Remembering when Sir Nicholas told her that Myrtle was feeling a bit lonely, Rose made an effort to go to her bathroom every time she needed to go during the day, even if it took her longer. Each time, she did her best to be kind and to make conversation with the ghost and though she had been a bit wary at first, the young ghost was starting to trust Rose and to consider her a friend. The good part was that there was always empty stalls, no need to wait, because everyone was so afraid of Myrtle and her tantrums.
Rose had even invited Myrtle to join them during their cheerleading training sessions, if she wanted some company. They were thinking of ways to include Myrtle in the group numbers that included the members of every house. Of course nobody would see her if it was sunny, but Hermione was looking for spells to help, and Myrtle was very happy about this.
Rose had even convinced other girls, like Luna, Hermione or Ginny, to do the same and now, Myrtle seemed a little bit more cheerful. She had friends and was happy to participate in normal conversations. Plus, given her status as a ghost, Myrtle could go anywhere she wanted and knew a lot of secrets, gossip and she happily informed Hermione of Ron's conversations with the others boys, when they went to the bathroom and he complained about her and Malfoy.
Ron was still in denial, refusing to admit to having feelings for Hermione, but he was starting to act like he used to. He tried not to react when he saw her and Draco, to be her best friend again, but it didn't stop him from complaining to whoever was willing to listen to him when he went in the boy's bathrooms.
That day, Rose came to the bathroom after her History of magic period and she put some cold water on her face to wake herself up.
"What's wrong, are you sick or something? Do you want me to get your brother?" Myrtle asked her sincerely.
"No, I'm fine, just tired and angry. You know I used to love History of magic? Learning about past events, battles and other things? Here it's boring! I can barely stay awake. Professor Binns is making it boring when it's supposed to be super interesting!" Rose replied.
"It's always been this way with him, even when he was alive." Myrtle nodded, understanding her friend's anger.
"I get that having a ghost teacher allows the school to save on a salary, I read that the money they would have paid a teacher goes on a fund for poor students, but seriously, they could try to motivate him a bit..." Rose shook her head.
"I know..." Myrtle nodded before Rose waved and left the bathroom to be on time for her next period.
.
"You know that dueling club you had during second year?" Rose asked Harry as they all sat around the commun room.
Fred, George and their friend Lee weren't there, they were out in the corridors, working on one of the new versions of the Marauder's map for their future shop.
"What about it?" Her twin asked back.
"Why don't they have it again? I mean, I get that Lockhart was definitely not an appropriate teacher but given Voldemort's rise, we could learn a lot. It could be very useful... In Durmstrang, we practiced pretty often and I kind of miss it." Rose replied.
"I know, Victor told me about it. And since I now know you, he told me that you were able to beat last year students in duel." Hermione nodded, making Ron frown at the thought that Hermione was still writing to Victor Krum.
Did Malfoy know? Did he agree that his girlfriend was corresponding with an international Quidditch player super popular among the witches? Maybe he could tell him and create a little bit of trouble.
"And who would teach us?" Ron asked, curious and making it a point not to look at Hermione, who had been spending some time with Draco Malfoy again that day.
Way too much time in his opinion, not that anyone actually bothered listening to him. But then again, if he mentioned in front of Draco that Hermione was writing and receiving letters from Krum, maybe Draco would dump her...
"Well, Professor Flitwick is quite skilled but there's also the Headmaster's brother, he used to be a master duelist. He won a few competitions, I've read it in that book Victor gave me for my birthday this summer." Rose replied.
"I've actually read about this too... Right, I probably read it in the same book since you let me borrow it two weeks ago." Hermione nodded, making the others chuckle a bit.
Rose and Hermione had their beds side by side and, in the middle, had placed all of their books so that the other could borrow the one she wanted without needing to look for it too much.
"Maybe you could write a letter, ask Dumbledore. Both of them." Harry suggested, wondering why Ron suddenly looked smiling and hopeful.
His best friend definitely looked like he was about to do something that could get him in trouble.
"You're right, I'll get right to it." Rose nodded, getting some paper, a quill and some ink out to start her letter to the Headmaster and planning on including a second letter to ask his brother if he'd be willing to help out.
