that stomach?"
Rory offers Pietro as she steps into her tiny kitchen.
"What did you do to me? I feel so... uneasy."
Pietro finishes by dropping his head into his hands and groaning dramatically.
"Is the muggle still complaining about side along apparation? He's done it three times now."
Ginny snorts in amusement at the weakness of muggles.
"Aunt Ginny, you know how disorienting it is to side along apparate."
Rory defends the queasy muggle sat on her sofa. The children have taken to taunting him.
"Why did we bring him along again?"
Harry asks with a pout.
"Because Speedy's cool."
Rory justifies, pulling mugs from the cupboard. They’re a mismatched set, in true Rory fashion.
"He kidnapped you!"
Harry yells exasperated as the young woman flicks the kettle on with a wave of her hand.
"We've been over this, Uncle Harry, he saved me."
Rory yells into the lounge as she waits. Harry grumbles some response which is indistinguishable over the boiling water.
"You're awfully fond of the muggle."
Ginny notes as she waits alongside her niece. Rory drops one of her mugs at the suggestion and swears profusely as a) she smashed the glass, and b) her aunt Ginny sniggers at her reaction.
No doubt, the older ginger will interpret the younger’s reaction as confirmation of feeling. Which it isn’t, Rory is simply thrown off by the suggestion. That's all.
There is absolutely no other reason Rory is so thrown.
“I don’t know what you think you’ve figured out but...”
“Oh I don’t think, I know. Let me know when you figure out the truth.”
“Get out of my kitchen.”
Rory scowls and shoos her aunt away.
Finally, after what seems like forever, Rory has a moment truly to herself. Merlin, so much has happened in so little time. She’s moved overseas, a Timezone away from her family and support network. She’s argued with her new partner and forced an understanding between the two. She’s been kidnapped and tortured. She’s exposed the magical world twice. She’s met real life superheroes, ones who don’t need magic to save people. And now, she’s been suspended.
It’s not an official suspension. It’s more like mandated stress leave. Rory doesn’t need stress leave. She’s fine.
“Kettles done. Can we have our drinks now, Rory?”
Young Lily asks. Rory didn’t even notice her coming into the kitchen. Her face softens as she looks down at her little cousin.
“Of course, lovely. You wanna help me carry them out?”
Rory asks. She knows Lily likes helping people and she wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes a healer or an Auror some day, something where she can actively contribute to helping people feel safe.
Lily beams and helps Rory make three cups of tea and three cups of cocoa. She very eagerly carries the three smaller cups out into the lounge for herself and her brothers. She does it one at a time so she doesn’t drop or spill any.
Ginny smiles at her daughter as she rushes back and forth. She nods in thanks as her niece sets two mugs of tea on the coffee table for her and her husband.
Rory carries the final two cups out herself and takes a seat in the armchair, it’s the only seat free but it’s her favourite.
“Where were you, ‘Storia? I thought we’d get to play once we got here but instead Mum and dad left us here for ages. And who’s this weird muggle? Why’s he complaining about side along apparation? It’s not that bad.”
The eldest of the Potter children demands, getting up close.
“Albus, love, one question at a time. Your cousin has had an exciting few day.”
Ginny says softly, easy her overly excited son off Rory’s lap and giving her room to breathe.
Rory takes a moment to breathe. The last time someone was that close to her face, they were torturing her and she ended up breaking their nose with a headbutt. She also broke the State of Secrecy and revealed the truth about the magical world to a muggle.
“I was busy with work, lovely. You know how dad goes on long missions sometimes or Mum has to travel for her games?
She says after a moment. Albus’ face lights up with understanding.
“Oh, so you were working.”
“Exactly. And this is Pietro, he’s a friend I made while working. I call him Speedy cause he’s super fast.”
Rory winks as she finally introduces him.
“Not as fast as mum, though. Right Mum?”
James rushes out. He worships his mother and idolises her career. While Lily will probably follow after their father, James will probably follow after their mother.
“That’s absolutely right, James. Your mum is the fastest there ever was.”
Ginny grins proudly.