DISCLAIMER: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I claim to be. First fanfic - please be nice! Updating daily :)
Warm summer air wraps me up in a blanket, as the sun says goodbye for the day, and dusk peeps its head around the corner. I make my way up towards the Burrow, stopping for a moment, absorbing the sight before me. All the laughter, the joy, the hugs, it is as if you can see the vibrant red of love embracing everyone it touches.
A sharp wind picks up slightly which urges me to go on. One more night here before we are back in the castle, back at home. It is hard to see Hogwarts as anything but my home; we all live, breathe, sleep magic and Hogwarts is the place which allows us to do so.
My train of thought is suddenly interrupted by a roar of "ROSIE. ROSIE! WHERE ARE YOU?".
No surprise of who that is: only two people in my family are allowed to call me Rosie, James and Fred, even though numerous other people try to call me that anyway.
James runs towards me, sweat dripping down his brow, his tousled jet-black hair falling in curls across his eyes. They have clearly just been playing Quidditch, so no doubt I am about to get a bollocking for missing tonight's game.
"Rosie! You promised you'd play! If you want any chance of staying on the team this year you have to show commitment."
Ah, of course, I forgot. James has just been made Quidditch captain for Gryffindor, and I would be lying if I said it hasn't got to his head.
"I'm sorry Jamie". (He hates being called Jamie). "I was just walking through the fields".
Which is true, of course, I was. I leave out the fact that I was bitching about Malfoy.
James and Malfoy have a, well, turbulent relationship to say the least. One time in 4th year, Malfoy and his cronies thought it would be absolutely hilarious to try and slip a love potion into my drink. What they forgot, idiots, is that they bought this love potion from Weasley Wizard Wheezes, so of course Uncle George let me know that I was being targeted. James and Fred then took it upon themselves, along with help from Albus, to swap my goblet with Malfoys, so instead of the grand display of love from me that they expected, it came from Malfoy himself.
Naturally his big love affair revolved around one of his slags at the time, whoever it was I can't keep up. I cry-laughed for about 3 days after I saw it happen, and Malfoy has never ever forgotten it.
It was quite rare of Uncle George to warn me actually, as normally he revels in us being pranked. I like to think that it was more to do with the fact that it was Slytherins planning an attack against his favourite niece.
Uncle George isn't biased, okay sure, he naturally holds some sort of ill-feeling towards the Slytherins, but it must be hard not to when he saw what many of them did in the war. And yes, I know, many Slytherins stayed to fight against their family, but I think George takes it particularly hard seeing as it was a Slytherin who destroyed the wall that killed his brother.
"Tryna see the owls flying in with your results are we? Rosie it's your birthday! Why are you thinking about exams? How many times have I told you anyway, OWLS are not important. Quidditch on the other hand is the most important thing this year so get your arse into gear and hurry up. If you're quick we'll have time for another game".
"Most important thing this year? Jamie do I have to remind you that you're taking your NEWTS this year?", I raise one eyebrow, but all in good humour.
"Oh please don't Rose. I spend most of my time trying to avoid my Mum who's made it her mission to remind me about 5 times a day", he retorts, reaching out to grab my hand and drag me away, "Come on, let's go"
I know I'm fighting a losing battle here, especially when Fred legs it down the hill to come and haul me up.
"Okay okay, I'm coming! But you have to answer to my Mum when she asks why I haven't de-gnomed the garden like she asked".
"Awww I'm sure Aunt 'Mione can make an exception for her favourite nephews", Fred quips back, grinning cheekily.
I roll my eyes and race them up the hill before they decide to drag me, limb by limb, which is one of their favourite things to do.
—
Up in the air is one of my favourite places to be. Apart from maybe Hogwarts and the Burrow, nothing beats the feeling of a summer's breeze snaking round your body as you glide up and down and around.
The sun has now disappeared and a city of stars blinks down at me from above. Crickets chirping in the background, I can briefly make out conversations from the Burrow. I look down: Mum, Fleur, Grandma Molly, Percy, and Audrey, are all sat round the blue-tipped flames that I know my Mum has made. I doubt this peace will last for long, especially with the upcoming family Quidditch match.
