Chapter 23
The two girls turned around to see who spoke.
The two girls let out a breath of relief.
"I'm going to go to the Owlery, I'll see you later Rose?" Hermione slowly backed away from the two as she received a nod from the quiet girl.
Rose stood quietly, waiting for the other person to talk.
Not like she wanted to voice out anything herself.
"Snape just told me what your punishment is. Fifty points little flower, seriously," she shook her head at the girl. "I would've thought it would've been more," that sparked the girl's interest. Farley took note of the girl's face. "You didn't do anything wrong," she paused, "other than doing it in front of the whole house," she muttered.
Rose quickly wrote, "Sorry."
She sighed, "I'm more impressed than anything, I doubt anyone would want to duel you," she smirked. "You honestly have no reason to apologise, Rose, if I could, I'd string the git to the Whomping Willow and see what happens," she laughed before her tone became serious. "How are you?"
"I'm okay."
"Okay? After what she did? Did you bump your head? Running a fever perhaps?" Farley placed her hand on Rose's forehead. Rose stuck her tongue out mockingly. Farley rolled her eyes before retracting her hand. "You know where my dorm room is, just remember that."
Rose nodded. "Should I ask now?" Rose was quite nervous, after some time she began writing again. "What did you do to Parkinson?"
"Nothing," Farley said flatly.
"Professor Snape said that she wouldn't leave her room."
"Oh," Farley stuck her hands in her pants pockets. "You don't have to worry yourself about that." Before Rose could rub the chalk from her board, she saw Farley stop, looking ahead. "It seems twin number one is looking for someone." She paused, "Most likely you."
Rose looked at the prefect before looking ahead to see Fred looking around. Rose instinctively, took out the bandage on her left ear and placed it in her pocket where she felt the bottle of the calming draught and Draco's handkerchief. She knitted her brows together, feeling the material again, "so soft," she thought.
"Cleaning yourself up I see," Farley smirked at the girl.
All Rose did was run her finger through her hair, not realising how messy it was. "No one said anything," she silently pouted.
"Aye don't worry. You look pretty as always," she tucked a few strands of hair behind the now healed ear. "Your ear looks like it's back to normal, that's great," the prefect grinned causing Rose to smile softly. Farley looked away, "Oh, looks like he's found us. Before I leave," she paused in debate. "It wouldn't harm to tease the boy."
Rose looked up at her, wondering what she meant. Her attention went to Fred who was slowly approaching.
He gave a small smile, his eyes not leaving hers.
Hearing a cough beside her, Rose broke eye contact.
"You got something on your cheek," Farley said concerned. Rose stopped and wiped her cheek before looking up at the prefect. "I'll do it, look straight."
Rose didn't think much of it until she felt a pair of lips on her left cheek. Unbeknownst to Farley, it was exact spot Fred had kissed her the previous day.
Rose's eyes grew wide as Fred's did as well.
"If only you were older," Farley whispered before standing upright. "Oh look, twin number one seems to be mad." From afar you could hear footsteps with muffled sounds heard. "I better take my leave, catch you later little flower."
"Farley!" Fred yelled at the now running Slytherin, too busy to notice a tomato face Rose.
How was it that Rose could understand the subtle comment from her prefect but not the others around her?
Was their approach too subtle?
Were they not on her radar?
Or maybe she didn't look at them differently.
Who can say . . .
The following days went by as one would expect given everything that had happened.
From Sirius Black entering the school to the fight between the Slytherin girls.
The rumours were like Chinese whispers.
They were never accurate.
It didn't help the fact that fellow Slytherins were twisting the truth from what they all witnessed in the common room that day. Many cheered for what Rose did while a few just shook their heads.
Then again, majority of the facts were missing.
Though it wouldn't be long before the truth came out.
Rose continued to eat her meals in the Great Hall with Farley, though Draco would accompany them since they shared the same classes. Sitting arrangements were changed for obvious reasons, the classes where she sat next to Parkinson and Greengrass were switched with Draco. The boy didn't leave room for discussion when he sat next to her in those specific classes. How was Rose meant to make friends if he mothered her at every opportunity? Then again, Rose was slightly glad because she didn't want people to ask personal questions, especially about the letters.
