Slowly opening her eyes, to the bright autumnal light of the hospital wing, Rose groggily looked around at her surroundings, smiling when she met Ron's gaze.
"Hey." She said croakily.
"Hey there sleeping beauty." He chuckled, moving closer to where she lay. "How are you feeling?"
"Sleepy." She smiled weakly, glad to see his face. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."
"You haven't" Ron replied. "Not since Friday night, though I technically did see you yesterday. Fantastic goal by the way."
"Yeah the only thing I managed to do." Rose scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"It was a bit of crazy game wasn't it?" Ron agreed. "At least after everything that happened we ended up winning."
"We won?!" Rose said with slight relief. "Thats brilliant news, Edward will be pleased."
Rose's stomach churned saying his name, it most have worn on her face too as Ron was looking at her with concern.
"How is Harry?" She asked quickly.
"Harry is extremely lucky." Ron replied with a glum grin. "He wanted to be here, but he needed the rest. Hermione is with him to make sure he actually does."
"I honestly don't know how he managed to get back onto his broom, when me and Fred were hovering underneath him I really feared the worst"
"Ah but what you, Fred and the rest of the stadium didn't realise was that me and Hermione helped him." Ron answered causally, a cocky grin present.
"You and Hermione helped him? How?" Rose asked confused.
"Well…" Ron started, It was clear he had been itching to bring this up. "As we were watching the game unfold, Hermione had a pair of binoculars and noticed Snape muttering under his breath which just happened to coincide with Harry's broom playing up. Presuming his broom had been jinxed and we had caught the culprit, we ran for the teachers podium knowing we only had a limited amount of time before Harry was knocked off. We snuck up behind Snape and set him on fire…"
"What?!"
"Let me finish!." Ron grinned. "So we set fire to Snape which was incredible, but we had to flea the scene quick. So we sprinted back and we accidentally knocked poor Professor Quirrell over in the process!" Ron chuckled, wiping a tear from his eye. "When we were far enough away we turned to look at the game and saw that Harry had managed to get back on his broom. In all the commotion of Snape's flaming robes, all the teachers were too distracted to notice what Marietta was doing, and everyone watching the game was distracted by Harry. She chose her moment well." Ron gulped.
"Its okay Ron." Rose said quietly, reaching out to stroke his forearm. "Its all blurry as it happened so quickly."
"My heart stopped." Ron whispered. "All I saw was you on the floor of the quidditch pitch with blood everywhere. No-one had even noticed that Harry was holding the snitch. You were unrecognisable Rose, it was only because of your hair colour that I knew it was you."
"I'm sorry Ron."
"What have you to be sorry for?" Ron answered with a small smile. "Oliver got to to you so fast on the pitch, he didn't even wait around for the first aiders. He picked you up and ran here as quickly as possible. I felt so guilty in that moment as I know I have been bitter towards him and that's got to change… you must have been in horrendous pain."
Rose paused before replying, Ron didn't need to know how much pain she had been in.
"It was nothing I couldn't deal with." Rose answered offering him a small smile.
Patting the bed, she embraced Ron in a comforting hug. As his shoulders relaxed she could feel how concerned he was and felt guilty that she had made him worry throughout the night. Moving to sit next to her on the bed she leant her head onto his shoulder, which he reciprocated. In silence they stared out the window, both absorbed contently in their own thoughts. The relaxed feeling didn't last long for Rose, with nothing else to focus her thoughts on her mind soon returned to her nightmare, Edward sunken face entering her mind. A couple of times Rose opened her mouth, ready to tell Ron about her dream, but each time she chickened out, instead looking like she was impersonating a goldfish. She had never kept secrets from Ron before, and it felt wrong doing it. Guilt crept in Rose's chest and trickled up her throat, forming a hard lump. In a poor attempt to make herself feel better she told herself that she needed to be cautious, that she couldn't tell Ron because what would happen if she was right about Edward being able to read minds, she needed to protect Ron. The lump in her throat throbbed knowing that this wasn't the only reason she wasn't sharing her theories. She wanted Ron to like Edward and she was frightened that if she did end up being right, he wouldn't understand. Sighing she shut her eyes, sinking into the pillow, the weight on her chest becoming slightly unbearable. Turning to look at Ron, she smiled slightly realising that he had fallen asleep. Staring at him in the warm light of the hospital wing, she grabbed her sketch book from her bag and started to sketch his portrait. It was a good distraction, working so well that Rose was taken by surprise by Madame Pomfrey reentering the ward.
