Author's notes: I do not own Winx Club, but Rose is my character. I read a few Winx fics and decided to try and write one myself. Please feel free to be honest in what you review!

Rose cursed quietly to herself as she once again cast a fresh levitation spell on her wheelchair, Cloud Tower had so many stairs and tunnels that it was unbelievable. As she carefully guided her chair up the stairs, Rose hoped that she wouldn't be late again. The Principal wasn't exactly mean about it, but she was rather strict about how many times she could be late to a class.

Hearing two voices snickering from the top of the stairs, Rose kissed that forlorn hope that she'd make it on time goodbye.

"I'm not in the mood." She said shortly as her chair landed smoothly on the landing. Rose carefully rolled her chair forward, not really wanting to have her chair flung back down the stairs while she was still in it. Deciding to try and ignore them, Rose slowly tried to roll around them.

Darcy and Icy both stopped her with one hand to each shoulder. For her part, Rose almost stopped breathing as her heart began to pound. 'Don't react, for the love of the Goddess, don't react!' She screamed to herself.

The two Trix sisters seemed amused at the way Rose had frozen at their touch. Darcy noted how her pulse had jumped sky high

"Don't ignore us when we're talking to you, or we'll turn your chair into a pile of rust cripple!" Icy snarled, while Darcy smirked.

That remark felt like a punch in the chest, but Rose knew better than to let it show. She closed her eyes, fighting back tears.

Darcy looked at Rose with no expression in her dark amber eyes. Idly the witch of darkness wondered what thoughts were running behind those closed silver eyes. She had seen Rose around the Tower, but had no idea what her powers were or how strong she would be in a fight. Pushing those thoughts aside, she tightened her grip around the other girl's shoulder.

Having decided that she didn't want to try to deal with these two on her own, Rose decided to try one of her lower level spells…

Principal Griffin was making her way toward the auditorium when she felt a "I could use help" spell being cast. From it's 'texture' Griffin knew who cast the spell and where the spell had been cast. Changing direction she headed towards the stairway. Seeing the two Trix sisters standing there, she could see why Rose sent for help!

"What's going on here? Why aren't the three of you in the auditorium?" She demanded, keeping a harsh tone in her voice so as not to show any favoritism. Rose didn't look hurt, but the principal still didn't like how close she was to the stairs.

"I was on my way there ma'am." Rose said quietly.

"And these two blocked your way." She made it a statement, not a question.

"Yes." Was the simple reply.

"Very well. I'll deal with them later. Go on to the auditorium and take your places, it's almost time for the school assignment."

Rose nodded and didn't look back. She didn't want them to see how scared she had been. Once safely inside, Rose parks her chair before she let out the breath she had been holding and felt her pulse rate return to normal.

Sweet merciful goddess that was a close call! She only hoped Darcy hadn't noticed, but had the sinking feeling that the dark witch had. Icy had been too intent on her threats to notice anything. Hopefully she could keep her distance from them, after all, she was only a freshman while the Trix sisters focused mostly on the senior class.

Of all of the Trix sisters, Rose found herself strangely both attracted as well as wary when around the middle sister Darcy. There was no rhyme or reason for this, and it had occurred to her more than once that she might have been under a love potion or a spell.

Rose dismissed this train of thought, that wasn't possible. No one had ever created a love spell that worked against the same sex… she supposed it was just a pitfall of being a lover of Womyn (she refused to use the original spelling because the word "woman" actually meant "wife of man"). Still, she knew better than to let anyone else know about her heart's true desires. Friends made in Cloud Tower tended to be more dangerous than your enemies…

Her parents hadn't cared where she went so long as she was out of their hair. Rose had briefly entertained the notion of attending Alfea but had decided that would be like taking the coward's way out.

Besides, she loved the night way too much to try to work magic in the harsh light of day. The best magic in the world were the small ones that worked in the silent stillness of the night. That alone was worth her harsh training at Cloud Tower. Rose had learned a great deal since enrolling here, and not all of it evil. The only "evil" she could see in what they were being taught was the intent behind that knowledge.

As Principal Griffin stalked into the room, Rose brought herself back into the present time with a snap. She was sitting in the front row with the other freshmen while the upper classes sat in the higher seats, so Rose knew that she had better as least look like she was paying attention.

"Students of Cloud Tower, your project this month is simple. You must bind another to your will using a spell or potion of your design and making. The person must be female. She can be either from the Tower or from Alfea. Weekly reports must be submitted to record your progress. If you have any questions, feel free to stop by my office. That is all."

When the principal swept out of the room, the talking amongst the other students began in earnest as the students began to file out.

Rose ignored all the chatter, rolling her chair to one side to be out of the way, she stayed in this spot to wait for everyone to clear out. Seeing that the three Trix sisters were in a huddle, Rose decided to skip lunch.

Hearing her stomach growl, she blushed. 'Maybe I'll just nip in, grab something and get out. I'll figure out what I'm going to do about the Trix trio later.' Sighing, Rose left the room quickly, casting the levitation spell again. Going down was harder than going up, because Rose absolutely hated heights. She also hated stairs with a passion.

Feeling three sets of eyes on her, she didn't dare let any fear show in her face. They were following her, this wasn't good…

What did they want now?