There are sixteen ways through hell Rose had walked. Three were empty and desolate and never-ending. Five were with demons of fire and past. Seven were of water and ice and depths that had never been seen.
One was of darkness.
Rose woke with a start. "Merlin," she cried out, steadying herself before she fell off of her chair. She looked up in the face of professor Longbottom. He frowned at her. "Wrong." He said. "And I believe I have already reminded you several times, I do not tolerate sleeping during classes. Five points from Slytherin."
Rose groaned and resisted going back to sleep. "I'm sorry, Mister Longbottom. please forgive me for my discretion." Her head felt heavy like the earth pulled it down. it was spinning and she was not thinking clearly.
"Look me in the eye when you are speaking to me." Longbottom said. Rose turned her eyes on him and saw his flushed cheeks. Her eyes went crossed and almost closed again.
"Miss Weasley."
Rose's eyes flew open and she straightened her back.
"Yes sir?"
"Would you be so kind as to pay attention when I am speaking?"
"Of course sir," Rose said, "I try and strive to give my attention to everyone who has something to say. Sometimes it's hard for me to decide whether to listen to the Gryffindor quidditch team update or to a lecture about the Fanged Geranium that I already know by heart I have always had a weakness for fanged things. I am sorry, sir. I am getting off topic, am I not? I apologize. Somehow I sometimes have trouble staying on track during your lessons. Maybe some more guidance would help, or some new tracks."
As Rose spoke, she could see the colour creep up his neck. He frowned and the muscles of his jaw bulged.
"Sir." Rose added.
"Pack your books miss Weasley." Longbottom whispered, his voice strained. "And report to Mrs. Fronsac." Rose stretched and stuffed her unopened books into her bag. ridiculous she found it. Longbottom was breathing heavily. He was half a head taller than her and would have looked intimidating if it were not for the pink tie he was wearing. Rose had yet to see Longbottom in anything but dress robes in front of the class. Somehow, this tie, this pink tie that had obviously been a gift from his loving wife or aunt or daughter made Rose more enraged that anything he could say to her. Who was he to sent her away. He had challenged. She had done nothing but accept.
Her angry and muffled brain had decided she must do something to anger him as well. It was the only logical thing to do.
"See you,Nivs," she called over her shoulder as she headed out.
Faintly, she heard Neville take away more point behind her but she did not pay him any mind.
She would get in trouble with her housemates about the points though.
But no. She did not care. She won them enough points. He was being unfair. She could do nothing about that.
Stil….
She kicked against a suit of armor and it came down with a clanging that hurt Rose's ears and toes.
"Fuck," she yelled. Her toe was screaming blood and decay and Rose leant against the wall. She rubbed over her toe. The pain increased.
"Why am I such a fucking idiot all the time."
No answer came to her and Rose was left to limp on.
When she reached Mrs. Fronsac's office, no one was there. Rose knocked again, opened the door. The office was small and round with a lot of green. Rose set her bag on the floor and sat on the chair in front of the desk, closing the door behind her as she went.
Fronsac was out teaching.
She made herself comfortable. Rose bored quickly of twiddling her fingers and began browsing Fronsac's possessions. She settled on reading a book.
This is how Fronsac found her in an office that was significantly more messy than before, sitting comfortably in the visitor's chair, reading Magical creatures and how to avert them.
"Rose." She said. "I'm afraid I can't say I'm surprised to see you."
Rose looked up and smiled. "Likewise, Ma'am."
"I see it your not being sent to me for one week was too much to ask for."
Rose painted a look of regret on her face
"Don't lie to me." Fronsac said sharply. "You can pretend to anyone you want, but me. Don't look sorry unless you are sorry."
Rose smiled again. "But I am sorry to cause you distress."
She sniffed. "Don't think so highly of yourself, girl. You have caused me none of the sorts." She walked to her chair and sat down, her back straight. She had a natural grace about herself, and despite her grey hair and sagging skin, the woman looked no older than fifty.