The trio were slightly taken aback by the two sitting next to each other in class. There were obvious murmurs surrounding them, but Rose was too focused in class to noticed whereas the Slytherin Prince did his best to focus, casually peering at Rose's work for guidance. While Harry didn't like the fact that Rose sat with him, Hermione didn't mind it as much.
She had a feeling what Malfoy was doing wasn't due to Professor Snape asking him to look after Rose, what were his intentions?
Though she did wonder how Rose was feeling about the whole situation.
There was only one thing swarming around Rose's mind.
Something she was very nervous about.
Part of her felt numb about it, she didn't know how to truly feel of the situation.
Quidditch
The timid girl wanted to see the first game and was currently focused on ways to sneak and watch the game. She did agree to the punishment but quidditch was her inner weakness, it wasn't like she was playing a match anytime soon.
Rose's prediction about Slytherin not playing the first game was right. She was glad to give Gryffindor and Hufflepuff a heads up to give them both an equal chance.
"Come on, let's go," Draco said, breaking Rose's thoughts.
"We got D.A.D.A next, why do you want to arrive early?" Rose looked at him while he was reading.
He sighed, "Let's go," he said as he got up from his seat.
Rose had a small smile on her lips. Rose's Thursday classes were marked as 'detention' now, after her session with Snape, she was well informed that he would be conducting today's DADA class. With the rain and heavy weather, a certain Professor had to take rest, even for the newbie Slytherin, she wasn't feeling the best.
Rose made herself comfortable placing her book in front of her before continuing coming up with ways to sneak and watch the Quidditch team for the next day.
Draco looked at her side as he was getting his things prepared. "Why would you want to watch the game when I'm not playing?"
"That's exactly why I want to watch it." She watched his face turn sour making her smile.
"Tch," he clicked his tongue before he began doing his writing.
It wasn't long before Snape came into the room, shutting all the window blinds with his wand. You could see Draco's eyes sparkle at the surprise which Rose found assuming. She softly smiled before hiding her 'sneaking' notes as Snape came by her desk.
"Afternoon Professor," she wrote, facing the board to him.
"Afternoon Professor Snape." Someone sounded like a little boy when they get a chocolate frog.
"Afternoon," he muttered at the two, glancing at Rose before he walked to the front of the classroom.
"This is the highlight of my day," he whispered to her.
"Don't go crushing on the Professor," she wiggled her eyebrows.
He scoffed, "crushes are for babies," he folded his arms as he leaned back into his seat, marking the end of their conversation.
Rose copied him as she stifled a yawn, making her close her eyes.
"A few minutes of shut-eye couldn't hurt."
Draco subtly peeked at her while she continued to have her small nap, feeling his cheeks getting warm he looked elsewhere, "Crushing on a Professor, you have to be barking mad."
If only he knew how accurate that statement was.
After deducting fifteen points from Gryffindor due to Harry being late and asking unrelated DADA questions, the rest of the House backed him up on how good Professor Lupin was in his job which struck a nerve with the Potion Master.
"Today, we will discuss," he quickly flickered through the book before shutting it loudly, knowing what the topic would be about, "werewolves," his eyes landing on a pair that looked at him in alert.
Rose's eyes shot open upon hearing the word. There were a few glances at her as all knew of her boggart. Rose didn't look at anyone and reached for her book, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.
"Why does he want to discuss werewolves?"
"But, sir," Hermione spoke out again, "We've just begun red caps and hinkypunks, we're not supposed to do werewolves for we-."
"Quiet," he interrupted. "Miss Granger, I was under the impression that I was teaching this class, not you," his eyes turned into slits looking at the fluffy-haired girl. "You will all turn to page-"
"Three hundred and ninety-four," Rose deadpanned in her mind, having already turned to the page asked. She looked up to see Snape looking at her the same way he did at Hermione. If she could shrink in her seat, she would do so now.
"Now," he brought the students attention to him, "Which one of you can tell me the distinct difference between the werewolf and a true wolf?" Snape's eyes flickered to Rose's, ignoring the fluffy-haired girl's hand that swung in the air. "No one? Perhaps Rose could enlighten us."
Rose felt the stares at her while she gave Snape a long look, she then proceeded to get her quill and write on her parchment.
Rose tapped the desk, signalling for Draco to start reciting her answer while she continued to write.
"There are small ways to tell the difference between a werewolf and true wolf," he began, at that point, some were already writing his narration as many knew how accurate Rose was with her answers. "The physical difference is of the snout being slightly smaller, more human-like, same with their pupils. Werewolves have tufted tails like a lion's while a true wolf is full and bushy."
