The Hogwarts Express engine sounded throughout Platform 9 3/4 of London's King's Cross Station. Hundreds of parents milling around the platform ensuring their children had everything they needed for the remaining school year. Rosabella pushed the trolley holding her engraved Beauxbaton's trunk, midnight owl, Jax and cub, Dakota. Katherine placed a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder as the conductor assisted with the loading of her luggage.
Katherine scooped the tiger cub into her arms as they continued towards the open train doors. Students of all ages waving out the train windows at their weeping parents. Whilst the remaining students yet to board followed the masses surrounding the train doors.
Katherine smiled at her daughter brightly, "Promise me, you'll still write, darling," Katherine hugged Rosabella tightly, holding back the tears desperately wanting to form in her eyes. She knew that Rosabella's last months at Hogwarts would be the end of the normality. She could potentially lose her daughter, her little girl and she couldn't bear the thought of that. "We love you very much," Katherine stated, sniffling slightly as she continued to hold back her tears.
"Of course," Rosabella giggled, collecting the cub from her mother's arms. The Hogwarts Express whistle blew, the call for final boarding. Rosabella hugged her parents tightly once more before climbing the steps of the train.
"Be safe and strong, Rosie," Matthew nodded, holding his wife supportively as she waved her daughter goodbye. Rosabella turned her head towards the other end of the platform to see her mother, Narcissa and father, Lucius watching her from a distance. She gave them a small smile before the students behind her urged her further into the carriage and out of sight.
Rosabella wandered along the corridors of the Hogwarts Express as it gradually departed from the station. The young girl travelled the length of the train, in search of her friends.
"Rosie," Hermione beamed, leaping from her seat to hug Rosabella excitedly. "I'm so glad to see you," She breathed, hugging her friend tightly.
"You're alive," Ron chuckled hugging Rosabella, who simply rolled her eyes in response.
Rosabella moved to greet Harry, "...It wasn't that bad," she reasoned, earning strange looks from her friends. Rosabella sighed, hating to discuss the topic already, "Can we just leave it though? ... I just don't want to think about it this term." Rosabella requested, gazing out the train window as she seated herself beside Hermione. Rosabella just wanted this term to be enjoyable and memorable before her life changed and her image.
"Of course," Harry nodded, not being able to imagine the stress his friend felt.
Rosabella looked up at him gratefully. "Thank you," She whispered, barely audible. Harry simply nodded in response.
The train ride to Hogwarts was peaceful. Daniel had found their compartment shortly after and the group were discussing the next task of the Triwizard Tournament. Rosabella searched through her bag, clasping the unopened letter she'd received this morning. She fiddled the parchment out of the envelope to reveal the cursive handwriting she'd gotten to know recently. She breathed delighted as she smoothed her fingers over the perfect cursive calligraphy.
Dear Rosie,
My dear girl, I hope that you enjoyed your winter break, despite the madness of it all. I know the adjustment must be difficult and confusing but know I'm always here if you want to talk or simply forget for an hour.
There will be times when things are tough and I want you to know that you can always write or visit without fear and most definitely without notice. Our door is always open for you, dear Rosie.
My dear, you're a strong-willed and incredibly compassionate young girl and will make the right decision despite the pressures of life.
Know that I am always here and that I love you, dear.
Be safe and wise...
Love Andromeda Tonks.
The New Years Eve Feast is festooned with sweets-filled vases, golden streamers, new year bells, and an array of confetti and fireworks dancing around the enchanted ceiling, while giant glittering stars hung decoratively from every corner. The Hogwarts Ghosts popped out of the walls, celebrating with the students and professors, yet still hauntingly gliding around the room.
Draco stared, disinterested, at the Bloody Baron's cruel and superior actions towards students, as he tuned in and out of his peer's mundane conversations regarding the events of their Christmas breaks.
"Shut up you nimrods, I'm the only one with a tangible story about my break." Blaise arrogantly boasts as he mouthed another whole potato, "Besides, Knott, never even left his home let alone the country." He muttered imperiously in his friend's directions.
There. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted her... his sister. The girl who'd been causing constant trauma to his thoughts since he'd found her. Rosabella had her long golden locks, pulled back into a braided bun, huge lost sapphire orbs, and one very familiar angel white smile. Yet, he couldn't seem to understand why she didn't want to tell the world she was a Malfoy.
He sat there bewildered throughout the feast, his thoughts violent and hazy as he attempt to formulate answers to the millions of questions bombarding his mind.
After the feast, Draco moved to catch up with his sister when Goyle stared at him strangely. "Ay, where are you going?" He questioned, taking his third slice of cake.
"That's none of your business," Draco snapped, continuing to walk out of the hall, only now consciously thinking about it.
He exited the hall within the large crowds of raging students. Draco's mind had eclipsed logic once more, his eyes scanned left to right, frantically searching for her, through the chaotic bustling of students. To Draco, it felt impossibly similar to searching for a snitch at the world cup. Impossible. "It can't be this hard? I just saw her..."
