I'm really, really sorry for the delay with this chapter. Life has been very challenging this past month and I've just found some time to translate this chapter. Hopefully you're still interested in this story.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. Just this fanfiction.
ROSE
She still felt like flying on a fantasy cloud as the bus slowly came to a stop. How could a simple statement have caused such an effect on her? Of course Rose considered herself a romantic girl. Although her only previous experience was with Oliver, a boy from her old school who she date for almost a year. He was sweet and caring; the opposite of Scorpius, who generally seemed distant and sometimes even cold.
Yet the blonde managed to awaken feelings in Rosie that Oliver could not.
The girl sighed at her conflicting feelings and entered the apartment. Hope was lying on the couch sleeping soundly, so she carefully closed the door and went to her room. Hugo was there using her old laptop.
"Hello Hughie," she greeted sitting next to him, "What are you doing?"
"Just watching cartoons," he gave her a wide smile
Since the Wi-Fi has been installed, his brother was using the laptop more and more often, and Rose was ok with that, for the internet connection had been a momentary joy for her. Many of her friends on her old Facebook account had disappeared, probably removing her from her virtual life as well. And since seeing the photos of the few people that remained as her virtual contacts was upsetting, she had deleted her account.
"Just try not to use the laptop for too long, okay? Lily probably misses playing with you"
To her surprise Hugo put the laptop aside.
"Lily is on a school trip with Aunt Ginny." He sighed. "Rose, are mom and dad never ever coming back?"
"Oh darling, we have already talked about that," seeing his watery blue eyes made her heart ache, "Mom and Dad, they are ..."
"In heaven, I know," he sniffed, "But I miss them so much Rosie. Beside if I ever have a school trip, who would go with me?"
"Hope can go with you," she proposed, "I can go too"
Hugo hugged her tightly and she cradled him in her arms, stroking his red hair. She felt sadness and admiration for her little brother at the same time. Despite so many changes in the recent months, he seemed to face everything with optimism. He was not a selfish or annoying child. He had embraced his new life with joy.
"How about we go for an ice cream?" Rose proposed, "I've seen an ice cream parlor on the way here"
"Yes, yes please!" The good mood returned to him immediately, "I'll go fetch Mr. Hugs"
Hugo returned instantly with his teddy bear and they left in silence so as not to wake their older sister. They headed towards the ice cream parlor, humming an old song their Mom used to sing to them.
"ALBUS!"
His brother released her hand and ran to his cousin, who was talking with a small group of friends but turned his face immediately after hearing Hugo's voice. Albus scooped him up and smiled at him, "What are you doing here?" The boy asked
"We came for ice cream. Want to join us?" Rose said
She expected him to say yes, for she needed to talk to him.
"Of course," he placed Hugo on his shoulders and turned to his friends, "I'll see you guys later"
Hugo monopolized Albus's attention on the way to the ice cream parlor. Once inside the place they sat at a table to wait for their orders.
"Can I play there in the meantime?" Hugo asked pointing towards the playground
"You can go, but just for a bit," she said
Rose and Albus followed the little boy with their eyes. Once Rose saw him playing in the ball pit she turned her attention back to her cousin.
"There is something I want to tell you," she started
"Probably something I'm not going to like"
Rose sighed rolling her eyes, "Listen… I got the job at the restaurant. I start tomorrow."
"I suppose you're talking about a different restaurant, not the one of your friend's parents, right?" He asked in a hard voice and looking at her with a frown, "Because I think I was very clear when I said ..."
"I was also clear when I explained that I am not going to miss an opportunity like this," she interrupted him, "Albus I know you're trying to protect me but I need the job. The pay is good, it's not something complicated, Cassie's parents are nice people, and it's safe. It will work."
"Rose ..."
He fell silent because the waitress came over with the ice cream, chuckling at him. Albus however ignored her and Rose took the opportunity to call Hugo.
When the little boy came to the table they changed the subject. The ice cream was good and his brother kept chattering about ordering another.
"Rose," said Albus, "Did you go alone to the restaurant?"
"Uhum," she nodded, "I took the bus, followed directions and managed to get there"
The girl noticed Albus's hands gripping the table and he glared at her with his green emerald eyes.
"No one recognized me," she added, "And people were very friendly. I really liked the atmosphere of the restaurant; besides it's also a commercial area, very busy and totally safe"
He just growled in response
"And well ... I ran into Scorpius but he behaved very well"
"Malfoy? And what did he want?"
She was aware that Hugo noticed the tension between them.
"Why don't you go play a little more?" She asked, "We can buy another ice cream later"
The boy nodded obediently and ran to the playground. Albus took Hugo's seat to be closer to Rose
"What did Malfoy want?"
"He was actually very kind," she felt her face blush and cleared her throat, "He told me that it was ok if I decided to work in the restaurant. He and Cassie are good friends, so he'll take that into consideration and he's going to help me so no one bothers me during my work hours"
"Yeah right," he snorted. "I don't like that guy, he's just trouble, believe me. And he is certainly not good for you".
