Disclaimer: Based on the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling.
Rebel Rose
I don't know when I first saw her, I mean really saw her. It might have been on that first day on the train when my father pointed her out, saying that I had to be careful for her and her family.
"Don't interact with them too much Scorpius, it's better if we keep our distance," he had said. To someone passing by, his comment may have sounded disdainful. But I knew that there was an edge of wariness to it and the message was clear, I was to stay away from the hero's kids. I had kept my word but I couldn't help observing them and their vast family. If I am really being truthful to myself, it was she who kept my interest and once it made me wonder when the casual interest had turn to fascination.
It might have been when I looked at her in class during the third year, and saw the freckles on her nose which complemented her light brown lashes compellingly. I sat behind her and she dropped her essay on the ground. I picked it up and passed it through the legs of her chair as she frantically searched for it on the ground. She flipped that red curly hair over her shoulder and flashed me a smile before it slide off her face when she realized it was the Death Eater's son who had helped her.
It may have also been that time when I was patrolling the halls for Prefect duty in the 6th year. She was arguing with her friend, who was telling her she couldn't take it anymore. I fell into the shadows to listen more closely.
"You can't tell anyone Mariel, I told you before. I told you there's no turning once you decided to go with it!" Her voice had a depth that contrasted with other girls high trills. It was a voice that allowed her a quiet authority that most girls had to fight for, but came naturally to her.
"I didn't know what it was before!" Mariel whined. I adjusted my position in the column to get a better view of what was going on, it was nighttime and the candle's were to go out in ten minutes, they were out past curfew, "I'm scared Rose."
"I know," Rose agreed solemnly,"I am too, but that's how we know that we take this seriously. I would be concerned if you weren't a little scared. That's completely normal, everyone was when they started. Everything will be better soon."
Mariel sniffled, her mousy brown hair was in a disarray, "If you say so Rose."
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine soon. Let's get back to the dorms before a Prefect finds us," Rose guided her friend up the staircase and I pressed myself against the column until I was sure they were out of site.
Now that I reflect back it was definitely after that night that I became utterly engrossed by Rose Weasley, because the next day Mariel was missing from school.