"Glad to see you awake and looking so well Miss Ward. How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling like my normal self, thank you."
"I think I will keep you in as a a day patient until tonight just to be on the safe side." Madam Pomfrey nodded as she checked Rose's forehead with her hand. "You are completely healed, but you really do need your rest. If the amount of guests you have received already has anything to go by I can tell that won't happen in Gryffindor tower." Looking sternly at Rose briefly Madam Pomfrey turned to Ron before continuing. "Mr Weasley, your visiting hour finished an hour ago! There are others who want to be graced with Miss Ward's company."
Jumping awake Ron coughed and nodded in response. ""Right..I'll be on my way then."
"Ron." Rose paused, thinking how to delicately ask for it without causing suspicion. "Would you be able to get some books from the library for me?"
"From the library? Can't I just get one from the dormitory?"
"No." Rose answered bluntly. "I'm looking for a book which I don't own."
"Oooookay, what book am I looking for?"
"Anything with Vampires in." Rose said casually, a forced innocent smile on her face.
"Okay Vampires." Ron nodded. "Hang on… Vampires? Has this got anything to do with your dream earlier?"
"Pretty much." Rose nodded laughing at Ron's face. "Call it morbid curiosity, and I have nothing better to do today."
"Fair enough." Ron laughed along. "You are going to be bored here anyhow so you might as well fill your time."
Sighing with a small smile, Ron left just as Madam Pomfrey returned with chocolate croissants and a hot chocolate.
"Chocolate is a fantastic remedy for many things." Madam Pomfrey said answering Roses's curious stare. "This will help you feel more like yourself. You have your next visitor in an hour if you are up for it?"
"The more the merrier, thank you." Rose replied.
"Then I will bring them to you as soon as they arrive." Madam Pomfrey replied with a small smile. "Mr Weasley brought you some clean clothes including some more pyjamas. Showers are at the end of the ward on the right, if you feel up to getting out of bed that is."
Heading back to her bed after her shower and feeling refreshed, Rose was relieved to see it was Hermione standing waiting for her with a pile of books.
"Hey!" Rose grinned. "How are you?"
"Oh don't worry about me, how are you?"
"Like it never happened." Rose smiled propping herself up on the bed. "Ron told me about what happened yesterday, I have to say I was impressed by the fire."
"Oh don't!" Hermione responded appalled also sitting. "I can't believe I actually did it!"
"It isn't every day you can say you have set fire to a teacher AND got away with it." Rose grinned.
"This is true." Hermione nodded seriously. "And it doesn't look good does it, in regards to the three headed dog"
"No it doesn't." Rose agreed bitterly. "We will all have to put our heads together and theorise some more."
"Is that why you need these books?" Hermione asked with intrigue. "Ron asked for me to come to the library with him and just threw books at me."
"He didn't explain why?"
"No, he didn't!"
"Well… it's got nothing to do with the dog actually." Rose replied feeling the anxiety and her throat lump return.
"Well there is a good few different things here." Hermione stated, looking at the titles of the different books.
"Is there anything there that would suit a curiosity in vampires?" Rose asked embarrassed.
"There are a few books that mention them briefly." Hermione replied, not noticing Rose's slight blush. "But if it's just vampires that take your fancy I suggest you read this one." Hermione smiled, fumbling through the large pile until she came across a small but thick purple bound book, embedded with gold leaf.
'Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst the Vampires' written by Eldred Worple.
"Now this sounds intriguing."
"He has written quite a few Magizoology books. They are a little dated as they were written in the early 20th century. " Hermione answered knowledgeably. "Though I haven't read this one yet, if it is anything like his others, all these other books will be irrelevant."
"Thanks Hermione." Rose smiled, accepting the book off her. She hesitated in putting the book down, her fingers yearning to turn the pages. With great difficulty she placed the book down, her eyes lingering on the cover."
"Rose. I can tell that your itching to start reading it."Hermione laughed. "I'm the same when I'm given a book, I'm not going to be offended. I can sit here and read one of these other ones if you want the company."
