When they returned to the Dursley's home, Harry went straight to the cupboard to read his letters and Rose went up to her room.
She tried to get to sleep but she was tossing and turning around in her bed all night. The words that Matilda had said echoed in her head: "Things are different now." "They think you were sent to the looney house."
Finally, Rose got tired of tossing and turning so she laid still in bed for a moment looking out her window and focused on the bright full moon hanging solidly in the night sky. She thought about what George was doing now in his Wizarding home. Probably laughing with Fred and Ginny. Thinking about the Weasleys usually made Rose happy but tonight it just made her sad for some reason.
She closed her eyes again and this time drifted off into sleep.
Rose usually didn't have dreams but lately she'd been having vivid ones.
This night she dreamt she was walking in an alleyway somewhere in Surrey. She was alone. Suddenly she heard a scream. She rushed towards the noise and found a big black dog attacking Harry. Rose screamed herself and rushed over to get the dog off of Harry but it gnarred its big teeth at her and she stumbled backwards. She started screaming Harry's name but the dog wouldn't get off him. She kept screaming and screaming into the night…
Rose awoke with a jolt and in sweat. She sighed in relief when she'd realized it was a dream. It was the morning now and she could smell pancakes- that Harry was probably making- coming from downstairs. She got dressed and headed down the stairs to help Harry with the cooking.
Sure enough Harry was at the stove top flipping pancakes. Rose pulled her auburn hair back into a ponytail and started on frying the eggs. To this day, the Dursleys made Rose and Harry make every meal. While they were cooking Harry turned and said:
"I know you asked me what I wanted for my birthday yesterday, and I know I didn't say anything but I was actually wondering can you ask Aunt Petunia if I can move in with you the cupboard really is getting too small for me," He paused, "And Aunt Petunia likes you best."
Rose nodded "Of course." She said.
"You know I had troubles falling asleep last night." Rose said.
"Really?" Harry asked while pouring out glasses of orange juice.
"Yeah, doesn't it bother you what Matilda's said about us?" Rose asked "And that so much has changed here in just two years?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "A lot has happened in two years. And not really, I was never really friends with Matilda. Hogwarts is my home now."
He looked at Rose when he noticed she was deep in thought and staring at the frying eggs- intensely watching the oil pop off the pan. Harry nudged her so that she would snap out of her deep thought and give the egg a flip with the spatula.
"Yeah, you're right." Was all Rose said.
"I wouldn't focus too much on it," Harry said nonchalantly, "I mean you have Bellamy and Bridget now. And George. Who cares what people here are saying about us? At least we get to get away."
Rose nodded and bit her lip. She flipped the eggs off the pan into a plate.
Finally, the Dursleys and Harry and Rose sat down to eat. Rose was going to bring up the issue of the cupboard before Uncle Vernon cut her off and said:
"You all remember Aunt Marge don't you?" He grunted as he took a bite of food, "She's coming to visit tomorrow so be on your best behavior. No silly business tomorrow." He said while pointing his fork at Harry and Rose. Rose watched with disgust as a bit of egg hung off the edge of the fork.
Aunt Petunia chimed in. "Yes, and bear in mind not to talk to any magic. I've told her that you've been sent to the Dwayne School for the- the erm-"
Rose became furious as she remembered what the Dwayne School was. "You're the one whose been telling everyone we've been sent to the institution!"
"Well what were we supposed to do?" Uncle Vernon said, "We can't tell them you're Wizards and all that nonsense."
"You could have just said we were sent to boarding school!" Rose exclaimed in exasperation. She watched in anger as Aunt Petunia pursed her lips in the corner as if she was pleased to see Rose in a state of distress.
Rose pulled back remembering Harry. "We'll be on best behavior. I was wondering can Harry move into my room?"
"Why on Earth would we do that?" Uncle Vernon asked while chugging a glass of orange juice. "Boys and girls should be in separate rooms."
"Well," Rose said slowly, "That would make sense if Harry was in a room, but Harry's in a cupboard. It's getting too small for him."
"Oh is Harry not fitting in the cupboard?" Dudley mocked from the corner of the table through a mouthful of pancake.
Rose held back from rolling her eyes. She could tell Harry was too.
"Let's see tomorrow," Aunt Petunia said curtly, "Let's see how well you two behave with Aunt Marge and then we'll discuss it."
Uncle Vernon grunted in agreement.
Rose looked at Harry and could tell he was disappointed in the outcome but he smiled softly at Rose for trying. They continued to eat their meal in silence.