Chapter 22
"How many turns?" Hermione spoke aloud. Rose raised her hand in front of Hermione and gave her a peace sign. "Two turns, are you sure?"
Rose nodded. She felt like they weren't alone, but she couldn't see anyone else in the corridor. All she knew was that they needed to do it fast.
"But you've never used this before," she gestured to the time-turner. Rose gave an all-knowing look, "I don't need to use one to know about it, got it." Hermione can be quite the mind reader if she wanted to be.
Perks of spending the holidays together and having spent the previous two years at the hip.
Hermione twisted the knob, two full turns seeing the tiny hourglass twirl, from their position they could see colours and blurred shapes zoom by, Rose eyes sparkled while Hermione had her voice in her gut. Panic was written all over the girl. Once time had normalised, Hermione let a breath she didn't know she had held.
"Perhaps not the best idea," she squeaked. Rose didn't quite understand until she saw Malfoy and a few others heading their way.
Rose quickly pulled Hermione to the side so they couldn't be seen.
"How the hell are you meant to walk around unseen, Hermione?" she wrote with her eyes wide.
"We need to get to the common room," she stood up looking at Rose who didn't move. "My common room," she elaborated.
The journey itself to the room wasn't as simple. The two girls were known to everyone on the grounds, but they couldn't abort the mission now. A lot of swift movements with their robe to cover their faces took place.
It was just before breakfast, so the hallways were yet to be packed with students. They didn't have long though.
Current mission: Hermione sneaking into the common room to Harry's trunk and grab his invisibility cloak.
Not that he was going to use it at this very moment.
"Okay," Hermione looked at her watch. "The three of us should be heading to the Great Hall soon. Once I'm out of sight, I'll go and get it."
Rose couldn't argue. Not that she would attempt to either.
It's Hermione, her cross glares could win her the battle.
It wasn't long before Rose saw the trio exiting the passage, heading to the Great Hall, with current Hermione sneaking in immediately after.
"When did she even leave my side?"
After a while Rose smelt something close to old books and pointed to an empty space near her.
"How?" Hermione groaned, flipping the cloak off herself, messing her hair in the process.
Rose tapped her nose before writing, "You ask as if I don't know you," she smirked.
"Come on," she gestured with her head. Rose got up and they put the cloak over each other. It wasn't too bad heading to the Slytherin common room, mainly due to the fact that majority were still in the common room. The two didn't have a problem getting in as students were slowly leaving. Hermione was so fascinated by the common room and how different it was from the Gryffindor one.
She did after all turned into a human kitty last year and missed her chance.
Something one shouldn't bring up with her.
Still a sensitive moment for the brightest witch of her age.
Rose physically dragged Hermione towards her dorm, thanking Merlin she didn't make a sound.
"It's nice," Hermione said almost forcefully. Rose gave a small smile. She would admit that she missed the sun but the melodies coming from the lake did make it easier for her to sleep.
Rose quickly got to her trunk, getting her box and placing it on her bed.
"Rose, just take the box," she said in a hurry.
Rose looked at her and pointed to her head. "Think."
"Right, letters not the box if not we change the past." Rose nodded. Some of the letters were out of their envelopes but Rose knew by instinct what letters to take, she left one third behind and filled her pockets with the rest. At the bottom of the box was the rose scented envelope, the one that made her head turn towards the fireplace in the first place.
It was the letter she hadn't read yet.
She hesitantly opened it, hands shaking.
To my dearest Rose,
Happy Sixteenth little one.
I bet you've got yourself a boyfriend, am I right? Mothers are always right.
Your father doesn't want you to have a boyfriend, but he can't do a thing about it.
I know this letter is meant to be of wisdom, but I don't have any. There was a tradition carried from mother to daughter of their sixteenth. One of them being given a rose pendent, which you should already be wearing at this time, to commemorate our middle name I assume.
With that, there would've been some other things. But my mother, so your grandmother was quite strict with things. We never had that chat.
All I can say is, once everything is okay.
Just live.
You're in your fifth year, knowing your father, he wouldn't have said to study the year before but I also know you would have Minerva to guide to so you should be able to get the O.W.L.s you need.
What do you want to do?
Healer or an Auror?
Perhaps a Professor?
Just know you can be who you want to be, you just need to believe.
Priscilla will keep you in check, your family in general would.
You are never alone.
Tell your best friend thank you for me, for looking after you when I couldn't.
My precious girl, no matter what hits you, just find the strength within.
You have our hearts,
p.s. I would presume Minerva has told you but if she hasn't yet, no matter the circumstances do not, I repeat DO NOT get Moony, Padfoot or Prongs to explain the birds and the bees.
Hearing shuffling behind her, Rose turned to see a crying Hermione. She stared wide-eyed, freaking out. Rose reached forward and wiped her tears with her sleeve.