"Would you mind?" Rose replied in relief, the lump in her throat slimming in size slightly.
By the time Hermione's visiting hour had finished, Rose had already got acquainted with many of Worple's vampire connections. It was a strange read, Worple had written the book from his own perspective in a diary format. It was written over a ten year period when he lived amongst different covens. He spoke about how his Vampire friends lived, how they ate, socialised and survived in the 20th century. Travelling all around the world to visit different covens, you could tell from his writing that he had a weary, but gentle fondness for them. On more than one occasion the book confirmed something Rose had noticed about Edward, each time it happened it made her heart pound with excitement.
'Chapter 11: "Vegetarians"
In this Chapter I travel around the United States where there are two separate covens that haven't touched human blood in over a decade instead feeding off the blood of animals. They have the same traits as you would expect from the more traditional vampire (strength, speed etc) however there is one key difference, their eyes. A piercing Golden colour, which darken when they become more hungry, these "vegetarian" vampires can eat human food and drink to blend in with Muggles and then feed privately when they need to stabilise their strength and moods.
The Cullen family:
In my many travels, I have never found a coven quite like the Cullens as they have taken the brave decision to work amongst Muggles. Carlisle and Esme Cullen are married with one adoptive son Edward. Carlisle has been a Vampire since 1640, born in London, Carlisle has spent the majority of his life in Europe before settling in the United States, where the family is currently settled. Carlisle has spoken of how lonely and isolating the first two hundred years of life were, as he couldn't fit into other covens with his dietary needs. Taking an educational route to distract himself from the loneliness, he took up muggle medicine and started practicing as a Doctor (a Muggle Healer) during the day and a Healer at night.
Consistently saving lives Carlisle was a support for both communities when the Spanish Influenza pandemic hit America. It was doing the dayshift as a Doctor that Carlisle met Edward. Edward was one of many that was dying of Spanish influenza. "The wards were packed."Carlisle explained to me. "You would walk down the corridors and see hundreds of faces, struggling to breath and the fear was rife in the air. Edward had come in with his Mother, they had recently lost Edward's Father to the same disease and where all alone. Edward's Mother could tell I was different from the other Doctors and we formed a special bond. She told me that 'Her Edward' was also special, that he had gifts that others could only dream of. She went on to explain that Edward had been invited to attend a special school but her husband had forbid it. She knew she was dying, but she needed her Son to survive. The night she died she begged me do whatever I could do to keep Edward alive."
Edward Oliver Mason died the following day, he has a large gravestone in a Chicago Cemetery alongside his parents. Edward Oliver Cullen however was born. "Did you ever find out what the special gifts were that Edward's Mother spoke about?" I asked Carlisle.
"Yes.." Carlisle paused "Some I will not mention as it isn't my place to say. The main one that she spoke of though was that Edward was in fact a wizard. His Father, frightened by the power his son might have over him refused to let him go to Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Luckily Edward has since been there as well as other Wizarding schools of course."
You could hear the proudness in Carlisles voice as he spoke of his son.
When a vampire is first turned they need to able to control his thirst for human blood and control their new powerful strength. Once Edward had been turned into a Vampire by Carlisle they needed to wait for Edward to stabilise. By then the pandemic was over and people were growing suspicious of Carlisle's age. The pair left Chicago and moved around, not wanting to stay in one place for too long until they settled in Columbus. Here they happened to witness Esme try and take her own life which was fortunately unsuccessful. Broken and bruised Carlisle changed her, with them falling in love.
The family have continued to live in America, currently residing just outside of Seattle. They await until suspicion grows within the community, something that is inevitable when one doesn't age. When that time comes they disappear, changing their last name so that they can return at a later date. What I find fascinating about the Cullens is just how human they are. Carlisle has hundreds of books on just about any topic, Esme has a fascination for architecture and Edward has a keen interest in music, and has quite the hand at piano…'
"Phhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
Rose breathed heavily, she must have been holding her breath without realising it. Pausing she lowered the book down, her hands which were gripping the edges of the book were drenched in sweat. There was no denying what she had just read, Edward was indeed a Vampire. What perplexed her the most was that the conformation didn't frighten her. She seemed more bothered that he was in fact American and that he hadn't told her this. "You look like you have seen a ghost, is everything okay?" A worried voice spoke from the end of Rose's bed.
