At the back of her mind, Rose Potter really hated crowds.

Diagon Alley in early August? Crowds for days, everywhere. For the few hundred students it held at any one time, Hogwarts drew a remarkable amount of business to the small shopping district. For many, the traditional pre-Hogwarts shopping trip was a family outing, a rite of passage, and an adventure all rolled into one afternoon.

Rose thought about Spellforged, growing up at Gringott's, and wondered if this had ever become routine for him. Never, came the reply from Spellforged, over the link. Though Hermione is sitting here eating ice cream and slowly becoming overwhelmed. It's kind of funny, actually.

Rose looked down at her own ice cream, and smiled. She sometimes felt like the odd one out among the five, but then she had a moment like this, shared across universes with her goblin brother. It proved to her just how similar they all were, in all the ways that mattered.

There was a line of people waiting to get into Flourish and Blott's, the largest bookstore in Diagon Alley. At the head of the line, a group of red-haired children had just entered the shop. The Weasleys, probably, Rose thought. She knew that Seeker and Chaser had both gone shopping with the Weasley family, and that Seeker had spent several weeks staying at the Burrow, their family home.

Trailing at the back of the group, Rose saw a young redheaded girl following closely behind her brothers. Ron Weasley had mentioned a younger sister, so this must be her. Rose found herself wondering what Ron had said about their chat at the end of the previous year. He had been polite on the train home, which she had interpreted as a good beginning. How did his parents react, she wondered. How did his sister?

For years, young witches had looked up to the girl-who-lived, not realizing that the girl-who-lived had been more worried about scavenging food and avoiding her relatives. There had been storybooks about her, for Merlin's sake! And now, she learned that at least one of those young witches hated that she had been sorted into Slytherin. How many others did the same? When the new first years entered the great hall, how many would look her way and cringe in fear?

Rose found the whole nonsense exhausting.

Daphne's parents had known about the likely crowds in the Alley today, and suggested that they go shopping tomorrow instead (as Marigold and Neville were doing). That was a non-started for Astoria, however, and good luck to whoever gets between Astoria Greengrass and her wand. A delay, under those circumstances, would not have been tolerated. Predictably, Rose and Daphne's amusement at the discussion saw Astoria threatening to hex them, "just as soon as I get a wand!" The girls were struggling for breath after that one.

Lady Greengrass had stood firm, however - none of her daughters would receive their wand without first getting their proper school robes. So Astoria and her mother had gone to Madame Malkin's to get what the girl hoped would be the quickest fitting ever. Rose and Daphne, having already gathered most of their supplies (and a first year potions kit for Astoria), had taken a break at Fortescue's for some ice cream and people watching.

Rose saw Hermione standing with her parents, and waved. The ravenclaw waved back, then pointed her out to her parents, which got her two more waves that she promptly returned. The Grangers seemed to be standing in line for something at the bookstore. "What's going on at Flourish and Blotts?" asked Rose. Daphne shook her head - she didn't know either. They all still needed their books, so a trip to the very busy store would be necessary before long.

Not everyone was waiting in line, she saw, watching as several shoppers made their way in through a different entrance. Her eye was drawn to the blonde-haired boy in front of the entrance, along with the taller man and his matching blonde hair. Daphne saw them as well, muttering "Draco" under her breath. Rose watched as her housemate handed his purchases over to a blonde woman in dark robes. Lord and Lady Malfoy, I presume, thought Rose. Then Draco and his father walked into the bookshop.

"Does Draco have a younger sibling we don't know?" asked Daphne.

"No, I don't think so." replied Rose. "Why?"

Daphne stood up. "He just handed a bag of books from Flourish and Blotts over to Lady Malfoy. And then went back into Flourish and Blotts."

Rose stood as well. "And the Weasleys just went in the other way." She shook her head. "Come on."

The slytherins made their way across the alley, wading through the crowd. As they approached the bookshop, they saw posters for a book signing by "Gilderoy Lockhart, O.M. 3rd Class, Bestselling Author of Magical Me, Exclusively at Flourish and Blotts." That explains the line, thought Rose, seeing copies of the book clutched in eager hands throughout the waiting crowd.

"Why are we following Draco again?" asked Daphne, suddenly worried that they were acting like gryffindors. Chaser's voice in Rose's mind, and the choice language he was using to describe the Malfoys, put a broad grin on Rose's face.

