Chapter 21

As Dumbledore entered his office, McGonagall was a couple of paces behind him. He made his way to his desk while she closed the door.

"I feel you might want to discuss something with me before they arrive," he said calmly, looking at her. The start of year banquet was quite the eye opener, so a private meeting was required.

"Yes, I do," she sat in front of him. They had many talks like this, but recently it was just of Rose. "She's been asking a lot about her parents, I asked Hagrid to tell Rose about the box like you asked."

"Ah, yes. Her mother's box," he brought his hands onto his desk and intertwined his fingers. "There are many boxes of her father's letters in Gringotts but there is only one box of her mother's. As you know Ingrid was quite the cryptic person." He paused, "There is something in there that will help Rose in the future."

"What is it?"

"The truth, something she would more likely gain knowledge of in a few years."

"But she has the letters now."

"The letters aren't the only thing in the box, but it would be revealed in time."

"I see," she said softly. She's known him long enough that he won't speak any further on the matter.

"What happens if she remembers?" They both looked at each other long enough to know they didn't know how the girl would handle part of the truth.

The truth that she is a vital piece in harmony and destruction.

One wrong move and the flame of hope would turn into a forest fire.

"I worry that she might not want me as her guardian when she sees Remus," the thought weighed on her more than she will ever let on.

"Nonsense," Dumbledore said as if it was the most absurd thing he has heard. He softly chuckles, "You've been in her life since the beginning, yes she might want to spend time with him for the years they've lost but there is no doubt that she loves you."

Tears were threatening to spill over, "I never wanted to replace her, I just wanted her to feel comfortable with me."

"And she does," he smiled, giving her his handkerchief. "You've been guiding her and still are," he softly smiled.

McGonagall smiled, wiping away her tears.

"Though with times changing, she will need guidance from another and will need to trust her gut," he sighed. "In time she will need to hold her own, it's only a matter of when."

Is the when now or is this another obstacle in life?

Crouching by the fireplace was none other than Parkinson and Bulstrode, smirking at Rose's opened letter. Rose saw Astoria stand up and move away although she was more focused on Parkinson.

Rose whistled. After a long time, she whistled. If only it was under better circumstances.

"Oh, you're joining us quite early," Parkinson chuckled. "Care to read this one for us? Wait, you don't have a voice, so sad," she mocked. With a flick of her wrist, the letter flew right into the fire.

As Rose swooped in, she was blocked by Bulstrode. It was as if someone sucked out all the air in her lungs, she had no choice but to watch the letter slowly burn. It was then did she notice there was more ashes in the pit.

"It wasn't the first, some of them I didn't even bother to read, though they made the fire instantly hotter," she smirked. Rose didn't care if the tears spill over, she pushed Bulstrode with enough force to reach the burning letter. "Hey, what the hell!" Her voice gained attention around.

Bulstrode had stepped on Parkinson's foot, trying to regain balance. She herself was shocked by the mute's strength. "I didn't expect her to push me," she admitted, standing behind the slippery Slytherin.

"Didn't think you'd mind me getting rid of your junk," she folded her arms.

Rose crouched towards the fire, taking any other scraps she could salvage. She was so caught up; she wasn't aware of the crowd forming nor the people approaching her.

"For the last time Alice, just leave me alone," Harriet huffed.

"Can't we chill in the room?" She said hesitantly looking behind at Daphne.

"Enough Alice," she paused, looking ahead. "What's happening there?"

"Oh, nothing," Alice and Daphne said in unison.

She looked at them with suspicion before diving into the crowd. The scene itself was overwhelming that her words left her mouth without a second thought. "Wait, aren't those your letters Rose?" Harriet asked. That itself sparked the other two Slytherin's interest to join the less humble group.

"You never said anything about burning them," Alice spoke aloud. Rose was on her feet, stuffing her pockets with the salvaged pieces.

Daphne gasped, "Is that why you asked me to distract her? Pansy, what is wrong with you?"

"So that was their true intention," Rose sighed a shaky breath.

"Are you okay?" Harriet whispered, Rose stood still, ignoring the young Slytherin.

"Nothing is wrong with me," Parkinson said loudly. "I was just putting the mute in her place."

"Accio Box." She held onto her box like she did her throat all those years ago. At this point, tears were silently falling, she didn't care who saw.

"Aww, someone's going to cry just because of some dumb letters. There wasn't many anyway."

"They were from her mother Parkinson, she isn't exactly alive," Harriet said sternly. That line itself caused murmurs all around.

What's new?

"Rose," Daphne touched her shoulder who immediately flinched away, "I'm sorry."

"Well, I'm not," her roommate sassed. Rose didn't wait for her to continue, she took her wand and pointed it out at Parkinson. Bulstrode did the right thing and moved away. "W-what are you doing?"

At this point, Rose didn't care who saw. Before', her board, now her letters. How was she meant to get the message across to Parkinson to leave her alone?

Before she could reach for her own wand, Rose performed a certain body lock curse. Ever so fast, she was floating in the air, like a feather.

Everyone was laughing.

With one hand keeping Parkinson in the air, the other began writing on her board.

