Quick Note: You guys should check out lumosmancer's Lyra Black series because it's really good and you'll fall in love with the Black daughter as much as I have. That is all.
The following morning at the Burrow approached a little too quickly for Rosalie's satisfaction. She softly snored in a sound sleep, curled up with her knees pressed to her chest on Ginny's small bed. For the first night in what seemed forever, she hadn't been haunted by repressed memories and fortune-telling nightmares. To add on to the list, she hadn't been able to sleep alone since she last occupied her dormitory in the Gryffindor Tower. Although the mattress may not have been comforting to others used to better commodities, she felt as if she was on a cloud.
It was a shame it didn't last long.
"Is she still asleep?" Hermione tutted in disbelief.
"'Mione, the poor girl's probably had a long summer," Ginny defended. "She looks like she's dead - Well, I don't think she's dead..."
"No, Ginny, she's not," Hermione interjected.
"Give her a few more minutes?"
"Your mum came to wake her up fifteen minutes ago - everyone's already downstairs for breakfast. Unless she plans on missing the World Cup we need to wake her up so she can get ready."
Ginny sighed. "Have fun trying to get her out of there. You didn't live with her for ten years."
"Please, Ginny, I share a dormitory with her. I know what she's like in the mornings," Hermione reminded her.
The younger girl laughed at her comment, the sound quickly fading as it was concealed by footsteps and a closing door. It was then that a burst of intense sunlight illuminated Rosalie's face. The dancing rays of yellow were enough to disturb her eyes, making her scrunch them up with a muffled whining. She reached for a pillow and attempted to block her face with it, only for it to be snatched away.
"Come on, Rosalie, you have to get up!" Hermione urged.
Rosalie made another incoherent sound as she rubbed at her eyes. "I don't want to," she complained groggily.
"I know it's early, but everyone's already downstairs," she further pushed, tossing the pillow back at the exhausted girl. It landed on her face, causing her to groan once more. "Sorry!"
Rose opened her eyes, trying to distinguish Hermione's figure's position through her blurry morning vision. She weakly tossed the pillow back, only for it to end up several feet away from Hermione.
"You missed," Hermione pointed out, smiling as she picked up the pillow and tossed it back to her. "Stop trying to have a pillow fight, you're awake now. Get dressed and meet us downstairs."
"Is everyone seriously already down there?" She asked as she sat up, stretching her muscles. Her sentence was slowed mid-way by a hearty yawn.
"Yes, they are. Molly came to wake you up fifteen minutes ago, but you wouldn't budge. She was too timid to come wake you up again," Hermione explained.
"So you volunteered for the task, considering you're the only person who bothers to mess with me on cranky mornings at Hogwarts?" Rosalie mused, offering her a small grin. Her vision was clearing up now, allowing her to be able to directly look at the bushy-haired brunette.
Hermione put her hands up defensively. "Trust me, I do feel bad for waking you. But someone has to be brave enough to battle the beast that is Rosalie Potter in the mornings."
"Yeah, yeah," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Go downstairs. I'll be there in a minute."
She nodded and took her departure, leaving Rosalie alone in the compact bedroom. She stepped up off the bed, the wooden floorboards creaking under her bare feet as she made her way towards her discarded trunks. She pulled up the metal lock and began rummaging around for a snug outfit, settling on a black sleeveless top and loose jeans. She slipped on her shoes, picked up her messy raven-black hair, tucked her wand in her boot, and grabbed her bag for the trip before sauntering off to the downstairs kitchen.
Upon her arrival, the whole family looked up, offering warm smiles. Molly walked towards her, wrapping an arm around her in a quick embrace. "Oh, you're awake! I'm sorry to wake you so early, my dear, but let's not doddle on that longer! Just eat up quickly!"
"It's fine, Mrs. Weasley, I'm sorry for not realizing the time," she kindly apologized, offering her a sheepish beam before taking her seat at the rectangular dining table besides Harry.
"I didn't think you'd live to see the light of day again," he mocked, glancing over at her as he set his glass of pumpkin juice down.
"Don't try me, Harry, you've had worse mornings," she scoffed, sending them both into giggling fits. She poured herself a warm mug of coffee while Mrs. Weasley flicked her wand, sending buttered toast and eggs soaring to her empty plate. She wasn't sure if her stomach was bubbling in gratitude for the full plate of breakfast, or out of roaring hunger. Whatever it was, it already had her digging into the fried eggs.
"Weren't Bill, Charlie, and Percy tagging along as well?" Rosalie asked after swallowing her forkful, taking notice of the absence of the three eldest Weasley children.
"They're Apparating at around midday," Arthur informed, only for Fred to cut in.
"Percy's been Apparating everywhere. He passed his test two weeks ago, he even apparates downstairs and upstairs," he protested. "It's just to show off."
"Definitely sounds like him," Rosalie added under her breath.
"Why do we have to wake up so early if they're not leaving until midday? The match doesn't start until way later, anyways," Ginny huffed, crossing her arms.
"Well, for one, we're walking-"
"To the World Cup?" Harry choked out in befuddlement. How far away was it?
