THE FIRST task was coming up quickly. However, the only thing on Laura's mind was seeing her parents and Nick soon. She couldn't ignore it, especially since Nick sent her so many letters.

Laura,

I managed to get a subscription to the Daily Prophet, and I saw your article. My little Laura is growing up, getting misquoted all over the world. I remember the first time someone had written fake news about you... you've come a long way.

Anyways, you looked good in the photos. I don't know what that Skeeter woman was going on about, but everyone at Ilvermorny can tell she skewed everything. It even brought back my favorite title... "Laura Potter's cousin."

Poor Andie isn't used to the attention though. I can't remember if I told you, but she got sorted into Wampus, so it's a bit far for me to always be there for her, but she's been handling it like a champ. She's very proud to keep the respect on your name.

How's your boyfriend? I know you two aren't dating- well, I hope you aren't dating. It's been what? Two months? He must at least be less stuck up? Right? Well, tell him and your other friends I say hi.

"My cousin, Nick, says hi," Laura said, not looking up from the letter. Blaise and Pansy said hi back, Pansy laughing a bit. Meanwhile, Draco didn't hear Laura as he was too involved in his letter from Nick.

I can't wait to put names and faces together this weekend. Your parents told you I was tagging along, but I guess I also can't wait to see you again. If you've somehow gained an English accent, you're done for Potter.

This letter is getting long, but you know I have to give my noteworthy Nick tip:

Tips with the Oliver Nicholas Pickering: Now, Laura, I know you haven't found out anything about your task, and you haven't gotten to know Hogwarts yet. Please go snoop around for me, please, please, please. I want to know what secrets that school has.

I've gotta go play Quidditch (because you can't). I'll see you on Saturday. Just remember, I'm rooting for you, Pip!

Nick

Laura laughed, putting the letter down. It was Friday, and Hogsmeade was the next day. Her little reunion with Nick would be soon, and she couldn't wair. However, before that could happen, she had a full day of classes to attend.

"Hey, Pickering, do you need a hanky so you can cry?"

Laura and Pansy stood outside the Potions classroom as Blaise and Draco had forgotten their assignments. Lavender Brown and her crew decided to talk to Laura while they waited.

"Heard you feel homesick without your parents," Lavender said with an evil smile.

In the article, Rita insisted that Laura was awfully homesick. She wrote that Laura had said, "I just miss my family a whole lot. I would be lying if I didn't say I cry in my dorm most nights."

Yes, Laura missed home, but not enough to cry about it.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm seeing them tomorrow," Laura said graciously. "You're even welcome to say hi to them- you'd have to meet my cousin Nick though."

"Nick's coming over here?" Katie asked, her eyes lighting up. "Merlin, I have a lot of hexes I need to shoot at him."

Lavender and Padma sent her a weird look, but Katie ignored them.

"He's gotten over people calling him by his first name, right?" Katie asked. "For about a week before I left, he kept asking people to refer to him as 'Oliver Pickering.'"

"I had no idea he was doing that," Laura blinked. "What is Nicholas doing...? Well, we can ask him tomorrow."

"Who?" Lavender said.

Katie sighed, pulling them away. However, before she got far, she winked at Laura, who signed back a thank you.

"Your cousin's going to be at Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Draco asked. He and Blaise finally showed up. "I knew about your parents, but your cousin? I'm wasting one of my limited Hogsmeade days to spend it with your cousin?"

"Oh, get over it, Malfoy," Laura said, rolling her eyes. "I'm not forcing you to spend your time with me."

"Pansy and I are tagging along, though," Blaise said, rearranging his bag. "So, unless you want to be alone, mate..."

"Forget him," Pansy said, shaking her head. Draco frowned as Pansy continued. "We're finally meeting the famous Nick?"

"Can't wait to meet the bloke who sends up cryptic letters," Blaise grinned as Laura nodded.

The bell rang shortly after, and everyone filed into the Potions classroom. Despite what Draco had said, he slid into the seat next to Laura.

"Draco Malfoy choosing to sit next to little old me?" Laura said mockingly, putting a hand on her heart.

"It's because Snape said you're bad at Potions," Draco said, starting to brew their potion.

Laura knew he was lying.

"Right," Laura said, opening her potions book.

"Merlin's beard," Draco muttered, looking between the potion and his book. "Laura, can you go grab some cinnamon? I forgot to grab some."