Turning her head and making her eyes go into focus, Rose was surprised to see that the voice in fact belonged to Cedric Diggory. "Cedic.. Hi!" Rose replied slightly baffled, snapping the book shut, the contents of her own detective work swallowed within it.
"Thought I would check up on the wounded soldier, but it looks as if you are looking well!"
"Thats very kind of you." Rose replied sincerely, her heart slightly disappointed that she couldn't carry on reading the end of the Cullen's chapter. "How are you?"
"I'm doing well thank you."
"Good..good…" Rose responded, feeling all of a sudden awkward in his presence. He was staring a little too intently at her and she felt all of a sudden uncomfortable in just her pyjamas.
"What are you reading there?" Cedric asked curiously noticing the thick purple book in her hand. "A book." Rose replied slightly too quickly, instantly regretting answering so soon.
"I can see that." He grinned. "Is it any good?"
"It's an interesting read yes." Rose replied diplomatically. "Though a required taste."
"Is it fact or fiction?"
"Fiction" Rose lied "Really? I wouldn't have put you down as a novel lover."
"What makes you say that?" Rose replied.
"There is something about you where I can't imagine you being all gushy over a romantic leading character that doesn't exist."
"Who said anywhere you need to be gushy to like novels?" Rose responded with raised eyebrows. "Some of the best written work by muggle or wizard has been written in the form of a novel. Look at Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters." "I have never read any of their work." Cedric shrugged with a sheepish grin.
"Then I suggest you try." Rose replied with a satisfied smile. "You might surprise yourself and actually enjoy the "gushy read.""
"Mr Diggory!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed in a shocked voice. "What do you think you are doing?!"
Cedric practically jumped out of his skin, before recovering enough to answer;
"Visiting Miss Ward?" Cedric replied confused.
"On what authority?"
"I don't understand?"
"This is hospital wing Mr Diggory not a common room. You cannot just come barging in whenever you feel like it. We have standard visiting hours for a reason.
"Mr Wood didn't seem to need to stick to that rule yesterday." Cedric replied with a sour edge that didn't suit him.
"Mr Wood was helping me aid to Miss Ward." Clipped Madame Pomfrey. "And why I should have to explain myself to you I have no idea, ten points from Hufflepuff."
Any cockiness in Cedric's demeanour was now completely gone. He stood looking ashen and downtrodden, holding his head low to his chest. "Since you are here now however, you may wait outside as Miss Ward will be discharged soon. If you could also let her official next visitor know this news it will save me some time."
Nodding at Madam Pomfrey, Cedric gave Rose a friendly grin and left. It was an awful thought, Rose thought to herself, but she really wished he would just go on without her. She wanted to finish reading the Cullen chapter before the distractions of the outside world intervened. Inevitably every time Rose picked up the book to continue reading, Madam Pomfrey would either examine or require Rose to answer questions. Half an hour after Cedric had left the hospital wing, Rose had got changed and been discharged by Madame Pomfrey on the condition that she didn't overexert herself. Rose thanked Madam Pomfrey and set off towards the exit, checking the time and releasing with some relief that it was dinnertime, it would at least be a short walk with Cedric. Sighing as she opened the hospital door it wasn't Cedric's face that she was met with first, but Edwards.
Her shoulders relaxed as she inhaled the comforting smell of Edward.
"Hey." She murmured to him, it was clear she was pleased to see him.
"Hey Hummingbird." He replied gently, his eyes intensely staring at her. They must have been staring at each other for a little too long as Cedric coughed in an attempt for attention before standing directly in front of Edward.
"Its nice to see you out of your pyjamas" He quipped.
Edward scoffed at the comment, moving behind Rose he gently threaded a cardigan sleeve through Rose's right arm and then her left. She hadn't realised how cold she actually was until the woollen layer was hugging her skin. Exchanging a small glance with him, he winked with a crooked smile. Rose turned to look back at Cedric who had a sour face again. Gesturing with his hand, Edward led Rose down the corridor with Cedric keeping up on their left. The walk was in silence, Rose's heart beating loudly in her chest. She could feel Edward's eyes intensely on her, the feeling making her feel slightly giddy. *Edward?* she thought.
Nothing.
