Chapter 18

Alicia said "I heard you are thinking about coming back to Hogwarts next year. If you do you should join Gryffindor and try out for the team. We are going to need a new keeper with Wood gone."

Rose said "yes I am coming back but I don't know if I will be put in Gryffindor I am not entirely sure how it is going to work plus I think Ron wants to try out for keeper."

Ron said "Rose I am no where as good as you and why can't you just pick which house you would be in. What with Dovewing closed you would be great in Gryffindor."

Rose said "I think I would be alright in any of the houses but they aren't really where I am supposed to be. I was thinking about Ravenclaw it is where Luna and Cassie are. I don't know I guess I will just have to figure it all out. Of course Hufflepuff dorms are near the kitchen if I get a midnight craving it would be really easy to sneak into the kitchens for a snack."

Hermione said "now you sound like Ron thinking with your stomach. What about Slytherin?"

Harry said "Hermione my sister isn't going to be a Slytherin."

Hermione said "she said she would do well in any house that includes Slytherin."

Rose smiled and said "Slytherin does have one upside but after today I think Slytherin is out of the question."

Ron asked "what could possibly be an upside to being in Slytherin."

Rose blushed and giggled Harry groaned and said "don't even say it. Besides you can't unless you want to get him fired or be sent home."

Rose shrugged and said "I know hey pass the stew Ron it smells delicious. Nothing makes me hungrier then flying. The cold wind in your face and a broomstick underneith you. Dozens of feet in the air. There is nothing better. It clears the mind and makes the worries of your life seem a million miles away."

Harry smiled and said "yeah I know there is nothing better."

Rose smirked and said "well there is one thing better but you haven't experienced it yet. But I am sure my handsome brother it won't be too much longer before you have to beat the girls wanting to get into your pants off with a stick. You are after all the famous one and only Harry Potter. The brother of the amazing, Talented, brilliant, beautiful, Skilled, Sexy and humble Rose Potter. You know that is why you are so famous don't you it is because I am your sister."

Harry laughed and said "Oh really so that is the reason. I should have realized it had nothing to do with me it was all about you."

Rose scrunched her nose up at him and smirked and said "Of course you are adorable and that doesn't hurt."

Harry laughed and rolled his eyes and said "I am not adorable. baby's, puppies and kitten's are adorable. Can't you use a better word to describe me."

Rose said "How about cute. or precious or huggable."

Harry said "they are hardly masculine."

Rose giggled and said "that is because you are 14 you are too young to be worried about being masculine. You are still just a baby really."

Harry scoffed and said "I am older then you. And I have faced far more danger then you have."

Rose said "You are only a little more then two minutes older then me and you have no idea the danger's I face everyday besides girls mature faster then boys. It is a known fact. You will always be the innocent 5 year old boy with messy hair and knobby knees who was so proud of his first pair of glasses to me. My brother who I will do anything to protect. If I had my way I would put you some where very far away from any danger so no one could ever hurt you."

Harry said "there is nothing to protect me from Rose. I am at Hogwarts I am completely safe."

Rose shook her head and said "Harry you spend more time in the hospital wing in the past 4 years then any other student. Hogwarts is not the safest place in the world. You play the most dangerous position in a dangerous game. You seem to find danger where ever you go. Nearly every year by the end of the year you are in the hospital wing for one reason or another."

Harry said "second year I wasn't all the dangerous stuff happened in the middle of the year because of you."

Rose said "yes because I changed what I saw. Or rather Dumbledore put into action things to change what I saw that involved you. I wasn't around last year and how many times did you nearly get killed. Probably too many to count. And now there is this year. Chance brought me back to Hogwarts but now we are both stuck competing in this ridiculous tournament."

Harry said "yeah but we are winning so far. Look I don't know who put our name in but if he or she did it to have us hurt or killed they have to be feeling pretty stupid right now with how well we are doing."

Rose said "there are still two tasks ahead of us Harry. I have given you some suggestions about how to get through the next one but there is still plenty of opportunities for us to get hurt or killed. You know I can't swim well, I might very well drowned and even if I don't the third task is always the hardest we both could die."

Fred said "well that is up lifting."

George said "yeah such happy thoughts."

Harry said "Rose that is not going to happen. We are both going to be just fine."

Rose pulled out her little photo folio that she kept on her that had pictures of the babies and she started crying and said "My babies are going to orphans. I am going to die and they will never remember me just like I can't remember mum. Lily will be told how much she is like me but will always wonder if it is really true or are people just saying that to make her feel better for not having a mum."

Rose was crying loudly now and said "they will never know me and be all alone."

Harry put his arms around her and tried to comfort her saying "Rose calm down you have worked yourself up there is nothing to be so upset about. You aren't going to die and the babies will know you. Please stop crying."

Suddenly Snape was there and picked her up and said "There, there my little flower it is alright. Just calm down take deep breathes and tell me what is wrong."

Rose said "I am going to die and my babies will never know me."

Harry said "She has convinced herself that she is going to die in the next task. And the babies will be all alone and not remember her. I have no idea what set her off we all were just fine happy and joking the next thing she started crying."

Snape said "I will talk to her in private see if I can't calm her. Come my little flower I will take you somewhere you can tell me all about what is upsetting you. My sweet little Rose."

