Chapter 3:
-Christmas Eve EVE-
'No…this can't be true ' Rose thought as a nurse from St. Mungo's led her, Neville, her Gran, and Uncle Algae to their parents ward. They all entered the room to see Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom screaming at the top of their lungs, as if they were having some sort of fit. Rose and Neville's eyes began to tear up while Algae's remained stern.
"What's happening to them?" Neville choked.
"They're undergoing a process that we call 'Redemption'. They'll scream for hours , even days on end. It's like the final goodbye to their memory. Soon after this , they will never be able to talk or taste or smell again. It's a very painful process…I'm sorry for your loss." The nurse said ," If it bothers you, I'd suggest you leave the room and wait outside."
"Yes, come along children." Gran stated as she and Algae headed for the door. Rose didn't move…neither did Neville. "Children...Rose! Come…NOW!"
"Can't we just say goodbye?" Rose asked, her eyes full of rage and love.
"Well, didn't you say goodbye eight years ago?" Algae chimed in which made Rose furious.
"Well, they're not your bloody parents, and ,No, I never got to say goodbye to them because they were bloody taken away from me before I could!" Rose shouted as she clutched Neville in her arms. Algae stepped forward. His resemblance to a black pillar was immaculate and his coldness and sternness was as fierce as ever.
"You listen here, Rose. You're going to walk yourself out of this door and head to the waiting room with Gran and I before I whip your ass…got it?" Algae threatened her, his teeth clenched on the last line. He was a sadist and a misanthrope. He physically abused Rose and Neville when they 'misbehaved'.
If only my parents were still normal, he wouldn't be here. Rose thought as she stormed out of the room with Neville attached to her tightly.
-Christmas Day-
Rose was woken up by Neville who was shouting, "It's Christmas ,Rose! It's Christmas!" Rose moaned and rolled over in her bed. It was just going to be another day spent at St. Mungo's with Algae and Gran…another terrible Christmas with no presents or happiness…just despair and severity…but for Neville's sake, she got out of bed.
"Do you think we got any presents this year?" Neville asked smiling.
"I don't think so , Neville. If I had money, I'd buy you something, but Gran and Algae aren't generous people." Rose replied, displeased with her brother's despondent disposition.
"Aww Neville. You know that I love you."
"I love you too."
The rest of the holiday was, like Rose said, full of severity and despair. With most of their time spent at St. Mungo's, Rose and Neville's moral sunk to an all time low. Soon it would be the start of Term two at Hogwarts and Rose would be happy again…especially since she'll be with Fred and George.