For as long as I can remember the family Quidditch matches have been brutal. One year, Aunt Angelina had to take Roxanne to St Mungo's as Fred thought it would be funny to hit a bludger at her face in the midst of a conversation. Roxanne of course, didn't find it funny, and once it was clear that she only had a couple of chipped teeth and mild concussion, she proceeded to tackle him to the ground.
Fred and Roxanne both play dirty, fighting, biting, wrestling each other to the ground. It is absolutely hilarious once they get going - you just have to leave them to it, they'll get bored eventually.
Hugo and I never physically fight as Fred and Roxanne, or Albus and James do, however our verbal fights are on another level. Why my parents thought it would be a good idea to have children I will never know. Think the stubbornness and temper of Hermione Granger accompanied by the hot-headedness of Ron Weasley.
Last week, Hugo and I argued for so long that Mum cast a silencing charm on the both of us, and wouldn't give us our voices back until we wrote a 12-inch essay explaining why as siblings we should love each other. But I wouldn't expect anything less from Mum. I've inherited her bookishness, however I love Quidditch and Wizard Chess, and can see the importance of life outside of academics. I know I was eager to see my OWL results, but that is for the purpose of beating Malfoy. I will be happy as long as I get at least E's in everything.
"ROSE NYMPHADORA WEASLEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE PLAYING AT?".
James's screeching interrupts my thoughts.
"Sorry Jamie, just thinking", I reply with a cheeky smile and big eyes.
As much as he tries to stay mad at me, he never can. The Potters and Weasley-Granger clan are the closest out of the entire family, no one ever acknowledges this of course, but it is obvious. What else would you expect from the children of the golden trio?
"What is wrong with you at the moment? Always head in the clouds. You're as bad as Lysander."
Lysander is the son of Auntie Luna and Rolf Scamander, and twin brother of Lorcan. Both Ravenclaws, they are wise, with an excellent sense of humour, but Lysander tends to day dream. Lorcan on the other hand, is the opposite. If it weren't for the fact that Lorcan is the spitting image of Luna, just male version, you would have no idea that Luna is his mother. He is hard-shelled, loud, and out-spoken. I often think that if we weren't just friends, he would be great romantic potential.
"Hey Rosie-Posie, reckon you can score against me today?", my dad questions, suddenly appearing at my side.
"Of course Dad, after all, how much did your team lose by last time?"
Our Quidditch teams are made up of adults vs kids. As Teddy has now graduated, he apparently counts as an adult, so he (traitor) plays for them. James's team is: James as seeker, me, Roxanne, and Albus as chaser, Fred and Lucy as beater, and Dominique as keeper.
Then on the adults side you have Uncle Harry as seeker, Aunt Ginny, Aunt Angelina and Uncle Charlie as chaser, Teddy and Uncle George as beater, and Dad as keeper. We have beaten the adults consecutively for the past 10 games. As much as they try to say it is our age which gives us the advantage, we all know it is just our talent.
—
As a change (not), we win the match. James catches the snitch in the first 30 minutes of the match, so the game is over just as quickly as it started. I jump down from my broom, make my way across the lawn, and am about to open the door as I hear "Rose! Rose wait up!".
"Oh hey Victoire! Is everything okay? You sounded quite desperate to speak to me."
"Yes, yes just wanted to wish you a happy birthday!"
"Vic, lay off it, it was more desperate than a happy birthday".
"Everything is fine! Well actually it is more than fine. I know I'm not meant to tell anyone and I'm not trying to overshadow your day but I just have to tell you my news. Me and Teddy well… we're expecting! I'm having a baby!"
It is as if she is expecting me to be surprised, I could tell from the minute she refused to play Quidditch. Victoire never gives up a Quidditch game.
"Oh wow Victoire congratulations! Oh I am just so happy for you! How far along are you?"
