I do not own Harry Potter.
Rose woke early, wanting to get out of the house and to school before her family got their copies of the daily prophet. She moved quietly through the suite, stopping to leave a note on the kitchen counter for her Uncle to let him know she was at school already. She then activated her portkey and landed at Hogwarts, just outside the front door, but inside the gates. She never even asked her Uncle how he had managed to bring her inside the wards when she first started commuting to school, knowing he likely wouldn't be able to tell her anyway. She still had two hours before her first class so she decided to head to the library to do some last minute research on bonds. She could definitely feel Harry's emotions through the bond, so much so it woke her out of a sound sleep last night. She was overwhelmed with feelings of pleasure for quite some time, and was relieved when it finally ended. She assumed that Harry would also be able to feel her but what she wanted to know was how to block her feelings from him… she didn't want him showing up a day after she was taken. She wanted to find Lily first, then and only then, somehow open the flood gates so he could find her. She made her way to the restricted section at the back of the library and was surprised to find Al there. "Morning."
He startled and said, "Hey, what are you doing here so early?"
Rose shrugged and said, "I wanted to look into an idea I had before classes start. You?"
"Same."
Rose nodded and went to get the books she was looking for, then sat back down across from him. She looked at him closely, his eyes were bloodshot and he had large bags under them, his hair was a complete disaster and he looked like he hadn't eaten in weeks. She reached across the table for his hand and squeezed it, "How are you doing?"
He snorted and said, "I've been better. I can't eat, can't sleep, can't think of anything other than what might be happening to Lily. I'm a right bastard to be around and I'm pretty sure Tracy is on the verge of breaking up with me. I just want my fucking sister back."
"Me too Al, me too," Rose replied, squeezing his hand tightly.
"Do you think we're really going to find her?" he whispered, as if he was afraid to say it too loud.
"We have to Al… I'd never be able to live…" she replied emotionally.
He scrubbed his hands through his hair several times, making his hair even messier and said, "Me neither. Some days I'm so mad, so fucking angry that I want to murder someone. It scares me… the feeling is so strong … I don't think I'd be able to recover if…" he stopped unable to continue.
"Scorpius is pretty angry too. He barely speaks anymore, just glares and lets his emotions simmer. I know he's getting close to losing it, you can see the rage in his eyes, like he wouldn't think twice about killing anyone that gets in his way."
Al nodded and asked, "How's James doing?"
"He's okay, or at least he seems like he is. Your Dad too… I think they have better coping mechanisms than the rest of us. They're able to push the pain and anger down to get the job done. They've been busy too, rescued three girls so far."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I've only met one of them, Sandra, and she's completely smitten with your father."
"Figures."
"How's my brother? I feel like I haven't seen him in ages…" asked Rose.
"He's OK. He's been researching too… mostly arithmancy and runes stuff from what I've seen… he said it had something to do with warding. I think he's trying to figure out how they're getting through the wards in the first place."
"Hmm… Interesting. I've been researching rituals and I found one that I think might help but I don't fully understand how the bond works…"
"Do you want help looking? I'm getting tired of reading about blood magic."
"That's what you're researching?"
"Yeah, I was hoping there might be a way to call out to Lily through our blood but so far I haven't found anything. Most of it involves creating a bond via blood with someone you're not related to, which obviously isn't helpful."
"Really? Would you show me some of it? I'll look at that if you want to look at my research… maybe a fresh set of eyes will help?"
"Sure," replied Al, pulling several tomes forward and pointing out the bookmarks for Rose.
Rose pulled her books forward as well but then reached into her bookbag to pull out some folded parchment. She then duplicated the pages and handed the copies to Al, "This is the ritual. Fair warning it's a sex ritual… and Uncle Harry already had a fit when I brought it up to him so if you could keep this between us I'd really appreciate it."
Al snorted and asked, "You showed my Dad a sex ritual?"
Rose rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah but just read it… it could work but I'm trying to figure out how one would control the bond afterward before I bring it to him again."
Al nodded and started to read the ritual, eyes widening, "Where did you even find this?"
"In Scorpius' library."
"Malfoy Manor… I guess that makes sense. Which, now that I think about it, totally creeps me out… he's been with my sister… and he has a library full of sex rituals." Al shuddered dramatically making Rose giggle.
