YEAR: 1995
Anita sipped her coffee quietly reading the latest article in the Daily Prophet, her heels tapping against the marble kitchen floor. Her husband had caused quite the scene the other night and she feared her granddaughter would distance herself more than before. The older woman looked down at her watch, suddenly surprised by the time. She swiftly finished her coffee before passing the empty cup to a nearby house elf.
"You have a letter, Mrs Malfoy." The small elf squeaked, it's boney fingers handing her the parchment letter. The woman nodded her gratitude and in an instant, the house elf disappeared once more.
Anita held the ivory parchment tightly between her fingers, her beige manicured nails gliding back and forth across the envelope. She stared at the envelope intently, as though contemplating opening it or not. Anita smoothed her thumb of her granddaughter's perfect calligraphy, momentarily enjoying its familiarity.
She couldn't understand why she was hesitating in opening the parchment envelope, she had told her granddaughter to write. She was just worried it was a letter that told exactly what she feared. The older woman shook her head, she knew the words her husband had spoken the other night were severe and she couldn't begin to comprehend how Rosabella had truly felt. She just hoped Rosabella wouldn't push the rest of the family away because of her husband's actions.
Yet, in an instant, she summoned a letter opener slicing through the parchment, opening it up eager for the news it held from Rosabella.
Dear Grandma,
I am writing to you as requested after our discussion the other night and I want to assure you that I'm alright. In fact, I've come to realise that I shouldn't have reacted in the way I did and I understand that I overstepped my place, but I cannot change the way I feel... or more importantly the differing ways in which I was brought up...
I understand that Slytherin is highly important to this family and that I am expected to carry on this tradition. However, what I cannot understand is that if I'm placed in a house other than Slytherin, why it would be such a dishonour to the family. I explained to my parents that my house at Beauxbatons was a combination of Slytherin and Gryffindor and that I cannot help what house I am placed in. I'm not saying that I don't want to be in Slytherin... I'm just wondering why it is imperative that I'm placed in this house... I'm going there to learn aren't I? Will the house I'm placed in really affect what I learn?
All I know is that it will be a difficult and complex adjustment for all of us, no matter what house I'm placed into.
Anyway, I don't want to get into this again... It's not why I'm writing. Can you tell my mother that I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. It was unwarranted and I will apologise properly when I see her next. I hope that you and everyone are well despite what happened at dinner the other night.
I hope to see you soon!
Love your granddaughter,
Rosabella Natalia x
Anita gave a sigh shaking her head. "What's wrong Anita?" Narcissa questioned the older woman, as she walked into the kitchen. "Did she send something?" She asked, noticing the letter in Anita's hands as she walked towards the kitchen bench.
"Yes, she did," Antia nodded, handing her daughter-in-law the letter. "She seems okay... but I still can't believe what happened the other night." She groaned, rubbing her forehead. Her husband had really outdone himself this time.
Narcissa agreed with a slight sigh, "I know, Lucius has been driving himself crazy over it..." She replied, handing the letter back over to Anita. "He thinks he let Rosie down but not saying anything at dinner." She said, pouring herself a cup of tea.
The older woman breathed, understanding the guilt her son was feeling. "His father has a way of making him feel that way... of making a lot of people feel that way." She shook her head, refusing Narcissa's offer for a cup of tea.
"Maybe, we should do something with her," Narcissa suggested, earning a nod from her mother-in-law. "Take her mind of the other night, especially with school just around the corner."
"A more comfortable atmosphere," Anita replied, moving to sit at the kitchen table with Narcissa in order to reply to her granddaughter. "We could head into town, maybe get our hair done together and collect some school supplies for both her and Draco... but maybe minus the Draco considering how much he detests shopping?"
Narcissa nodded her head, "That's a great idea, especially since we haven't been out with her since collecting our gowns for Draco birthday earlier this break," Anita smiled at the younger woman, she was the closest thing to a daughter and they shared a special relationship. "Although would you mind if it was just us two? My mother hasn't been the most comforting with Rosie as of late... or ever..." Narcissa muttered the last sentence under her breath, staring down at her hands.
Anita squeezed the woman's hand, "Of course, dear," She smiled, sending the woman a knowing look, "I'll write to her now." Anita grabbed the piece of parchment and phoenix quill from the kitchen house elf. Narcissa gave the woman a small nod of gratitude as she finished the last of her tea.