"Of course not," Rose said. "Professor Longbottom sent me to you. Since I have reported myself and experienced all the shame that comes with it, may I be excused?"
Fronsac shook her head. "No quidditch practice this week, girl."
Rose's eyes went wide and she forgot all formalities. Mrs Fronsac made it so easy to forget all that nonsense. "What, do you want us to lose? You know we need al the practice we can get now that the weather is still good and.."
Fronsac held up a finger, silencing her before she could go on.
"You won't have time. You have detention every night this week, and count yourself lucky."
Her eyes softened for a moment. "Really, Rose. watch your step. There is only so much I can do for you."
Rose nodded. "I always do, ma'am, but so do the ones determined to make me trip."
Fronsac waved her away and Rose left without complaint.
Scarlet held the outfit to her body. "What do you think, Rose?" She asked inspecting herself in the mirror.
Rose looked at the dress. Now that she wasn't wearing it, looking too small for her.
"It's pretty." Rose started. She put her book away and sat upright. "But don't you think it's a little short?"
Scarlet shrugged. "Showing a little leg never hurt anyone." She said. Rose was certain of the falseness of that statement.
"Plus," Scarlet continued, "I just want to have a little fun now I'm all single again."
"Oh yea." Rose said, trailing the end of her quill over her bottom lip. "That's right. You´re free again."
Scarlet nodded, a big smile lit up her face."
"Your parents were supportive?" Rose asked.
Scarlet's demeanor fell, but she didn't let the cheery tone go out of her voice. "Oh, you know," she said. "I haven't come around to telling them yet. But it's no big deal."
"I suppose." Rose said. "Didn't they buy you that necklace though. It was very pretty. I think you wore it on that date with Malfoy."
"Yes. I remember."
"I think it was your anniversary." Rose continued.
"Could be."
"Oh well. I'm sure they will understand that you broke it off with him."
"Yes."
"They never seemed very excited to me."
"Oh Rose will you just stop it." Scarlet stamped with her foot on the ground and threw the nearest thing she could at Rose. The brush landed on the ground, a feet away from Rose.
"Stop pestering me about it, alright?"
Rose shrugged. "I just think you gave up too soon."
Scarlet changed the subject without any pretence.
"What are you wearing tonight?"
Rose hummed.
"Because you are going."
Rose hummed again, not looking at scarlet.
"And you are not staying here."
"hm."
"Rose. Look at me."
Rose turned to Scarlet.
"Now tell me what you are going to do tonight and what you are going to wear, and don't you dare lie to me because I'm friends with Missy and I'm not afraid to use her."
Rose sighed. "I was going to wear that green dress, walk you to the party, go in to nick a bottle of something and then go lie on the roof of the astronomy tower."
Scarlet's eyes lit up. "The green dress, really? I have a pair of shoes that would look gorgeous with that dress. And It's not proper to steal drinks from a party."
Rose shrugged. "It's not proper to go to a party that isn't thrown by your own house as well."
Scarlet rolled her eyes. "We are invited. And it's just Ravenclaw. It's not like we're going to the lions nest."
"But there will be enough cups there that I will want to kill myself." Rose said.
"If you would," Scarlet started, "does that mean I killed you because I am the one that is making you go?"
Rose shrugged. "Partially."
"But I wouldn't be held responsible?"
Rose shook her head. "Not officially."
"Settled then. You'll pretend like you aren't such a coward, we'll go to the part together and I'll show you how to have a good time despite people are glaring daggers into your back."
Rose laughed. "Got a lot of practice going out with Malfoy, didn't you?"
Scarlet's face showed traces of pain. "You have no idea how crazy those girls chasing him are."
She shook her head. "I mean, he's not even that handsome. There are boys with prettier faces in our school."
"Yes, but those good-looking faces don't have a family fortune to go with it." Rose reasoned.
Scarlet's eyes widened. "Those skanks!" She cried out. Rose couldn't help but laugh at the outraged expression on her face. "What?" She asked. "That really never occurred to you?"