They both smiled at each other then turned towards their research, spending the next half hour in silence.
"Merlin Rose this ritual is fucked up." Said Al, leaning back in his chair.
"I know."
"But… I think you may be right, it could work. It's using two different components to bond the pair, sex and blood, which is much stronger than just one of them alone."
Rose smiled at him and said, "That's what I thought too."
"I think the bond would be fairly easy to control after a few weeks. There would just be an adjustment period… basically each individual would learn the others feelings by being exposed to them repeatedly. They would essentially learn the pattern of the other. For example, if they felt a certain way every time the other was angry then they would learn to associate that feeling with anger."
"But what if there wasn't time for them to learn the patterns?" asked Rose nervously.
Al frowned and said, "I don't know then… I guess it's still possible but it would be much harder."
"I still don't see how these feelings would lead you to each other? Do you just concentrate on the feeling, close your eyes and apparate?"
Al nodded and said, "Basically, yes. At least that's how they explain it in all the blood magic books I've been reading. Something about focusing on the connection… I'll read it again and see what I can make of it now with this ritual in mind."
"Thanks Al."
"Sure, no problem."
Rose started to put her stuff away and said, "We should probably get some breakfast before classes start."
"Yeah, probably."
"You ready for my party tonight?" asked Rose teasingly.
Al rolled his eyes and said, "I can't believe my Dad hasn't made you cancel."
"Oh he's tried, believe me, but I'm quite stubborn when I want to be."
Al laughed and said, "Yes, yes you are."
"Hey!"
"What? You said it."
"Prat. Come on, I'm hungry."
"I didn't think models ate," he teased.
"This one does, and she's hungry," replied Rose, bumping shoulders with him as they walked out of the library.
"Such a Diva!"
"Al!"
Al laughed and wrapped one of his arms around Rose's shoulder, pulling her close, "I'm just teasing. You're still my favorite cousin."
"I'm so telling Hugo you said that!"
"You wouldn't!"
Rose smirked and said, "Wouldn't I?"
Al shook his head and opened the door to Great Hall for her, motioning her through first. They both noticed how everyone stopped talking and stared at them. Al looked to Rose and raised his eyebrow. Rose shrugged and continued to walk down the hall towards where her brother was sitting. When both Rose and Al had sat down Hugo leaned close and said, "Rose, your secret is out… it's all over the prophet."
Both Rose and Al widened their eyes and leaned forward to look at the paper that Hugo was pushing their way.
"Bloody Hell Rosie," gasped Al, looking at the cover picture of her barely covered with a sheet.
"Oh God," she moaned, covering her face momentarily, "I don't understand… how did they get that picture? Only Justin has it… and it's in the suite."
"Dad's going to lose his shit, Rosie," said Hugo.
Rose groaned then asked, "What does it say?"
"War heroes' daughter lives secret life as a muggle sex symbol," read Al derisively.
"Let me see," she said, pulling the paper toward her. She flipped through the pictures and noticed they only used the ones where she was scantily clad, mostly short dresses, short shorts and swimsuits.
"My Dad is going to have a nervous breakdown… he's already worried you're going to be taken… now I doubt he'll let you leave the suite." Said Al.
"Great, just great," sighed Rose, pushing the paper away. She looked around and saw everyone staring at her, which for some reason really pissed her off…. So she stood up, then stood on the bench and bowed dramatically for everyone before she flipped them all the middle finger and sat back down.
Al and Hugo laughed, as did most of the Gryffindor table, which made her feel a bit better.
"Not much else I can do," she said.
Suddenly there was a commotion and she turned to see her Uncle practically running down the Great Hall to get to her, and he did not look the least bit amused. "Let's go," he snapped, pulling her up by her arm.
"What about my classes?" she asked surprised.
"I said let's go," he practically growled. By this point there were several Aurors surrounding them and she looked to Al and Hugo, silently asking them to come with her. It took them a moment to get over their shock but then they stood and grabbed their stuff as well as Rose's and left the hall.
Al noticed that his Dad had an iron grip on Rose's arm and he wondered if she would bruise. It certainly didn't look comfortable. "Dad?"
