WILD ➞ Fred Weasley

iv. pretty boy

Want to make some Patronus worthy memories with me at Hogsmeade this weekend?

— Cedric

Rory smiled and turned around to the Hufflepuff boy.

"Yeah, alright," She nodded. Rory hadn't really fully processed what happened. The most fawned over boy in their year had asked Rory on a date.

Rory, who had never had a boy even look at her in sixteen years of life, was being asked out by the heartthrob of Hufflepuff house. For once, Rory couldn't focus in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Class was about to end anyways, so she wasn't missing much as she imagined walking around Hogsmeade with Cedric. Maybe she would get a bit cold in the February frost and he would lend her his scarf. She made a mental note to not bring her own scarf.

"Come prepared next week with those happy memories as we practice casting the Patronus. See you then." Lupin smiled as the bell rang signifying the end of class.

Rory nudged George awake and he jumped.

"What happened?" He asked, looking around confused.

"Class is over, silly." Rory said getting her things together to leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Rory," Cedric smiled before walking out with his friends.

"What's that about?" George asked, rubbing his eyes.

Before Rory could answer, Fred joined in, "Yeah, what's that about?"

Rory rolled her eyes, "I'll explain at dinner."

The twins looked bummed out to not be in the loop and walked out of the classroom. Rory began following, but before she could leave, Professor Lupin caught her attention.

"Miss Archer?" He said.

Rory stopped in her tracks and turned on her heels to face him, "Professor..." She smiled innocently scanning her mind of all the mistakes she made during class. Passing notes, letting George sleep, talking to Fred with her eyes, and zoning out.

"What do you look so guilty for?" He asked with a slight chuckle. "I was just going to tell you I have high faith you'll be able to cast a Patronus. You seemed to have been thinking of something quite happy, I noticed you didn't stop smiling all class."

"Oh..." Rory looked down embarrassed, "Yeah well, I was just thinking of how happy I was at the Burrow this Christmas then..."

"Mr. Diggory passed you a note?" The professor said, raising an eyebrow.

Rory's cheeks became a bright red and she stuttered, "I know it's wrong to pass notes, I won't do it again."

Lupin chuckled once more, "You're not in trouble. He's a very nice boy, Rory. Listen, I was sixteen once too."

"Yeah." Rory nodded, slowly, "He is. Is there a reason you're telling me this?"

"I just figured you're a very nervous girl with a lot on her plate. All I'm saying is if you ever need anything, just knock."

Is this what Harry Potter feels like every year? Rory asked herself. She wasn't sure why Lupin was reaching out to her. He was always checking in on how her classes were and other parts of her life. They even had tea after she got back from Christmas holidays. Maybe he could tell she was stressed trying to over occupy herself with school ever since Sirius Black broke into the Gryffindor tower just the week before. Maybe because she reminded him of himself, which could've been the case based on what he mentioned about his years at Hogwarts. Maybe it was because he knew she didn't have a father and that she needed that kind of guidance. Whatever it was, Rory wasn't complaining. She enjoyed his company. It felt good to have an adult in her life that respected her and listened to her.