"I'm sorry Rose, I didn't mean to look," she gestured to the letter.
Rose gave a soft smile. "You're crying for the both of us."
They heard sounds near the door, they froze. Had they taken too long?
Priscilla meowed, breaking their thought process.
Rose hastily placed the letter into an envelope and put it at the bottom of the box. She quickly put the box into the trunk and used her wand to neatly put everything into order before hiding under her bed. It was only then did she see Hermione with her, who seemed frightened.
She had every right to be.
She isn't a Slytherin for starters.
The doorknob started to rattle before it was turned, several footsteps came in before the door shut.
"Where's her bed?" Rose instantly knew the voice; she watched the pairs of feet head towards her bed.
Parkinson
Bulstrode
Greengrass
The younger one to be exact.
"It's in her trunk," the timid girl spoke softly. After vigorous shuffling was heard, they placed the box on top of Rose's bed, where their feet were directly in front of the girls.
"That's all? Just letters?" Parkinson was unamused.
"She reads one every night," the girl said meekly.
"Interesting, I wonder."
It was obvious Parkinson was coming up with a plan.
"She needs to be put in her place. Going out with a Gryffindor, let alone a blood traitor," she spat. "She'll get what's coming," she chuckled.
"Wh-" Rose quickly covered Hermione's mouth.
"What was that?" Parkinson said alarmed.
"I think it was from under the bed," Bulstrode said before slowly moving down.
Priscilla jumped on the bed, startling the three girls as she licked her paw.
"It's just a cat," Bulstrode concluded.
"No, it's a dog," Parkinson deadpanned.
Rose's lip twitched, "only sometimes."
"Come on, let's go," more shuffling was heard before the room door open and closed.
Rose continued to keep her hand on Hermione's mouth a few minutes after they left. Rose released her hand and climbed out of the bed with Hermione on her tail.
"They did this because you went out with Fred?" Hermione said baffled.
"They probably had other reasons," Rose wrote, before she slummed into her bed with Priscilla licking her face. "Now we wait."
"Do you sleep much?"
She looked at her study buddy, "Some, not a lot."
"Same dream?"
"You know it. But sometimes the details are different than the actual memory."
Hermione hummed before sitting by Rose. They sat in silence. It was obvious Hermione was wanting to ask more, or at least talk.
"What is it?"
"Harry told me," she hesitated, "he saw your permission slip in the Leaky Cauldron," she confessed. Rose looked at her alarmed. "I know Rose, I don't know why he looked through your belongings."
All Rose could do was shrug. "Are we even friends?"
She gazed before hearing a ruckus from outside.
"Hey, that noisy third year is smack talking about the wild card," a Slytherin said, loud footsteps followed behind.
"It seems the scene has arrived."
"We need to put the letters in the box, after you've given it to me by the portrait," Hermione concluded.
"Then after that?"
"We need to move around the grounds to not be seen until after the time's up."
"Easier said than done."
"We have Harry's invisibility cloak so we shouldn't have a problem." Rose nodded. Suddenly the doorknob rattled causing Rose to drag Hermione behind the bed.
"I forgot I come in, myself."
Once the door closed, Hermione went and collapsed on Rose's bed, "Remind me to never do this again," she grunted. "You didn't tell me you came in here," she looked at Rose who began writing.
"I forgot, I came in here to get the letter I wrote to your parents," she gave the letter that was in her pockets the whole time.
"Thanks, I'll send it after this is all over." Rose nodded.
"It's quiet. Do you hear anything Rose?"
"Just murmurs, it's too soft for here."
"Okay, let's go," Hermione energetically jumped up and covered herself with the cloak. "Come on," she gestured to Rose who followed her and had her shoulders draped with the cloak.
"Priscilla, stay in bed."
The cat meowed as the door to the room closed. The two slowly made their way to the common room.
Hermione let out a light gasp, the common room was filled with Slytherins.
There was no way for them to leave.
Rose silently gulped, it meant that Hermione would be able to witness everything that went down here. She was just thankful they were near the entrance so Hermione herself couldn't see anything or hear the conversation she had with Parkinson.
The whole room erupted in laughter, breaking her from her thoughts.
They could both see Parkinson in the air.
"Rose," Hermione muttered, but Rose refused to look at her. She felt slightly embarrassed by her actions. Actions speak louder than words, but were her actions justified?
She would like to say yes.
"She looks so stupid up there," a random Slytherin snickered to his mate.
"If I was her, I wouldn't come out my room after this," the other said.
"Who is she anyway?"
"A jealous girl, I think she's Malfoy's girlfriend."
"He's got himself a girl already? As expected."
"She might not be after this though."
"She's irritating anyway."
"Aren't all girls?"
"Some."
"Oh shit, it's Farley."