"Oh, heavens, no!" Arthur chortled. "The World Cup is miles and miles away, too far to possibly walk to. The Ministry's scattered a few hundred Portkeys around Britain in locations away from wandering Muggle eyes. The closest one is in Stoatshead Hill, just a ways off the village. That's where we're heading, we'll be meeting with a co-worker friend of mine."
"That's why we've asked you to dress so casually," Molly added on. "To attract less attention to yourselves, blend in with the Muggle crowd." It was then that her eyes widened and she clapped her hands, something clicking in her head. "Oh my, before I forget! Harry, Rosalie, I have something for you two to w- GEORGE!"
All eyes snapped to the redhead twin, who gave an innocent look. Nobody bought it, noticing the colorful wrappers of Ton-Tongue Toffees on the floor. "What?"
"I told you and your brother to get rid of those things!" She scolded in a loud shout.
"What things?" George shielded, moving his foot under the table to try and kick the confectionary out of sight. Molly was too quick, however, and with a wave of her wand, Ton-Tongue candies were flying out of George and Fred's pockets and jackets in extensive numbers, littering the floor.
"I told you two to stop with this foolery and to get rid of all of these!" She cried out. "Go, right now, get rid of them!"
"But mum, we've spent months working on those," Fred tried to coax, only for Molly to levitate a rolled-up Witch Weekly article, whacking him across the head with it.
"Months well spent, I suppose?" She protested. "You could've gotten more O. with that time, but no! Right now, upstairs! Discard them!"
Rosalie bit her lip, trying to not show her evident entertainment at their situation. The twins narrowed their eyes at her before reluctantly picking up the sweets and disappearing upstairs with piles in their hands. Somehow, Rosalie knew they wouldn't comply so easily.
"Where was I? Oh, right!" Molly disappeared into the living room, resurfacing just seconds later with two parcels in her hand. She handed one to each of them. "I made you two a little something to wear for the Cup - I hope I have your favorite team right, I only had Ron to tell me. You both can wear it to the game, and it should help you blend in with the other Muggles at the village!"
Rosalie tore open the packaging carefully, greeted with red and black thread. She pulled out the item, revealing a scarf knit in the Bulgarian team's colors. Harry's gift was identical, surely the brilliant idea of Molly to have them match.
"I love it," Rosalie assured when she noticed her hopefully expectant expression. It immediately lit up at their response.
"You didn't have to go through that trouble, Mrs. Weasley," Harry stated, wrapping the scarf around his neck.
"Nonsense!" She abruptly interrupted, placing a hand on both of their shoulders. "Think of it as secondary birthday gifts, how's that?"
Rosalie smiled in thanks as she pulled hers on. At that same moment, Fred and George descended the steps. Fred cocked a brow at the two. "What's with the matchy-matchy, Potters?"
George faked a gasp of surprise. "Wait, is that the Bulgarian team's colors? Freddy, they've betrayed us!"
Fred started to fake weep, George rubbing his back dramatically in consolation. Harry let out a laugh at their idiotic reactions, but Rosalie merely smirked. "I'm sorry, you two, but I support only the most genius of teams."
Ron clapped in approval. "This is why I prefer you over them, Rose."
Arthur stood up, moving to give Molly a goodbye kiss on the cheek as she used magic to pick up the plates and wash them. "Alright, kids, off we go!" He ushered, leading the group outside of the Burrow.
The group began their walk out towards Stoatshead. Harry was bugging Arthur with questions about Portkeys, Apparition, the World Cup, and Muggles, which was enough to entertain himself from the long climb. Arthur looked as if he had no difficulty with all the climbing, feeling rather enthusiastic about Harry's curiosity and interest. Ron followed alongside him. Hermione and Ginny chattered amongst themselves, while Rosalie talked to the twins.
"It's not my fault it fell out of my pocket," George defended for the tenth time since their departure.
"You could've hidden them somewhere better, perhaps in - oh, I don't know - your bag?" Rosalie pointed out matter-of-factly, her eyebrows raising at him in taunting. Fred snickered.
"We had them in super secure places!"
"Your clothes are not a secure place, George."
"Our mom just has hawk-like eyes," Fred stepped in. "She sees everything, I swear, that woman..."
"Or you just didn't hide them well enough," she chirped with a smart-ass grin.
"Hey! You can't act like the innocent one - you gave one of them to your cousin! And dad blamed it on us for giving it to you!" Fred whined, although neither of the twins' smiles faltered.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Rosalie pretended, placing a hand on her chest. "I'm an absolute angel."
"I hate to break it to you, flower, but angels can't have sass," Fred remarked.
"Not to mention you've got a mean anger - does it just run in the Potter family?" George asked, scratching his chin.
"And you're a mischievous little thing when you want to be - how else do you explain our genius pranks?"
"Ooh, did you just call me genius?" Rosalie mused, her face lighting up. George cursed under his breath in defeat, giving her a playful glare.
