Chapter 37

The next day at lunch, everyone was talking about the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend visit. Now that the weather was really starting to get warm, everyone was looking forward to getting out of the castle and off the grounds. Sirius and the boys included.

Somehow, being able to wander the village freely was even better than having to sneak around, though both could be a lot of fun in their minds.

Remus told them that he'd invited Cassie along and they all agreed that it would be even more fun with her along. Sirius tried to casually ask about Rose only to get a knowing smile and an assurance that she'd be joining them as well.

Sirius had just polished off his turkey sandwich when he smelled a familiar earthy scent from the night before. He looked up, already knowing that it was Rose he'd be seeing in the doorway. Like every other time he'd spent all night in his canine form, his nose was more powerful than usual.

He knew that he'd never forget Rose's scent either. Not after meeting her as a dog last night.

She was with Cassie and Lily, and the three girls took seats at the Ravenclaw table like usual.

"Maybe I should ask Lily to go with me. Us, I mean with us." James muttered absently, watching as the redhead across the room piled her plate with potato chips alongside her own sandwich.

"Go do it then." Sirius urged him. James looked at him, nodded and stood. A nervous look flitted across his face, but Sirius shoved him a bit, forcing him to move. He was already walking, no turning back now.

"Is he actually asking her?" Remus asked with a grin when he noticed where James was heading. Sirius nodded, smiling widely himself as he watched the messy haired young man come up behind the girls.

A few pleasantries were exchanged, which went rather well. Sirius could tell when James finally asked the question, because he only looked at Lily and looked like he was trying to be cool.

Sirius's grin widened when the redhead smiled slightly and nodded. James looked nothing short of astounded for a second before a brilliant, truly happy smile speared on his face. He said a few more words to all three of the girls and came back over, a swagger in his step.

Sirius laughed when James took his seat, still grinning like a mad man.

"I'm guessing that went well?"

"It went excellent! She said yes, Padfoot!" Sirius chuckled as his friend did a funny little wiggle in his seat and Sirius shook his head. He looked back over at the girls and grinned. Rose and Cassie were chatting animatedly, while Lily wore a happy little smile on her face. Rose laughed and Sirius's own smile softened as he watched her.

When the girl looked up and her eyes met his, he didn't look away. One more of his little reminders that he was still here. She flushed and looked down saying something to her friends before gabbing her things and escaping from the room altogether.

Lily watched the girl leave in surprise before turning her gaze to the Gryffindor table. As she'd expected, Sirius was watching Rose leave as well. He looked back and caught her eyes, and Lily nodded.

She didn't know how she knew, but she could tell that Sirius was hoping that she would talk to the other girl. She hurried to her feet and followed the Rose from the Great Hall.

"Rose!"

"Hmm? Oh Lily. Yeah? What is it?" The girl asked, turning to the redhead.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing."

"Oh I…just remembered I forgot something. In my room." She said quickly. Lily grinned.

"Or maybe a certain Gryffindor was staring at you."

Rose sighed. "Again. It's very disconcerting."

"Why don't you just give him a chance?" Rose looked unsure and Lily shook her head in exasperation. "Rose, if I can give James a chance, don't you think you could do the same for Sirius?"

Rose looked uncomfortable. "I'm just…unsure if he's being honest."

"In what way?"

Rose shrugged. "What if the letter he sent me wasn't actually from him? Or what if it's just a way to try and get me to trust him? Or-"

"Woah woah woah." Lily said quickly. "Rose, you are being way too paranoid about this."

"I know it seems dumb…"

"I have to agree with you there. Yeah, it could be any of those things. Or maybe he's just being honest with you."

Rose sighed. "I just need a little more time."

Lily shook her head. "Just don't take too much of it. I know he said he'd wait…but it's not really fair to make him do so." She said softly.

As she headed back into the Great Hall, Rose knew she was right.

First of all, she was being silly about this. Secondly, she was being unfair. She needed to make a decision.

Her feet carried her to the Room of Requirement, a place she'd been visiting a lot in recent weeks. When she was fighting with everyone, being outside hadn't been much of an escape. She didn't know how many times she'd run into Remus and Cassie taking walks out there. Instead, she'd started coming here, to the greenhouse Sirius had created.

She modified the greenhouse a lot over the past few weeks, changing around plants and the furniture in the room. Today though, that wanted to see.

As she walked back and forth along the wall, she didn't focus on what she'd turned the greenhouse into. She didn't want to see her own modifications, not this time. Instead, she concentrated all her might on the room Sirius had first created so long ago.

The door appeared and she slipped inside, taking a deep breath of the warm, thick air. Air which smelled of damp earth and healthy plants. She dropped her heavy bag onto one of the spindly garden chairs and circled the room, examining the plants he'd somehow come up with.

She knew Sirius didn't care enough to request anything specific, but the plants that had appeared all shared a few things in common. They were lovely. Normally Rose found most every plant lovely, each in their own right. But these plants were ones known for their visual and aromatic appeal.

And everywhere were roses. Blue roses, yellow roses, red roses, and even a few of the highly rare rose bushes which sprouted velvety black roses alongside rose blossoms that bloomed into a rainbow of color.

Her own greenhouse creation held many other plants she was fond of, including some that could be dangerous if not handled correctly. But the fact that Sirius had come up with this setup for her…made it mean just as much. If not more.

He's made it on Christmas day too. She kind of thought of it as a present from him. Was it silly? Yes…yes it was. Even so, she couldn't help it.

Did she fancy Sirius? Dumb question, of course she did. She had for forever. She'd done everything in her power throughout the school year thus far to try – and sometimes succeed – and convince herself that she didn't feel a thing for the handsome Gryffindor. It had all been rather pointless when the boy had only had eyes for Cassie.

Then he'd changed his mind though. Remus assured her that he cared more about her that he ever had about Cassie. But then…how could she be sure?

Rose sighed and leaned against the side of a planter, a number of highly fuzzy vines moving to curl around her shoulders. The thing fed of emotions, and she was the nearest source. It could sense her unhappiness and wanted to comfort her.

"Should I trust him? He's so prone to hopping from one girl to another…why should I bother taking the chance?" she asked the vine which now stroked her cheek. "What if I let him in only to have him leave again? That would hurt even worse…"

She sighed. "I really wish someone could just tell me the future. Taking chances is so much easier when you know it'll work out."

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I know I know, Rose's indecision may seem to be silly. but I'm basing it off of my own persoinal experiences, so i know that it's realistic. I had a crush on my best friend, and he one day told me that he had one on me as well. I panicked, and actually ignored the need to make a decision for weeks, and eventually made the wrong decision. He started dating one of my other friends (who was a jerkface and I never really liked her) and she turned him into a jerk as well. I not only lost my potential boyfriend, but my best friend. let's hope Rose can make a better decision faster =P

Please please review. I'd love to know what you think about all this!

Your Humble Authoress,

Whisperwings