Rose moved her parchment closer to Draco while she stared at Snape, waiting for his reaction of her answer. "The main difference is their behaviour, true wolves are not aggressive and are not likely to attack humans unless, in defence, they will attack. Werewolves, however, in their wolfish form target humans exclusively as if on instinct. They are not a threat to other creatures. They are not a threat to humans in their human form."
The sour look Snape made had indeed confirmed what Rose had thought.
"He does not like Uncle Moony at all."
"Perhaps a slight biasedness," he muttered to himself. "Ten points to Slytherin, at least you all know how to recognise a werewolf," he concluded looking at Rose who wore a very angry expression. The professor knew he was pushing buttons due to his selfishness, but he didn't care.
"Now, which one of you can tell me the difference between an animagus and a werewolf?"
Rose looked at Snape with such loath before she folded her arms and looked away.
She was done with this class.
He looked around, blatantly ignoring Hermione's raised hand "No one? How disappointing," If only his monotone would be the death of him.
"Please, sir," the young witch began, "An animagus is a wizard/witch who elects to turn into an animal."
"Assuming you're given the opportunity to choose," She mocked thought.
"A werewolf has no choi-"
"That is the second time you've spoken out of turn, Miss Granger," he approached her desk, "Five points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all," He dragged out the words finding amusement in the girl's growing red face and she looked down in her lap.
"With all due respect sir," Harry began to only be interrupted.
Ron scoffed, "You asked us a question and Hermione knows the answer," he exasperated, "Why ask us a question if you don't want the answer?" As much as the class loathed Snape at that time, they all knew he went too far.
Sometimes honesty isn't the best policy when it comes to handling authority.
"Detention, Weasley," he walked to his desk until his nose was an inch away from the boy's. "If I hear you criticize the way I teach a class again, you will be very so-."
THUD
A fallen chair had interrupted Snape's threat.
Like he needed any more interruptions.
Or perhaps that was the reason.
Rose had risen from her seat fast, causing her chair to bounce off the ground, silencing the whole room.
"Bathroom." It was all she wrote before she placed her chair correctly and heading towards the door.
"I didn't say you can leave."
Rose just shrugged her shoulders before closing the door behind her.
Draco was the only one not baffled by the girl's actions. He had watched the girl clenching her fists the whole time Snape had spoken, he was trying to figure out why she was so upset in general. He had no way of confronting Rose, so he sat down and watched until she left.
"Weasley you will stay after class to arrange your detention. All of you, read the pages in front of you," he sat down, impatiently waiting for the girl to return.
A few tears had slid down Hermione's cheek from all the embarrassment. She didn't mean to be a know-it-all. It was a part of her, all she ever wanted was to fit in. Dark thoughts consumed her before she felt her face being touched.
Harry had pulled his sleeve to his fingers to help dry Hermione's tears. Realising the proximity, he quickly pulled away, "S-sorry."
"It's okay," she squeaked. The two had red cheeks as they moved to their own sides on the shared desk, attempting to focus on the given chapter.
It wasn't long before Rose returned, patting Hermione's head before sitting down. The two girls shared a small smile before focusing on the task at hand.
"Extra week of detention for leaving class without permission," Snape broke the silence causing the girl to roll her eyes.
"Like you will take points off your own house."
"Don't test me," he seethed.
"I won't, sir," she wrote, lifting her board high enough for him to see, earning a 'hmph' in the process.
"Are you okay?" Rose looked at the boy before giving a small smile.
Draco gave up on concentrating in class to suppress the blush that was threatened to surface.
It was probably not the best DADA class for either of the two Slytherins.
"You will all write an essay, two rolls of parchment on the ways you recognise and kill werewolves," he heard external groans throughput the classroom, "I want them by Monday morning."
Rose quickly packed her belongings, ready to leave the class to only get stopped her by the teacher himself. She looked at him with such loathed that caused his eyes to grow wide for a split second before they returned to normal.
"Ro-"
"It was due to your childish ways that momma didn't make you my God Father."
Professor Snape moved, watching the girl leave the classroom in a hurry with Malfoy right on her tail.
What the girl didn't know what that he had heard her thoughts and all he could think about was that no matter the bravery she had of a Gryffindor; all he could see was her mother in her.
