A/N: Since he's on the good side now, I've decided to refer to Draco as "Draco" in the narration. Hope that's fine with you guys. R&R please. And oh, I dunno if Ginny indeed got an Outstanding in Divination for her O.W.L., but let's pretend she did! And to the reviewers for whatever chapters recently have been reviewed...

To Katie: Thanks! And yeah, thanks for detailing your review.

To Mandrin Orange: Heheh, now you've realized I get confused with compliments and criticism because they all sound scary to me! Thanks.

To Lucky Charms: So sorry to hear that my story makes you sick. XD If it helps, just don't read it for a better health condition. And I'm not biting back, just concerned!

To Torri-Chiobie- Ahem I'm not suicdial-Don't worry: Wow, long penname... Heheh, anyways, thanks and please do keep reading!

To Lisa: I'm sorry to say that I've had far worse experiences on fanfic insults (check out my anime stories' reviews for it if it will make you happy). Still, thanks for reviewing! And by the way, thanks for the advice about watching anime, that's really cool. (Dripping sarcasm here. Oops.) I watch anime for a living, got it? (Well, not really a living...)

To GirlyGirlPower: Thanks for the numerous reviews! Though I think you're thrifty with the words, it's fine! Thanks!

Chapter 21: Merry Christmas

"Hey, Ginny," Ron said, sitting down on an armchair in front of the fire. "How come we never see you around here?"

"Because this is your building," Ginny replied. She was sitting on one of the cushioned chairs as well.

"What do you mean?" Draco asked.

"Argh… A building for each year level."

"What? There're no other buildings here," said Ron again.

"They're enchanted. Students from different year levels are not permitted to see each other, unless on special occasions, like Quidditch matches, or grave need." Raven had entered the seventh years' common room.

"Why is it like that?" asked Hermione.

Raven shrugged. "No idea."

Everyone remained silent for a while, then, Raven turned her attention to Harry, who had been sitting by the window that showed snow falling graciously on the grounds of Bridgework.

"You fine, Harry?"

"What – oh, yeah…" Harry replied without taking his eyes off the outside of the window.

"Don't seem like it."

"It doesn't seem like it." Still, Harry gazed outside.

"Since when did you have a care for grammar?" Ron asked.

"Since everyone lost the license to talk like a punk," said Raven.

"Yeah, when's that?" Harry said, his face screwing up in irritation, though he did not look away from outside.

"Since Rose left."

"Raven…" said Hermione in a hushed voice. But far from preventing Raven, which was what Hermione was trying to do, she came up with an outburst.

"It's only the truth," she said, raising her voice. "Why don't you just admit defeat, Harry? Listen, I haven't known you for like, seven years or something, but it doesn't take a genius to realize you're just bitter."

"Whoever said I was bitter!" Harry yelled back, facing her now.

"Hah! And what do you call that?" Raven did a mock laugh. "That's the problem. You won't admit it! And you keep acting like you're some kind of war hero who lost his beloved in exchange for others' safety."

"Maybe I am! I've been doing that since long ago! Everyone close to me's been dying in exchange for the lives of people I don't even know!" Harry had accidentally spilled his emotions for the moment. Everyone was watching, but he had to say it. "I keep on losing people who are close to me! Don't I get my own chance at happiness?"

"Is she dead yet?" was Raven's simple reply.

"What?" Harry asked, confused.

"Is Rose dead yet?"

"Wha – no. What're you – "

"Well at least wait for her to die before ranting about how you never get to spend time with the people you love, blah blah blah! You talk like she's dead!"

Everyone fell silent at this.

"She's right, Harry," said Ron quietly. "I mean, you sound like you're giving up on Rose already… You're not, are you?" Ron added.

Unexpectedly, the door of the common room burst open and in came Alex, panting as if he'd run a mile.

"We've got – news – about – where she is…"

"Rose?" Draco stood up at once.

"Yeah…" Alex replied. "They think they know – where she is…"

"Let's hear it then!" Ron said, standing up as well and making it for the door.

Everyone else did so (except Ginny who had not known Rose quite well), including Harry. Raven, however, was not done with him.

"Oh no you don't," said Raven, pushing him back onto a chair near the fire. "What? Highly concerned now, aren't you? Rose suddenly came back to life?"

