It was 9:30pm in the girl's dormitory, and Rose was flopped on her flat stomach, sprawled out across her bed in her pjs (in her pajamas so early because she wasn't planning on leaving the dorm until the next morning---she was more of an early bird than a night owl). Her red locks were pulled up in a high pony-tail, her wand set on her bed-side table. She was absent-mindedly kicking her perfect feet up in the air as she quietly scratched a quill across parchment. Behind her the giggles of her dormmates blurted distractingly, and Rose made a face at them irritably. She squeezed her hazel eyes shut, trying to drown out the background noises so she could concentrate. She ran a hand across the smooth skin of her cheek, brushing away a whisp of loose hair as she wrote.

Dear Mum and Dad,

She had finished her four hours of homework earlier that day, the time spent assisting Daisy included in that. Not wanting to tempt Al and Sven into asking her for answers while they did their work, Rose had come up to her dorm and decided to use her time writing her parents a letter. Unfortunately she wasn't alone, as she'd hoped she'd be.

Nothing too drastic has happened yet. Hugo's lost Scabbers II twice now, but he's always managed to find him again. Albus is just getting over his O.W.L.s, thank God. He and James have been going at it a lot more than usual---I hope things will settle down soon. Daisy is as nargel-loving as ever, but I was surprised to see how many classes she and I have together. And Sven, well, he's still the same Sven. The four of us are still as close as ever.

Just as Rose was about to dip her quill for more ink, a pink article of underclothing landed squarely on her back. The room erupted in giggles and "Oh, sorry Rose!"s. The redhead rolled her eyes, and then turned around to smile politely at Levina Brown, who had come over to retrieve the item from Rose. Her dimple did not appear, as this was not a genuine smile.

"Ooh, whatchya workin' on?" Levina asked with interest, leaning in over Rose's shoulder, who hastily pushed her letter out of sight, but too late. "Ah, I saw Sven's name!" She declared excitedly. From the bed across the room Corless Goldstien called out,

"Writing love letters to him? I knew it was only a matter of time! You two just wouldn't admit it to yourselves, now would you."

"Nooo, guys! Seriously, it was just a letter to my parents. Sven and I are just friends." Rose turned around just in time to see Levina and Corless exchanging knowing glances, and Solana Boot snickered. "Honestly. Don't go spreading rumors or anything." She threatened.

"But Rose! When are you going to get yourself a man?" Levina whined, plopping down over on her bed and grabbing a licorice wand from her bedside table. "Do you have any idea how many guys in this school would be willing to make out with Joanna Terrill (Ew! Kristen Holt squeaked), or jinx their best mate just to get their hands on your arse?"

"I---" Rose began, blushing furiously, but Solana cut her off.

"Let's see, there's Keefe Penn---"

"---obviously---" Kristen exclaimed.

"---Roarke Macmillan," Solana continued, "Ivan Powell, Zeke Thatcher---"

"Total BABE!" Corless swooned. "Rose is so lucky to be on quidditch team with him! Do you get to see him shirtless when he's sweaty?"

"---my younger brother---" Solana shuddered.

"Oh, let's not even get started on all the 5th, 4th, and 3rd year boys who check Rose out daily!" Levina burst. The conversation continued, but now that Rose was no longer part of it she tuned out the list of names and went back to writing.

Earlier today we stopped by Hagrid's hut to say hello. He sat us down for tea and told us about how, when you were in your sixth year, neither you two nor Uncle Harry continued to take Care of Magical Creatures either. He laughed about it, but I reckon he was only in such an agreeable mood because Daisy continued his class. She's always been good with animals. . . Oh---give Quintin a bath please, since I forgot to give him one before I left. I miss him already so much already.

N.E.W.T. classes have been very intense, and I'm extremely worried about keeping my grades up. I've already started to slip behind in Potions, but I went to see Professor Melisenda about it, and, well. . . all things considered I know this is a very important year and will try my hardest to stay top of my classes. I'll make you proud Daddy! Quidditch tryouts are a few days away, and I'll write back as soon as I get the results. Hugo sends his love, as do I.

Your daughter,

Rose

With a satisfied sigh, Rose lay the letter on her bedside to dry, and was relieved when she heard the girls discussing when the first annual sneak-out to Hogsmead (to get wasted, of course) was, and not her list of admirers. Deciding she was tired enough, and hoping to wake up early in order to send her letter, Rose snuck under the covers and twisted around into a comfortable position.

"Hey Rose, you interested in sneaking out to Hogsmead with us Friday night?" Corless suddenly questioned, her eyes glinting.

"No, Saturday morning's quidditch tryouts. Sorry." The redhead replied simply, and shut her eyes as a clear indication there would be no more discussing the topic.