"Wait," Draco shouted out, managing to push his way through the crowd, just following the golden locks, "Wait, Rosie," He shouted again, tapping at her shoulder puffed.
Rosabella turned around, lifting her head from the book she was consumed in, "Yes, Draco." She asked, staring at her brother in confusion. "Is something wrong?" She asked slightly worried.
"I just wanted to check on you," Draco replied, finally catching his breath.
"I'm fine," Rosabella answered, her eyes immediately returning to her novel, "Besides I don't need to draw attention to us, we can't meet up every single minute of the day," She reasoned, looking up from her novel for a moment.
"I just don't understand why you didn't want to tell everyone you're a Malfoy... my sister... pure?" He questioned, scratching his head.
"Oh mon Dieu," She muttered in French, snapping her book shut, the sound echoing through the stone hall. "Goodnight, Draco," She continued, farewelling her brother as she noticed students heading in their direction.
Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching, ponder this:
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took.
But past an hour - the prospect's black
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.
Hermione snapped her book shut, "So... we know it's in the Black Lake... and well you'll have an hour, that's obvious." The brunette paced the library aisle. "But, how you're going to breathe for an hour underwater is impossible."
Harry rubbed his eyes distressed, "I brought a friend," Rosabella grinned, as she walked towards the group with Neville and Daniel. "I figured I'd bring in the expert," She said, smiling comfortingly at Neville, who blushed at the comment.
The group began searching through the herbology books, Daniel working with Harry and Ron and Rosabella with Hermione and Neville. Almost an two hours later, and with no luck, the group headed out for a walk with Neville still engulfed in his books.
The group was joined shortly after by Ginny and the twins. "Any luck in the library?" Fred asked, throwing rocks into the distance.
Rosabella sighed, shaking her head in dismay, "Not yet, but we couldn't pull Neville away for a break... so hopefully."
"We'll figure something out, Harry," George grinned, attempting to throw rocks further than Fred. "Something will come up..."
Ron groaned heavily causing Hermione to glance in his direction. "Bloody hell... it's Malfoy. Honestly, where's a Basilisk when you need one." Ron sighed, as the rest of the group watched as Malfoy and his gang swaggered closer.
"This is not going to end well," Rosabella breathed, shaking her head already.
"I have the same feeling," Hermione agreed, watching Malfoy, "especially since he doesn't know we know..." She added, making Rosabella even more worried about the scene ready to unfold.
"Scared Potter?" Draco smirked wickedly, glaring at Harry. "We all know you'll drown tomorrow." He cackled evilly with his friends.
Harry held a straight face, "You wish, Malfoy," He replied, not breaking eye contact.
Draco looked away momentarily as Blaise stood beside his friend. "Why do you two hang out with such traitors and filth?" Blaise snorted, at Rosabella and Daniel, Draco joining his friend happily.
Draco's nostrils flared as glared in Hermione's direction. "Especially the stupid, no good, mud blood," He slurred, his voice flooding with venom.
Draco finally looked over in his sister's direction, it reminded him of his mother's eyes each time. The same rich sapphire colour, only drowning in fury. Draco stepped forward to apologise for his vicious words, but Rosabella replied in blazing anger. "If you two are going to be two-faced Malfoy, at least make one of them pretty," She mocked, storming off towards the castle.
Daniel following his friend close behind, eyeing Draco down in disgust as he passed. "And you call yourself her brother..." His whisper only audible to Draco but hurt like a thousand crucios.
"Rosie," Draco breathed before he could stop himself.
"What's wrong Malfoy, cat got your tongue?" Ron mocked acidly, standing beside Harry, clearly pissed about Hermione's treatment.
Draco glared up at the group, "You stay away from her," Malfoy hissed through gritted teeth, "Or else..." He muttered, hoping they'd leave his sister along for good.
"Why?" Hermione sassed innocently, "She doesn't seem to like you in any shape or form," She snapped at him, "Besides, that 'bloody foreigner' did just call you a two-faced, didn't she? ... that's got to hurt your pride," Hermione smirked lightly, defending her best friend.
Draco shoved past the twins, now in a disgruntled rage. Draco bulldozes towards Hermione. "How dare you talk to me like that, you filthy little mud-blood," He fought viciously.
Harry pulled Hermione away from Malfoy. "I think you better leave Malfoy before this turns ugly," Harry had his wand half drawn.
Malfoy looked over at the wand, "Oh, and is that supposed to scare me," Draco mocked, throwing his arms up defensively.
Fred interrupted, "Just stay away from Rosie... all of you."
"She doesn't want you," George continued, as Malfoy's gang exchanged a knowing look.
Draco huffed, clearly annoyed, "Just stay away from her," He hissed, rushing towards the castle with his group.
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Translations:
Oh mon Dieu! - Oh my God!