"Wait for it," Rose said in reply, before pointing at the open door to the shop. As if on cue, the girls heard angry shouts and the sounds of a scuffle. Daphne's eyes grew wider as she realized what was happening. Rose nodded toward the door. "Come on, Daph, let's go see the show."

The girls entered Flourish and Blotts just in time to see Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy get separated by the shop's owner and other nearby wizards. The scratch on Mister Weasley's face, coupled with the disarray of Lord Malfoy's hair, hinted that the fight had been brief but vicious. The twins, joined by their older brother Percy, were talking their father down, while Ron and Hermione kept their distance. Draco had done the same, standing next to the counter - and from his expression, Rose could not tell if he had known something would happen or not.

She was convinced, however, that Malfoy the elder had walked into the bookshop planning to start something. A fist fight, though? Not very Slytherin.

"Oof." Rose heard a voice at her feet, and looked down to see a young red-haired girl, probably knocked over in the scuffle. She knelt down, looking the likely first-year student over for injuries. The girl tried to sit up, causing Rose to offer her a hand.

"Here," she said, hoisting the girl to her feet. The girl brushed herself off, straightening her robes, before looking up at her helper.

"Thank you, Miss…. Oh." Rose saw the recognition in the girl's face, the brief flash of surprise shifting into annoyance and…. fear? Red hair, first year… this must be the sister Ron mentioned, Rose thought. The one who hated me for getting sorted into Slytherin. Great.

"You must be Ginny," said Rose, in her best imitation of a polite pureblood heiress. "I'm Rose Potter." She held out her hand.

Ginny looked at the hand, then at the slytherin, and back, before taking the hand briefly. "Nice to meet you," she said, unconvincingly.

Rose fought herself, in an effort not to roll her eyes. All people see is the green, she mused. "Ginny, this is Daphne Greengrass. She is in the second year with Ron and I." Daphne nodded to the youngest Weasley, getting a slight nod in return. "Her sister, Astoria, will be in your year."

"A pleasure, Miss Weasley," said Daphne, offering her own hand. Ginny considered her for a moment as well, before returning the handshake.

Watch out for Lockhart, thought Seeker. He's signing books, and loves to sneak up on famous second year students and take their picture. Rose could tell that Seeker was angry - from their talks over the past year, Rose knew him to be as touch-averse as she was. Another legacy of House Dursley.

Lord Malfoy was attempting to say something biting and full of menace, as he tossed one of the Weasley's school books into their cauldron. The girls watched the confrontation - Ginny with concern for her father and anger at Malfoy, while Daphne and Rose tried to figure out whether Lord Malfoy had secretly been a gryffindor. Charging in, openly bullying a less well-to-do family? No wonder everyone hates Slytherin house.

Malfoy had made a show of storming out of the bookshop when an older woman walked over. She had red hair, just like the Weasley sons, and that - when matched to the look of anger on her face - meant that this could be only one woman.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Weasley," began Rose, stopping Molly Weasley's rant in its tracks. "I don't believe we've met, my name is Rose Potter. I'm in your son Ron's year at Hogwarts." Again she extended her hand.

Molly Weasley looked at the young slytherin before her, with a green and silver ribbon holding back her long black hair, almost matching her mother's green eyes. The girl was dressed in new robes, but not in the high fashion of the old money purebloods. And Molly had seen her help Ginny up - certainly not what the usual snake would have done.

It was as Ron had said - this girl was different.

"I knew your parents, before… well." Molly said. She still had yet to take the offered hand, but her expression hinted at indecision rather than insult. "They were proud gryffindors, and fought for the light."

Time to nip this in the bud, thought Rose. Stepping forward, Rose leaned in so that only Molly Weasley could hear her. "Mrs. Weasley, what good is the light if it does not shine where the darkness lives?" Molly looked at her, fighting to keep the surprise from her face. "I wear green, but never mistake me for dark."

Molly Weasley, for once, had no response. Rose could tell, however, that she was reconsidering what she knew about the girl-who-lived. Good, thought Rose. Molly's eyes moved up, looking at someone or something behind her. Daphne started turning as well, as if someone was approaching. Here we go, thought Rose. She took a step back, clearing space between her and Mrs. Weasley. Daphne saw the move, and pulled Ginny a few steps back as well.

Rose did not miss the beginnings of a smirk on Daphne's face. She knew what was coming, she had seen it happen to Draco at the beginning of last year.

