Disclaimer: Same old, same old, potter property ain't mine, griddles!
3
The pipes rushed with water upstairs, Vicky starting up the shower. Rose stopped sweeping for a moment, again lamenting the fact that Shell Cottage was on the beach: the amount of sand that managed to creep into the house was astronomical. She walked over to where the little baby slept in her basket-thingy by the windows, in a convenient place for Vicky so she didn't have to climb up the stairs every time the kid decided to cry. Evidently c-sections hurt more than they sound like they do.
"Hey, Rosie, where's Vick?" Teddy asked, stepping out of the fireplace.
"Showering," Rosie replied. "So are you going to tell me what our travel plans are?"
Ted stood next to her and looked into the basket, admiring his daughter.
"We'll go through international floo to a location in Austrailia, where we'll catch a portkey to the game. Then, we'll track down the family and enjoy ourselves." He sighed deeply, his hand gently rubbing his daughter's head. "I think she's going to look just like my mum."
"Yeah?"
"Look, she's already showing signs of metamorphmagus powers," Teddy said proudly.
"Really? Because after three days, I have not seen an ounce of that ability."
"Well…you wouldn't, would you? You aren't one. I, however, know the signs."
"Mmhmmmm."
"No, really, have you seen her eyes? They're still ambiguous."
"Most newborns' eyes are, Ted."
"Not like hers."
Rose laughed, unable to control herself. Teddy was so adamant. It was quite adorable, really, more ridiculous than anything. The fire flared behind them and Grandma Weasley came out on the hearth.
"Oh, hello, Teddy," she said, carrying a casserole dish. "I have lunch. Where's Victoire and Fleur?"
"Upstairs," Rose said, resuming sweeping.
"And how's little Flora doing?" her grandma asked, taking Rose's place by Teddy.
"Sleeping since I got here," Teddy said, scratching his head.
"Hello, grandmama," Victoire said, slowly coming down the stairs.
"Ah, Victoire, there you are," Grandma Weasley said. "Rosie, take this to the kitchen?"
Rose tucked the broom under her arm and took the pan, bringing it into the kitchen. She didn't go back out.
3
Rose sat on the other end of the couch of Teddy, the two of them facing Vicky who was situated on the loveseat, passed out at the moment. Neither Teddy nor Rose said anything. Rose was too tired to talk; Flora refused to sleep through the night. Teddy kept his gaze steadily between Flora's basket and the snoozing Vick.
"Uh…Rose?" Ted said.
"Mhmm?" Rose groaned, turning her eyes in his direction.
"I'm not going to be going with you to the cup."
"What?" Rose sat up immediately, not happy with that response.
"Fleur…her family in France is…well…her father is dieing -- something to do with a brain aneurism that not even magic can cure."
"What does that have to do with you?" Rose spat. "Why can't you go?
"I need to stay here and take care of Vick."
"Don't do that," Vicky murmured, opening her eyes. "Go to the cup; you'll never forgive me if you miss it."
"I already know how it's going to end -- Aussies on top, as always. No one can control Mandy if Iliev can't."
"Teddy, everyone's going to be crushed when you don't show up," Vicky said.
"Relax, Vick, I'm sending a good replacement."
"Really, who?"
"Frankie."
"What? No! No no no no no no no no!" Rose yelled, standing up angrily. "You cannot send Frank in place of you! Merlin! I'm going to be completely run out! I'm going to have to hang out with Molly and Lucy and Roxy and Lily and Lou! That's disgusting! I…"
"Be quiet before you wake up Flora," Vicky hissed, glancing at the baby beginning to stir in her basket. "Ted, can you help me up?"
Rose flopped back on the couch as Ted grabbed hold of Vicky's arms and pulled her to a standing position. Vick stretched and yawned.
"Does it still hurt a lot?" Teddy asked.
Vicky deliberately straightened her back and squared her shoulders, grimacing all the while. She gave a terse nod before walking towards Flora.
"What're going to tell Dom? He's really expecting you to be there, Ted," Vicky said, her hand disappearing into the basket. "He's going to be pissed at you."
Rose crossed her arms. Fantastic. They were more concerned about Dom than her. Typical. She was, after all, just Rose. She could fly with Jim and Fred, goofing off with the best, or be "girly" with Molly and Lily, immature with Lou and Luce. But she didn't want any of that. All she wanted was intelligent conversation surrounding quidditch. No one could offer the depth or expansiveness Ted and Vick gave. Woe be to Dom, who only has the adults for company. This was so unfair.
"I don't know. I sent them an owl this morning explaining everything…so…"
"Rose, why don't you go and bring in the laundry?" Vicky said. It was more of a demand than a question. Muttering how she resented being treated like a house elf, Rose slipped outside to the clothesline. The cup without Teddy or Vicky? This was turning into more of a punishment than she would have liked.
3
"I'm leaving you two here," Teddy said to Frank and Rose, looking around. "I'll wait until the others get here, but the portkey leaves in a few minutes, so everyone should be here soon." He glanced at his pocket watch and nodded. "Yeah, uh…Arty should be there to greet you at the gate. You have the muggle money?"
"Yep," Frank said, a grin on his face.
"I don't think you'll need it, but just in case."
Rose crossed her arms and stared at Teddy. She couldn't believe she was actually going to the cup with Frank. Frank Longbottom. Could it be Ally? No. Of course not. Why would it be someone Rose would actually enjoy the company of? That would be breaking the silent pact her family had to make this experience as grudging as possible.
Within fifteen minutes, four other people had shown up -- three of them decked out in full Austrailian regalia, and the third a dignified looking fellow in a suit and tie.
"We'd better touch the key," the well-dressed man said, glancing at his watch.
"Bye," Teddy said, clapping Frank and Rose on the back. "Have fun."
Rose touched the portkey and seconds later the uncomfortable lurching pulled at the back of her stomach.
3
AN: So I'm rushing uploads because I REALLY want to get to the quidditch cup out there. I think it's a rather amusing sequence, so, yeah. After it's all said and done, I'll probably ease back into a more relaxed schedule…maybe…hope you enjoy.