She shook her head.
"You are so pure hearted sometimes. I really wonder if you and Scorpius talked at all. I swear I thought he would have you corrupted with ten sentences."
"We were friends before we started dating, remember?" Scarlet sniffed.
Rose waved it away. "Here you come with details again. Have I not told you that I'm not impressed?"
"Have I not told you that I don't care?" Scarlet inspected her nails, sniffed, took out an emery board and began filing her nails. "And you are going to that party with me." She added before Rose could hide behind her book again.
Damn
It had been Rose's ninth glass when it happened, but no, Rose did not want to think about that. It made her had hurt and a light went bright behind her eyelids and a ringing started in her ears. Her eyes started to roll and someone was shouting at her to calm down. Calm down.
She had been calm, hadn't she? She had been calmer than she had been in months.
Rose drank the last of her drink and smacked the cup on the table, upside down.
"That's how you drink a shot." She said, looking the amused Ravenclaw in the eye. His glasses were askew.
"I like your necklace." He shouted. He leaned closer so she could hear him over the music and trailed over the necklace.
He was about three drinks too early.
Rose slightly moved away from him. It was a clear sign. I don't want you to do that. Everyone in Slytherin would have gotten that, even if they had drunk themselves halfway to a coma.
But he was a Ravenclaw.
Glasses moved a bit closer and she felt his arm pressing against hers. She looked away, hoping to see Scarlet somewhere.
"Thanks. It's new." Rose said and she tucked the hanger of the necklace under her dress.
He made a disappointed sound. "Don't put it away." Glasses must have meant it to sound seductive and full of husky manliness, but he sounded like a child to Rose ears.
"I'm thirsty." Rose shouted.
Glasses blinked a few times, his alcohol fuddled mind not comprehending what she had said. She was still looking around for
"Can I get you something?" He asked.
"Please," Rose said, and he went running.
If Scarlet wouldn't come within two minutes, Rose was leaving and damn this party and those crude idiots who couldn't pick up the easiest sign.
It wasn't Scarlet who sat in front of her one minute later with a big grin on her face and two filled glasses in her hands.
Scorpius handed her one and motioned for her to throw it all back together with him. She smiled wickedly and took the glass from him.
When the Ravenclaw boy returned, Rose and Scorpius were laughing about nothing and everything. Rose look the glass from Glasses, she threw Scorpius a look.
Scorpius burst out laughing even harder.
"Mate." He shouted. mate. Merlin, he was drunk. Rose liked him when he was drunk.
"There are three options you have that result in that pretty arm of yours getting broken."
Glasses was staring at Scorpius blankly.
"Do you know which these are?"
Glasses shook his head. Scorpius smiled pleasantly. "Well, let me assure you, you can also get yourself some broken ribs to go with that arm."
Glasses' eyes were blank.
"Get out of here before I find out your name and things will start happening to you and your family."
Blank eyed glasses moved away. not too quickly, not too slowly.
"I always wonder," Rose said, "why you never curse when you are drunk."
Malfoy grinned. "I am not drunk. I am just having trouble seeing where gravity comes from."
Rose nodded.
"Cursing shows bad manners." Scorpius said.
"You curse a lot."
"I never claimed to have good manners. My parents are fucked up, Rose. I am probably the worst mannered fuckhole you're going to meet in your whole life."
Rose nodded and drank her drink. "You are probably right."
Scorpius left her at her seventh drink. He had either seen a girl, or a fight. When someone sat down next to her mere seconds after Scorpius had left, she missed him and the isolation he provided her here.
He was a rotten and most people avoided him for it.
"Hi. Rose, right?" The boy, because of course it was a boy, asked.
Rose nodded.
"How do you like the party?"
Rose smelled no alcohol on his breath.
"It's nice." She said. "The music is good."
His eyebrows shot up. "Oh?" he asked. "I have yet to see you dance."
