A/N: Before I get started I forgot to give a shout out to my friend Taylor. She is the one that gave me the name for this fic, is my editor, and my sounding board. Because of her this story is better then it should be.

Some People Change

Chapter 2

Rose

A week had passed since Drake started working at the Weasley's joke shop and after his single night at the Leaking Cauldron he started staying at the local wizard halfway house. He had seven galleons saved up but he needed 12 if what he was told was right and he had no doubt that it was. At the moment though he was relaxing. He had finished his work hours ago but George let him hang out there until close with no problem. Well truthfully he was trying to relax but Darcy was pulling on his hair. Not that she was trying to hurt him but she was braiding his hair and it was quite long, coming to the base of his spine. He took it all stoically though. In the week he had gotten to know her he had started to like the sweet nine year old. Her home life wasn't that great so she loved hanging around the jokeshop. Also now that Drake had allowed her to work with him sometimes she was saving up for something special.

George was watching his newest employee with an odd smirk. It was so weird to see a guy that could obviously hurt anyone he wanted being so gentle with Darcy. Right now she had a pink ribbon ran through his braid and was adding a bow on the end of it. George chuckled but was also glad to have a man like this in his employ. He turned his head and watched Hermione talking with Abby.

"Come on Abby I really need you to." She said. Abby shook her head again.

"No last time I babysat Rose she ended up on the roof and I had no idea how she got there." Abby said.

"I know she is rambunctous but Ron and I need a night off. We'll pay you ten galleons." Hermione said getting desprate. Ron and her had planned a night out for a long time. Hugo would be staying with her in-laws but Rose was set on staying home. The bad thing was that was for a six year old she would do anything to get her way. Also Ron really couldn't refuse his daughter and she knew this.

"It could be ten thousand galleons and I would still say no." Abby said. The money wasn't worth the headache. Hermione sighed and looked around the room. Ginny had just walked in and she ran over to her.

"Ginny I need a favor." She said with a smile on her face that made her look a little too eager.

"No I will not babysit Rose." Ginny said as she looked around. She started to grin and then giggled when she saw Darcy finishing the big bow at the base of his long braid. He stood up and looked back at Ginny and then got a very stern look on his face.

"Don't hate because I make this look good." He said before turning around flamboyantly and almost prancing away, which had Ginny rolling on floor with laughter. Drake looked back and grinned playfully before picking up Darcy and putting her on his shoulders. Darcy squealed and laughed as she grabbed his head and looked down at Ginny and Hermione, both of whom were in hysterics. She had never been this high up as Drake was 6'3". Hermione got an idea and walked over to Drake.

"Drake can I ask you a favor?" She asked as sweet as she could. Drake smiled and looked down at her.

"Sure."

"Would you like to babysit Rose tonight?" She asked hopefully. Drake looked torn for a second before answering.

"I would but I already promised Sandra I would watch Darcy." He said. Sandra had seen the way her daughter had responded to the gentle man and she had asked him to do her a favor for dinner later in the week. He had readily agreed. Hermione looked sad for a second and then she smiled.

"Bring her with you. I am sure Rose would love to have a new friend come over." She said seeing this as a way to do it. Darcy lit up immediatly. Most kids her age didn't like her much as she was really poor. Drake looked at her and saw the look on Darcy's face. He chuckled as her green eyes lit up and he knew he was going to bring her. He couldn't deny a girl with so few joys in life this one smiple thing.

"I will need to ask her mother if she can spend the night, but if she is ok with it then we will be there." Drake said as he carried her out with the small girl on his shoulder. Hermione sat there hoping that he would come back with positive news as Ginny finally stopped laughing at the pink ribbon.

Drake walked her down to her house which was down one of the side streets of Daigon Alley. They were run down apartments that reminded Drake of the muggle ghettos he had seen while in America. One of the biggest differences is that there were far more apartments then there should be but that was magic for you. They got up to the seventh floor and went to apartment 724. Darcy opened the door and Drake was confronted by Sandra lacing up a pair of high heels with straps that went up her calf. She had on a short black dress that showed off her shapely legs and a hint of clevage, just enough to excite her date. Her black hair was all wavy and soft and her blue eyes lit up when she saw her daughter.