"Yeah, okay, Mr. 'I'm so good at Potions,'" Laura snorted, getting up.

However, getting an ingredient meant Laura had to walk past the Gryffindors with their "POTTER STINKS" buttons. Right on cue, Laura watched as they switched.

"I am so flattered," Laura said, with a touched look on her face. "Thank you for caring so much about me! Oh, it looks like some of you care so much to bug me that you over-mix your potions!"

Laura laughed, sitting back down, handing an amused Draco the cinnamon.

🪐➶.✧༄

Laura quickly jumped out of bed, getting ready for the day. She knew Blaise was going to tease her relentlessly about it.

She had slept in.

It was situations like that one, Laura scrambling to change and do her hair, that made her wish she was at Ilvermorny.

While Hogsmeade wasn't too far from the castle, it wasn't close, so they were only allowed to go to Hogsmeade once every couple of months. While at Ilvermorny, their village, Boots Keep, was just a short walk away, meaning they could go after classes.

Most students would only go on the weekends, opting to study at the library or in their common rooms. It also had student housing for college students. It also gave them opportunities to work.

When Laura finally finished getting ready, she quickly went to the common room.

"Laura, you take forever," Blaise said bluntly when she walked over with a sheepish look. "Pansy said you woke up an hour ago."

"Okay, I did wake up an hour ago, but I fell back asleep," Laura said, blinking. "I woke up ten minutes ago."

"I can tell," Draco mused. "Let's just go."

They grabbed a quick breakfast and then went to the security line. Filch found no problems and let them out.

About halfway there, Laura realized that, in her haste, she had forgotten it was multiple-sweater weather.

"What in Merlin's beard," Laura said, shivering.

"Wear another jumper next time," Draco said, wrapping an arm around her. He tried to keep her warm. Laura found it strange he was acting like this. But, he was warm. "I'm not going to do this next time."

"Oh my," Blaise said, cringing a bit. "Corny, lame, boo, tomato tomato."

Before Laura could say or do anything, she was met with a shorter guy running over to them.

"Nick!" Laura exclaimed, ducking out of Draco's arms, running and hugging her cousin.

Nick was slightly shorter than Laura (he was "still growing"). He had dark brown hair, matching eyes, and the body of a Quidditch player. He was wearing an Ilvermorny sweatshirt, the number 14, and "PICKERING" on the back.

"I see we're matching," he grinned, stepping back and looking at Laura. "Look at you, Potter, looking sharp."

"I have to represent," Laura grinned, then turned to her friends. "This is my cousin, Nick. Nick, this is Pansy, Blaise, and Draco."

"Nice to meet you all," Nick said with a wave. "Thank you for taking care of my cousin. Thankfully, she isn't quiet and shy anymore. I don't think her being loud and crazy is any better."

He tried to put his arm on her shoulder, but Laura stepped away.

"You don't need to say any of that," Laura said, raising an eyebrow.

"You're kidding," Blaise said, looking between Nick and Laura. "There is no way you used to be shy, Pickering."

"Once upon a time, I was indeed shy," Laura sighed. "Being threatened changes a person though, believe it or not."

"Well, your parents are waiting in the Two Broomsticks for us," Nick said.

"It's the Three Broomsticks," Pansy said with a giggle.

"My bad, my bad," Nick said, turning around, Laura nudged him, seeing a blush coloring his cheeks.

"So, I heard you wanted to go back to Oliver...?" Laura skeptically said as they walked.

"It's all because Ada didn't believe that my first name was Oliver and thought it was weird that I went by a nickname of my middle name," Nick shrugged. "Miles said I should just go by Oliver. Everyone hated it."

"What would we do if your names were switched, Oli," Laura sighed, getting a displeased look from Nick.

"We do not cross into Oli territory."

When they arrived at the pub, Laura immediately saw her parents. She beelined over to them, giving them the biggest hug.

"Hi," she grinned.

"Hi, Laura-belle," her mom said, squeezing her softly.

"Laura," her dad said cordially. There was a ghost of a smile on his lips.

Her dad was typically a grinner and would joke with anyone who listened. However, anytime he met her friends, he would always put up his "I'm an important Pureblood who is better than you" facade to scare them.

Laura could tell this group would be especially receptive.

"These are my friends," Laura extended her arm as Draco, Pansy, and Blaise walked over, acting as if it was normal. "This is Blaise Zambini-" he gave a small wave "-Pansy Parkinson-" she gave a small smile "-and Draco Malfoy."