"Mute girl is in for it now," they both snickered. The two girls watched where the boys were looking and saw Farley get into the crowd. Rose saw Farley's group disperse around the crowd.
"What exactly did she do when I left?"
"This is going to be interesting, oh hell Farley is targeting the one in the air."
"No way, the others are there too. What do you think will happen?"
"Who knows, but I'm definitely not missing this."
It wasn't long before they saw a crying Rose leaving. Hermione eyes filled with sorrow, before current Rose pulled on her sleeve. She pointed towards the crowd, Hermione nodded and got a closer look. More so, they followed the two boys that were in front of them. Farley came into view with Harriet beside her. Four of Farley's friends surrounded the levitated girl, while another huddled up Bulstrode, Alice and the Greengrass sisters.
"Listen here and listen carefully," Farley spoke in a loud voice that bounced off the walls. "Touching someone else's belongings is prohibited. It may not be a strong rule, but it is common sense. If you still wanted to do it, do it without an audience, like what are you, stupid?" Her turned to Parkinson.
"Yeah, she's stupid," someone from the crowd said as chuckles followed.
Farley let Parkinson on the ground before releasing her from her locked body. Parkinson immediately turned to run but was blocked.
"Where exactly do you plan to go?"
Farley looked at her, "Take your punishment now or it'll be worse until you graduate." The third year's eyes grew wide. "Just because this is my final year, doesn't mean I can't get someone else to do my bidding."
She was getting the full wrath of Farley now.
"Why exactly did you touch Rose's letters?" She looked down at her feet and stayed quiet. "Brat, you're gonna tell me now before I give you to the Headmaster." The girl shot up her head at the prefect. "Yeah, you heard right. Unfortunately, Rose would have to as well and I don't know what the punishment is, but I plan to give mine before you leave."
"Something temporary or permanent? Hmm," she spoke out, mockingly.
"I took the letters because they were important to her," they all looked at her. "She was hanging out with a Gryffindor, a quidditch player for that matter," murmurs came about. "I wanted her to know where she stood."
"Seriously? Because she hung out with Fred Weasley? Do you have a crush on him?"
"O-of course not!" Parkinson exclaimed before going red.
"You have poor excuses; you had no right and you know it. You better stay away from Rose and you better not harm any other students. You're the reason others think we are evil. We are cunning yes, amongst other things but we're good people too. Minus Flint," she concluded. "And you lot," she gestured to the four at the side, "what exactly did you do?"
"Bulstrode took the letters with Parkinson, my sister showed them where the letters were, Alice and I distracted Rose for them to get it," Daphne concluded.
"What a lovely little plan you lot orchestrated, if only you could use your resourcefulness for something else. She is a part of this House. She is a Slytherin, you lot," she gestured to the whole crowd. "You better get used to it, quit all the stupid nicknames of charity case, spy and such. Seriously we ain't five here," she kneaded her eyebrows. "Now what should we do?" She gestured to her friends.
"Shave her head."
"Write thief on her forehead," said another.
"Make her grow a pair."
"Burn something she loves."
"Hard to pick," Farley tapped her chin.
"You should know," Daphne spook out causing the prefect to look at her. "Last year, Parkinson got Bulstrode to smash Rose's board."
"Greengrass!" Parkinson shrieked.
"Don't Greengrass me Pansy. If I didn't tell you to break her board you would've made Bulstrode hit the girl," she said irritated.
"Well her board is fine," Parkinson said softly.
"She's smart, she would've been able to repair it with a simple charm," Daphne folded her arms and glared.
"Why the hell were you getting someone to punch Rose?"
"Because she slapped Draco, he had a bruise," Parkinson said angrily.
"She what?" Harriet spoke a little too loud.
"Malfoy," Farley called out, "Is this true?" The crowd, including the girls were looking around for Draco.
"If I said yes, what would happen to her?" His voice was soft but loud enough to be heard.
Farley stared at the blonde boy knowing who he was talking about. "Well it's a violent act which is against the rules."
"Then I won't confirm or deny that happened," he smirked, which Farley returned before looking at Parkinson.
"It seems you've been bullying Rose for some time, as a Gryffindor I could understand but she's a Slytherin now, this isn't tolerated."
"She's just a mute girl," Parkinson said. Clearly, she didn't care.
"That's where you're wrong Pansy, do us all a favour," His voice projected loud enough. "Stay away from her and me. If you're near us, my father will hear about it," he said before leaving the room. "I need to find her."
Rose just stood still, "Did Draco just defend me?"
"They're definitely not dating," one of the boys said in front of them.
"But I wonder if he is with the wild-" Hermione nudged Rose, preventing her from listening to the boys in front of them. Hermione pointed to the exit which was open and they both left.
Rose was still yet to know what Farley actually did to Parkinson.
