A whole new start. That's what I keep telling myself. No longer will I be the frizzy-haired, freckled freak I was known as before. I'll be Rose Weasley, that confident, flawless beauty who everyone will want to be friends with.
Even though I'll be a first year, no-one will cross me. Even the second years will beg to be my friend. I'll have so many party invites come Christmas season that I won't know what to do with myself. My cousins at school will let everyone know that they're related to me, so that they can bask in my glory – but I won't let them. The teachers will shower me with praise – although I won't be a prude – and Albus will be kicking himself for ditching me for Frank Longbottom all those years ago.
Long gone are those days when I was teased by the other kids for being 'the nerd'. I'll never see those muggles again. No one at Hogwarts knows about my past. For all they know, I could've been like this my whole life. My cousins don't count - they (apart from Al) never really got to know me anyway.
During the summer break, I changed my image. With the help of 'Weasley Wizard Wheezes' hair-care products I managed to tame the ginger mess that is my hair (courtesy of my mother's genes). I am now much happier with it – who knew that underneath that red nest was natural brown highlights? With just a few dabs of 'Granger Tamer' straightening cream (Which I will have to apply every day - credit to my Uncle George for the fitting title), my hair has become more manageable, and now falls slick and straight to the middle of my back.
Thankfully, my horrid freckles have begun to fade, and thanks to my recent discovery of foundation, they are virtually invisible against my tanned skin (that goodness I didn't inherit the 'pale' gene from my father). I also started a health regime, to cut out the excess baby fat I had been carrying throughout my younger years.
All in all, I felt good with how I was looking – and feeling. The scent of fear is stronger than that of confidence. If I wanted to pull off the 'new me' I'd have to feel confident as well as look it. With that in mind, I stood in front of my wardrobe on the night of August 31st.
Nothing really stood out to me. Fortunately, my mother was unaware of my new image so I wouldn't get bombarded with lectures on 'self worth'. Unfortunately, this meant she couldn't donate to the cause. Leaving me with my old, gross clothes that reminded me of that time when Great-Great-Aunt-Tessie's cat vomited over Hugo's 'Weasley jumper'.
I desperately rifled through the clothes, searching for at least one item of clothing that could be suitable. When I was appraoching the brink of despair, my eyes fell on a slither of once-bright-but-now-faded orange. Reaching in, I pulled out my very old Chudley Canons supporters t-shirt that was a present from my dad for my seventh birthday. The barely legible words 'Canons 2013' were written across the top.
The last time I had tried it on had been two years ago, when its small size had only accentuated my lumpiness. Now, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a small, but rather flattering look on me. Instead of highlighting my fat, it emphasized my now-flat stomach and cut off just below my button, revealing a slither of tanned skin.
The only downside was that the tightness of it meant that my non-existent chest was even more obvious, but I'm counting on my breasts to blossom soon. Though I'm not holding my breath, if the photos of my mother at Hogwarts are any indication.
Half of my problem solved and my spirits lifted, I once again dove into my closet and re-emerged with a pair of white denim shorts that were ¾ length. Grabbing my scissors I carefully cut the legs so that they stopped about two thirds of the way up my thighs, making them unacceptable in my parent's eyes but fairly normal in the real world.
After deciding on a pair of vintage lace up shoes, I changed into my pyjamas and hung up tomorrows outfit on my door, next to where my Hogwarts things were. My big brown suitcase stood against my wall, next to it my new flash 88 broomstick (thank goodness they now allowed students to bring their own brooms) and next to that my owl, Celeste, in her cage.
After checking everything was in its place, I went downstairs to say goodnight to Mum and Dad. It was okay to be a little sad, right? I mean, everyone must miss their parents at some point. I entered the drawing room to find my dad reviewing some files for work, and mum reading the Evening Prophet. They both looked up as I came in and both had solemn looks on their faces.
'Oh Rosie' Dad sighed, looking mournfully at me. I glowered back at him. I hated being called Rosie, which he knew perfectly well. However, because he looked so sad I decided to let him go and hugged him instead.
'Goodnight daddy' I whispered in his ear.
'Have a good sleep darling. We love you' Mum said, engulfing me in a hug that left me little room to breathe. After a minute or so I pulled away, smiling sadly, and trudged up the stairs to bed. I made my way down the hall and performed my nightly ritual of banging the door to Hugo's room as my way of saying goodnight. I did it extra hard because I wouldn't be doing it for a while.
I opened the door to my room and crawled straight into bed, thinking about the days ahead. I was determined to make the new me happen, not matter what it took. I was aware that the other students would have certain predispositions about me based on my parents and expect me to be the brightest witch of my age. I was smart, but certainly not Hermione Granger material. Then again I didn't try very hard, and I don't intend to. Being known as a swot would do nothing for my new image.
As I closed my eyes, thoughts of what would happen tomorrow clouded my mind. After a few minutes or so I drifted off to sleep, dreaming about what my life at Hogwarts would be like, and how everyone will sit up and take notice of the new and improved Rose Weasley.
Authors Note: Thank you for reading, I've never posted a story on this website before so this is very exciting for me. I'll only continue if I find people are actually reading and enjoying it (it motivates me heaps) so reviews are much appreciated. I know Rose's character is a bit of brat but you have to realise she suffered pretty traumatic stuff at her muggle school. Her character will change as the story progresses. Anyway, thanks so much for reading!
April Unicorn