My Dearest Rosie,
I hope that you're feeling better and your grandfather's words haven't taken too much of a toll. I can assure you, everyone at home is fine and just wants for you to return home. However, I too am writing to you on another note. I have a proposition for you instead; your mother and I were going to head into Diagon Alley tomorrow and were wondering if you'd like to join us.
I hope you're doing well my dear. You did wonderfully at the dance concert last night and we're extremely proud of you, dear.
Please let me know how you're feeling and I hope to see you soon, darling. I love you.
Be safe and wise...
Love your Grandmother x
"The Burrow," Rosabella whispered, disappearing into a ball of emerald flames. She stepped out of the fireplace to see Molly happily cooking away in the kitchen. It's familiarity filled Rosabella with a sense of belonging and love. She gazed up at the clock on the wall opposite her to check the time when she noticed it had only one hand and no numbers at all. She remembered it from her visit at Christmas last year. It had things written around the edge were things like Time to make tea, Time to feed the chickens, and You're late, although Rosbella could do with the actual time right then.
Molly turned around to see Rosabella standing in the fireplace, "Oh Rosie, dear, please come out of there," Molly laughed, walking towards the young girl. The older woman embraced her with a tight hug, "It's good to see you again, dear. I know it has been quite the adjustment for you dear, but know you're always welcome here." The woman offered kindly, and Rosabella embraced her once more.
The young blonde returned it kindly, "Thank you for having me over Molly," She said, as Hermione walked down the stairs of the Burrow.
"Of course, dear," Molly reassured the girl, as Hermione moved to embrace her friend tightly.
"Rosie, how are you?" Hermione smiled as they climbed the first floor to Ginny's room. "I haven't seen you in forever! We have so much to discuss," She giggled excitedly as she pulled her best friend towards the red-headed girl's room.
Rosabella gave a slight shake of her head as Hermione opened Ginny's bedroom door, "I'm pretty okay." She remarked walking into Ginny's room. It was small but bright. There was a large poster of the Wizarding band the Weird Sisters on one wall, and a picture of Gwenog Jones, Captain of the all-witch Quidditch team the Holyhead Harpies, on the other. A desk stood to face the open window, which looked out over the orchard... The golden flag on top was level with Ginny's window. "Though I've missed you all so much these holidays... I can't believe how fast they've gone! How have you been?" She questioned Ginny as she hugged the girl tightly.
"Okay, I've been upstairs with Ron, Harry and Hermione all morning," Ginny replied, as the three girls sat on the rug of Ginny's bedroom. "I just want to hear all about your move to Hogwarts! I'm so excited we get to spend another year with you!" The girl gushed, cause slight panic to consume Rosabella momentarily.
"Well, I can tell you all about that soon," Rosabella nodded her head, "But are Harry and Ron here? I haven't seen either of them all summer." She watched as Ginny nodded, opening her door to notify her brother and Harry that Rosabella had arrived.
The three girls stifled a laugh as the boys scrambled down the stairs to Ginny's room eager to see their friend. "You're here," Harry smiled at her softly.
"And alive nonetheless," Ron chuckled, earning a sidewards glare from Hermione knowing Rosabella had grown closer with her family over the summer.
Rosabella shrugged it off, moving to embrace both Harry and Ron. She'd missed them over the summer. "How have you all been?" She questioned, as Harry released her from his arms.
"Yeah okay," Harry replied, gazing into the sapphire orbs that stood before him. "Though Hermione tells us you're moving to Hogwarts this semester." He mentioned, eager as everyone else in the room to know the details of her move.
Rosabella gave a small nod, "Well, yes I am moving to Hogwarts this semester as a fifth year." She remarked, resuming her seat between Hermione and Ginny.
Ginny stared up at her friend in shock, "You're leaving me in the fourth year alone!" She cried melodramatically, causing a chuckle to escape to Hermione's lips.
"I'm sorry," Rosabella confirmed with a nod, squeezing Ginny's hand comfortingly, "My parents think that it would be better academically for me to move straight into the fifth year."
Hermione couldn't help the grin forming at her lips, she secretly loved the idea of spending her classes with Rosabella, doing projects together and just spending time with her every day for another year. "I'm sure you'd still see her Ginny, we all will."