"Oh, give it a rest, Cor. You know Rose is too much of a good-girl to get smashed." Solana's voice chided. From her tone Rose could not tell whether she meant this as an insult or not.

"Yeah, well, there's a first time for everything. . . Kristen, you've never drunk, have you?"

"Er, I went down to Hogsmead several times with you guys last year, remember?" Kristen said in a nervous, low voice.

"Yeah, but you never drank." Corless clarified. Solana said something or another to this, but Rose was already drifting into the foggy shores of sleep.

~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~

Saturday morning. Rose was seated at the Gryffindor table, helping herself to bacon, eggs, and toast. On her left Sven was downing a glass of pumpkin juice, and on her right Albus was shoveling hash browns. Daisy sat across from them, absent-mindedly nibbling on her own toast while once again buried in the Quibbler. Further down the table Rose surveyed Hugo and Lilly chatting to each other happily, and then James, Slade, Fred, and Zeke talking of nothing but the quidditch tryouts. Solana, Corless, and Levina were slouched in a corner together, with obvious symptoms of an overhang. They weren't the only ones in the hall looking like this, either, and Rose shook her head somberly. Over at the Hufflepuff table she saw her Cousin Lucy sitting with her boyfriend. Their eyes met, and Lucy smiled at her timidly. Rose grinned encouragingly back. They were in the same year, but for some reason Lucy had always seemed a bit intimidated by Rose. . . Her eyes wandered over to the Slytherin table, and she saw Malfoy and his group sitting together, heads together in conversation. Rose wondered what they could be talking about so urgently. . . Over the years Malfoy had become quite the ladies' man, extremly attactive and not bad grades either. Of course, it didn't hurt that he was captain of the Slytherin quidditch team. Al loathed him even more for this. Suddenly her gaze fell to rest upon a dark-haired seventh year, sitting directly next to Malfoy. She was looking straight back at her, scowling. Rose quickly turned away, unnerved. That girl looked strikingly like someone she knew, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"So Sven, are you coming to watch the quidditch tryouts?" Rose asked hopefully, giving him a playful nudge.

"What? Oh, yeah, of course."He answered, smiling at her. Then he added, rather awkwardly, "You look good today." Rose felt a small blush bubble up on her face, and she tugged one of her French braids nervously.

"Thanks. . . Glad you're coming; I always do better when you're around. Finish your essays yet?" She asked brightly, glancing over towards her two older cousins as they erupted into boisterous laughter at something Slade had said.

"Ugh, I haven't even started my Charms essay!" Albus groaned from beside her, picking at his eggs. Sven shook his head sadly, indicating he hadn't either.

"Oh, you two!" Rose scolded, rolling her eyes. She sighed heavily. "I suppose, after I've cleaned up from quidditch, I can help you two with a start."

"You're the best, Rosie." Sven grinned, giving her a one-armed squeeze.

"Yeah Rose, don't know what we'd do without you." Her cousin agreed. Daisy turned a page in her magazine, and then looked up, surprised.

"Oh, mail's here. Mummy's necklace is supposed to come today." She breathed excitedly. And sure enough, dozens of owls came pouring into the Great Hall, dropping packages and parcels onto the tables. A small brown box landed on Luna's plate, and a letter on Rose's. The read head tore it open quickly, wondering if it was the sloppy handwriting of her dad, or the neat, curved handwriting of her mum. Albus swore loudly as a brown owl dropped a pair of gloves into his juice.

My Dear Rose,

The letter began. It was Mum.

I'm glad to hear all is well so far, and equally glad you and your friends are still so close. Friendship is an amazing thing, and I am so happy you have found it in such good people. Yes, James and Albus are sure to be getting into rows, but that's only to be expected. Ah, Daisy is so like her mother. . . I do hope that her ideas about some things don't bother you too much---she's a good girl, and her heart is in the right place.

Oh, Rose, don't let your father pressure you into worrying so about your grades. We are both very proud of you, no matter how high your scores are. Hagrid was awfully upset when none of us continued his class, but I'm sure he understands why you, Sven and Albus just can't fit it into your schedules. Quintin has been very lonely without you, but I gave him a bath and brushed him, and he seems a little happier now.

Work has been very trying on your father recently---the case he is on now is an extremely difficult one, so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Things are always so much quieter here at home when you and Hugo are gone, and I miss you two so much! Your father and I have been debating on when to tell you this, but we agreed we can't keep it from you two any longer. My darling Rose, you have another brother or sister on the way! He/she is due in late May. I'm extremely excited---tell Hugo and your cousins the good news! Your father sends his love, and luck for tryouts.

All my love,

Mum

"Oh, my. . ." Rose breathed, reading the last paragraph one more time. The she let out a yelp and shoved the letter in Albus's face, who had been forlornly trying to dry out his quidditch gloves with his wand. "AL! Al, look at this, look at this!!" Rose cried, and then jumped from her seat and raced down to where Hugo was just getting up. She bumped into him full speed and nearly fell backwards.