"Hey Drake thanks for this." She said.

"No problem. Hey Hermione Weasley asked me to watch her daughter Rose tonight so-" He started but he never got to finish as Sandra looked up at him as her eyes started to get wet.

"I know I can't pay you like she can but please watch Darcy and I promise I'll make it up to you. I really want to go on this date." She said in a panic. Drake held up his hand.

"No, I am still going to watch Darcy tonight I was just going to ask if you had a problem with me taking her over to the Weasley's so I can watch Rose as cut me off before I could finish." He said with a smile. Sandra took a deep breath and then nodded.

"Of course she can. I think it would be easier if she just spent the night there if it is ok with them." She said as she looked herself over in a mirror before getting ready to leave. Darcy got her bag together and went to hug her mom goodbye. Sandra didn't even notice her as she left. Drake saw her face drop and he picked her up and hugged her.

"Come on lets go have some fun." He said. Darcy hugged him tight and buried her face in his shoulder to try and stop her tears. He rubbed her back and carried her bag. Darcy clung to him like a life line. He carried her back to the jokeshop and everyone looked at them as they walked in. He nodded to Hermione and she started to smile until she noticed Darcy's tears. She looked at him questioning. He gave her a look that said he would explain when they got there. She nodded and walked to the fire. Throwing in some floo powder she called out.

"Rosewood Place." She then stepped in and Drake and Darcy followed closely behind. They were swallowed up by the emerald flames and soon found themselves in a very cozy cottage. It was easy to see why it was called Rosewood Place as the wood is all stained a beautiful light rose color. As they sat there, shaking out the soot on their clothes, a small redheaded girl ran out a door somewhere down the hallway. She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt that were both dirty from playing outside. Her red hair was darker than her father's and bushy like her mother's was when she went to Hogwarts. He set Darcy down and she walked over to the young girl. They looked at each other for a second as if confused by the other's apearance. One covered in dirt the other with puffy eyes still red from crying. The redhead then gave the still sniffling child a hug.

"Hi I'm Rose. Do you want to play?" She said already deciding that she liked the dark haired girl.

"I'm Darcy. Yeah I would love to play." She said. Rose took her hand and soon they were off to her room. Ron smiled as his daughter made a new friend and he walked over to the man that was helping him out. Hermione was already sitting on the sofa.

"Hey Drake." He said as they shook hands.

"Hey Ron."

"So tell me what happened. Why was she crying like that?" She said. Drake sighed and took a seat.

"Sandra didn't even hug Darcy good bye. Darcy wanted a hug good bye and it was like she wasn't even there. The only time Sandra seemed to care was when she thought I wasn't going to babysit because of watching Rose. I know how much that hurts, so I comforted her." He said. Hermione nodded and looked sad. While both of her parents had careers they were both loving people that wanted the best for their daughter. They always made time for her. Ron really had a hard time understand a woman like that. Even though he grew up poor his mother always had time for all of her kids, all seven of them.

"Don't worry she'll always be welcome here." Ron said. Hermione and him went to go get ready as Drake thought about what to do with the girls. He saw that the backyard was warded so no one could look into it. he then saw the two small brooms and smiled. He pulled out his wand and used a simple charm. It would make it so the brooms can't go faster then he can run so he can always stay with them. Soon Hermione and Ron came out both wearing some nice outfits. Hermione was in a evening dress that was sky blue and had a long slit up the side to show off her tanned and toned legs. Ron was in a tailored suit that showed off his muscular body. He called out to the girls and they both came out of Rose's room. Hermione picked up Rose and gave her a hug and then Ron grabbed her. Darcy looked down remembering how her own mother didn't want to hug her. Before she could feel too bad though she was picked up and gently hugged. She looked at who picked her up and smiled at Hermione as she did. Then just like with Rose she was handed to Ron who hugged her warmly. She gasped, not expecting this action, but then she gave him a hug in return. Ron had learned well from his mother.