"6 weeks, so I know it's early but we wanted to tell you as we have something to ask you."
Oh god, is she about to ask me to give up my room in the Burrow. It's too small for a baby anyway, I already share it with Roxanne and Dominique, let alone a baby too!
"Will you be their godmother?", she asks nervously.
What? That was the last thing I was expecting.
"Of course! Oh Victoire I am so flattered you asked me!"
"Don't be silly Rose, who else would I ask, you're my favourite cousin and the perfect fit for a godmother"
"Who's the perfect fit for a godmother?", asks a deep voice playfully. I turn around and see Albus striding up to us, grinning, covered in sweat with his arms outstretched. Before I have time to run, he bundles me up in his arms.
"Is our lil Rosie-Posie going to be a godmother?"
"Oh shut it Al, eavesdropping much?" I counter, grinning just as widely as he is.
"Well it's quite hard not to hear you two seeing as you practically shouted it across the lawn. Seriously Vic, I'm happy for you"
"Thanks Albus. Teddy's going to kill me though, I was only meant to tell you Rose. Oh and before I forget, only my mum knows, so please don't tell anyone else, we're planning to do so when everyone is back for Christmas, well, if the bump doesn't show itself before then."
"Of course. Although Vic, you say only Fleur knows, but Grandma Molly will as well, she has a sixth-sense when it comes to pregnancy. Apparently she knew Mum was pregnant with me before my mum did".
"Yes I gathered she knew by the look in her eyes when I said I wasn't playing quidditch. Anyway, I best be off, pregnancy fatigue and all that".
Albus and I both hug her before making our way up to the Burrow.
Darkness has spread over the garden now, dissipated by the twinkling lights of stars and the glowing tips of wands. James and Fred are duelling down by the lake, ever since they both came of age they have been an absolute nightmare with using magic. Albus and I have fallen victim to many of an ill-fated prank, the most memorable being when they charmed us to burp every time we went to talk. It took a bollocking from Mum, Ginny and Angelina for them to finally end the charm.
—
The Burrow is silent, except for the clock ticking downstairs, what a change to the chaos of only 2 hours earlier.
My best friends, Alice Longbottom and Evelyna Finch often ask me if I ever feel the pressure of being in a huge family, especially one with famous faces. And yes, I suppose I do sometimes. Not only am I the daughter of two-thirds of the famous golden trio, but I am niece and goddaughter of Harry Potter, saviour of the Wizarding World.
While some in my family, especially James and Fred, love the legacy that our name holds, most of us, such as Albus and I, sometimes feel suffocated. How can you make a name for yourself if the name you carry is already so famous? I know I should be grateful to them, and of course I am, I wouldn't have it any other way, but I do wonder what it must be like, to travel to Platform 9 and 3/4 and not be met by stares, and people wanting my parent's autographs. What it must be like to blend in and not be instantly recognised by the colour of your hair.
I suppose I should also be grateful that we are spotted for all the right reasons, because my parents fought for good in the Wizarding World, not for evil. While my family is praised, many others, like the Zabinis and Malfoys are still ridiculed for their part in the way. I personally think it is especially unfair on Zabini and Malfoy junior, as although yes, their family were heavily involved, they themselves weren't.
They weren't even born until at least 5 years after, so it is unfair to tar them all with the same brush. It may have been their parents, or their parents's parents, but it wasn't them. For many war became a battle of survival, not of good vs evil. The Malfoys switched sides, and the Zabinis never truly believed in Voldemort anyway, Blaise Zabini never took the dark mark.
It is unfair to divide the world into Death Eaters and good people. I on the one hand, have never run into a Death Eater, but have run into many supposed good people who are actually arseholes. And anyway, after all, as Uncle Harry always reminds us, we all have light and dark in us, but it is the path we choose that defines who we are.
Second Chapter done! I currently have all chapters planned until about chapter 30. I have finished college for the summer so expect new chapters daily! P.S. a "bollocking" - is a telling off, it is British slang :). Please review!