Harry ignored him and kept marching through the castle.
"Dad!"
"What," he roared turning to Al.
"You're hurting her," he snapped, pulling his Dad's hand off of Rose's arm. Her arm was bright red and you could see the hand imprint clearly.
"Shit, I'm sorry, Rose. I didn't mean to…"
Rose nodded and rubbed her arm, trying to soothe it. For some reason it really upset her and she looked down at the floor, not wanting Harry to know.
"Just walk ahead of us Dad," said Al angrily.
He looked like he was going to protest but then when Rose still wouldn't look at him he said, "Yeah, ok." He rubbed his chest, suddenly feeling upset.
Al wrapped his arm around Rose and walked the remainder this way, cheering her up somewhat. "He didn't mean it Rosie."
"I know," she replied quietly, tears in her eyes.
"You alright, sis?" asked Hugo concerned.
She sniffled a bit then nodded.
Hugo and Al exchanged a look.
"Come on, let's get back to the suite before Dad shows up," said Hugo, motioning her up the stairs to the Headmaster's office.
The three of them exited the stairs and heard the unmistakable sound of Ron Weasley having a famous Weasley meltdown.
"Too late," whispered Al.
The trio stood in the doorway watching Harry and Hermione try and reason with Ron, Aurors on alert all around them.
"Ron, let's just get her out of here, then you can talk to her in private," pleaded Hermione.
Harry nodded in agreement and pleaded, "Ron, we need to get her somewhere more secure."
"Fine!" he roared before turning his attention to Rose and narrowing his eyes, "You, young lady, are in serious trouble!"
Hermione moved to stand between them and said, "Ron, please, just floo home, we'll be right behind you."
Ron clenched his jaw then turned and flooed home.
Hermione took a deep breath before turning to Harry, "I'll meet you at the suite, you'll take Rose?"
Harry nodded tersely and motioned Rose towards him, wrapping his arms around her when she was close. He pulled out his portkey and said, "Boys, you have your portkey's?"
"Yeah Dad."
Harry nodded and activated his portkey, then all the Aurors did the same, leaving Hugo and Al alone in the Headmaster's office. They looked at each other warily before activating their own portkeys and arriving to chaos in the suite. Rose was yelling at Harry, while he was barking orders at the Aurors and security staff. Justin was arguing with Rose while James and Scorpius tried to get as many people out of the suite as they could, knowing that it was going to get so much worse as soon as Ron arrived.
"There's no way you're going tonight," snarled Harry.
"I am too! You can't stop me!" yelled Rose.
"There was no way for them to get to that picture, Rose! You know there wasn't. You're the only one that knows where it is," accused Justin.
"What are you saying? You think I gave it to them? Are you fucking mental?" screamed Rose.
Before Justin could respond Harry snarled, "I don't give a fuck how they got it! Why in fucking Merlin did you let someone take it in the first place? Jesus Christ Rose, use your fucking brain!"
Rose jumped back away from Harry, as if she had been physically struck, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Woah, everyone needs to calm down," said Scorpius, stepping in front of Rose, blocking Harry and Justin from approaching.
Rose turned away, not wanting them to see how upset she was.
Harry rubbed his chest and roared, "Fuck!" as he turned and kicked the glass coffee table, shattering it in the process.
Rose screamed and covered her ears, hiding behind Scorpius, who had moved to protect her. James, Al and Hugo suddenly moved to protect her, arms crossed and jaws set, facing Harry, just daring him to come near her.
Shocked, he stood there breathing hard, unable to comprehend why they thought they needed to protect Rose from him.
"What's going on?" demanded Hermione, as she entered the room, Ron in tow.
The only sounds were Harry's heavy breathing and Rose's sniffles. Hermione scanned the room, saw the shattered glass everywhere and noticed all the boys were protectively surrounding Rose. Her motherly instincts told her all she needed to know and she stormed over to Harry, shoving him back hard, "What did you do to my daughter?" she snarled, magic sparking from her fingers.
He stumbled back, surprised, "What? I didn't touch her!"
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him and he got pissed, "What the fuck, Hermione! Do you really think I would ever hurt her?"
"Then why is everyone protecting her?"