"Now you two be good for Mr. Black and tomorrow we'll have pancakes." Hermione said. Two sets of eyes, one brown and one green, lit up and grinned.

"Yes ma'am." They both said. Ron walked over to Drake.

"Ok my cell phone is three on the speed dial and floo mom if you need any help. Her name is Molly Weasley. Other than that have a good night." He said. Drake smiled and soon the Weasley's had left. He turned to the two girls and smiled.

"So what shall we do?" He said. The girls looked at each other and smiled. They looked back at him and Rose spoke.

"Tea party!" To which Darcy quickly agreed. Drake just chuckled and nodded. Soon he found himself in Rose's room with a fancy hat on his head and a hot pink feathered boa around his neck sipping from a magic tea set that made actual tea, just at room temp so it wasn't too hot. It was ridculious but still alot of fun. After that he took them flying in the back yard. Darcy had never flown so he used Ron's broom and sat her in front of him. He flew along side Rose who flew as much as her parents would let her. Her broom was charmed so it could only go about five feet off the ground so Drake stayed right beside her and flew. All of them were laughing and giggling. After about two hours of that Drake brought them in and smiled as he went to get dinner ready.

"Do you two like classical music?" He asked. The girls made a face and shook their heads. "Well that is because you have never enjoyed it the way I do it." They looked at him and he pulled out his wand and tapped it against a cook book. Soon it sounded like an orcestra tuning up. Then he started to conduct and the song "Hall of the Mountain King" began to play. As he conducted the devices in the kitchen started to chop and cook the food for a simple noodle meal. As the music grew more and more frantic more started happening around them. The table was set and at the final stings of the music the girls where picked up and set in chairs with their food in front of them. They both clapped and squealed with delight. After they were done eating Darcy took a bath with Rose as Drake did the dishes. They all went into the living room to watch some tv and soon the days excitemet caught up with them and Rose, Darcy, and Drake all fell asleep with the two girls on his chest.

Ron and Hermione came home to see a very sweet sight. Hermione leaned over to her husband and whispered softly.

"Let's just leave them there." He nodded and soon they were in their bedroom reminding each other why they were so in love. The next morning Drake woke up to the soft breathing in his ear. He looked and saw Darcy snuggling into him as a daughter would her father. Rose was more or less just using him for a pillow. He looked around and saw Hermione cooking and Ron reading the paper. He saw that Drake was up and walked over. Ron picked Rose up and Drake moved Darcy before going to the bathroom to do his morning routine. When he came out Hermione smiled and put a plate of pancakes on the table for him.

"Would you like some coffee?" she asked. He nodded and she made him a cup. He fixed how he liked it.

"Thank you."

"So how were they last night?" Ron asked. Normally this would be when the babysitter would tell him how horrible his daughter was but Drake just smiled.

"They were both little angels. We had a tea party and then we flew for a while before I made them dinner. Then we put on the telly and fell asleep." He said. He had taken the pink ribbon out of his hair when he brushed it this morning but the ribbon was on his wrist so he remembered to return it. After a while of the adults talking Darcy and Rose both got up. They smiled and told there parents all about the fun things they did the day before. After breakfast Drake stood up.

"Ok I have to get Darcy home so say your goodbyes." He said. Darcy almost pouted at what he said but Drake cut it off. "We will be back ok." She nodded and Rose and her hugged for a while before she got a hug from Hermione and Ron. Drake smiled and was about to head out when Rose ran over and gave him a hug.

