Change the Future

*Rorys younger years*

Age 5

Lonely thunder

Rain lashes the windows and thunder rolls in the distance. A flash of lightning briefly lights up the room. Rory sits wide-eyed in bed, clutching a stuffed dragon. There's a soft knock at her door, and it opens just a crack.

"Can't sleep, bug?" James asks softly.

"Too loud. The sky's yelling" James steps in, barefoot, hair tousled like he was half-asleep too. He carries a cup of warm milk and sets it on her bedside table before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"It is yelling a bit, isn't it?"

"Did it do something wrong?" James smiles at her.

"No, just shouting to let the rain know it's coming, maybe" Rory frowns.

"But it's scary. The bangs hurt my chest." James nods gently, then lifts the covers and slides in next to her.

"Well then. I'll just have to protect you from every single bang and boom. Lucky for you, I'm a professional snuggler and a part-time lightning negotiator" Rory perks up.

"What's that?"

"It's a very important job. I talk to the thunder and say, 'Oi! That's enough! There's a kid trying to sleep here!' And then it usually grumbles a bit and settles down"

"Can you tell it now?"

"HEY! THUNDER! COOL IT, MATE! THERE'S A RORY IN HERE!" James shouts out of the window. A perfectly timed thunderclap rumbles just then. James gasps. "Oof. Bit rude, that one. I think it's got an attitude tonight" Rory giggles, scooting closer, dragging her stuffed dragon with her.

"Do you think the thunder's lonely?"

"Maybe. Could be it just wants someone to notice it"

"Then we should tell it goodnight. So it doesn't feel left out" James gives her the warmest look, tucks a bit of hair behind her ear.

"You are the kindest girl I know, Wolf"

"You too" Rory says sleepily. James grins.

"I am absolutely the kindest girl you know" She giggles again and leans her head on his chest as the storm rumbles on softer now as she falls asleep with James's arms wrapped protectively around her.

Fred and George

"Daddy" A 5 year old Rory shouts as she runs down the stairs.

"What's the matter?" He runs to her.

"Can we go see Fred and George" He smiles at her.

"I'm sure we can just let me check it's okay with Molly first" Rory runs back up to her bedroom whilst James asks Molly. "Wolf" he calls up the stairs.

"Yes daddy"

"Molly said its fine, come on" She runs down the stairs jumping down the last few as James catches her. He heads to the fireplace still holding Rory and floos to the Weasleys. "Hi ya Molly" James greats Molly as they arrive.

"The boys are in the garden Rory. Why don't you go find them"

"Okay" She says as James puts her down. She runs out the back door as the twins spot her.

"RORY" They both jump on her as they all fall to the floor laughing. Bill and Charlie watch them smiling whilst Percy tuts in disapproval.

"Hello Rory" Bill says walking over to her.

"Bill" She says excitedly hugging him before she sees Charlie who she smiles at.

"Come on Rory let's go play" Fred says grabbing Rory's hand and pulling her away.