Snape took Rose to his rooms still holding her he sat down on the sofa. She had been through a lot the last 24 hours maybe she was just overwhelmed.

Snape asked "baby what is wrong? Was it a vision? Did you see your own death?"

He hated to ask it but he had to.

Rose shook her head and tried to dry her tears and said "I am just afraid of the next task that I will die and my babies they will be all alone and they will never know me like I don't know mum. Everyone says I am like her but I don't know if that is true because I don't remember her. And I am afraid you only love me because I am like her because of how much we are alike and you love her but not really me."

Snape held her close and said "Oh my Rose It is true I love Lily I always will but I do love you too. And you are very much like her, you look just like her and you have her kindness and fierceness and bravery and your love for your children, she had that too. But you are also very different and I love you for all of it both your likeness and differences. As much as I would have loved for it to be more Lily and I were nothing but close childhood friends. But with you. You have given me everything anyone could ask for. You love me in a way I didn't think possible. You have given me beautiful healthy intelligent children. You have given me a lover I can't get enough of and who for some strange reason finds me of all people sexually attractive. But more then all of that you have given me hope for the future that there really is something great to look forward to. That I will not live the rest of my days alone and miserable. Now let your fears rest about that. I love you my little flower and I always will. Now what about the second task makes you think you are going to die?"

Rose looked into his deep dark eyes and said "the water. I don't like the water."

Snape asked "you are afraid of water? You have never mentioned a fear of water before. Is this something new?"

Rose said "it isn't the water exactly I don't mind the water it self. It is just that well I can't really swim only dog paddle a little. My person will be at the bottom of the lake. I can't swim so I am going to drown and die."

Snape smiled and said "is that all, well that is easily fixed. I will teach you how to swim. There are some very large bath tubs in the castle like small swimming pools they aren't very deep but I can teach you to swim in them. We have almost two months I am sure you can learn to swim well enough by then. We can start tomorrow if you like."

Rose said "I have to go to Hogsmead tomorrow but perhaps in the afternoon you could give me my first lesson."

Snape said "meet me here at 2 and we can have your first swimming lesson. Now is there anything else I can help you with?"

Rose kissed him and said "take me to bed."

Snape smiled and said "what ever you want my little flower."

He carried her into his bedroom and put her down on his bed she still had the folio in her hand and he took it from her and smiled at the pictures and said "they are good strong looking babies all of them."

In one of them Sly had a snake in his hand and he was chasing his sisters with it.

He chuckled and said "Sly likes to tease the girls it seems."

Rose said "they will soon learn how to get back at him they are growing up so fast. Mrs. Weasley can't stand snakes and Sly can't get enough of them. He is a Parselmouth of course just like his daddy. Severus I know you aren't technically his father but when the time comes and you are involved in the babies lives would it be to much to ask to include Sly in anything you do with the others. I don't want him to feel left out."

Snape said "He might not share my genetic makeup but I do consider him my eldest son. It was my body that helped conceive him and I was there when he was born just like with the others. I will try to visit this summer so they can get to know me."

Rose asked "Severus am I doing the right thing?"

Snape looked up from the pictures handing them back to her and said "what do you mean?"

Rose said "holding back the information I know about. Not going after Voldemort right now. Letting Crouch Jr. do the things he is doing and not rescuing Moody."

Snape asked "I thought you said all of that was necessary so the horcrux in your bother could be destroyed. So the dark lord can be killed."

Rose said "I did and it is true but well if the vessel that has the Horcrux is destroyed it will be destroyed too. It is just that this way when Voldemort cast the killing curse at Harry later it only destroys the horcrux but doesn't kill Harry. If Harry were to die then the Horcrux would be destroyed also. I don't want Harry to die I love him he is my brother. But Voldemort he isn't just after Harry he wants to take over the world their could be millions of lives saved if we killed Voldemort now. There is just the cup, snake and Harry left. We know where all of them are we just have to destroy them then we can kill Voldemort. I know what the prophesy says but prophesy's have been wrong before in fact most are. Most of the prophesy has already come to pass but the rest of it that won't happen for a few years but it begins now."

Snape said "Rose with what you have already told us we have done great things Dumbledore feels waiting is the best thing to do at the moment. We need to trust him."

Rose said "if he can't get his hands on Harry he is going to take me instead. I don't know if I am that brave to actually face him."

Snape said "Rose listen to me. You are the bravest girl in the whole world. Bravery is not the lack of fear it is doing what must be done despite being afraid. I know you can do what must be done when the time comes. You know how to make hard decisions and make personal sacrifices for the safety of others. I know that when you face Voldemort you will do it with courage and grace and determination and that you will be smart about what you do and say."

Rose said "how can you have so much faith in me. I am only just a girl after all and he is the darkest wizard in history."

Snape said "because I know you better then anyone else. I know what you will do to protect those you love."

Rose asked "what if I don't? What if I am selfish and only think about how much I love you. Voldemort wouldn't keep us apart. We wouldn't have to keep it secret."

Snape said "Oh my little flower I know that is tempting but you know that is not true. He would use our love for each other and our love for our children to get what he wants. He would use your gift and my position for his benefit. How safe do you think your brother would be then."

