Freak

Rose had always been different; it wasn't hard to tell. Strange things happened around her; totally unpredictable; totally impossible.

These occurrences might have passed unnoticed, if it hadn't been for Ella. It was Ella who started the rumors at school, how her little sister was a freak. They might have died down, except that Elle, Ella's twin, confirmed them, and eventually told more stories. Thus Rose Endwick began school with a pre-made reputation as a freak. At first, she was avoided, and, as she seemed normal enough, the rumors turned to jokes, especially when her younger sister, Macrina, said that she was really Wendy, from Peter Pan, and could fly. Then, barely two months into the school year, an "incident" happened at school.

A fire started at school. During and after the evacuation, a group of children swore that Rose had shot fire from her finger tips. This information was discarded among the adults, but the children never forgot.

Rose was a freak.


Rose sat hunched under a tree in the park, scribbling in a notebook. She had had a lonely life as an outcast in school, and eventually in the house as well, as her three sisters saw what she did; her parents saw as well, and treated her with caution. Rose had learned to avoid everyone. She had noticed that less things happened when she was alone. That was the purpose of her notebook, to record and remember what she did. She had started her journal when she was nine, and had listed everything which came before that which she could remember.

She paused to watch other children play on the playground, wanting to join. Even if they let her, she wouldn't. She hurt people, the fire was evidence enough, and disliked it. She avoided people not only to get away from the hisses of freak, but to make sure she didn't hurt them. But somehow, she still managed to hurt people, even if they didn't know it.

First was the fire, when she was six and a half.

Three months later, she had caused a bully to slip and bruise her tailbone.

At the twins birthday party, she exploded the candles and singed Ella's eyebrows off.

When she was eight, Rose broke her dad's leg by making the car move as he got out.

Over the next year and a half, Rose had done countless things; strange things; impossible things. She knew she had done it, all of it. It scared Rose. She learned to control it, barely, and hadn't hurt anyone for nearly two years. It hadn't gone away, it was just more subtle. She lost control often and broke dishes and smashed windows, but nothing worse. She kept track of those things as well, they were important too.

Finished for the moment, she shut the journal and started for home for lunch. She hated being there. Everyone always avoided her and gave her searching intent looks when they thought she couldn't see. Rose knew that they saw what she did as well, it wasn't hard to miss.

She rounded the corner and was nearly knocked down by Elle.

"Rosie!" she gasped. She had obviously been running. "Mum and Dad sent me to find you. There's a woman here to see you, I don't know who. You'd better hurry!"

She grabbed Rose by the arm and half dragged her back towards the house. Why on earth would anyone want to see her? Maybe she had to go to summer school! But why didn't they come last month, when school ended? Questions pounded through Rose's head as she hurried entered the door and headed for the living room. Rose's eyes were drawn to the curly haired young woman sitting calmly near the window.

"Ah, you must be Rose. I am, as your parents know, Lavender Finnigan, a professor at a school, and am here to offer you a place there."

"What kind of school is this?" Mrs. Endwick asked. "Why haven't we received a letter or some other notification?"

"Because I have it," Professor Finnigan answered smoothly. With a flourish she produced a letter and handed it to Rose. She read her name on the front and opened it. The seconds ticked by as she stared at the first page inside. Rose looked up at the Professor with a mixture of fear, hope and excitement in her eyes. She passed the letter to her mother.

"School of witchcraft and Wizardry!" she exclaimed. Mr. Endwick snatched it from her hands and the twins ran into the room followed by Macrina who practically tackled him trying to get a look.

The entire family looked back up at Lavender Finnigan, who sighed. "Let me explain."


A.N. The next chapter will begin a little before the train ride. How was it? R&R!

PLEASE!

Next update, next week (With Luck).