"Don't touch my things again. With everyone witnessed, I'll do something worse to you." It was then the laughter died down.

"What's going on here?" She made her way into the crowd. "R-Rose? What are you doing?" Take it for the prefect to make a timely arrival.

"Parkinson stole and burned some of Rose's belongings and she responded so here we are," Harriet said, clearing her throat. Gemma had arrived late to the party but was filled in quite fast.

"Oh, in that case, I'll take over," she said, taking out her wand and approaching Rose's side. Rose just blinked at Farley before looking back at Parkinson whose eyes seemed more terrified once Farley entered the equation.

"Look kid," she began, "Unfortunately I'll have to give you detention which I believe you're not new to, but for now, go. Get yourself sorted okay," she smiled. "My girl's got you." Rose looked around and saw her dinner companions from the previous night a.k.a Farley's mates.

"This will be fun," one of them said.

"Clear out the area, give us some room," said another.

"Go Rose, we got this," Farley smiled softly before it changed sinister looking at the criminal in the air, "I think it's time to place my yearly example and it seems you're it, git."

With that Rose let go, Parkinson fell inches from the ground before Farley caught her and put her high enough that her back touched the ceiling.

Rose dashed out of the common room, despite making eye-contact with a certain boy she continued forward to the only person she could go to.

She stood at the Gryffindor entrance.

Sir Cadogan kept wanting a duel but she tried her best to ignore him.

Not before long, Hermione appeared. Another student must've told her.

How nice of them.

"Rose?" What happened?" Hermione went frantic.

"Could you please look after this? Please?"

"Of course," she took the box.

"Promise to keep it safe," her teared stained face made Hermione at a loss of words.

"I-I promise, but what happened?"

Rose shook her head before she took off, leaving Hermione to deal with Sir Cadogan.

After what felt like hours of walking, Rose found herself at an empty corridor where she let herself go. She didn't care if she couldn't breathe properly. Her ragged breathing caused her to constantly hiccup, she felt her tears blurring her version as she leaned on the wall and slowly sank to the ground.

Her letters, one of her most price possession.

Gone.

She held onto her necklace as she wallowed.

As much as Rose knew the contents of most of the letter, there was the one letter she never got to read. It was for her sixteenth. She knew because the envelope had the faintest scent of rose, which intensified when it was burned. A mother's words shared on a certain birthday from mother to daughter will never be known.

Drowned in her tears, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching. More so, she didn't care.

She was numb.

The footsteps were heavily approaching until they stood in front of her.

"Rose, why didn't you say anything?" Her was so soft, but loud enough for Rose's ears. She looked up and saw Hermione, more ragged then she last saw her. She didn't think anything of it as her lips started to tremble.

Hermione crouched down and embraced the girl in a warm, tight hug.

Something the girl needed.

Rose rested her cheek on her shoulder and more tears flowed.

"Pansy shouldn't have done that. She had no right to touch anything of yours," Hermione gritted through the teeth.

Rose went stiff, "Had the news spread that quickly? How did she know?" More questions consumed her thoughts until Hermione pulled away. Slowly they stood up, from a far Rose spotted a burned piece of parchment. She went over and picked it up, just staring.

The parchment had a small phrase, like it knew Rose needed to hear it.

It'll be okay.

"Not my mother's handwriting but it is familiar."

"Let's go for a walk outside," Hermione caught her attention, looking at her, searching for a yes. The past two years, living in the same dorm, sleepover during the holidays had built a strong bond between the two. They had each other's support, from studies to comfort.

Let's hope nothing gets in between them.

The two girls in arms walked towards the forest to visit a dear friend. Someone Rose hasn't spoken much to in a while.

Though Rose was too tired to talk, she slept, eventually waking up to an empty hut. She peeped through the hut door to see Hagrid heading towards the door. She slowly opened the door for him and Fang, who seemed to whine at her direction.

"He'll never change," she sighed.

"How was yer sleep?" He sat down and looked at her while she gave a thumbs up. "G-good," he faltered. Hagrid brought his hands to his thighs and rubbed them nervously.

Rose cocked her head at the action before reaching for her board, "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry Rose," he said weakly.

Rose stood and blinked, "why is Hagrid apologizing?"

"Abou' Buckbeak," he started, Rose caught on. "If I was watchin' I mighta bin able ter-" He stopped when Rose touched his hand, stopping him from all movements.

"It's okay, I'm sorry that I wasn't paying attention."

"Don' apologise," he stood up scaring the tiny girl compared. "No' yer fault." He noticed her tangled hair and saw the bandaged. "Why hasn' it healed?" he said surprised.

At least he wasn't upset.

"McGonagall said I'm having a form of reaction," she peeled off the bandage, before continuing to write. "On the outside it's fully healed but my hearing isn't as strong. They said to keep it on until it comes back."

Hagrid nodded. There was a small silence before he spoke again. "Hermione didn' stay long, after yeh slept, she left. She didn' say why yeh were like tha'."

"The letters," she breath hitched in her throat before she looked up at Hagrid with glossy eyes.

"Come here," he engulfed her in a big warm hug.

Being surrounded by warmth can ease someone.

Being safe and sound.

Everyone hopes for that.