"Why would you…? You're talking nonsense now, Al"
"Nonsense? I saw the way you looked at him today; I notice how you blush when you talk about him. Listen to me Rose Weasley, he is going to break your heart. He's not the type of guy who wants a serious relationship"
"How can you possibly know that?" She asked defensively
"There are no secrets here," he shrugged, "Rose, it's one thing if you want to work in that restaurant, but falling for him ...
"Hey, easy there," she laughed nervously, "Scorpius may be… attractive but I don't even like him. I want the job because I have to help Hope financially. It is my duty as a sister, and I need you to understand that, please"
To her surprise Albus nodded.
"I know there's no point in me forbidding you to do it. I underestimated you when I thought you would listen to me and stay at home. But if you went to the other side of town ... well, you're tougher than I thought."
"Thank you, dear cousin!" She hugged him tightly and smiled at him
"But there is a condition"
"Oh, I knew this was too good to be true!"
Albus smirked.
"I'll give you a new phone and you're going to have my number on speed dial. You're going to call me if anything happens. Anything, Rose I mean it. If someone is bothering you, if you feel like a person is following you, even if you see suspicious girls, you call me instantly. And when the bus is near here you let me know. I'll come pick you up. You promise?"
"Okay," she agreed without hesitation partly because she didn't want to fight and partly because her cousin's words made her feel protected, "Thank you Albus"
Hugo came back and then Rose ordered some more ice cream to take home. They parted ways with Albus when they left the ice cream parlor.
The siblings walked to the apartment and Hugo entered laughing happily, handing Hope the ice cream
"You guys should've woken me up!" She pouted
"You were sleeping so peacefully," Rose said, "How did it go, by the way?"
"Oh it was… quite tiring, yeah!" She smiled
Her sister started telling her about her first day at work. Rose listened carefully to every detail about what she had to do, her colleagues at the office and her boss.
"I'll go watch more cartoons," Hugo said already running towards the room
"Only for an hour," Hope shouted, "Then you must do your homework"
The older girl sighed and then Rose noticed a box on the side of the sofa that was crammed with clothes.
"What is all that?"
"Hugo's clothes that no longer fit him," this time she sighed even louder, "At his age he grows all the time. Almost none of his old clothes fit him; I need to buy him new ones."
"I can help with that," she said, "I got a new job"
"What?" She gasped, "But Rosie ..."
"No buts," she took Hope hand, "You don't have to take care of everything by yourself. I want to help, I have to help."
"But you're just a child," she clicked her tongue, "No, Rose, I want you to focus only on your classes. The University is just around the corner and ..."
"I'll go to a university in over a year. I want to help you. With your salary we can pay the rent, the food and save something. With mine we can buy other things that we need, like Hugo's clothes"
Hope seemed to consider it for a while.
"What job did you get? Where is this job? It will be only half time, right?"
"Yes, of course. It's in the restaurant of my friend Cassandra's parents. I will work four days a week there"
"Will you have time to do your homework?"
"Yes," at least that was what she hoped, "Don't worry about that, sister"
"Oh Rosie!" She hugged her, "Thank you very much darling. Though I would prefer for you not to have to work at such a young age"
"I'll do it with pleasure," she assured her
"You're a good girl," Hope caressed her face like her mom used to and smiled at her, "But please if at some point it becomes too heavy, tell me. I don't want you to push yourself too hard. It's my job to take care of you".
She let Hope cradle her some more. She had missed her sister. Hope had not been very present in recent years due to her trips but she was always on her mind. Maybe she thought something similar because she said.
"I'm sorry I didn't see you guys more when I had the chance," she sighed, "Especially Hugo. I missed a lot of things of him as a baby."
"You were busy…"
"I was following my crazy head, as Mom used to say," She laughed, "But I'm really sorry Rosie. You were just a child when I left home to go to the university and then to follow my dreams but you were always in my memories, you know that right?"
"I know," Rose smiled, "You were also in mine. I kept the best of you. I love you Hope, and Hugo adores you."
"I remember his little face when I came back. He only knew me from photos and had no idea who I was."
"But you conquered his heart instantly. And now you are our rock. You came back as soon as Mom got sick and you took her place in Hugo's life," a tear rolled down her sister's cheek, "You're going to be her mom. Maybe you didn't see him take his first steps or… heard his first word, but you're going to be there for her from now on. And that's what counts".
Hope hugged her tightly and she reciprocated. Then she went for a couple of spoons and they ate the ice cream together.
"A garage sale," Rose said all of a sudden
"What?" Hope asked without understanding
"Let's have a garage sale! I have a lot of things that we could sell, we may not get what their real worth but we could raise enough money to buy Hugo new things."
"But Rosie your belongings are…"
"You sold all yours when the lawyers and the bank took everything from us. I can do the same," she shrugged, "Besides I wouldn't dare wear a Tiffany's bracelet here. I would be scared."
They both laughed and Hope nodded.
"Let's do it. If you're sure, let's have the garage sale."
Much more animated they began to think about creating an ad and began to choose things to sell. Rose didn't really feel sorry for letting go of anything. Rather, she felt cheerful and happy. When she lay down in bed that night, she felt totally satisfied with herself.
A/N: Please let me know what you think. Also, new chapter coming in a bit