Rose said "he wouldn't stand a chance and Harry isn't the kind who would sit back and let innocents suffer in his name. I couldn't hide him in a safehouse or something he wouldn't stay put for long. Voldemort is rather proud of being the heir of Slytherin he might go after Sly. I can't let that happen I can't let him get away in June it can't just be to restore him he has to be killed that night too. I have to figure it all out every last moment I have to plan and every possible outcome. I think saving Cedric life will be the easiest part. I just won't let him get to the cup. He will be disappointed but alive. We have to get the cup from the vault and destroy it. Once all of the champions have entered the maze then you can expose Crouch Jr and rescue Mr. Moody but give us some time first to get further in the maze. Harry and I both have to get to the Triwizard cup at the same time we both have to grab it at the same time. Then the rest is going to be up to me to take care of. Severus I don't know if I will be able to get away alive. He is going to call his deatheaters to him after he is restored. It won't just be me, Harry, Voldemort and Wormtail there will be many others."

Snape said "I will come and be there for you."

Rose said "No you must not. You won't be able to explain and if I fail you need to resume your position as spy. I want to be able to prepare Harry for it but he is terrible at hiding his feelings and thoughts if he knew the truth of what I have planned Voldemort would know something wasn't right and I need him to think everything is just as it appears to be. Harry wears his heart on his sleeve. And most of the time it does him well but not when facing Voldemort he will use it as a weakness not a strength. I can hide my thoughts and feelings well enough. But not Harry. Voldemort won't hurt me right away I don't think. Not with what I have been telling Moody and he has been relaying to Voldemort."

Snape said "Rose I don't want you to do this."

Rose said "we have until the evening of June 24th to figure it all out. If I feel in the slightest that is it not going to work then I will abort my plan and let things happen the way I have seen. Harry gets out alive regardless so there is at least that. We will just have to keep working on the rest. But I really want this to end as soon as it can if it goes on many more people are going to die. You and Dumbledore included. You are my love and Dumbledore is like a combination of a best friend and grandfather to me. I don't want either of you to die. Sirius is my god father I would like to meet him someday. I am very close to Remus and I would love to get to know Tonks better I have only talked to her a few times. And I am not going to let anyone kill my son I don't care if he is the Son of Slytherin his great how many times over nephew isn't going to touch him."

Snape asked "Sly hasn't shown any dark tendencies has he?"

Rose laughed and said "no of course not unless you count Parselmouth which I don't it is not our abilities that define who we are it is our choices. Sly is only two years old it is a little early to know what he is going to turn out like. But he has the best deterrent for turning out bad."

Snape asked "what is that?"

Rose said "us and the Weasley love him to pieces and he is exposed to all kinds of different types of people and things. Being loved and loving and understanding and caring about those who are different are the basis of creating tolerance and love and acceptance in someone. When you don't understand something it can lead to fear. Fear leads to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate and hate leads to suffering."

Snape said "that is very wise did you come up with that on your own."

Rose giggled and said "No a very old wise man named Yoda said that. I just borrowed it from him because it is true."

Snape asked "who is this Yoda I have never heard of him?"

Rose said "well he is actually a character from a muggle movie called star wars. Still some of the things he says are very wise. Maybe we could watch it someday. If we could find a theater that plays old movies. It came out about the time I was born. I saw it on tv once back when I lived with my aunt and uncle and we stayed at a neighbors house Harry signed while we watched so I could understand. Maybe I could teach you some signs the babies know a little. You know babies can communicate much earlier then they can speak if you teach them a few simple signs it helps greatly."

Snape asked "you taught our babies how to sign?"

Rose said "only a few things, Milk, poop, tired, hungry, and love. As they get older I will teach them more but babies as young as six months old can learn simple signs. I had to teach Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Lolly and JoJo what they meant so they would know what the babies meant. It helps greatly in taking care of them. They might not have the vocabulary to express what they want or need but with sign it becomes a bit easier."

Snape asked "what is the sign for love."

Rose crossed her arms over her chest and said "Like this and this is a shorter version with your hand."

Rose lowered her middle and ring finger letting her pinky finger, index finger and thumb stand out.

Rose said "but that is more like slang or something you would do as you are leaving."

Rose raised her hand to her head and said "this mean father."

Then she did the same to her chin and said "this means mother."

Rose took his hand and kissed the palm then he ran it threw her hair that had come undone tucking it behind her ear.

Snape said "I love you so much. You are never going to leave me are you."

Rose said "Never my love. Do you remember I told you I have a surprise for you. I wanted to give it to you for Christmas but well I didn't get a chance."

Snape said "You don't have to give me anything having you is enough."

Rose said "well if you don't want it I guess I will just throw it away."

He chuckled and said "I didn't say I didn't want it I just said you don't have to give me anything. So where is it?"

Rose said "with my things in the carriage. Do you want to get it now or wait until tomorrow."

Snape said "we might run into people still it is late but not yet curfew."

Rose said "I will have to face them tomorrow anyway and they will be less likely to bombard me with embarrassing questions around you. If you walk with me back to the carriage."

Snape said "alright but you are staying with me tonight."

Rose said "that sounds wonderful. But I am starving it seems every time I go to eat something keeps me from it I haven't eaten since dinner last night. I never made it to the kitchen this afternoon."

Snape said "we will eat together when we come back."

Snape and Rose walked together to the carriage and he waited outside as Rose went to get his gift. She came back with a beautifully wrapped large box.

Rose said "wait to open it until you get back to your room and be careful it is very fragile."