"What is your problem, Raven!"

"I'm her best friend!" Raven practically yelled at Harry in the face. Harry stared for a while, then Raven turned and walked away angrily.

"Erm, she sometimes overdoes it with the best friend thing," Alex said. "I think she's just trying to say we're all concerned about Rose and not just you, Harry."

Harry chose to remain in the common room as well. Ron, Hermione, Draco, and Alex left for wherever the Order was meeting, and Harry said he did not want to go near Raven at the moment. All thought it was a strange excuse, but they bought it anyway and left. Harry was left alone with Ginny.

"So, how are you, Harry?" Ginny asked, her voice conveying simplicity.

"As usual, m – "

"Miserable? You've just had a row with Raven and it's clear she won. You're not miserable, Harry. You just miss her."

"What?"

"You miss Rose, and you don't want anyone to know that. But you let it out in a different manner, a far more obvious one if you ask me. I've seen you in love, Harry. I know."

Harry was not able to reply. Ginny was always the girl who was not afraid to speak about the truth. Harry even feared that she was coming very close to Luna Lovegood's personality.

"I must admit, I felt bitter when I found out you were going out with her. I mean, you told me we had to break up to save me from whatever dangers You-Know-Who brings. But then you find someone else."

"I didn't – "

"No explanation needed. I heard about the prophecy. And then about the two of you going around together holding hands," she laughed as she spoke. "I dunno. I just feel like… You look better with her. No, not the looks thing. I mean, the compatibility. Somehow I feel like you get along better with her than anyone else. And don't forget I got Outstanding in my O.W.L. for Divination."

Harry still felt guilty for breaking up with Ginny, but somehow her words lightened his feelings.

"Do you think she's done You-Know-Who?"

"I'm just puzzled where she is."

"That doesn't matter. She can strike anytime, anywhere."

"I didn't think there could be anyone worse than You-Know-Who."

These were the talks among Hogwarts and Bridgework students alike. The word about Rose Ashworth's turn around had spread throughout the campus and by early December, everyone had his own speculation as to where Rose might be and what she was up to.

Harry had still not heard of the Order's guess because, even weeks after, Raven would not permit anyone to tell him, and no one did, for they had seen a sample of Raven's wrath before that. A week before Christmas day, Harry received an early present.

To Harry Potter

Greetings! Merry Christmas!

From Rose Ashworth

A crow had delivered a parcel to Harry during breakfast. Harry stared, open-mouthed, at the package label.

"Harry? What's wrong?" Ron asked.

Ron went around the table to Harry's side and looked at the package over Harry's shoulder.

"She sent you a Christmas present?"

Harry raised his shoulders and shook his head to indicate that he had no clue.

"Who?" Hermione now asked.

"Rose!" Ron hissed, pointing at the package in Harry's hand.

"What? Are you sure?" Hermione rushed to Harry's side too.

"Are you sure it's Rose?" Draco now asked. He was eating at their table now. He had been doing so since the revelation at the Bridgework Clinic, in fact.

"I – I dunno…" said Harry.

"I think we should let the Order look – " Hermione started, but Harry had other plans.

"No. I'll look at it myself."

"Harry, it might be a trap or – "

"I can handle it," Harry said. "I won't open it without magical protection."

As soon as he was done with breakfast, Harry went to his room and started thinking.

If it were a trap, from whom would it come?

Of course, there was Voldemort, who had always wanted to finish Harry off. But would he be so desperate as to send something as plain as this?

Then there was Rose, who proved to be, Harry hated to admit, an enemy. Would she take advantage of her relationship with Harry to harm him?

But there was always the feeble hope of Rose just wanting to send Harry a simple Christmas gift.

Harry had decided to open the parcel with bare hands and no magical protection, contrary to what he had told Hermione. He did not know what to expect anyway, and as he tore open the brown paper that was the packaging, he thought of a ridiculous excuse for doing so.

I died hoping a present from Rose, hoping she still loved me.

Harry closed his eyes as he unfolded the paper. He ran his fingers around the package and felt a cold chain.

He opened his eyes. It was a locket.

"A locket?" Harry said to himself aloud.