Does everyone get the same opportunity?

Walking into the hospital wing Rose wasn't expecting to be greeted by the Slytherin Prince.

"Where have you been?" More like Slytherin mother.

"I needed air," she wrote before sitting on an empty bed.

"Hmm," he hummed sitting beside her. "Madam Pomfrey said she will have your calming draught ready soon."

"How did you know about that?"

"What are you on about Baby Gryffindor? You told me," he looked at her before watching the nurses moving around.

"When did I tell him that?"

"Rose," the voice broke her thoughts and looked up. "Please don't hesitate to ask for another," Madam Pomfrey's voice was laced with concern. The girl meekly nodded before taking the bottle in question. "I trust you will use it wisely," she waited for the girl to confirm before moving to another bed, to another patient.

Rose slowly twisted the lid of the bottle to reveal a dropper, tilting her head back slightly, she let two dropped fall into her mouth before sitting upright and screwing the cap on. She gently placed the bottle in her pocket. She turned to Draco who had been looking at her the whole time causing her cheeks to get warm.

She scribbled down fast, "why are you watching me?"

"Where am I supposed to look?" He smirked.

"Anywhere but at me." She quickly rose from the bed, straightening herself. It took her to realise Draco too, stood up. She noticed the height different which didn't help her current flustering.

"Thank you," she placed the board in her face.

"For watching you?" He cocked his brow.

"Calming draught," she rolled her eyes.

"Anytime Baby Gryffindor," he said quietly, looking away from her. She headed towards the door and he followed suit, who too was having a flustering moment.

She slowly stopped upon exiting giving Draco the opening to take lead for her to follow. He made sure to match her pace, subtly glancing from the corner of his eye. They walked in silence until she was called upon.

"Rose!" The girl turned to see her best friend dashing towards her. They hugged each other, basking in each other's warmth. Draco not knowing what to do, took a step back feeling like he was intruding on something. From a far he saw someone he wasn't interested in seeing and slowly walked away, heading to the Slytherin common room. Rose feeling an absence, she broke the hug and looked to see the blonde retreating from them.

She whistled getting his immediate attention, he spun around and looked right at her. "Thank you," she mouthed to him. He gave a small nod before continuing his way.

Hermione stayed as a quiet spectator, wondering what was happening.

More so, what will happen.

Rose looked at Hermione who gave a small smile, "I was looking around for you for so long, even Malfoy didn't know where you were before," they both creased their brows. "He almost seems decent," she muttered.

Before Hermione could continue, she noticed someone behind Rose.

"I'm glad I was the one to find you two," he paused. "It seems Professor Dumbledore wants to see you," Rose immediately shook her head. "It wasn't a request Rose" Professor Lupin offered his hand while she stared at it. "I'll go with you."

"There you are," he huffed exhaustedly, "everyone is worried," his eyes filled with worry. He crouched down, looking at the little girl who curled herself up. "Your father is worried."

"Tell them you couldn't find me," she pouted.

He chuckled, "You know I can't do that Rose, he isn't mad at you."

"Yes, he is."

He pats her head, "he isn't. I'll go with you," he smiled softly, and he offered his hand to her.

She takes it and holds on to Hermione as well. They all made it to the office with whispers and stares.

She didn't care at the time.

She took a deep breath as her fist headed to the door but stopped when she heard a voice.

"Come in," she gulped before opening the door and entering.

Hermione and Lupin followed, and he closed the door behind them. She noticed Professor Dumbledore wasn't the only person in the room.

"What happens when your Headmaster, Head of House, Guardian, God father and best friend step into a room?" she asked herself.

"After hearing both sides," Professor Dumbledore began. "Fifty points with be deducted from Slytherin," Rose winced. "Parkinson will have detention until the year ends and will lose her privileges to Hogsmeade until Professor McGonagall says otherwise." She looked at McGonagall then back at Dumbledore.

"Rose," he paused, "You will have detention until Professor Snape says so," Rose looked at Snape and gave a nod. "And you will not take part in any Quidditch matches or attend any matches."

"But Professor," Hermione began.

"Dumbledore," McGonagall interjected at the same time.

Rose whistled as she wrote, "I accept." It was final, "It could've been worse."

"Rose," Hermione began.

"Good," he smiled, "It would be best to keep a distance from each other."

"We have told Parkinson of her punishment," Professor Snape spoke out. "She refuses to leave her room, it seems my older students didn't appreciate her reasoning behind her actions," he muttered.

Rose had forgotten that she left Parkinson in Farley's hands.

"You may go. Thank you, Miss Granger, for being here."

"You're welcome Professor."

"I believe someone needs to have their check-up."

"On it," she wrote before exiting.

Hermione had joined Rose making sure she was okay. She was deep in thought until she saw Rose reached for the hospital wing door.

"Wait," she whispered yelled as she pulled Rose away from the door, "Follow me." Not like the girl had a choice.

She moved them into a dark corridor, out of sight before she started talking. "I know you know I use this to get to all my classes, I shouldn't do it but you are my sister," Hermione, with caution pulled out her chain, "I don't care what you tell me. We're going to get back your letters."

With that, she put her chain around Rose too.