"Hu, you won't believe what mom just told me!" She gasped, her hazel-brown eyes wide and full of excitement. Her borther searched her, his eyes questioning. Lily was behind him, just as curious and slightly startled. "Mum's pregnant."

"She is?!" Lily was the first to speak, and it came out as a squeak. "I'm going to have a baby cousin?"

"Oh, blimey, really?" Hugo said blankly, not yet absorbing it. Rose nodded violently, her grin spreading from ear to ear. From behind her she felt a nudge, and Slade, walking past, reminded her,

"Tryouts start in half an hour Rose, better hurry!" But Rose only blinked, tryouts seeming tiny compared to this news.

"Yes, really! You're not going to be the baby anymore, Hugo, you'll be a big brother!" She beamed, and twirled around happily, practically falling into Sven's arms, who, along with Daisy and Albus, had come up behind her.

"It's true then? Aunt Hermione's have a baby?" Albus demanded, handing her back the letter. The group simultaneously began to move towards the doors, aware of the stares they were attracting. Rose nodded, beaming. "I thought I heard Mum talking to someone on floo about her friend having a baby. Couldn't be sure. Congrats Hugo, you're an older brother now!" Albus remarked, and Hugo looked dazed.

"It's wonderful, isn't it?" Daisy said dreamily, a new cork-necklace draped around her neck. "I wonder what names your mum and dad are considering."

"Can I be Uncle Sven?" Sven asked excitedly, peering over at his friend and shaking her shoulder. "Can I be at least partially related? I'm the youngest in my family. . ."

"I hope it's a girl!" Lily was saying cheerfully. "We could take her our shopping, dress her with cute clothes and bring her with us on girls night outs!"

"Maybe he'll have quidditch genes, ya know? Fly around with us every now and then." Albus suggested.

"I hope he or she likes horses! Hugo never did care much for Quin, but maybe this next one will!" Rose mused, twirling her braids with enthusiasm. The group continued to chat all the way out to the quidditch field, where finally Hugo and Daisy parted, and Albus, Rose, and Lily went to go get ready. In the dressing rooms Fred and James also learned of the good news, which somehow or another started Albus and James bickering once again. By the time tryouts began Albus was thoroughly annoyed, and nearly dropped the quaffle twice when doing passes. Slade was bellowing out orders left and right, flying here and there to observe the hopefuls. Rose grimaced as Clay Cowan, a boy in her year, stopped four out of five passes. Lily had thrown the one he missed, and turned to wink at Rose as the quaffle slipped through his fingers.

Rose mounted her broom. Slade called her up, and added as she flew past him "Make me proud!" She hovered infront of the goal posts, her eyes darting back and forth between the chasers who would be throwing for a goal, sizing them up. There was Lily---she was brilliant, and Rose would be lucky if she stopped her attempt at a goal. Then there was Chris Boot, a fourth year who was quite good and powerfully built. Will Thomas, a fifth year, was tossing the quaffle into the air and catching it, taking experimental throws and racing to retrieve it. Then there was Albus, whom Rose had practiced with enough to know his strategy. . . and finally there was Zeke Thatcher. The red head gulped. As soon as he advanced towards her she'd shrink back, falter, her hands trembling under his piercing gaze. The way he looked at her made her feel so exposed, vulnerable, and there was nothing she could do about it. It had happened last year as well. The one shot she had missed had been his, and she very nearly hadn't made it onto the team that year.

From the sidelines, she could hear Clay chuckle. "Ha, Rose. She'd be better off as seeker---you need big, broad people as keeper so they can better block the hoop. Look at how small she is!"

"If that's what you think, you obviously haven't seen her at it last year." Slade said wisely, and Clay fell silent. "Just watch." Rose squeezed the wood of her worn broom till her knuckles turned white as Will Thomas flew towards her, she bit her full lower lip just thinking focus. . . focus. . . She caught the quaffle with her left hand as it flew towards the center hoop. She had to throw her whole body over to catch it, and had to twirl upside-down in order not to fall off the broom. Rose could hear Lily's hearty whoop as she sat up straight again, quaffle safely tucked under her arm. On to the next one.

She stopped the three other attempts, even Lily's, though Rose had the feeling Lily hadn't put as much oomph into her throw as she normally would have. It was right after she had miraculously stopped Will's 40mph throw at the right hoop that the queasiness started. Zeke was up next. Her eyes searched the small crowd in the stand, desperately caving his dark blue's. . . Sven met her gaze encouragingly, and he smiled. It wasn't his normal, cheeky grin, it was a genuine smile, honest and sincere. Rose returned it, comforted. Zeke was flying at her fast.