*Edward I know your a mind reading Vampire.*
Nothing. Not that she had expected it to work but she still sighed heavily in frustration, the motion gaining a confused look from Edward. Rose nodded her head towards Cedric, which made Edward grin in triumph, he nodded his understanding. Glancing at Cedric who was still facing ahead, Rose turned again to Edward.
"I have a theory." She whispered.
Edward's eyes narrowed, it was so subtle that Rose nearly convinced herself that it hadn't happened at all, he slowly turned to look at her, a questioning look in his eye.
"So Edward." Rose spoke as casually as she could, Cedric's ears pricking at the sudden conversation. "I was wondering if I could practice on Ron that theory we were discussing in the common room the other night?"
"You want to practice - on Ron?" Edward replied suspiciously, but the confusion was evident.
"I don't want to involve Ron in the whole theory." Rose carefully responded. "But I do need some outside participation."
"Good grief Oliver, are you really that paranoid about Quidditch matches" Cedric scoffed.
They both turned to Cedric who was grinning like a hyena.
"Having my Quidditch ideas a close guarded secret has clearly worked in the past Diggory, as I seem to recall we have beaten your team every time." Edward clipped.
Cedric's face stayed unchanged, he shrugged nonchalantly before responding.
"That may be true Wood, but I would trust Rose with any secret."
"As do I." Edward responded curtly. "So this is about Ron?" Cedric dug in.
"Cedric I don't think.." Rose started "If Rose wants to involve Ron, I trust her judgement." Edward hissed as he took a step towards Cedric. Caught off guard by the sudden movement Cedric looked ashen faced, and took a step back. You didn't need to be able to read Cedric's mind to see he was scared, Edward instantly backed off looking mortified. Edward's eyes moved from Cedric to Rose the guilt and pain clear in his eyes. Rose gave him a sympathetic small smile, before checking Cedric who looked like he had recovered.
"Come on, otherwise we are all going to miss dinner." Rose muttered softly.
Shortly after they arrived at the Great Hall. The feast hadn't started yet there were already hardly any spare seats available on the house tables. The loud humming of chatter and laughter was wonderful to hear after the quietness of the hospital wing. Skimming the sea of heads at the Gryffindor table Rose caught sight of Harry. He waved and pointed to his side, indicating that there was space for her. Feeling a slight tug of her cardigan, the motion gentle but purposeful she looked down and saw Edward's hand still holding her arm gently. She slowly raised her gaze to meet his, his hand still placed on her arm. He nodded politely towards Cedric.
"I think he wants to have a private word." His words were too controlled. They were meant to sound cool and casual, but they were too tightly emphasised. Something was bothering Edward.
She leant round Edward to see Cedric hovering looking directly at the pair of them.
"Okay." Rose croaked glancing at Edward once more, before slowly retracing her steps back to Cedric.
She felt Edwards stare on her spine as she walked away, the feeling buzzed with the intensity. As she approached Cedric, he moved so that they were standing in the middle of the two middle house tables. The action made Rose and him visible to the whole great hall, it also meant that Rose now had Cedric and Edward in her eye line.
"Sorry Cedric." Rose spoke, her eyes briefly looking at him before falling back on Edward. "I guess I was eager for dinner."
"Thats okay" He chuckled "I like a girl with a healthy appetite."
Blushing, Rose raised her eyebrows a little stumped about how to reply.
"Anyway I was wondering if you wanted to hang out again sometime" Cedric asked with a soft smile.
"Oh." Rose responded with surprise, her blush deepening.
"Is that a good oh" He laughed cupping her chin with his hand as he spoke.
Rose internally shuddered at the touch. It felt different from when Edward did it, it felt uncomfortable and intrusive. "Its a surprised oh" Rose stuttered. "I really wasn't expecting it."
"Well I'm not one to hesitate if I know what I want." Cedric shrugged stepping closer, a cocky smile on his face.
Rose could feel Edwards stare from over Cedric's shoulder, she was surprised Cedric hadn't reacted to it or maybe he didn't care.
"Well.." Rose hesitated, before subtly taking a tiny step backwards, the move allowing her face to be free. "I'm not one to string anyone on." She answered honestly. "So if you mean as friends I would love to."
There was an obvious laugh from behind Cedric, that was covered up in an unconvincing cough. Rose looked from Cedric to Edward, it was clear Cedric had heard it too.