Snape asked "You are not going to tell me what it is."

Rose said "I will tell you what it isn't. It's not a pet and it is not a book."

They went back to his room and he gently put the box on the table and Rose sat down as he unwrapped and opened it.

The box was wood and ornately decorated in side was a polished mirror like shallow bowl with runes along the edges and out side. He picked it up and beneath it were crystal vials each with a silvery liquid inside.

Rose asked nervously "do you like it. It was rather difficult to find. The memories are my own. Some are true memories those are the clear one the blue ones are memories of good visions. The green ones I am giving to you for safe keeping if something happens to me they are important someone knows about them. They are important for the future they are visions but of a dark nature but reveal very important information that I have not told anyone yet. Please do not look at them unless something happens to me. So do you like it."

Snape hugged her and said "I love it. It is the best gift I have ever received. What memory should I start with."

Rose picked up one of the blue ones and handed it to him and said "this is one of my favorites. One that I want to especially come true."

Snape took it and unsealed it and poured it in to the Pensieve and looked in.

Rose was in a room with many flowers a woman he vaguely recognized as Molly Weasley was with her. Rose was dressed in a wedding dress and Molly said "I always knew you would be the first to marry you have always been the most mature and impatient to start your life."

Rose hugged her and said "don't cry. We all knew this day was coming. and you have been the best mother a girl could ever ask for."

There was a knock on the door and Arthur Weasley entered he was wearing dress robes and said "we are all ready for you Rose."

Rose embraced him and said "I am ready. I have been so ready for so long."

The three of them left the room and Molly hurried off as Arthur and Rose approached a set of doors.

Arthur kissed her cheek and said "I couldn't be prouder of you then if you were my own daughter. I love you sweetheart."

Rose said "I love you too. Let's do this."

They opened the doors and music started Rose took a deep breath as she looked down the aisle at her tall dark soon to be husband as she took Snape's hand and looked into his dark eyes the memory faded.

Snape just looked at Rose for a moment a bit surprised to see the younger girl in front of him. Not that the Rose from the vision was terribly old 18 maybe 19 nearly the same age Lily had been when she had died She had looked just like her.

Rose asked "You didn't like it?"

Snape said "I loved it. It's just that is how I see you now in my head I always think of you as a rather small adult it is just the difference in you from the memory and you in reality is a bit striking."

Rose said "there is not much I can do about how young I am. I am growing up as quickly as I can. But you can't rush that sort of thing. Can we eat now and look at more memories later."

Snape chuckled and said "alright my starving little Flower."

Snape sent for some food and it soon appeared on the table.

Snape was looking in the box and asked "what are the purple vials. You told me the clear ones are your true memories. The blue are good visions and the green bad but important visions so what are the purple?"

Rose said "Oh I forgot I included those. They are visions of the past some are good others bad. If you don't want them I will take them away."

Snape said "No I want them seeing what you have seen lets me get to know you better."

Rose said "they aren't all pleasant and most don't even involve me. They might even just be plain old dreams but I don't know I felt they were important enough to save."

Snape said "You gave them to me and they are from your head so I will look at them. What is the oldest memory you have in here."

Rose said "my first vision of you that I can remember. On the surface it isn't entirely what you would consider nice but it helped me during a very hard time. I had it after the first time Vernon raped me. I was in a very bad place internally at the time and even though the vision was not soft and sweet it helped me and I think it was when I first fell in love with you. I know that sounds silly I didn't even know if you were real then. I certainly didn't know I was having visions I thought magic was nothing but fantasy and my world was nothing but silence and pain. But what you said in that vision it got me through the hardest times of my life."

Snape asked "what did I say?"

Rose looked up at him and said " like I said it isn't exactly happy and there isn't much about it that is actually verbal but your words were, I wish I were dead."

Snape asked "that memory brought you comfort and made you love me? I don't think I understand how that could be."

Rose said "I wanted to die because of what Vernon had done to me that vision of you so distraught and I suppose it was more about your resolve to look after me and Harry further into the vision that brought me comfort and made me love you then just the words but to know that I wasn't alone in that feeling of life being to painful that death seemed the only option it gave me hope that someday things would get better that someday the sad quiet dark man would come into my life and protect me, keep me safe and love me. Love me in a way I have never been loved before at least that I could remember. I know now the reasons behind your sadness in that vision it had to have been just after mum and dad where killed for you to be that upset. But it was the first vision I had of you but hardly the last. In fact most of my visions involve you. In one way or another. Good, bad, past, present and future most of them have you in it. You and mum might not have ever been together but I feel like you and I we were meant to be together it is almost as if I was born for you. And everything that happened to me after I was born was to prepare me and mold me into the right person for you."

Snape said "I love you my little flower I am still not sure how you found comfort in my extreme depression after losing Lily but I am happy it helped you. And prevented you from taking your life. My life would not be the same without you."

Rose smiled and asked "would you like to look at more memories or go to bed."

Snape smirked and said "that is actually a hard choice by watching your memories and visions I get to know you in an intimate way simply talking to you can't give me and lets me get to know you better but to take you to bed is always a treat."

Rose said "I have to go to Hogsmead tomorrow It is the last trip for a while you can spend all morning with my memories. Then teach me to swim in the afternoon. Lets go to bed now."

Snape said "You always have the best ideas."