"I lost my temper! Bloody hell I'm not fucking perfect! I kicked the table and it shattered, that's it!"
She looked to the boys and Hugo nodded, letting her know that's what happened. "Fine. Just…"
Harry turned away from her, obviously annoyed.
"Rose, are you alright?" she asked gently.
Rose sniffled and wiped her face, "Yeah… I'm fine… just a bit on edge."
The boys stepped apart, letting Hermione through. She wrapped her arms around Rose and hugged her fiercely. "It's alright. We'll figure it out. Okay?"
Rose nodded, just enjoying the comfort of her mother's arms.
"I want to talk to my daughter. Alone." Growled Ron.
Rose and Hermione both stiffened.
"Ron, please, can't it wait?" begged Hermione.
"No."
"Ron,"
"I said NO!"
Rose jumped and the boys started edging towards her again.
"Ron," started Harry, but Ron turned his fierce gaze on him and said, "You stay the fuck out of this! She's my daughter, not yours!"
Harry's eyes widened, not expecting such a response. "I know that Ron."
"Do you? Because you've been fucking acting like she's your daughter for months!"
"Ron, I was just trying to keep her safe."
"You should have told me! It's my job to take care of her!"
Harry opened and closed his mouth several times before he finally conceded, "You're right, Ron. I should have told you what was going on."
Ron narrowed his eyes at Harry before he turned towards Rose and motioned with his hand for everyone to leave.
Harry exchanged a glance with Hermione, silently asking if she wanted him to go.
Hermione hesitated before she nodded and said, "Could everyone give us some privacy?"
No one moved.
"Get out!" Ron snarled.
"I'm not leaving Rose," said Justin moving forward.
"Who the fuck are you?" asked Ron snarling in Justin's face.
"I'm Rose's boyfriend," he said stubbornly, crossing his arms. He was the same height as Ron but in better shape and he didn't appear intimidated at all.
Ron turned his angry gaze on Rose and she shrunk back, "Daddy…"
"Don't you Daddy me, young lady! You spent hours last night going on and on about how good modeling was for you. Showed me all these beautiful pictures. I asked you flat out if there was anything else you wanted to tell me. Didn't I?"
"Yes."
"And did you tell me you had a boyfriend?"
"No."
"No, you didn't."
"But Daddy…"
"Shut up!" he snarled before turning back to the group and said, "I want to talk to my daughter alone. I'll take her home if I have to but I'm not going to ask again."
Harry was reluctant to leave but he definitely didn't want Ron to take Rose out of the safety of the suite, so he nodded and motioned for everyone to clear the room. The Aurors and security guards left first, then he said, "Come on," to Justin, James, Al and Scorpius, who were very reluctant to leave. They didn't go far, just up the stairs, out of sight but not gone, just in case.
When it was just the four of them Hermione said, "Ron, please, calm down."
He simply glared at her. Then he threw the paper down on the couch next to where Rose had curled up, knees drawn up to her chest protectively. "Please tell me Rose, why didn't you show me this picture last night?"
"Daddy…"
"Enough! This is exactly why I didn't want you to fucking model in the first place! You're young and impressionable and people take advantage of that!"
"No, I'm not!"
"How can you say that? Have you not seen this picture? Look at it!" he shouted, picking the paper up and practically shoving it in her face.
"Ron, please."
"Dad."
"That's not what happened!"
"Are you or are you not naked in this picture?"
"I… well, yes, but…"
"And now your naked picture is here for all of the world to see, isn't it?"
"Yes, but…"
"It's a fucking disgrace, Rose! Do you hear me? You're fucking grandparents saw this picture! Your classmates! The entire wizarding world has seen you naked now!"
"Ron!"
Tears were running down Rose's face, he was being so cruel to her. "Daddy, please, you don't understand."
"Your damn right I don't understand!"
"I… It was supposed to be private!"
"What do you mean?"
"I… it was for Justin… just Justin… no one was supposed to see it!"
"Are you fucking joking? You took this picture on purpose?"
Rose's eyes widened at his threatening tone. She looked to her mother, unsure what to do. Hermione wasn't much help as she was surprised as well... She hadn't expected Rose to tell them she took the picture of her own free will.