"I meant as a friend." Cedric smiled, his smile a little forced.
"Oh Good!" Grabbing his arm in embarrassment her blush returning "So sorry for the misunderstanding there!" Rose gently smiled. "Name a day and I will be there."
"Will do. You still owe me a duet too." Cedric replied, the forced smile still there.
"Thats true." Rose nodded. As she walked away she could feel the heat from her embarrassment still radiating off her, her eyes now locked on Edward. Bemusement was laced across his face his eyes never leaving her. The look annoyed her, he knew full well what Cedric was going to ask her and he practically forced the situation to happen. He had embarrassed her and Rose wanted to wipe the smirk from his face.
Sitting next to Edward, Angelina jumped up at the site of Rose and embraced her into a strong hug, momentarily distracting Rose and breaking the eye contact.
"Rose, how are you doing?" She asked.
"I'm doing fine." Rose smiled sincerely. "Just glad to be out of the hospital wing."
"I bet" Angelina replied, though you could tell she wasn't really paying attention "And Oli has been keeping us all updated on your progress, haven't you Oli? Angelina continued. Angelina placed her hand on Edwards shoulder giving it a squeeze. She then used the same hand to lower herself back onto the bench leaning into Edwards chest, her eyes sparkled playfully at Rose.
"That was very kind of him." Rose replied looking straight at Angelina, her tone a little sarcastic. Angelina giggled, before turning and playfully hitting Edward in the chest.
"He is an absolute superstar." She gushed.
It became quite difficult to exchange conversation with Angelina whilst ignoring Edwards continual stare. Rose could see out the corners of her eyes that he was still staring at her, daring her to make eye contact with him. Angelina unaware of the friction was now leaning even further into him.
Eventually Rose managed to make her excuses and escape Angelina. Nodding at Fred and George as she passed.
Finally making her way to Harry, Ron and Hermione she was mobbed by Smutz who was tied up to the closet table leg. Unclipping his lead she lifted him up into a hug, ruffling his head and breathing in his familiar smell.
"How have you been Smutz?" She whispered into his velvet ear.
"He has been fine, spoilt rotten by the whole common room." Ron muttered in pretend annoyance.
"Oh don't over exaggerate Ron. Oliver has done most of the looking after." Harry laughed, shaking his head at him.
"We all know Ron loves the dog really." Rose laughed placing him back down on the floor. "And how are you Harry? Well done on catching that snitch, you really are brilliant!" Rose asked sitting down next to him, giving him a quick hug.
"Does it count as catching if I nearly swallowed it?" Harry sighed looking at Rose in exasperation. "And really Rose what a silly question to ask. It should be me asking about you"
"I had a pretty good view of you and your broom remember Harry" Rose said sternly. "Don't try and undermine how scary it was, I was petrified for you. At least with my incident it happened so quickly I cant really remember much."
"Not that we are going to let HER forget about what she did." Hermione muttered bitterly.
Turning to see what Hermione was looking at, Rose saw Marietta laughing with one of her Ravenclaw friends, none the wiser the four of them were looking at her.
"It's not like we can do anything about her." Rose sighed. "I think I will just have to avoid being anywhere near her at all times."
"I just don't understand why she did it." Hermione muttered bitterly.
Rose paused staring the table. A fuzzy memory of the night before slowly coming back into focus.
"I was semi conscious last night when Edward, Fred and George came to visit me." Rose began, speaking slowly and quietly so that they all had to move closer to hear. "Edward said something… what did he say….. oh yes! That she is doing these things because she is jealous that I talk to him."
"Is that it… seriously?" Ron barked. "Is she a fruit loop?"
"I think she is just a nasty person Ron, who doesn't care for consequences."
"How does Oliver know that's what she thinks?" Hermione asked confused. "Because…" Rose paused, her eyes flickering to Edward "Because he overheard her saying it." Rose gulped, Edwards shoulder relaxing slightly.
"How very carless of her." Hermione responded.
"Precisely" Rose agreed. "But her last words to me do make more sense now."
"What did she say?" Harry asked seriously.
"This is for stealing him." Rose answered bluntly.