"Hello," her mom smiled. "We're Laura's parents, as you know. I'm Belle Potter, and this is my husband, Felix."

Her dad narrowed his eyes, looking at the three teenagers.

"Slytherins?" He asked.

"Yes, sir," Draco nodded. "Proud Slytherins, Purebloods as well."

"Dad," Laura muttered. She could tell they were all on edge. "You can't pretend you're some high and mighty wizard."

"But I am, darling," he replied, breaking out into a smile. "I'm just playing with you lot. It's nice to meet you. Thank you for taking care of our Laura."

"Blimey, he is an Englishman," Blaise said, looking between him and Laura.

"Well, as you know, my brother was James Potter, Harry's dad," her dad chuckled. "I went to Hogwarts- I was a Slytherin, like you lot- but I moved to the States after I graduated, met Belle, and I've been there ever since."

"And now we're here," Laura said with a smile. "I'm going to be with my parents for the better part of the day; you guys can stay or do whatever you do around here..."

They said their goodbyes, Nick tagging along, leaving Laura with her parents.

"Oh, Laura," her dad grinned, pulling her into another tight hug. "We've missed you."

"I've missed you guys, too," Laura smiled.

"We know you're usually gone around this time and that we typically see you even less," her mom mused, "but knowing you're an ocean away and not just up in New England makes it hard."

"I've missed home and Ilvermorny," Laura nodded. "The first week was kinda rough for me, I made friends quickly, but it's hard to be thrown into such a change."

"I know you've been writing us letters, but let's sit down, and you can give us all the details," her mom smiled.

Her parents already had a booth. They sat on the same side, Laura sitting opposite of them. She told them stories of what had been happening during her time at Hogwarts.

She did notice they had concerned looks at some points, like with Rita Skeeter and Professor Moody.

"I didn't know Mad-Eye acted like that," her dad said at one point. "When we were in the Order... Well, it's been a while..."

"I don't know," Laura shrugged.

"Speaking of the days back in the Order," her mom said, sharing a look with her dad. "Laura, we need to talk to you about Draco."

"I'm sorry, why?" Laura asked, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Darling, you know that we and the Malfoy's-"

"I- have you been listening to Nick?" Laura asked, her eyes widening in realization. "Draco and I have no romantic interest in each other. He's just a friend."

"Laura, we know that," her dad said, though she could tell they might have believed Nick a little bit. "We just want you to be careful with who you surround yourself with. I know Slytherin gets a bad name. Trust me, my Gryffindor friends reminded me all of the time. They can be some of the most amazing people. However, tend to lean in a way you wouldn't like."

"We know where the Malfoy's loyalty lies, Laura," her mom said, taking her hand, "and unfortunately, it's not with Harry. We still consider them friends, but know, when it comes down to the line, you might get hurt again."

"Well, maybe they've changed; maybe Draco is different," Laura frowned. She felt as though she needed to defend him for some odd reason.

"We know that more than anyone, Laura," her mom nodded. "We can tell you consider him a close friend, and we love that for you. Just please be careful."

"We don't want you to have to go through what you did with the Pikes last year again," her dad nodded. "In the end, we trust you to follow your gut and will trust your decisions."

Laura nodded. She had always given people the benefit of the doubt when meeting them. It had always been a flaw of hers. But she couldn't help it.

"Laura?"

Laura and her parents looked up to see Harry standing there. Laura looked back at her parents, both of them frozen.

"Your cousin- I think- told me to find you here."

"Harry?"

Harry looked over, noticing her parents now. Laura could see the surprise on his face once he saw her dad. It was a look of familiarity.

Laura's parents immediately got up. Harry gave them a big hug, catching them by surprise.

"Oh, Harry," her mom said, hugging him tightly, "you've grown so much."

"I've heard you've grown into quite the young man," her dad said. He took a step back to look at Harry. "It's good to finally see you again."

"It's good to see you too," Harry said earnestly with a smile. "It's nice to know I have a family who doesn't hate magic."

Laura watched her parents' solemn reaction to Harry's words.

"Harry, why don't you sit next to Laura, and we can talk," her mom said, squeezing Harry's shoulder softly.

Harry nodded, sliding into the booth next to Laura.

"So, these are my parents," Laura said, her parents looking overjoyed. "That makes them your Aunt Belle and Uncle Felix."