Snape got up and Rose took his hand and led him into the bed room.

Rose frowned at the how dark the mark on his arm was as they lay in bed together.

Rose said "it shouldn't be that dark yet he shouldn't be that strong right now."

Snape took her face in his hands making her look him in the eyes and said "no worries now there is nothing we can do about it at the moment. If he returns in a way you have not seen I will feel it burn and we will make a new plan together. but for now my flower sleep and only good dreams."

Then he kissed her and wrapped her protectively in his arms.

Rose said "I love you Severus."

Snape kissed her head and said "I love you too my beautiful little Rose."

Chapter 18

The next morning as Rose got dressed she asked "Severus do you need anything I am going to be doing a bit of shopping for myself. I can pick something up if you need it."

Snape said "I won't say no to some chocolate cauldrons. What are you getting?"

Rose said "Just a few things a book I ordered a while back came in at Tombs and Scrolls I want to make sure it is the right edition before I pay for it. I had a few things to get for the second task and of course no trip to Hogsmead is complete without stopping in Honeydukes and getting a butterbeer. Harry, Ron and Hermione are coming with me. I have to find a swim suit that won't completely embarrass me or show to many of my scars. I want to look for an arm holster for my wand. Harry asked me to help him find some good gilly weed I guess that is how he plans on getting through the second task But I personally don't know yet. And the idea of walking around in sopping wet cold robes does not appeal to me."

Rose was braiding her hair and said "Have fun looking through my memories. And remember don't look at the green ones they will only upset you. I know they do me."

She finished turned to him and kissed him and he said "Have fun shopping I will see you at two."

Rose left and met up with Harry and the others in the great hall for breakfast.

Harry asked "are you alright."

Rose nodded and said "yeah I guess I kind of freaked out yesterday everything just kind of boiled over and it was too much for me to take. So I hope you are all ready for a day of shopping but I have to be back by two and I have so much shopping to do."

Hermione said "I thought you were just getting a book."

Rose said "well I need a swim suit, and a few things from Durvish and Bangs and Dogweed and deathcap and J. Pippen's and Spintwintches and Honeydukes of course then we can get a butterbeer before heading back to the castle. It isn't like I can just go in to Tombs and Scrolls and not look around."

Harry said "so you invited us to go so we can carry everything."

Rose smirked and said "You are so smart. But you need things too and I am going to make sure you get them. Do you think Sly is too young for his own chess set?"

Ron chuckled and said "maybe wait a few more years."

Rose said "I am trying to think about what I am going to get my babies for their birthday. I mean we have a couple more Hogsmead visits before their birthdays but I am just trying to think about what to get them."

Hermione said "they are only going to be 3 and 2 at that age I think clothes, toys and sweets are probably what you should think of."

Rose said "Mrs. Weasley doesn't like me spending money on baby clothes she says she has plenty she never throws anything away and she has had 7 children."

Ron said "yeah but the clothes have gone through all of us."

Rose said "well maybe I could get one outfit each for them and a special toy and you are right sweets are a given at that age. Heck any age. Sly is the perfect age for a toy broom but the others will want one if he has one. And the quads birthday is before Sly's. Maybe I will write Mrs. Weasley about it. She knows my babies so much better then I do."

Rose sighed and said "It can't be helped I have to go to school and she is great with them. I wish I could make a quick visit for Easter but by then I am going to have to be getting ready for the third task. And the whole reason for me being here is to be an interpreter for the others."

Hermione said "you haven't really been doing your job the last couple days."

Rose said "it couldn't be helped I was in no state to help anyone and I kept getting called to Dumbledore's office then there was the ball. But today is for me and then I will get back to my job. I mean how long can it possibly take Severus to teach me how to swim. It is easy right."

Hermione said "it is easier for some then others. Is that why you need to be back this afternoon? Professor Snape is going to teach you how to swim? I hate to mention this but the lake is freezing the outer part of it is frozen."

Rose said "he said there are some bathtubs in the castle the size of small swimming pools they aren't too deep but they are deep enough and big enough he can teach me to swim in them. One of the reason I lost it yesterday is because I can't swim and if I can't swim then I can't get past the second task."

After eating they left and they weren't the only ones many of both the students and staff left for the village it being the last visit until the spring everyone was finding reasons to go.

Harry and Ron went into Zonko's while Rose and Hermione went into Tomb's and Scroll's the two of them were book worms and they could spend all day in book shops. Surprisingly Rose and Hermione didn't spend to much time in the book shop Rose got the book she order and a few others as did Hermione but they didn't take very long they decided to go on with their shopping without the boys. Rose bought two swim suits one for her swimming lessons with Snape the other for the tournament. She got her holster that would hold both her wand and a small double edged knife she bought. She also bought one for Harry that could fit either on his arm or lower leg. They didn't find what Rose was looking for in Dogwood and Deathcap so they went to the apothecary instead Rose had some business there anyway.

The clerk said "You could have just sent me your order like you normally do."

Rose said "I had to come in for supplies anyway. I used up the last on this batch."

Rose set down her packages to pull something out of her bag It was several small boxes each filled with Vials of potion.

Hermione asked "Rose what is that?"

Rose said "Nothing really just some potions that I sell to the shop. I have 5 children I have to find ways to support them. I am rather talented with potions and because I am still a student they can sell them cheaper then if it was made by an actual potioner that was finished with school."

