Well hopefully if you are reading chapter two it means you enjoyed chapter one so please let me know what you think!
Chapter Two: Old Friends
"What are we waiting for mum?" Mia whined as she continued to swing her legs on the park bench.
"For a friend." Rose kindly stated to her daughter but her patience was beginning to die out.
"Hello there." His voice was ever as before, rough and tough yet his words always friendly.
"Hagrid!" Rose practically jumped into her old friends arms and he did one better as he kept her feet of the ground, squishing her in a hug.
"Rosie you look well." He smiled ear to ear as Rose now had two children flanking her sides "and who do we have here?"
"Hagrid I would love for you to meet my daughter, Mia." On call the girl stepped front and centre, she had the ruff, black hair of her father, grey eyes that although similar to her mother's they just seemed to scream Sirius, yet everything else screamed of Rose; including the kind way she smiled.
"Well hello there princess." He took the little one's hand with care.
"And I believe you have already met Harry." Rose had to put an encouraging hand on Harry's shoulder to guide him forth.
"I don't think we have met." Harry surely would remember such a large man
"Well you wouldn't remember, you were just a tiny thing; how do you think you got to 4 Privet Drive?" Hagrid looked at the boy with such joy
"You bring what we need?" Rose questioned as they began to walk, leaving the children to trail behind.
"Yes got it all with me, Dumbledore was not overly impressed with a kidnapping." Hagrid relayed the message.
"Well it is his fault for leaving him in such a place." Rose snapped but took note of the hurt in Hagrid's eyes, he had after all delivered him. "I'm sure if Dumbledore or anyone else had issue with it I would have heard from them by now."
Diagon Alley had sent the pair of children into a frenzy as they ran from window to window, there was so much wonder to behold for a child. For an adult however it was just another crowded alley of shops, the bank being the first main goal. Mia and Harry had both put up a small protest when told to go with Hagrid as Rose went to her own counter to deal with her vaults. The children complied and got on a creaky old cart with a grumpy goblin, they whipped down and around, through loops and tunnels eventually stopping at Hagrid's vault which the children noticed but where too involved in conversation to take notice. Then it was Harry's turn.
"Merlin's Beard." Mia whispered in awe for both of them
"This is mine?" Harry needed confirmation
"What did you think your parents left you with nothing?" Hagrid laughed
Harry stuffed his pockets and although he told Mia to take some she refused insisting it was his money, he had however promised in the back of his mind to buy her a treat later on. As the two children had their adventure Rose was having her struggle as she had retrieved her money but there was one more account she wanted access too.
"Key." The grumpy voice demanded rather than ask
"Well you see I seem to have miss placed it, however I am on the-"
"No key. No entry." He didn't even look up as he signalled for the next person
"Now you listen to me. My name is on the paper work, I have all the rights to access that vault and it is of no use to him anymore." Rose spat out harsher than she intended
"All the rights and yet no key." The miserable old goat was about to receive an ear full when Rose was whisked off her feet and promptly dumped outside.
"How dare you!" She screeched back at closed doors, only to realise the fortitude of eyes that now starred at her.
"Rosie?" The shocked voice of an old friend
"Arthur!" Rose turned and engulfed the man in a tight hug, relaxing at the comfort she always felt near him.
"Oh Rosie!" Molly teared the girl off Arthur and into her own arms, fussing about her.
"Molly, it is so good to see you." She whispered into her ear taking in the moment but eventually letting go to look at the sea of red haired children.
"Oh wow they have all grown, and multiplied!" Rose nodded to the two additions she had yet to meet.
"Yes you remember Percy and the twins Fred and George." Rose nodded as Molly did the head count, the boys politely smiled at yet another person their parents knew "and this is Ron and the baby Ginny." Both children took in the rather tall lady in front of them.
Before Rose could say a word more she was crashed down by a frantic Mia who had thought she had lost her mother. Now upon finding her she felt the need to fill her mother in on every detail of her life for the past 15 minutes of separation. Harry was also backing up Mia's story adding his own bits of information whenever Mia broke for a breath, Hagrid just stood back in amazement that such little bodies had such big lungs.
