Chapter Four:

Just A Girl

"Mr Malfoy?"

"I was doing Prefect Duty Professor"

"My office does not need monitoring, get out!"

"But –!"

"OUT!" She pointed to the door; Malfoy gave Rose one of his signature icy stares before he left, "Mr Nott, I told you to leave! Miss Smith, up off the floor if you please!"

Rose got up, picked up her wand and sat in the chair opposite. Theodore had already left. Rose went to speak.

"Professor I –!" but McGonagall held up a hand to silence her, much like Dumbledore.

"Please, Rose" this was the rare occasion that McGonagall ever called a student by their first name, "I know why you are here, Professor Snape sent me and owl just after you left, however I was dealing with Mr Creevy, he has fallen for Mr & Mr Weasley's tricks again, bad case of dribbling droobles, he filled up buckets full!" McGonagall laughed a little, "I shouldn't laugh, but I do have a soft spot for those twins, Frederick's witty humor and George is simply charming! They do come back to the castle ever so often from their shop in Hogsmade; they just love helping out here"

"I've not had the pleasure of meeting them," Rose liked the sound of these twins, they sounded much like herself, always in mischief

"You will, they'll proberly try and sell you something that might put you in hospital wing for a few hours, harmless fun I promise!" McGonagall sighed, "Rose, what's the matter? It's nearly second period on the first day and already you're in my office!"

"I don't know Professor, it's like it always is! I try to keep calm I promise but sometimes I blurt things out without thinking. I try and work and I try and get all my work in on time –!"

"Is that how you fell asleep in class this morning?" McGonagall raised her eyebrows knowingly

"Yes, I was actually up till the early hours of the morning finishing your Transfiguration essay,"

"I'm sorry Rose, if I had known you'd had so much work I would have extended your deadline,"

"That's ok, Professor, it's done now,"

"And what happened while I was away from my office Rose? With Draco and Theodore?"

"Oh nothing, Professor," Rose lied, "He just… We were… we were just talking"

"About?"

"Last year, and what happened"

"He told Theodore?"

Rose paused, "Yes, he did, but I'm sure Theodore won't tell!"

"I'm sure of that too, Rose,"

"But he can't tell anyone else"

"No of course he can't! He'll be isolated from the whole of his peers if he tells. No one should be this interested at the Dark Arts at his age!" Rose was itching to tell McGonagall what Malfoy had told her, but she also remembered what he said, "Rose, I know that Draco framed you last year, but we have no proof! Dumbledore hated giving him his prefect and services to the school and believe me if we had the evidence that you were innocent Draco would have been kicked out of this school long ago. Please, Rose, we are collecting the evidence as we speak, Theodore and Draco will be punished. This isn't your fault," This made Rose feel a bit better, "Rose you're just a girl! Don't go biting off more than you can chew"

"Thanks, Professor" Rose smiled

"Now, about your homework," Professor took off her glasses and let them hang from a chain around her neck

"I still have Charms and Potions to do"

"Well go along to the Library and get it done!"

"I can't, I have Muggle Studies next!" Rose sighed

"Well here! Take this" McGonagall ripped off a piece of parchment and wrote down a permission slip for Rose. She handed it to her, it read:

'Rose Smith has permission to use the Library Period Two (Break and Period Three If Needed) Permission for Restricted Section Aswell.

M. McGonagall

Deputy Head'

"Thanks Professor," Rose smiled, tucking the slip of paper into her shoulder bag. And with that she left to head for the Library. Letting everything mole over in her head as she walked Rose had a sudden urge to cry. Not wanting anyone to see her she took a detour to the girl's bathroom. She flung herself through the door and into the nearest cubicle, she broke down in tears and blew her nose till it was red raw. Sniffling she opened up the cubicle and left to her desired destination which was the Library. She gave the letter the Madam Pince and settled down in a quite corner to finish her essays. She didn't know why she didn't come to the Library more often. It was quiet, reserved and she could find all the information she wanted. The silence, however, she was used to.