"Bye Mr. Black." She said. He smiled and hugged her back and soon they were back at the jokeshop. He walked Darcy to her house. The apartment reeked of sex and booze. Sandra walked out in nothing but a sheet, her eyes bloodshot and her hair a mess. Darcy looked at her almost sad and more then a little terrified. Sandra just pointed for Darcy to go to her room and before Drake could say anything that is where she went. She looked back at Drake with a sad smile before vanishing from sight. Sandra waved Drake out as she went back to who ever she had in her room. Drake shook his head and left. He didn't know why he felt so close to the little girl but Darcy was quickly becoming his favorite person. He had to figure out a way to help her.

Later that day he was helping George at the shop with a new shipmint of ingrediants.

"Why do you need Dragon livers and venomsacs?" He said reading the crate he was moving. George just chuckled. He did like Drake and also loved how hard a worker he was. Drake never complained about getting the heavy boxes or crates and was always willing to work. He would kill for a few more like Drake but men like him were far and few between.

"Don't worry about it." He said. Drake just looked at him.

"We're not doing anything illegal are we?"

"Nope just highly suspect." George answered with a grin. Drake shook his head and brought the boxes down. Soon he was back on the floor stocking shelves. Ginny and Hermione walked in and took a seat.

"I am telling you Gin that restraunt was outstanding. You should have Harry bring you there." Hermione said.

"I will. So how was my niece last night? Did she scare away Drake?" She asked. Hermione just giggled.

"Not a chance. All Rose can talk about is how she wants Drake and Darcy to come back. I think next time I'll have him watch Hugo too." She said. Gin just looked at her with shock on her face. No babysitter had ever with stood the wrath of Rose. Ginny looked over at Drake and once again admired his body. Before she could look away Hermione spoke.

"He really is handsome." She said softly.

"Yeah he is. He is also great with kids it seems." Gin said not thinking about what she was saying. It dawned on her and she blushed. "Stop it Mione. I am with Harry." She said. She meant to sound angry but she really didn't. She sounded tired. Before Hermione could ask her about that Harry came in. He was wearing a London Griffons shirt with it's gold and crimson colors. He sat down and smiled.

"Hello ladies. I can't wait. Next week is the start of the Quidditch season and this year we are going to win." He said. Harry had wondered for a while after the war but about four years ago he became the owner of the first London team. He played as their seeker and last season they had gone all the way to the finals but lost to the Harpies. What had really gotten him upset was that the Harpies best chaser and the league MVP was none other then Ginny Weasley. It was her last season and she went out on top. Harry never let her forget it either, he always complained that she didn't come to his team or keep playing so he could have a chance at winning.

Hermione just listened to the talk between the two long time friends and some time lovers. She really paid attention and what she was heard and saw she didn't like. Harry was quick to dismiss any idea Ginny brought forward for their date that night saying that it wasn't big enough. Hermione had the horrible impression that he wanted to be seen with Ginny. See after the war Arthur Weasley, Gin and Ron's father, had become the Minister of Magic in a landslide. So being seen out with the Minister's daughter was always good PR. Also Harry had changed as well. While just after the war he was the same sweet boy over the last eight years he had changed. He had grown accustomed to the fame he had so rightly deserved after the war and now did everything he could to keep it. That is why he bought a Quidditch team rather then joining one. Why he insisted on being seen when on dates. He was desperatly trying to keep his name relevant.

"Come on Harry. I don't need some big production. Just a nice bistro in the country would be perfect for me."

"No Ginerva you deserve more." Harry said. Ginny rolled her eyes. What that meant was that he needed to be seen doing more. Ginny wasn't stupid. She knew what he meant. Another thing he had taken to doing was calling her by her full name all the time. It wasn't that she disliked her name, ok she did hate it some times, it was just that it seemed too stiff. Like he was trying to prove he was mature, like a child would. Ginny just shook her head and turned to watch the fire. What was she going to do with him?

A/N: Thank you to everyone that read and reviewed my story. I got two reviews so lets see if we can get three more so I have five reviews in total. More are diffentatly wanted and the more I get the faster I update but don't worry too much. Taylor won't let me slack off too much. Oh and "In the Hall of the Mountain King" is by Edvard Grieg.