"Mia, Mia my dear calm down." She put a firm hand on her daughters shoulder and suggested to their company
"Oh sorry mum." The girl bashfully looked down at her feet acknowledging her mother was once in conversation with these people.
"That's ok my dear, you can tell me all about it tonight, Harry and Mia I would like you to meet the Weasley's." Rose pushed the two children in front of herself and once again names were exchanged with smiles.
"So where are you living?" Molly asked, her arms linked into Rose's.
"For now it is just a hotel room but I have made arrangements to check out a house tomorrow." Rose had high hopes for this house, it sounded perfect.
"Well you are more than welcome to stay at our house till you get settled." Molly smiled widely at the opportunity
"I couldn't possible intrude like that." Rose had the best and kindest intentions but she saw Molly's rejected face "But if you don't mind us, we would love to." Rose quickly slid in
"Oh we would love to, the kids may need to share a bed however so you don't have to if you have better-"Molly went to start rambling
"Molly I'm sure whatever you have will be perfect, but I do insist on making dinner tonight, as a thank you." Both women smiled at their plans, but the children were twice as ecstatic at the idea.
Rose had to take a moment as she cut onions quietly in the kitchen, well it was not quiet so to say, Hagrid and Arthur were having a deep discussion over the latest creature Hagrid had come across, Molly was rambling on about this recipe she was making for dessert and the squeals and laughter of outside drifted through the house, all the sounds melded together to put Rose in a little trance. Watching carefully as Mia threw a ball to land directly in Fred's face, only to have George aim at her but Harry swiped to the rescue before the hit contacted. Rose felt the little bubbles of guilt building in her stomach, for so long Mia had grown up alone, the other children not able to understand her and she was unable to tell anyone of the beautiful thing she possessed. Mia had become secluded by both the muggles and herself, relying on the sole friendship of her mother for comfort. Now she was able to play games, magical games, with other magical beings and smile and laugh with people her age, this in turn brought Rose happiness.
"You did the right thing." Molly's words were no longer drabble and were right next to Rose, a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I know, we are both alive and happy and I am thankful... I just wish I had waiting a bit longer, I could've convinced Lily to come with me or we both could have stayed and fought together, then, perhaps, she would be here too." Rose couldn't deny it had been on her mind for the last ten years.
"Now you listen here there is no saying what would have happened, there is no guarantee that you would not be dead right along with them. Now look out that window." Molly spoke with such conviction that Rose lifted her head up again "Does Harry look unhappy?" Rose saw him smiling, much in the same fashion of his mother, she saw him chasing after Ron who had stolen his ball and laughing as he eventually tackled him to the ground "That right there is because of you, you brought him here and have given him a home with yourself. You cannot change the past but you can and are changing the future, Lily and James would never have asked anymore of you." Molly saw a small tear escape Rose's eye, a single drop of the sadness for all that could have been.
Molly had been right, Rose had known it all along, but she did find comfort in hearing the words out loud, the children eventually came inside once dinner had been announced. The meal was just short of a feast, Rose had gone a tad over board when buying and cooking, she had just assumed to feed the Weasley's you cooked for an army. Everyone had their best go at finishing the food as well, filling up plates and stomachs till they couldn't take anymore without overspill. Finally another eventful day came to a close, Hagrid said his goodbyes as the children said their goodnights and were marched up to bed one by one.
"Now will you two be alright while I go look at this house?" Rose looked down at the children secretly giving off the 'you will behave while I'm gone' glare.
"Yes mum, Ginny said she is going to show me her herb garden!" Mia had become the young Weasley's new favourite person and Mia had grown just as fond of her.
"Yeah Ron said that the twins were going to show as this tree that is enchanted!" Harry smiled and Rose couldn't help but shake a little with the twins involved.