The clerk said "it will take me awhile to add all of this up if you have more shopping to do I will have it ready when you get back."

Rose pulled out a list and said "I need these as well. We will be back in about a half hour. Come on Hermione we still have to brave Honeydukes that is probably where Harry and Ron have disappeared to."

Rose and Hermione made it to the counter of Honeydukes and they did find Ron and Harry inside. Rose told the woman what she wanted. By the time they were done there it was time to go back to the apothecary he had her things ready and her money.

Harry said "Rose are you nearly done Ron and I were talking and we are both kind of hungry."

Rose said "well do you want to go to the three broom stick or maybe Stew's and Brews."

Ron said "I only have enough for a butterbeer."

Rose said "I will treat and a nice bowl of hot stew and some bread and butter sound pretty good to me."

Ron's stomach growl and Harry said "I guess we are going to Stews and Brews."

Ron blushed and said "I don't know."

Rose said "Look Ron next time you can treat but you are not the only one hungry and cold so no complaining and lets go eat."

Hermione said "You know she is right."

Ron said "yeah she always is."

They all went to the cafe they found a nice table they all could fit at then each ordered a bowl of stew, butterbeer and a loaf of bread with butter for the table that they could all share.

Ron smiled as he finished his stew and said "thanks Rose that really hit the spot and this place isn't nearly as busy as the three broom sticks."

Rose smiled and said "no it is not and the food is good. I only have one more store to go to then I have to head back for my swimming lesson."

Harry asked "what store?"

Rose said "Spintwintches. I need a few things. and to check a few prices on a few things."

Hermione asked "Like what."

Rose said "I am thinking about getting a new broom and my pads are getting a bit small."

Hermione asked "wouldn't it be better to wait until next year. You don't even know what house you are going to be in let alone is they have an opening on their quidditch team or if it will be for keeper. And by then you probably will have grown more."

Rose said "I just want to price them. At the rate my chest is growing I will need new pads even if I buy them in September by the time quidditch season starts in October. I want to see how much they cost here apposed to the store in Diagon alley. If there is anything Mrs. Weasley has taught me it pays to check prices before buying."

Hermione asked "Rose what are you going to do after you finish school?"

Rose smiled and said "Marry Severus and have tons of babies."

Hermione said "I meant what are you going to do for work?"

Rose said "I am not entirely sure but either being a potioner or playing quidditch professionally sounds pretty good right now. We have to decide next year what we are going to specialize in so we can take the right Newt classes. I have always liked the idea of becoming a healer or maybe a teacher at a charms school."

Harry asked "what is charms school."

Rose said "they are privately run schools for children between the ages of 3 to 10 for wizarding children. But they do cost money and really most families homeschool their children until they become old enough to attend Hogwarts or the other schools but charms schools are a good option for those of either two parent working families or single parents of children of that age. They are day schools and all are hooked up to the floo network. there are usually only a few teachers and half a dozen to a dozen students of various ages. They aren't taught magic of course only a little basics it is mostly just general education reading writing sums a bit of history. It is mostly just to keep the children supervised while the parents are at work. I don't know if they are regulated or not with a curriculum but well it is one of the things I might want to do. I am also thinking about turning Dovewing into a college. That way the ancient magics don't get lost and people can pick and chose what they want to take. I have the Dovewing property and the entire library it seems a shame to waste it."

Hermione grabbed her hands and said "You have the entire Dovewing library and you didn't tell me. You are a terrible friend."

Rose giggled and said "I don't have access to it until I finish school. When I do you are more then welcome to look through them. I guess I mean it is supposed to be Dovewing secrets but seeing as the house of Dovewing is closed I shouldn't feel like that. There is valuable information in those books and it isn't like you are the kind to destroy books. You would be really careful with them."

Hermione said "of course I would I know they are very old and probably very fragile. What kind of Potions do you sell to the apothecary?"

Rose said "just a few things that can help people that they are either too lazy or don't know how to make themselves. Pregnancy preventative, Fertility enhancer, a few beauty products for skin, hair and nails. potion for dreamless sleep, strength and energy potions and Wolfsbane potion."

Hermione asked "you know how to make wolfsbane potion?"

Rose said "yes I have been providing Remus his monthly doses since he left school. You know there isn't much I can do about his situation or how the world views him but I can get him his potion so he can be safe that is one thing I can do for him. He was one of dad's best friends I think both dad and mum would want me to do this for him. If I could do more for him I would. I offered to keep up his salary as my tutor you know for school breaks but he wouldn't take it and said I didn't need to be tutored over the school breaks that was the time for me to relax and be with my babies the only studying I should do is the homework I am assigned for school."

Harry said "He does have a point about that."

Rose said "Yeah I know but it was his only source of income. I mean if Sirius's name could be cleared I am sure the two of them would live together they are best friends and Sirius would never let Remus starve or go without a roof over his head or clothes on his back. There has to be something I can do about that."

Hermione said "unless we can get our hands on Wormtail no one is going to believe Sirius is innocent and no one knows where he is. We all feel terrible about it but what can we do."

Ron said "if only we knew where he was."

Rose said "Yeah, come on I have to get going I have to check those prices then get back to the castle."

Harry said "you know where he is and you are keeping quiet about it. Rose why would you do that? You need to tell someone. Tell Dumbledore, tell Moody even tell Snape but tell someone who can do something about it."