Rosabella noticed Harry's distracted nature as the group continued to converse about Rosabella's exciting move to Hogwarts. "Hey, what's wrong?" She asked, moving towards the window where Harry was standing. "You've been awfully quiet since we started talking about Hogwarts."
Harry turned around to face her. "Has your family said anything about the Houses to you?" He questioned, though he couldn't bring himself to look at her not when the thought of her becoming a Slytherin made him... well unsettled.
"Yes," Rosabella replied softly, knowing she wasn't done having this conversation until the Sorting Hat gave her a damn house. "Is it bothering you too?" She questioned, forcing Harry to look at her.
Harry gave a soft nod, "It's just what if you get in Slytherin?" He asked, knowing her family tree would most likely place her in Slytherin.
"What about it?" She raised an eyebrow at Harry, "Would that change whether you hung out with me or not?" Rosabella asked, alerting the rest of her friends to the conversation.
"No," Harry tried to backtrack his words.
"Would you all stop talking to me if I got placed in Slytherin with my brother?" She asked, fearing the answer that never came.
"Rosie," Hermione moved towards her friend, "Nothing will ever come between our friendship... especially nothing as petty as a Hogwarts house." She assured, embracing her best friend tightly.
"Yeah, but what if you change Rosie?" Harry argued, worried her family may influencing her views. "What if being in Slytherin changes you as a person... What if you become-" Harry stopped himself before he could continue.
"Evil? Bad?" She stared at him incredulously, though it was simply a cover for the hurt that ran through her. "You really believe if I was a Slytherin I would become some evil witch?"
"Of course, he doesn't," Ginny intervened, with attempts to stop Harry from saying something else he'd regret later on. "I know I don't care if you're Slytherin because despite what House you get into you'll still be Rosie we know." She smiled softly and Rosabella sent her a thankful glance.
Ron had been awfully silent throughout the conversation which concerned Rosabella a great deal. "Ron, what's on your mind?" She asked curiously.
"I was just thinking about what Harry said about the bad witches and wizards of Slytherin... and I just don't want that to happen to you..." He whispered protectively.
Rosabella sat down next to Ron patting his shoulder, "I know you haven't met them but my mother isn't your typical Slytherin, nor my paternal grandmother, nor my aunt Andromeda." Hermione stared at Rosabella slightly confused where she was headed with this. "But they've all shown me the goodness in their hearts even if their House tells another story..."
Ron sighed, staring up at Harry. "What if something happens that we can't stop... like what happened last year at the tournament?"
Harry nodded his head, thinking about what had occurred in the graveyard. "What if we can't protect you?"
"Life is full of uncertainty," Rosabella argued, looking between her friends. "Plus technically speaking I wasn't in your house last semester either?"
Hermione sat beside her best friend, squeezing her hand, "We just don't want to lose you, Rosie,"
"And you won't... and besides not all Slytherin's are bad." Rosabella reasoned, leaning her head against Hermione's shoulder.
"What if you do become a Slytherin?" Ron questioned concerned, reflecting not just how much he hated the House but the concern he carried for Rosabella if she were to be a Slytherin.
"We will support her through it... because that's what real friends would do," Hermione explained, glaring at both Harry and Ron.
"But we can't protect you if you're in Slytherin." Harry reasoned, sitting across from Ron, Hermione and Rosabella. "From those other Slippery Slytherin's in our year..."
"Trust me," Rosabella shook her head, letting out a soft chuckle. "My brother will take care of that."
"But it's not like Slytherin's and Gryffindor's are exactly friendly with each other." Harry continued, gesturing his hands to express his reasoning for opposing his friend in Slytherin House.
Rosabella raised an eyebrow, "Well maybe I could change that? Change this stupid reputation that Slytherin has... and Gryffindor for that matter."
"I can't lose you... that's all," Harry whispered, though no one heard him.
Hermione groaned, "This is ridiculous! I can't believe that we're even entertaining the idea of not talking to Rosabella because of what house she'll be placed in..."
The two boys sighed, reevaluating their rash and immature view on Rosabella possibly being in Slytherin. "I'm sorry Rosie," Harry apologised, leaning against the window, "We just don't want anything to happen to you... and we were blinded by our hatred... I mean dislike for the house as a whole."
Rosabella sent Harry and Ron a soft smile. "It's okay... I just hope that no matter what happens on September 1st.. that we all stay friends."
"We will," Hermione nodded, embracing her friend tightly, "I promise."
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