He then opened the locket. There were two pictures, as was usual with a locket. One picture was of a girl Harry did not know. The other, however, showed a very familiar face. Harry had first seen her in the Mirror of Erised and then in the photo album Hagrid gave him (Harry) back in his first year. It was a younger Lily Evans, Harry's mother.

Harry looked back down at the package and saw a piece of paper. He noted that it looked like the one from which he had read Sirius' capture off.

Perhaps to rouse your curiosity.

Find me, Potter, and try to kill me if you can.

Rose Ashworth

P.S. Write back. It is not only the Dark Lord who knows of this method.

Harry took it Rose was speaking of the technique Voldemort had used with his diary. But that was Tom Riddle who had written back. Would the present Rose reply to him if he wrote?

He took out quill and ink and wrote on the paper.

Where is Sirius?

His writing sank into the paper, and new writing formed where he had initially written.

I thought you had figured that out by now.

Are you really Rose?

Hell yeah… You're slow, aren't you?

Why are you doing this, Rose?

If you were any slower, you'd be going backwards, Potter.

Rose, please come back.

Hahah, very funny. Why don't you try and find me, Potter? I sent you the locket to make you do so.

You've already mentioned your mother being best friends with mine.

Yeah, but there are many other secrets you haven't found out. Find me, Potter. Find me and find out.

Harry supposed he had no choice but to play along.

Are those secrets worth finding out anyway?

Hell yeah… And if you wanna find your godfather's body, come here.

What body?

Hello? He's dead, ain't he?

He was brought back to life. He said so. He's alive. Unless you've…

Harry paused. He hated to consider the thing, but it was the only idea that came to his mind.

Killed him again?

Like hell I would. Ever heard of Inferi?

Harry was too appalled to write back quickly. Rose had used Sirius as an Inferi? But how?

He's not one. I've seen Inferi. They can't even talk –

Rose's writing came sooner.

Ikiru, my invented potion for using corpses as Inferi with much more abilities. Believe me, your godfather proved to be a very efficient tester.

Harry's insides boiled with anger. She had no respect for the dead.

Where are you? I'm coming, then.

Why suddenly decide on coming?

Let Sirius rest! Give me his body!

Chivalrous once more, aren't you? Come then. Ride the train.

What?

Ride the train. Remember the train you rode to Bridgework? Board it again.

Are you joking?

There're no human operators on that train. It runs automatically. No one will ask you any questions.

Fine then. Where do I get off?

Castlerest Station. Go up the main ground and find Samatage Street. Look for Number 67. That's the place you're looking for.

Your house?

Yeah.

You're hiding in your house and nobody can find you?

Hell yeah. Funny, aren't they?

How come no one can find you?

Like hell I'll tell you. Come and find out, Potter. I'll be waiting this afternoon.

The paper suddenly burst into flames. Harry stared at the ashes. The address was imprinted on Harry's mind. Castlerest Station, Samatage Street, Number 67. There was no doubt he was coming, but how to tell Ron and Hermione?

Harry pocketed the locket and made his way down the stairs to the common room.

Harry did not know what to say, however, at the sight that greeted him. Ron and Hermione, who were previously kissing quite noiselessly, broke apart at the sight of him. Ron broke into fits of coughing, and Hermione blushed as red as Ron's hair.

"Erm, Harry… We – didn't see you there – " Hermione started.

"Er, I didn't think you would," Harry replied. He received a threatening look from Ron, and decided to change the topic immediately. "Er, I'm going."

"Going?" Hermione asked.

"Going where?" said Ron.

"To Rose. I've found out where she is."

"Harry, you can't go alone! You should tell the Order!"

"Hermione, I can't – "

"Wait – that package – what was in it?"

"It was a locket – "

"What kind of locket?" Ron now asked.

"It had a picture of my mother and – "

"How did you open it?" Hermione interrupted.

"It doesn't matter. There's no trap or whatever – "

"How did you find out where Rose is?"

"It doesn't matter!" said Harry, raising his voice. "I just told you to – let you know. I'm going." Harry started walking towards the door.

"Harry, wait!"

"Don't!"

Harry slammed the door shut.

And he began his journey to 67 Samatage St., Castlerest.

A/N: Okay, long enough, ain't it? I think next chapter would be the second to the last, if not the last. Reviews please! And check out my HPGW one-shot and please review as well!