"Well use your manners and I'll be home by lunch. Thank you Molly." Rose waved as she then vanished out of sight
The house has obviously seen it's better days, the outside bricks of the house were still strong and sturdy but had lost what would have been a brilliant red tone. The windows were just as dulled, covered in dust, a few tattered remains of what would have once been wonderful curtains draped down them. The garden was just as under kept, the grass would probably tickle the children noses, the weeds and dead plants added to the rather dreary effect. The inside was not a lot better, dust had built up and may as well have been sold as carpet, cobwebs in every corner as old furniture was either broken or breaking. Still it was a rather grand home, five bedrooms along with three bathrooms managed to fit in with a kitchen and living area, it had only taken Rose ten minutes to look at the house and a further ten to own it. When the children got there they practically died on the spot, it was a mansion to them as one had lived in cupboard up until two days ago and the other in small one bedroom apartments; they couldn't care less of the worn out look, it was home.
"Well it needs a bit of a touch up." Molly tsked as she went around the place.
"Nothing a few spells and new furniture can't fix." Rose smiled as she looked around, she finally had a home.
"Better get started then." Molly whipped out her wand and rolled up her sleeves as her children scrambled to make a run.
"Oh Molly you don't have to, besides I was thinking of starting tomorrow." Rose was essentially procrastinating.
"Nonsense we have a couple of hours of sunlight left to fix this up. Boys go with your father and help in the garden. I'll take care of down here and Rose you handle upstairs." Everyone just sort of nodded and marched out their orders, they knew better than to mess with Molly.
"Finally." Rose let out a massive sigh which was echoed through the house as every sat down on the neat floor.
"Thanks for the pizza Rose." The twins mumbled between bites
"Thank you for helping out with the house, it looks amazing." Rose smiled, the garden was now nicely trimmed and a little area cornered off for a vegie garden, the inside looked as though it was bran new, all it needed now was furniture.
"Are you sure you don't want to say another night?" Molly worried
"We are sure, I have some blankets and pillows and we will go shopping tomorrow." Rose assured her she did actually have a plan
By the time dinner was done and the Weasley's had departed two little heads began to slowly nod off, an exciting day coming to an end. Rose whisked out some her blankets and pillows she had carried through a storage spell and with a flick of the wand the living room gained a fort.
"Cool." Harry muttered as they zombied in to the smaller living space
Rose snuggled in-between the children, Mia finding instant comfort in her mother's arms and Harry, with a little encouragement, found comfort too. So much had happened, so much had changed, and it was all so hectic and yet all so perfect. Just like that they fell asleep in each other's arms, love surrounding them as they slept in their home that was soon to be filled with all their belongings and their memories.
"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit." Rose continuously muttered to herself, they were late, very late.
"You are swearing mum." Mia told her off as she ran just behind her mum
"Yeah that's a sickle for the jar." Harry smirked as they rounded the platform
"Oh shut it you two, it's your fault you let me sleep in!" Rose skidded to a stop, platform 9 and ¾ ahead of them and they had a grand five minutes to spare
"Ok it is easy just run at the wall, no time for delay!" Rose pushed Mia at the wall, Harry following swiftly behind, only both of them stopped in awe the moment they got to the other side, the train, the people, the noise, the smells.
"Are you serious?" Rose hissed as she just about sent all three of them flying "How about we don't stand in walk ways, come along." They manage to find someone to take the luggage and as a train master clicked at his watch it was a very quick goodbye.
"Behave, don't get into trouble and I'll send and owl when I can." Rose gave a big kissed too each as they climbed aboard, neither of them dropping eye-contact with her
"Bye Mum, good luck!" Mia screamed over the loud chunking of the train "See you for Christmas!" Harry screamed after as they both waved excitedly out a crack in the window, Rose waving back as they disappeared out of the station
"Interesting lot you have there." The voice came from behind but it was a very well-known one and was welcomed by a firm hand spinning around for a slap
"Now is that anyway to greet me." Lucius Malfoy twinged a smile as he firmly held Rose's hand inches from his face.
"As a matter of fact it is." She hissed back
"Now I was hoping we could have a talk it has been some time after all." He smiled so crudely
"Go to hell." She spat out as she pulled out of his grip intent on storming away.
"Wait." This time his voice was softer and somewhat gentle. "I just want to talk, I thought you dead all these years, just one lunch is all I'm asking for." Rose turned around and starred into his eyes which mirrored her own, how could she say no to her own brother after all.