There was complete silence for at least a minute before Ron launched himself across the room and backhanded Rose, "I didn't raise you to become some whore!"
Rose yelped as her face exploded in pain at the same time Harry staggered back upstairs, feeling as if he was just struck. James moved to his father's side, concerned but Harry was pushing past him to run down the stairs.
"Ron!" screamed Hermione, trying to pull him away from Rose.
Ron freed his arm from Hermione and pulled Rose up by her arms, shaking her, "You are done modeling, young lady! Do you understand me! I'll lock you in your room if I have to, throw away the fucking key!"
Hugo got over his shock and punched his father in the face, completely surprising him, "Let her go!"
Ron staggered a few steps, wiped his mouth and looked at the blood on his hand. They stared at each other, neither making a move, while Hermione moved to check on Rose. The seconds ticked by slowly and then Harry was shoving Ron back, further away from Rose. Scorpius, Justin and James all moved to stand in front of Rose, making sure nothing else happened to her.
Everyone watched, as if it was some horrible accident they couldn't look away from as Ron struggled against Harry, before he suddenly stopped, finally realizing the gravity of what he had just done. "Merlin," he gasped, covering his mouth. His eyes expressed what Harry knew he felt inside… regret, horror and shame. "Rose… Rose… I'm sorry… so sorry." He staggered backwards, until he slammed his back against the wall. "I… I didn't mean it… I swear, Rose. Please forgive me. Merlin, forgive me."
"Ron, just go home," said Hermione, trying to keep it together for Rose.
"I… no. No, not until I make this right. I'm sorry!" Ron begged, stumbling towards them.
"You can't make it right Ron!" yelled Hermione, crying now.
"Ron," said Harry, putting himself in the way, trying to intervene.
Ron pushed Harry, trying to get past, but Harry wouldn't let him go. "No Ron, now's not the time. Give them some space, some time to calm down."
The look Ron gave Harry almost made him cry. His friend was so sorry, truly sorry. Harry knew that but he also knew that Ron needed to go. "I'm sorry Ron, you need to go."
"Rose, please," he begged one last time.
Rose stood on shaky legs, hand on her already red face and slowly raised her eyes to him. He gasped as he saw nothing but hate reflected at him. "You're right, I am a whore, in fact I've fucked several men, but you'll be happy to know, that you … you have the honor of being the first man to strike me. Congratulations Daddy. You must be so proud."
Everyone's jaw dropped, absolutely floored by the venom in Rose's voice, never mind what she actually said. Before they could recover she pushed past Scorpius and James, giving a wide berth to both her Uncle Harry and her father as she made her way to the stairs. It took all her strength not to break down, cry and run up them. She wasn't going to let anyone see that.
"Rose," cried Hermione, running up after they heard the door slam upstairs.
Harry clutched his chest, gasping loudly as he staggered to sit down.
"Dad?" asked James concerned.
Harry gasped, completely overwhelmed by emotions. He put his head down between his knees, half panicked. What the fuck was happening to him? Was he having a heart attack?
"Harry? Can you hear me?" asked Scorpius, kneeling down next to him. "Try and breathe slowly. Take a deep breath in… hold it… hold it… breathe out."
Harry nodded and followed Scorpius' instructions, over and over again until he started to breathe easier and the spots in his vision started to clear.
"Good. Keep breathing, slowly."
Harry jumped as a door slammed and they all looked around to see that Ron had left.
"I should probably go after him… but…" Hugo stopped and they all heard Hermione begging Rose to open the door. Instead he turned and went upstairs, deciding his sister and mother took priority right now.
Justin watched Hugo go upstairs and decided to follow, maybe he could get Rose to open the door.
Al and James collapsed on the couch on either side of their Dad while Scorpius chose the chair. They all sat in silence, listening to Hugo, Hermione and Justin beg Rose to open her door.
Harry stared at the paper in the middle of the floor, covered in shattered glass, wondering how everything had gone so bad so quickly. He rubbed his chest fiercely, still very uncomfortable. He could feel the panic bubbling up in him, just waiting to let loose again. He closed his eyes, silently begging some higher power to give him the strength to protect Rose. The strength to find his daughter. The strength to survive once again.