Rose said "Harry I have told but they can't do anything about it not yet. I don't know where he is right now I know where he will be in the future possibly. You know how my visions work. What I see is not always in the here and now sometimes it is in the far past or far future and sometimes it never happens. So I have told Dumbledore and Severus and even Moody though I don't fully trust him I think he is prone to leap before he looks and there for might do things to actually hurt our chances by not waiting for the right time. Harry there is going to come a time in the future where it appears everything you believe in everyone you trust has turned their back on you I just want you to know that it isn't so it just appears that way. I know you don't understand now maybe you won't even when it happens but no matter what it looks like you are never alone. Now lets go."

Rose got up and grabbed her things left some money on the table and left the others followed her.

Hermione was walking by Rose and Harry and Ron a little behind Ron asked "Do you have any idea what she was talking about at the end there."

Harry said "No but that happens a lot with talking with Rose. It is her seer gift she gets really confused sometimes about what she has seen and reality. She could be talking about something that could happen next week or next year or ten years from now and it might not happen at all. I know if I was the one seeing all of that it would confuse me and drive me mad. But she tells people about things she thinks are important. At least her gift is visions and not prophesies. Those are really strange to witness and they don't remember any of it afterward so it only is known if someone is there to witness it."

Ron said "I am not sure that is a bad thing those who make prophesies they don't remember but Rose remembers everything so clearly it makes her questions reality I think I would pick not remembering."

Harry said "yeah but that is kind of the point she doesn't have a choice. Do you remember what Trawlany told us in our first divination lesson."

Ron asked "should I?"

Harry said "she said those of you who were not born with the sight she could teach very little too that there was just so much you could get from books. I know Trelawney is a fraud most of the time but that she is right about. Anyone can learn the methods we have but to actually really see anything you have to be born with the gift and it is really rare. But Rose has it. But as for what she said I probably won't know what it meant until after it happens maybe not even then. After all of these years I have kind of just learned to go with it."

They got back to the castle Rose put her things in the carriage grabbed one of the swim suits and went to find Snape.

He wasn't alone Karkaroff was there and he was freaking out and had his arm exposed Rose quickly shut the door and said "Are you mad showing your mark with the door open any one could come by and see it. Look Mr. Karkaroff I know this is frightening and yes it does mean he is getting stronger and will soon be back but if my visions are right we have a few months. I suggest you use them to prepare for what ever you are going to do. Returning to him will most likely result in your death seeing as how much you revealed to the ministry after his fall. So the way I see it you can either fight against him or run away and hide. If things go the way I have seen he won't return until the end of June so you have until then. Severus I want to show you the bathing suit I bought and I got you some chocolate cauldrons."

Rose embraced Snape and he said "Rose you shouldn't reveal what you know about the dark lord in front of just anyone."

Rose smiled up at Snape and said "I know but Mr. Karkaroff isn't just anyone he is a former deatheater one whose life will be in danger when Voldemort returns so he needs to know when that will happen so he can prepare. Of course my visions aren't always right but most of the time they are. He won't let anyone know about what I know because he doesn't know who he can trust. No one knows who may or may not have been a deatheater or at least a supporter or who may or may not be who they seem to be. After all Polyjuice potion, glamour and disillusionment spells all can alter what a person sounds and looks like. After all how do you know I am really who I say I am. Maybe I am not really Rose Potter maybe there never was a Rose Potter. Maybe Harry never had a sister and I have been lying to everyone my entire life. Ooh I thought of a good one What if none of us are real what if we are all just characters in a fictional world that someone made up. Like a book or movie or something like that."

Snape chuckled and said "Alright you are letting your mind wonder a bit too much now. Go get changed into your swim suit while I say good bye to Igor."

Karkaroff asked "what do you need a swim suit for it is the middle of winter."

Rose said happily "Severus is going to teach me to swim so I don't drown and die in the second task. It isn't cheating he isn't helping me with the task he is just teaching me to swim. You know because of the task being underwater in the lake I can't just wade in the shallows."

Karkaroff smirked and said "No I suppose that is true. None of us want anyone to die in the tournament and Not being able to swim could be a real problem with the second tasks wouldn't it."

Rose scoffed and said "well yeah how do you expect me to get past the mermaids and get my thing that has been taken. I only have an hour and the Mermaids live in the bottom of the lake don't they."

Snape said "Rose you are revealing to much Igor isn't just anyone one he is Krum's head master you just revealed the clues of the egg."

Rose said "I'm sorry Victor was supposed to figure that out himself. I hope he won't be mad that is part of the fun of it figuring it out. I guess all of us but Cedric know now. I don't suppose you will keep it secret you will tell Victor won't you."

Karkaroff said "yes I will he is Durmstrang's champion. I want him to win."

Rose said "That is funny I am a Beauxbatons champion but I want my brother to win."

Snape said "that is because you are selfless, humble and love your brother and you hate being made a fuss over. Now go get change."

Rose said "alright see you later Mr. Karkaroff. And don't worry about Voldemort yet just help Victor get through the tournament for now."

Rose went into the bedroom and Karkaroff said "she is odd but innocent."

Snape nodded and said "yes she is. She only see's good in every one. That is why it upsets her so much when someone does something that hurts her or someone else. She convinces herself that it was only a mistake that they don't mean to do such things."