She still felt numb about the whole situation.
If she didn't take the calming draught before, who knows what would be happening to her right now.
Hermione was able to sneak back into the dormitories and placed the letters back in the box. Now the only thing they had to do was sit tight somewhere without being seen. Hermione instinctively followed Rose around the hallways as she knew the school better than her by far.
Why? Only a few know.
Rose abruptly stopped in a dark corridor; Hermione was about to go in before Rose gripped her hand. They were both quiet, soon hearing cries and hiccups.
Rose's heart ached at her own cries. "How do I tell myself that it's okay? But I know it's not." The violation of someone taking your own property isn't something you can take light heartedly.
Suddenly, Hermione took the cloak off her, facing the crying Rose. Current Rose took the cloak off and held onto Hermione's hand, pleading with her eyes for her to stay.
"You can't be seen Hermione. You actually came and comforted me, so stay," she wrote. Hermione looked at her strange, from crying Rose to the Rose in front of her before her eyes grew in realisation. Hermione put the cloak in her bag before pulling away from Rose and walking into the corridor.
All Rose could do was watch.
She watched as Hermione comforted her, slowly realising that this was the Hermione that comforted her that time. A single tear fell as she watched before she heard snuffling sounds, making her hide further out of sight.
She couldn't see much, though she saw someone pick a piece of parchment on the ground, writing on it before placing it back.
"It'll be okay."
Someone she knew wrote that.
Before she could see who wrote it, Hermione and past Rose got up. Rose had to wait before they were out of sight for her to move. As she got into the hallway, she couldn't see who it could've been. As she walked further into the hallway, she bumped into someone.
"Baby Gryffindor," his voice was soft but laced with concern. Rose refused to look up, not sure of what to do. She wasn't meant to be seen and how was she meant to look at Draco after what happened in the common room? "Baby Gryffindor," he repeated but louder.
She instantly took a step up and looked at him, she felt her eyes water.
"Here," he gave her a white cloth. She slowly took it and wiped her tears. "Let's go," he held onto her arm as they walked. "You haven't had your check up, have you?" Rose shook her head as she let him lead the way.
They passed many people who just stared at them, all Rose could do was look down. It wasn't long before they reached the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey saw them and straight away examined them. Draco's arm still 'hurt' so he wouldn't be able to play for Saturday's match while Rose didn't have a need to wear the bandage anymore since her ear was healed, minus the lack of hearing in it. For obvious reasons, Rose continued to wear the bandage. From today on, she would need to take hearing tests until her ear was back to normal.
Assuming that's even a possibility.
"Have you taken any drops today, Rose?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
Rose began to nod, remembering the past her didn't get a hold of it yet, she immediately shook her head, while Draco looked between the two.
"Rose," she said crossly, "You're meant to take it day and night, you need it." Rose nodded her head. "I'll go get a nurse to prepare a new bottle for you, once I'm back, we'll do your hearing test."
"What bottle?" Draco never looked so confused.
"Calming draught," she wrote.
"Calming draught?"
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey has been making a concentrated one so I can take drops of it at a time. You were there when I saw my boggart." No other words needed to be said. Draco remembered her boggart, it even scared him. It was obvious that she wasn't a werewolf herself because why would she be allowed to attend school at Hogwarts?
Madam Pomfrey took Rose aside and did the test, the results were good but for Rose, her hearing still felt different.
Could be permanent, who knows.
Things were changing with the people she knew, why not her ear too?
Rose was heading back to the bed where Draco was waiting before her eyes flicked to the clock, she forgot that she herself ends up in the hospital wing. She quickly but quietly went behind the hospital beds towards the exit and squatted to avoid being seen.
What felt like hours, she saw herself walk through the door, once there was enough distance, Rose exited the wing and let out a breath she held for too long. She had to let her lungs expand a few times before she could come to her senses. She quickly hid in the corridor where they used the time tuner.
"Where are you Hermione?" Rose leaned against the wall and slowly fell asleep.
She woke up from someone shaking her arm, she blinked a few times and saw Hermione.
"We don't have time, we're coming in here now," she said in a hurry before crouching down, "just be quiet," she covered both of them with the cloak.
Through the cloak, they could see their past selves. Rose smiled, if it wasn't for Hermione, she would've lost something dear to her. She softly nudged Hermione and waited for her to look her.
"Thank you," she mouthed. Hermione gave her best smile; they were there for each other.
They silently watched themselves bicker before disappearing by the time tuner.
Hermione immediately flung the cloak and placed it in her bag. "Never again," she concluded before getting up.
Rose silently laughed, "It was your plan," she wrote.
"You should stop me."
"Me? Stop you? Nah." They both smiled before walking into the hallway.
"What have you two been up to?" They voice itself, stopped them from moving.