They sat in silence for a few moments, letting the words truly sink in. " Hmmmmm I wish they would hurry up with dinner, I'm starving" Rose spoke up, she was sick of awkward silences for one day. "Now, you have all got to tell me everything that I've missed over the past twenty four hours, I want to hear about all the celebrations, theories and gossip I have missed out on!" By the time the others had filled Rose in of everything that had happened, dinner and puddings had been cleared and the great hall was dwindling in numbers. It turns out that the three of them had visited Hagrid earlier that day and had brought up the three headed dog in conversation. Hagrid who was shocked at their knowledge of "Fluffy" admitted that he was in fact the dogs owner. "Your Kidding me?!" Rose exclaimed "No were not." Ron answered sternly.
"And we need to do some research on someone called Nicolas Flamel" Hermione chipped in "Nicolas Flamel?"Rose muttered. "Why does that name ring a bell?"
"We all think we have heard it somewhere too." Harry nodded. "Whoever this guy is though, "Fluffy" is guarding whatever belongs to him."
Caught up in this new revelation the others had shared, Rose had nearly forgot about what she had asked Edward earlier. Wiping a tear of laughter from her eye from a story Ron had just told her, Rose turned to see who was left on the table. Lee, Fred, George and Edward where still joined by Alicia and Angelina. Angelina had thankfully removed herself from Edwards body, instead she was deep in conversation with him, her head in her hand, leaning towards him seductively. They looked good together Rose thought, the lump returning in her throat from earlier. She sometimes forgot how much attention Edward got from other girls, he could have anyone he wanted. Rose got herself so lost in her conversations with Edward that she had somehow convinced herself that Edward might feel for her what she did for him. "How did you get on with that book Rose?"
"Book?" Rose repeated, her eyes moving away from Edward and Angelina and back to Hermione who had asked the question.
"Yes the book! Did you find it useful?"
"It was very educational." Rose smiled, her eyes flickering back to Edward.
"Oh good." Hermione beamed. "I will have to borrow it once your done with it."
"Yeah sure.." Rose replied with a brief smile, eyes darting back to Edward.
*Wait what?* Rose thought to herself. *You cant give Hermione the book, she would work the Cullen connection out in thirty seconds.*
Cursing to herself, Rose started to chew her lip. She didn't know whether she could hide the secret from her friends forever and whether she even wanted to. She needed to speak to Edward about this and soon. Glancing quickly at Edward who was still in deep conversation with Angelina she plotted her next move.
"No way I completely disagree Harry, charms class is hands down…"
"Ron?" Rose whispered leaning across the table to gain his attention "Yes?" He replied leaning closer, his eyebrows raised. "Could you tell their conversation was boring me?"
"No." Rose laughed. "I just need to ask a favour from you."
"No way, not another one. I have already been to the library for you today."
"But this doesn't even require you to even leave your seat though" Rose moaned "Mmmm.. fine." Ron agreed.
"Thank you!" Rose grinned "I'm going to write something down on a piece of parchment. What I want you to do is read it but its of the utmost importance you don't read it out loud, okay?"
"Errr sure?" He frowned confused. "Can I ask why?"
"I'm just curious." Rose smirked. "Lets just say it's an experiment."
"Fine." Ron answered suspiciously "Lets do this."
"Thank you." She replied sincerely.
She leant down into her rucksack retrieving her quill and a small scrap piece of parchment. She glanced back at Ron who was staring at her in curiosity. Gulping Rose looked down the empty parchment paper, tickling her chin with the quill in concentration. After a couple of minutes the ideal thought came to her, with a small smile she wrote in a neat hand.
'Carlisle Cullen'
Rose folded the piece of parchment carefully in half and pushed the paper towards Ron before she had time to change her mind. Her heart was beating in her chest and her breathing was shaky. Ron excepted the parchment, holding the small piece of paper in-between his thumb and finger, but instead of instantly opening it he carried on staring at Rose, a serious stare on his face.
"Please Ron, just read it." Rose whispered anxiously.
Nodding, Ron opened the parchment, reading and re reading the two words written down. Confusion fell on his face and he couldn't help but look up at Rose curiously. But Rose wasn't looking back at him anymore, her face a mixture of relief and shock. She was looking Edward who was staring back at her, like a rabbit caught in headlights a look of horror on his face.
*Gotcha* She thought *That wiped that smirk off your face.*