In the next few weeks, students had come to walk carefully around the castle, making sure not to push, even by accident, other students, especially if they had long hair. Boys had become especially attentive to how girls did their hair and were wary of the ones who decided to let their hair free. Even without having Rose's spray, that now everyone called "Rose Potter's safe spray", wearing your hair down was the best way to make sure boys wouldn't harrass you.
The Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly had come to interview Rose about her invention and had published an article about it, why she did it and the fact that she intended to give it for free to those who couldn't afford it and felt they needed it to feel a bit safer. In one of the articles, they mentioned her grandfather, Fleamont Potter who became rich in 1926 by inventing another famous hair lotion, the Sleekeazy's hair lotion and they made the comparison, saying that Potters sure were gifted to solve hair problems. Of course they used this article to talk about her brother, her father, her grandparents, who died of Dragon Pox in 1979 and would have been proud of her and Harry. It made her chuckle and amused her that they'd compare her potion to her grandfather's. She still wasn't sure of what she'd do in the future, but she knew that this invention would open a door for her.
Remus had even taken her to the Ministry of Magic so she could licence her invention, its composition and everything. This way, nobody would be able to pretend they had invented it, it was hers to do as she wished with it.
"It would be interesting to use this spray in a fight against the Death Eaters." Ron said with a chuckle as they watched Cormac McLaggen getting tangled up in the two girls' hair after touching their asses.
Their head of house, Professor McGonagall had just been walking out of the classroom and frowned at first when she saw the three teenagers so close along with the arguments resounding loudly in the corridor. But as soon as she realized that he was tangled in their heir, and understood what happened because the girls told her, she got really angry and scolded the boy as she untangled him from the girls with a simple spell.
"It could quickly become messy though." Draco frowned.
He had been with them, speaking to Hermione, when the scene happened and though Ron still didn't like him, they had learned to tolerate each other. They had dueling club to fight each other and settle their differences.
"I'd love for both Dumbeldore brothers to put it on their hair and beards while they duel, see what happens." Rose confessed.
"It would truly become messy, we'd have to use scisors to cut them out of each other." Hermione chuckled.
"They'd be maimed, no more long beard and hair." Ron frowned.
"It's hard to imagine, but a funny idea." Harry added.
McGonagall was yelling at McLaggen, taking points from the house and telling him that he'd have detention and an essay to write about the necessity of respecting women and of not behaving like a caveman. She announced that she'd write to his parents to tell them about his despicable behavior but they all found it very amusing, especially because he deserved it. Though McLaggen was arguying that being tied up in girls' hair in front of everyone should be punishment enough, resulting in points being taken from him for his complaining.
"In 10 minutes he lost all the points I won by inventing this potion!" Rose complained with a frown.
"You'll gain them back quickly enough." Draco reassured her.
.
They were now waiting for their first class of the day to start. It was Sirius's class and he was never late, especially because he never missed breakfast but he hadn't been at the table that morning either. Some of them started to worry.
"You don't think there could have been a problem, do you?" Rose asked Harry, worriedly.
"I don't know, I hope not... if something had happened they would have sent someone to warn us." Harry shook his head, worried as well.
They all waited for 15 minutes when Sirius arrived, running. He opened the door and let them inside.
"Are you alright professor Black?" Parvati asked him with concern as he tried to catch his breath.
"Yes, I'm sorry for the delay. Funny story actually. I woke up right on time, as usual, but... Well you see, before I woke up I was dreaming that I was late for class and being yelled at by my best friends James Potter, you know, harry's father, and Remus Lupin, your teacher in 3rd year, in Gryffindor's dormitory during my 5th year. They were trying to wake me up, to get me to move, because James didn't want to be late for his usual one sided flirting session with Lily. Remus was saying how we'd be late for McGonagall's class and how we were going to learn something important for the exams that day and I'd fail if I didn't get out of bed. Anyway, after that, I woke up and started panicking, thinking I was actually late for her class before I remembered that I was now an adult, so I laid back down, closed my eyes and went back to sleep, only to wake up a little later, in a real hurry because even though I'm an adult, I'm a teacher and I have to be up early too. Anyway, let's see if you all did your homework." Sirius explained, making everyone chuckle at his story.
.
Time passed and before they knew it, Valentine's day was just a day away.
"Something wrong Draco?" Hermione asked him when he joined her and her friends in the Room of requirement to help others with their homework.
"I think I need to speak with Dumbledore or Black. My aunt sent me a letter... I think something's going to happen in Hogsmeade tomorrow." Draco whispered, making sure nobody else would hear them.
"It's going to be suspicious if you go see him, but you should go and speak with Snape, people won't notice." Rose suggested.
"Are you crazy? Snape is a spy! He can't be trusted, he's a Death Eater!" Draco frowned, shaking his head.
"No, he can be trusted. I'll explain on the way. Do you mind staying here Hermione, supervising everything?" Rose asked.
"Of course not." Hermione shook her head.
Rose went to see Harry, who was helping another student learn the Patronus charm and she asked him for the invisibility cloak, so that people didn't know Draco wasn't alone. She knew that her brother always had it with him, just in case, and of course he let her use it.
Once in the corridor, Rose hid herself and they made their way to Snape's office. They didn't speak on the way. Once in front of the door, Draco knocked and walked inside when Snape told him that he could, leaving the door open long enough for Rose to walk in behind him.
