Chapter 1

On the 30. August shortly after sundown in the year 1991, although Rose didn't know and didn't care for the years date, the pale black haired woman stood in front of the doors of Hogwarts. Before she could push the doors open, the doors opened themselves and revealed a waiting Dumbledore.

„So Lissa arrived in time, I hope she is well. She didn't made such long journey in a while.", Rose said as she greeted Dumbledore and walked through the entrance. Her long black coat drifted behind her in the strong wind, revealing her dark red blouse with black lace trimming and her skintight black jeans which were tugged in black half-boots.

„Yes she arrived yesterday night and I sent her to recover in the owl tower, but if you would prefer it she can rest in your rooms. Though your rooms are in the dungeons so she couldnt hunt there."

„She shouldn't have a problem with the owls. So can you show me my room? I would like to settle in."

„Of course, follow me."

And with that the two began to take the stairs down to the dungeons. Rose looked curiously at all the Hogwarts oddities that where displayed like the many Paintings with it's moving people who all stared back or were snoring deep in sleep.

„Tomorrow we have a staff meeting, so you can introduce yourself and meet the professors. Also you will meet Argus Filch, the caretaker and Rubeus Hagrid, the gatekeeper. You will work closely with them to ensure the safety of Hogwarts."

„Will you tell me more about the object I am to protect? And what about the Potter boy? Should I keep an eye on him or follow him around?"

„I tell you more when said object is safely in my hands. The professors and I will protect it with spells, but I want you to keep an extra eye out for thous that try to steal it. As for Harry Potter, he should enjoy his first year without a shadow following him. Your nightly patrols in and around Hogwarts should be enough extra security."

„If thats what you want, I will do it.", Rose shrugged nonchalantly, „Do you have a map of Hogwarts and it's surroundings or do I have to explore it myself?"

Chuckling the Headmaster shock his head. „No I don't think it's possible to map all of Hogwarts. I think you will have fun exploring all the secret paths and rooms in here. It could take even you years to learn all it's secrets and even then there could be always more."

„Now I know why you took the dull work of a headmaster instead of your beloved teaching. You explore Hogwarts in your free time, am I right?"

Dumbledore only smiled secretive and didn't elaborate. Huffing to herself, Rose noticed that they were now in the dungeons. The stone walls were more rustical and rough, no windows and the torches on walls were the only light sources.

Gesturing to a door on the left, Dumbledore explained „Here is the potion classroom and the door next to it is Professor Snape's office, the Potion master. If you follow the corridor till the end you will only see a wall, but with the right password you can enter the Slytherin common room. Argus can show you the other entrances to the house room common rooms and the other important rooms. The passwords and the change pattern will be discussed at the meeting. The stairs on the right lead down to old cells with ancient toture instruments. Of course they are protected by spells so no student will harm themselfes or others."

They took a turn right and entered another corridor. This one leading further down in the depth. It ended with an old wooden door with black metal ornaments and a door knocker hold by a wolfshead between his teeths. „Here we are. This was a few hundred years ago the chamber of the potion masters apprentice and his private lab. With the steady growing students in Hogwarts it wasn't possible for the professors to continue the tradition of apprenticeship."

Rose opened the door and observed her new home. It was an extensive room with one big chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The whole room looked bigger than her hut in the forest she last lived in. „I hope you dont mind that I chose a few furnitures for you. They can be replaced if you dont like them", interrupted Dumbledore her musings.

A massive black wooden four-postered bed stood in the right corner opposite the door with heavy dark blue curtains. Beside the bed stood a wardrobe and a commode in the same wood as the bed. On the left side was a small fire place with two armchairs turned to the crackling fire. Also a grey couch with an wooden table before it rested on the left side. Two big nearly empty bookcases filled the wall with the door. A small desk with a chair stood in the left corner of the room.

„I like it. It seems you know me well Albus." Rose turned back to the wizard and raised an eyebrow.

„I am glad you like it. As I said if you have any more wishes please don't hesitate to ask. I will leave you now so you can unpack in peace. Ask for Mavrip, a house-elve of hogwarts, she will be in charge of your food and you can always call her if you need to. But I accpect you to come to all dinners."

Rose pinched annoyed the top of her nose, „Is this really necessary? Children are so loud and disgusting while eating. And such penetrating smells and sounds."

Dumbledore placed his hand placatory on Roses shoulder, „I am afraid it is necessary to make appearence. Also I already have a professor who locks herself away, I don't need another. Maybe you will find friends or associates among the staff."

„In moments like this I believe you don't know me at all."

„Or maybe I know you better than youself."

Reluctantly chuckling, Rose turned back to her room, „Now go old man. Let me have my well deserved peace. I have also a last question. Did you tell your staff about me?"

„Only the Heads of the Houses have more detailed informations about your stay. For the others, it is up to you how much information you are willing to share with them… Enjoy the peace while it's last. I suspect this year will have enough excitement", and with that Dumbledore closed the door behind him.

Sighing exaggerated, Rose dumped her bag and began to sort her clothes in the wardrobe and pulled out enough books to fill one of the bookcases completely. A normal bag certaintly couldn't fit all these books inside. After considering how to sort her books, she finally settled filling one of the bookcases with wizard authors and dictating each shelf with a diffrent topic (like magical beasts, creatours and plants on the top shelf). The second was filled with muggle authors, but this time arranged so that it was sorted by the release date of the books.

After finishing her task Rose ran satisfied a hand over the books spines. Stopping on one particular: Hogwarts, a History, she pulled it out of the shelf and flicked through the still new book. „How didn't I read you once? I even bought a first edition", Rose murmured to herself.

Stretching out on her new couch, Rose settled in a comfortable position and rested her legs on the table. Flipping to the first page, inhaling the pleasant scent of paper and ink, the green-eyed woman began to read. But shortly after, she grimaced, closed the book and held a hand to her stomach. The journey had apparently taken more of her energy than anticipated. „I really did let myself slack to much in the past years", scolded Rose herself.

„Mavrip", Rose called clearly. Only a few seconds later a big-eyed house-elve appeared out of thin air. It had big bat-like ears and wide yellow eyes. Also it wore a form of toga from what looked like dishtowels with the Hogwarts emblem on it.

With an ear piercing high voice it squeaked, „Mavrip to Miss Castell`s service" Rose grimaced and rubbed her ears a little, „Please speak a bit quieter." „As you wish Miss", Mavrip replied in a quiter voice than before while bowing, „How can Mavrip help Miss?"

„I wish for some sustenance now. Also can you arrange to bring me every day starting tomorrow at sundown my meal? That would make my days a lot easier."

„Of course Miss, Miss will not even notice Mavrip if she wishes", the house-elve bowed again.

„That would be great", Rose answered. Still in bowing from Mavrip snipped her fingers and vanished from the room, simultaneously a steaming cup appeared on the table before Rose. Smiling she lifted it to her lips. „Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all."

A few miles away, a young boy with wild black hair and green eyes laid still awake on an dusty floor in an old house on an small island. The snores of his cousin and the storm outside keeping him awake and also the thought of his birthday which was only a few hours away. Harry Potter didn't know about the giant man who was on his way to the island hut, he also didn't know about what would follow his visit and what he would learn about himself and his family. A lot adventures awaited him, but he still had a few hours of peace before his whole world would be turned upside down.

AN: So it was shorter than I wanted but its still an introduction chapert. The next chapter will be longer, could also take more time. For the ones who are curious about Roses secrete, all my oc names are little clues to it.