"What everyone has said about you is true, Uncle Felix," Harry said, looking at him. "You and my dad really do look identical."

"I mean, that's what happens when you're an identical twin," Laura said, nudging Harry.

"I can say the same about you," her dad said with a laugh. "You really do look like James."

"Oh, Harry, it's so good to finally see you after all these years," her mom said, taking one of Harry's hands. "We wanted to take you in after your parent's death, but there were technicalities that stopped Dumbledore from letting you stay with us."

"What if you had an American accent, Harry," Laura mused.

"That would definitely be different," Harry said with a laugh, then looking back at her parents. "Thank you for the concern, Aunt Belle, but don't worry about me. It means the world knowing you cared about me all this time."

Laura smiled, seeing how overjoyed her parents looked as they talked to Harry. She was grateful their family could reconnect. She knew it was one of her parent's regrets that they couldn't be the ones to take Harry in. Being able to reconnect with him was something they had been waiting for.

"Come visit us anytime, Harry," her mom said. "We'd love to have you over for Christmas one of these years or even for part of the Summer."

"Now, we know the Weasleys love you too," her dad said, "but we'd love to have you split some of your time with us."

The four continued to talk throughout the afternoon until their time at Hogsmeade was finishing up. As they wrapped up, Laura's dad realized Nick hadn't come back yet.

"Laura, dear, can you go find Nick?" he asked. "We told your aunt and uncle we'd bring him back in at least two pieces."

"I guess I can help," Laura said with a snort of laughter, turning to Harry. "Care to join me, Potter?"

"I'd love to," Harry grinned.

The two of them slipped out of the booth. Harry gave her parents another big hug

"It was good to finally meet you," he said. "Thank you for looking out for me all of this time."

"We're always here for you, Harry," her mom smiled.

"Thank you for listening," Laura said with a happy sigh, hugging her parents tightly. "I love you guys, I'll see you next week!"

"Love you, Laura-bean," her dad chuckled. He gave her a gentle squeeze. "Now, go find your cousin."

Laura and Harry left the Three Broomsticks.

Laura glanced around the area for Nick. As she looked, her eyes stopped on two figures dueling.

"Is that Katie Banks... dueling?" Harry asked as they walked over.

"Yes," Laura sighed, walking a bit faster. "She's dueling with Nick."

Harry didn't question it, following Laura. Getting closer, Laura saw that Draco was Nick's number two. Her eyes narrowed.

"Oliver!" Laura shouted. "I thought I was your number two. What is Malfoy doing?"

"You were having a family reunion, Laura!" Nick shouted back. "Flagrante!"

"I didn't choose to be here," Draco grumbled, glancing at Lavender. She seemed to be Katie's number two. "Brown didn't even try to negotiate when she saw it was me."

"Yeah?" Laura asked, watching her cousin and friend continue to duel.

"Do they do this often?" Harry asked, seeing Laura's minimal reaction as Nick's legs locked.

"At least once a month back at Ilvermorny," Laura shrugged. "There's never been a real winner. They're actually tied at the moment."

"Titillando! Nick yelled, causing Katie to start laughing hysterically.

"O-Okay, N-Nick," Katie laughed. "I gi-ive u-up."

"Well, I think that means I win," Nick grinned. He put his wand down, causing Katie to stop laughing. He walked over, giving her a hand up. "That also means I'm ahead."

"At least I lost during a good duel," Katie sighed, shaking Nick's hand. "I'll be training for our next duel, Pickering."

"Well... we should get back to the castle," Blaise said, awkwardly interjecting. "It was nice to finally meet you, Nick."

"Same to you," Nick grinned. He gave Blaise a fist bump. He then turned to Laura, giving her a tight hug. "Don't have too much fun before you see me again next week."

"I wouldn't dream of it, Nick," Laura said with a laugh. "Don't fall too in love with Europe during the next week. I don't think Headmaster Imber would appreciate it if she lost another student to Hogwarts."

"I'm Ilvermorny through and through," Nick said, pulling away from the hug. "You're the traitor, Laura."

"I'll be back next year," Laura said, rolling her eyes. "I know it's so hard to live without me."

"Good thing I'll see you next week," Nick grinned.

His eyes then lit up in remembrance. He quickly pulled out something from his pocket, handing Laura a nickel.

"You'll figure it out, don't worry," he said, hugging her one last time.

"Thanks, Nick," Laura laughed. "I'll see you next week!"