He knew he went too far but she doesn't know the things that Lupin had done to him or her.
All Rose hoped was that Lupin got better soon.
"He had no right."
The next day was important to anyone who had an interest in Quidditch.
So important to the whole student body and staff.
Basically everyone.
Rose woke up in a sour mood knowing she was to miss it.
She wasn't stupid to know why they gave her that punishment. They didn't want her to leave the grounds while Sirius Black was on the loose.
But she did wonder if they banned her from Quidditch, why not Hogsmeade too?
Rose had been the first of the girls to wake up, once she was ready, she left for the Great Hall with her bag of books knowing she'd have to distract herself while the rest watched the game.
She sat opposite of Nott, finding it odd that the boy was awake and eating alone.
"Are you really going to study?"
She looked up at the boy and cocked her head, "What else am I meant to do?"
"I don't know, sleep in?" He, himself, questioned why he even asked in the first place.
They remained in silence until they were accompanied by his roommates.
"You sat with Nott?" Draco questioned as he sat next to her, while Zabini sat next to Nott. It became the norm despite the whispers.
"He looked lonely, so I decided to keep him company."
"I wasn't lonely," he said all too fast.
"Whatever you say, Theo, whatever you say," Zabini patted the guy's shoulder before he took a slice of toast on his plate.
"I wasn't," the poor boy was quite adamant.
It seems teasing the rat-like eater would be easier than one would think.
"Why are you carrying your books?" She wrote, tapping her board to get the Slytherin Prince's attention.
"Because I saw you carrying your bag." He gave an 'isn't-it-obvious' look.
"But I'm not allowed to watch the game. I'll be in the library."
"Well, I'll join you after the game."
"Why?"
"We got that damn essay Professor gave us yesterday."
"Aww, the Slytherin Prince needs my help?"
He detested that nickname was much, "I just need you to look over it, trade and review like usual," he muttered the last part.
"Sure, how much have you done?"
"I haven't started." Rose just nodded while she chewed on her food. "How much have you done?" She just shrugged her shoulders. "Baby Gryffindor."
No one questioned why Malfoy still called her by that nickname.
But who was going to question him?
He's a Malfoy, he's more likely to tell his father about you from a mere glance.
"I'll probably finish by the time you get back from the game."
Once she finished with her breakfast, she made her way to the library carrying her bag and Draco's, making herself comfortable with studies.
"Perhaps I can take a walk around while the game goes on."
The rains and wind were stronger than predicted with thunder starting not too far. Players were soaked to the bone, not to mention frozen while the crowd hid under a sea of cloaks and ill-functional umbrellas.
It wasn't long before Wood called for a time-out. It was ever much needed for both teams with everyone wet, it was hard to tell who was who with the heavy rain. Harry was close to bumping into another teammate more than once. Or what is an opponent? All Harry knew was what his lightweight wasn't the only disadvantage in this weather, but his glasses too.
"We're leading by fifty points," Wood announced, "if we don't get the Snitch soon, we'll be playing all night." The sky was already dark enough, the weather had no intention of backing down.
"I've no chance with these," he gestured to his glasses.
"Oh right," Oliver got closer to Harry, taking his wand out. "Rose did tell me about this, I was meant to do this before you went onto the field," he took Harry's glasses and tapped his wand on it, "Impervious."
The team were amazed.
"Rose said that?" Harry was beyond shocked.
"Yeah, she said that the weather might affect you," he focused on the rest of his team, "Okay team, let's go all out!"
The team had a burst of new motivation to win the match.
Let's hope the weather doesn't pop it.
From the flashes of lightning to the silhouette of what appeared to be the grim, Harry did his best to keep focus and zoom in on the Snitch.
Upon hearing a roar of thunder, there was immediate silence.
Like someone had turned off the sound.
A familiar sensation of coldness radiated his body, he soon lost sight of the Snitch as his gaze focused on the Dementors below him.
And then, he heard the same scream from the train.
"Not Harry, please not Harry!"
"Stand aside little girl…now."
"Please not my son, kill me instead. Spare the children."
"The girl is mine to keep, the boy is mine to kill."
"Please have mercy."
All Harry could think about was saving the woman, he didn't realise his body turned numb, tipping him over his own broomstick.
Falling, the last thing he remembered was a shrill laugh mixed with the woman's scream.
His mother's scream.