"This can't be good." Snape declared when he saw Rose taking off the Invisibility Cloak.
"Professor, did Sirius or Dumbledore tell you about Draco and Hermione's plan?" Rose asked directly.
"Yes, of course. The most trusted members of the Order know of it, and everyone is very proud." Severus nodded.
"Are you sure about this, Rose?" Draco asked his friend.
"Yes, he's on our side, you can tell him, and he'll tell Dumbledore. People won't be suspicious if you're seen speaking with him, he's your head of house. If they see you speaking with Sirius too often, it could ruin your good work." Rose argued.
"What's going on?" Severus asked.
"Ever since this started, Aunt Bellatrix has been writing to me often, asking for progress reports but also giving me advice, or just congratulating me, encouraging me... Today I received a short note where she told me not to go to Hogsmeade tomorrow and to keep my "useful girlfriend" away from it too. She didn't say why, but she sent it by express owl... I think they might have decided to attack... But if they did, my mother would have warned me too... She knows what I'm doing and why." Draco declared, showing the note.
"It could also be a trick to test his loyalty, right?" Rose asked Severus.
"No, I don't think so. The Dark Lord could have very well taken the decision to attack at the last minute, even just a small attack. It's quite possible that just a few trusted members know of it. I know for sure that the Dark Lord and Bellatrix are completely convinced of your loyalty. They wouldn't have told me because I can't be reached when I'm in Hogwarts. I think you're right and they are indeed planning an attack." Severus nodded gravely.
"What do we do? If we cancel the visit or reinforce the defense, they'll know that someone spoke and they might guess it's Draco. But if we do nothing..." Rose frowned.
"I'll speak to Dumbledore, he'll have an idea. Maybe he can find an excuse to prevent students from going..." Snape replied.
"Maybe let loose some dangerous beast, say that to prevent students from being attacked, they have to stay in Hogwarts." Rose suggested.
"We'll see. You two should go. I'm sure you'll find out what we decided later. Draco, I think it's best if you came to me when something like this happens, Rose is right, they won't get suspicious and we'll be able to coordinate what information we give out." Severus told Draco who nodded.
.
Later that day, during dinner, Dumbledore stood up and asked for student's attention.
"Attention students. I'm sorry to have to do this, but we have to cancel tomorrow's Hogsmeade day. I know, I know, you were looking forward to celebrating Valentine's day there, but there's been a sighing of a wild Manticore around the town this afternoon. Experts from the Ministry have come to investigate immediately and apparently, though they haven't been able to capture it yet, it's a female who gave birth not too long ago. Meaning that we don't know how many there are. For safety measures, you'll all stay here, though we'll make things more enjoyable for you with music and decorations all around the castle. Rest assured that, if the manticores are caught quickly, you'll be able to go to town next weekend." Dumbledore spoke.
"A Manticore? Are you sure?" Lee Jordan asked.
"I saw it myself Mister Jordan, while visiting my brother. Hagrid was with me and the reason he's not at the table with us right now is because he's helping Ministry officials locate the beasts. You'll even be able to see a picture of the beast in the morning Edition of the Daily Prophet, they managed to snap a picture of it, though it got them in trouble with the ministry since snapping this picture prevented them from being able to catch it." Dumbledore replied.
"He truly went all out... Do you think they really released a Manticore around town?" Rose whispered to Hermione.
"Well, they better have or Voldemort wouldn't have believed it." Hermione whispered back.
"I hope it doesn't hurt anyone... I want to ask Sirius though." Rose replied.
"We'll all go after dinner, ask him what they did." Hermione nodded.
They could see Draco at his table, looking worried too, but a bit relieved. No student would be hurt in an attack.
After dinner, Rose, Hermione, Ron and Harry went to see Sirius. Fred had kissed Rose and told her that he'd see her in the common room.
"Follow me to my apartment." Sirius told them, understanding why they were here.
"Sirius, did they really release a Manticore here?" Harry asked, having been caught up by his sister.
"Well, Dumbledore's brother Aberforth knew a guy. Rose, it was quick and good thinking on your part to get Draco to speak with Severus, now that they both know the truth, it will be easier. It gave us plenty of time to act." Sirius smiled.
"So there's really a Manticore out? A mother monster with babies?" Ron asked, shocked.
"Hagrid would probably tell you that they're not monsters, just severely misunderstood beasts." Harry joked.
"They're quite adorable when they're babies, I saw a picture once." Rose nodded, making Ron roll his eyes.
"Of course, it had to be believable and what's more believable than the truth?" Sirius smiled.
"But..." Hermione started to say but Sirius stopped her.
"Don't worry, we've set protections and warned the people of the town. Nobody will get hurt and there are real ministry people in town looking for it. We know how many babies she had, so we'll know if one is missing." Sirius reassured them.
"Do you think Voldemort will still attack?" Harry asked his godfather.
"I don't know. If he does, he won't be able to hurt many people. Don't worry, you guys should go back to your common room and enjoy tomorrow.
They nodded and made their way to the common room, feeling a bit reassured.
What did you think? Too much?
Review please, the more you review, the more motivated I will be to write.
Next chapter is Valentine's day in Hogsmeade, and you'll see how Rose handles it when she receives love potion filled chocolates.
Lorelei Candice Black