"While you're doing this, Rose, would you mind if I borrowed one of your books again?" Hermione asked.
"Of course not, you know where they are. You don't even have to ask. Which one do you want?"
"I'd love to read Anne of Green Gables again, and all the others tomes that come after." Hermione replied dreamily.
"Well, I just finished reading it again last night so you're welcome to it. You should be able to take the second book by tomorrow, I'm almost done with it." Rose replied.
"Isn't that a movie or something? I think I remember Aunt Petunia watching it a few years ago while I cleaned her kitchen." Harry asked.
"It was turned into movies and anime series and many things..." Rose nodded.
"Oh, I just love Gilbert Blythe..." Hermione stated dreamily.
"Me too!" Rose chuckled.
"Do I have competition now?" Fred asked, surprising them by being back already.
He bent down and kissed Rose before she could reply.
"Don't worry, he's all fictional. You're still my number one favorite guy." Rose replied with a smile, always happy to see him.
Fred sat by her side while Lee and George sat next to him. They seemed to be done for the day because they didn't get anything to work on out.
"How can you love a fictional character? That's stupid!" Ron mocked.
"Maybe you should start reading more. Actually, tell you what, when Hermione's done with the first book, I challenge you to read it, completely. I'm sure you'll learn a thing or two from it." Rose told Ron.
"Why would I do that?" He asked, definitely not wanting to read anything.
"I'll owe you one, if you read it in less than a week, I'll owe you a favor." Rose replied and Ron grinned.
"Fine, I'll do it." He nodded.
"That's going to be good, forget me reading it tonight, I'll read something else, Ron can start his challenge right now." Hermione stated happily, making Ron sight and everyone else chuckle.
"You might as well read it Hermione, we've got a big test this week. We'll give it to him next week, give him some time to mentally prepare for it." Rose suggested and Hermione nodded while Ron breathed out in relief.
"I'm so glad you're my girlfriend!" Fred whispered in Rose's ear, making her blush in happiness.
"Maybe I should have slapped Ron accros the face with the wizard equivalent of a slate." Hermione whispered to Rose, making her friend chuckle.
She hadn't spoken low enough and Ron heard her. This comment made him frown in confusion, especially because Rose seemed to understand more than he did. There was definitely a reference there, but what did it mean?
"Did you manage to do everything you wanted for your new versions of the map?" She asked him.
"We did, and we even have Sirius and Remus's official approval. The Marauders will get an entire branch of products in our future shop. The map and its many versions, a book Remus is writing to tell their story along with some of their adventures, and others little things like toy versions of them that speaks and tell jokes... Remus is being very helpful with ideas and improvements and we've finally managed to convince him to work with us, officially. Well, technically he works for us, but you get the idea." Fred replied.
"That's great!" Harry exclaimed.
"Yes, it is." George replied.
"Of course Sirius agreed to help too, once in a while, but he's busy being a teacher and Remus needs a job so, why not?" Fred added.
"This way we can sell more product by owl. So far we did it from our bedroom or dormitory, now with Remus, we can do more. Which means making more money to pay him and set up everything." George added.
"Plus, I bet your mother is happier knowing Remus, a mature adult in her eyes, will be there to advise and guide you, she'll worry less." Hermione commented.
"So true." Fred agreed.
"We're also thinking of hiring other werewolves, you know, when we're ready to hire. It will be our part to show them things can change, to convince them not to work with Voldemort. Remus will be in charge of the hiring. He's started telling them about it. We won't need them before the summer, but you know, it'll be a way to save a few of them." George informed them.
"If you need another argument, tell them that I'll provide Wolfsbane potion for any werewolf employee of yours. I already do it every month for Remus, I send him the content of the entire cauldron so he can share. I'll be able to make a larger cauldron so you have enough for everyone. I'll ask Remus to buy me a larger cauldron." Rose offered, making everyone smile.
"Thank you, that's definitely a great argument." Fred nodded before he kissed her.
"We'll even be able to provide you with the ingredients." George suggested and his brother nodded eagerly.
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Lorelei Candice Black