Rose glanced at the corner of the common room where there was dancing. She saw Scarlet glued to Missy, and wondered who had invited Missy.
"I'm not really a dancer." She said. "Never have been.
"Really? How come?"
So Rose began a conversation. The boy showed no signs of leaving, and Rose needed new company now her friends had left her for dancers and fights and people who knew how to enjoy themselves.
The bot revealed himself as Dane Stover. He was the one throwing this party for his eighteenth birthday and for the fact that N.E.W.T.'s were still a few months off. Rose had a sneaking suspicion she knew who he hung out with on regular basis, but she waved it off as the alcohol making her paranoid.
Rose had just begun sipping her ninth drink when two smiling faces answered her suspicion. James and Freddy settled next to Dane on the couch.
"Dane!" James sat furthest from Rose and even she could hear him over the music.
"Great party man!"
Fred nodded and threw an arm around Dane's shoulders. "The chicks are great. I am just wondering."
"Why aren't you out there chasing one of them."
Dane flushed and Rose could feel his eyes on her but she was looking down into her glass, contemplating whether throwing the content over James and Freddy, or drinking it would make the situation better for her.
She decided the more alcohol to numb her, the better and drank it all in one swallow. It burned and Rose knew whatever she just drank was not supposed to be drunk without being mixed.
"I was tired of dancing," Dane said, "so I sat down for a bit."
"I see." Freddy said.
James looked at Rose. "And you came here to find out who had invited this slut."
He was still smiling. Rose had taken Dane's cup that stood on the table in front of them and drank this too. Dane was looking at James in disbelieve.
"No. actually - He began. Freddy cut him off.
"I see. She came to you."
Dane shook his head and James ignored him.
"Came to throw yourself at him, didn't you?"
Not many people knew of the relationship between Rose and her family. Rose did not want them to know. She avoided confrontation as the plague and at school, she succeeded most of the time. It was only when one of them had had an especially bad day that they sought her out. She usually got the blame.
"She did not." Dane interrupted him. "She was sitting here alone so I came to check if she was having a good time."
"Ahh…" Freddy said.
"Yes, yes," James said.
"I see," Fred added.
"She just happened to sit here all alone and catch your eye," James said.
"I am sure she had nothing to do with that," Freddy continued.
"No. She can't have," James said.
"Look," Freddy said, turning to Dane. "I know you feel like she did nothing wrong. She looks innocent enough, and if you don't look too close at her make up, she looks pretty enough, but she is sly and manipulative. Trust me. We know her."
Dane looked uncertain.
"And you." Freddy turned to Rose. "What the fuck did you think you were doing?"
Rose looked at him. "James. You look lovely tonight. Black looks good on you."
"Rose."
"I was just talking."
James grimaced. "It's never just talking with you, that's the problem. I swear if you were any easier even ghost would give you a shot."
"Fuck off." Rose said.
"No, Thorn, I'm serious. Or did the bloody Baron already visit? I saw him grinning rather satisfied the other day."
"James, I know that you have a foot stuck up your ass and you get too little action in the front but that is no reason to take it out on others."
James eyes flashed. "Say that again, bitch, and you are dead."
"Wow," Rose said and she clutched the robes over her heart. "I think the only time I have been this scared in my life was when you set that bunny on me." Rose said.
"I'm sorry," James said, "I thought you might be in need of some love, seeing as you don't get it from anyone else."
"You taught that bunny to bite!" Rose was yelling. He had struck a nerve and she was drunk and the room was spinning and she was standing up, pointing a trembling finger at him.
"And who's fault is that?" She shouted. "Who made it so?"
"You did," James said.
"It's okay, Rose." Freddy said. "You can't help what you are. Just don't saddle us with it."
"Shut up, Fred."
A fist went flying, a scream went dying and a girl fell to the floor with a broken cheekbone.
Chapters are getting longer. Thanks for reading. Please tell me what you think. I can never grow as a writer without feedback.