Karkaroff asked "you are talking about those two boys."

Snape said "that and other things. They should have been expelled and arrested. They would have been too only it was dependent on Rose accusing them. She has convinced herself they had only meant it as a prank that went a little too far. But I know those two boys one of them is Lucious Malfoy's son. I can tell you with certainty it was no prank and if I had not shown up when I did. They would have gone through with it. She refuses to believe it. Just because they are 14 years old does not mean they are not capable of doing such a thing. I am going to keep a closer eye on them from now on. You might want to advise any of your girls to keep there distance from them."

Karkaroff nodded and said "The girls I brought are capable to taking care of themselves and they are older then your Rose but I will tell them. I should go."

Snape showed him out then went to the bedroom to check on Rose's progress. She had two swim suit's laid out on the bed and she was striped down to her underwear.

She turned to him and asked "which one should I wear. The black one or the gold one. I was thinking about wearing the gold one for the task and the black one for lessons. I bought some sandals they will be easier to take off at the lake then shoes I figured I can wear my cloak over it to keep me warm until just before going in and then coming out of the freezing water it will help warm me up."

Snape nodded and said "I agree you should wear the gold one for the task and the black one for lessons. You need to be more careful about what you say in front of people. I know you don't like lying or keeping secrets. But the information you know can be dangerous in the wrong hands. And someone might repeat what you say to the wrong person."

Rose asked "is it hard to learn to swim?"

Snape said "not very. Some people catch on faster then others. Does your brother know how to swim."

Rose said "yes it was taught in school but by then I was deaf and only Harry knew how to sign and boys and girls were taught separately besides with my scaring questions would be asked and Harry is far less scared then I am. Vernon found that it hurt Harry more if he locked him up to prevent him from stopping Vernon from hurting me and then beat me and make Harry see what he did to me afterward. His punishing me actually caused Harry more pain then if he was to take the beating. They told everyone that our scars were from the car crash that they said mum and dad died in and we were hurt from. I would go to the library during swimming lessons and read."

Snape smiled at the last and asked "Have you always liked reading."

Rose smiled as she put the swim suit on and said "Yes for as long as I can remember being able to read I have always enjoyed it. That only increased once I learned I was a witch. I really can't understand why Harry complains about Homework I mean if we were muggles he would have to be learning about boring things like Algebra and Calculus and studying about what queen or king ruled during when. Instead we get to learn about goblin wars and how to do cheering charms or change a bird into a goblet or make a potion that can protect you from poisons and so much more. It might not seem special to someone who has grown up in the wizarding world but for someone who grew up muggle everyday is a new adventure. I mean if I were to tell my former school mates at my primary school that I was this close to a real live dragon and that in a couple months I am going to be swimming with mermaids or talking to a real Sphinx they would think I was mad."

Snape said "I know my little flower the past few years have had to have been very exciting for you. To go from where you were to finding out the truth and everything you have been through since then. Most people wouldn't be able to deal with it."

Rose got the suit on and said "it is a bit snug across the chest and hips but they are the only two they had."

Snape smiled at the way she looked in the skin tight bathing suit that barely contained her ample chest and bottom he said "it will be fine for lessons. But you should put a cloak on over it and something on your feet while we come and go. I will grab a couple towels then we can go. You didn't have to get a suit for lessons we could have done it nude."

Rose giggled and said "we get in trouble when we are both nude at the same time and I have to learn to swim. Shagging in a pool is not what this is about. I figured if at least one of us is clothed we could actually get to the lesson."

Snape chuckled and said "that is probably a good idea however the way you look in that makes me want to tear it off of you."

Rose said "well don't the store only had the two and I need at least one for the task. I can't go in nude where everyone will see me. It is going to be bad enough in the suit. They are all going to see my scars. They are going to see how ugly I am."

Snape firmly said "You are not ugly you are gorgeous. Your scars don't change that. Now lets go."

Rose threw on her cloak and sandals and Snape had a couple towels. She took his hand as they went up to the bathroom he had picked with the largest bathtub in the castle. It filled practically the whole room and had dozens of faucets.

Rose said "wow it's huge."

Snape said "that is why I picked this one it is the largest and deepest it is more then 4 feet in the center."

There were a couple benches along the outside of the tub Snape turned the faucets on and the tub started to fill. Then he undressed and Rose put her cloak on the bench and took off her sandals Snape put his clothes and towels down next to them then he got in and so did Rose.

Snape said "the trick to swimming is becoming comfortable in the water. Just let your body relax. Be aware that your head is buoyant. When you feel comfortable submerge your head and blow bubbles until all of the air is gone then you can surface and take another breath. Your arms and legs are simply used for propulsion seeing as you will be deep under water a forward breast stroke while kicking your legs would be the most effective while you are on the surface an over head stroke while kicking would be best until you reach shallow water and can stand and walk to the shore. To dive you simply point your arms together lower your head and kick off with your legs. Don't do it too strong in here the waters not that deep and you don't want to hit your head."

Snape helped Rose get comfortable and showed her what he had meant about the different strokes he also taught her how to float on her back. If she happened to get injured but made it to the surface by floating on her back she wouldn't drowned before help got to her. She caught on pretty quickly but they would do it again a couple times a week until she was comfortable and confident with her knowledge and skill.