The climb up the mountain where the Portkey awaited only seemed to drag on longer. All minus Arthur now trailed in sluggish paces, clutching onto the bags on their backs for support. Every breath Rosalie took felt sharp in her chest; her feet were sore and threatening to give out on her. The boiling sun above their heads didn't help their situation as it beat down the early morning heat on their faces. The further up they got, the more they encountered. Ron had nearly fallen after tripping on a tuffle of grass, Hermione was clutching her side, and Ginny continued to complain.
"How much longer, dad?" she questioned again through heavy pants.
"Don't worry, it's just up ahead," Arthur guaranteed, beckoning to the top of the hill.
"I thought your mum said we were going to the World Cup, not on a camping trip," Rosalie mumbled, leaning over towards the twins to make sure only they heard it.
Rather unfortunately, Hermione also heard it, and sighed. "Don't be so sarcastic, Rosalie. It's not that bad. There's at least some… beautiful scenery... to enjoy…?"
"Hermione, even you're out of breath," Rosalie shot back. "For all I care, nature can kiss my a-"
"We're here!" The twins cried out gleefully, pushing the girls forward as they felt the steep ground finally level. Rosalie almost tripped from the sudden shove, only managing to catch herself thanks to Hermione.
"See? I told you it wouldn't be too long now," Arthur hummed, his eyes scanning the place. "Well, perhaps we should find that Portkey… whatever the ruggedy thing looks like…"
"Arthur!" A voice called from the distance. "Is that you? We've got the Portkey!"
It was then that the group became aware of two tall figures in the distance with their arms up in a beckoning motion. Arthur clapped his hands and began to lead the group their way. "Ah, Amos! Nice to see you!"
The two new strangers were finally recognizable - there was one older man with blonde hair, oval glasses, and a kind smile, dressed in heavy coats with bags hooked around his shoulders. The boy beside him Rosalie recognized well - Cedric Diggory, the Hufflepuff Quidditch team captain, and the heartthrob of the badger house. Rosalie immediately assumed the man sharing resemblance to him was his father.
Amos chuckled and nodded before taking a good look at all the children his co-worker had brought along with him. "Are these all yours?"
"Only the ones with red hair," he cleared up before motioning towards the two Potters. "That's Hermione, Ron's friend, and Harry and Rosalie, also his fr-."
"Merlin's beard - the Harry and Rosalie Potter?" Amos marveled, strolling over to them with two arms outstretched. The two siblings took his hands in greeting, giving them a shake.
"I've heard fascinating stories about your Quidditch games, Cedric talks about it all the time," he complimented, but then quickly switched to a boasting grin. "Quite a story it is - Cedric, my son, beat Harry Potter!"
"Dad, it was just because Harry fell off his broomstick," Cedric quickly defended, pinching the bridge of his nose and shooting the boy an apologetic smile.
"You still did it, my boy!" He bragged. "You didn't fall off your broomstick, did you? But as they say, may the best man win, and that he did. Imagine telling the future grandchildren! My son is quite the handsome one, eh, Rosalie?"
At this, everyone but Rosalie and Cedric burst into laughter. Her friends were in hysterics at her humility, her cheeks dusted bright red. Arthur was laughing at what he considered a humorous and light-hearted joke.
"Dad," Cedric complained in a soft mumble.
"Fine, fine, I'll stop," Amos sighed, wiping imaginary tears away from under his eyes. "That's my Cedric, so modest and humble. Let's get going then? Make sure you've got everything, sit around in a circle by that boot over there!"
The group walked towards the Portkey, a tattered old shoe lying alone in the wefts of grass. Everyone kneeled around it in a circle, reaching out to grab it.
Cedric took the spot besides Rosalie, kneeling down and placing a hand on the heel of the boot. He glanced over at the girl before giving her an award-winning yet sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry about my dad - he gets too excited sometimes and doesn't know what's the right thing to say," he pardoned.
Rosalie, unsure of what to say, was only capable of an awkward laugh and an attempt to not stutter. "Oh, no, it's fine, I'm fine - It was just sudden."
Arthur began to count down seconds, staring at the ticking hand on his watch. It came suddenly - they were whisked away into thin air, yanked like hooks off of the ground. A whirlwind of colors surrounded them, their fingers magnetically drawn to the object holding them up. They spun at an ungodly speed, sending Rosalie into a spiral of unwelcome dizziness.
It ended as quickly as it started, their bodies plummeting to the ground. Rosalie landed with a thud, her bulky and uncomfortable backpack luckily alleviating the fall. Only Mr. Diggory, Cedric, and Arthur were standing on two feet; meanwhile, the rest were staggering or on the ground. She scratched her head, attempting to stand back up, when Ron appeared, crashing down from the sky, landing right on top of Rosalie. She grunted in pain.
"Jesus, Ronald, get off of me!" She exclaimed, trying to squirm her way out from under him. With scarlet ears, he muttered a simple "Sorry" and stood up, offering her a hand.
"Talk about rough landing," Harry huffed as Rosalie gave him her hand, pulling him upright. "How come they landed so swiftly?"
"Experience, Harry," Arthur piped up. "Travelled with quite a few of those things thanks to the Ministry."
"Who cares what travels you've done with that, dad?" Ron interrupted, sauntering towards the steep descent of the hill, beaming at the sight below the new ground. "We're at the Quidditch World Cup."