"Miss Potter! What a pleasant sur-WHAAAA?" The instant Gilderoy Lockhart placed his hand on Rose Potter's shoulder, the girl-who-lived grabbed his wrist and stepped back into his side. The height difference, coupled with Lockhart's surprise, sent the Order of Merlin (3rd Class) winner over the girl's shoulder and onto his back. Molly Weasley looked down at the man, possibly more stunned than he was.

Rose stood there for a moment, looking down at the sputtering author. With a sigh, she reached down to help the man get to his feet. "My apologies, sir, you seem to have startled me." Just as she had planned, the photo in the Daily Prophet the next day was not the girl-who-lived standing menacingly over a living legend, but rather Rose Potter shaking his hand once he had brushed himself off.

"Not at all, Miss Potter, not at all." The man's grin had returned, and he was back to working the crowd. "Those reflexes will serve you well in your defense classes this term." Suddenly, the lengthy book list made sense. Oh, no, they didn't, Rose thought.

They did, confirmed Marigold. Madam Longbottom went spare when she heard.

I wonder if Auntie will send another Auror to teach when this peacock leaves? Chaser wondered.

"So, should I call you Professor Lockhart, then?" Rose asked with a grin.

"Do you all see this, ladies and gentlemen? This one will go far, just you watch!" He walked back toward the signing table, thankfully leaving Rose behind. "Yes, yes, I'm pleased to announce that I have been named the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, starting this year!" The witches and wizards waiting in line saw their cue, and started clapping.

Rose clapped along with the crowd, her false smile planted firmly in place. Spellforged, Rose thought, what do you think about all this?

The response was immediate. Five galleons says he's gone by Yule.

Rose watched as Lockhart started signing books. The vast majority of those in line were witches, and Lockhart made sure to give each one his full attention. Daphne and Rose looked at each other, and Rose could tell that her friend had come to the same conclusion that she had.

Put me down for Easter. Rose replied.

oOoOoOoOo

Rose and Daphne left the bookshop, three sets of school books in hand. Lockhart had offered Rose a complete set of his works, as a thank you for the "demonstration" they had planned for the event. She had promptly handed the gift off to Ginny, in part to soothe the worries of her mother and in part as compensation for her getting knocked over during the fight.

Lord Malfoy was shaking the hand of an Auror when the girls hit the Alley. Apparently, the DMLE had interviewed him about the incident with Arthur Weasley, and found no fault on his part. Being close friends with the Minister surely had nothing to do with it, Rose thought.

It was Narcissa Malfoy who first saw the pair, and a genuine-looking smile crossed the woman's face when she saw Daphne. "Heiress Greengrass, how did you get to be so tall?" The Lady Malfoy walked toward them, ignored by her husband and son.

"In the usual way, Lady Malfoy." Daphne said with a smile, before offering a curtsey. Narcissa scoffed at that, and then wrapped her in a hug. "It has been quite some time since I last enjoyed your hospitality, after all."

"Too long, I think." Narcissa agreed. "And who is your friend?"

Daphne turned to Rose. "Lady Malfoy, may I present the Heiress Potter and the Heiress Black, Rose Potter." Rose gave the required curtsey, only to see the Lady Malfoy offer a curtsey in return. Daphne's face showed no surprise.

"Then as a fellow daughter of the House of Black, may I offer my greetings, Heiress Black." Narcissa said, speaking the formal greeting. She looked Rose in the eye, appraising her, before smiling again. "My son tells me that you had a bit of a disagreement on the train at the end of term?"

Rose smiled right back. "I offered Heir Malfoy my advice and counsel on how to improve his standing within Slytherin House, seeing as he had questioned my own methods."

Narcissa's expression darkened slightly, before returning to its previous pleasant smile. "I see. And what advice did you offer? Perhaps I will reinforce the lesson."

Rose ignored Daphne's look of amusement as she considered her own response. "I suggested to him that, while he and Lord Malfoy are undoubtedly close, it is neither cunning nor ambitious to threaten one's enemies by saying that he will tell his father what they did." She sighed softly, just enough to sound disappointed, rather than angry. "Draco has very good grades, and he could easily be among the top of our house if he stopped making a spectacle of himself."

Narcissa's eyes clouded a bit as she heard what Rose said - and what she left unsaid. "Draco is a proud son of my house, Miss Potter."

"As he should be," Rose responded, agreeably. "But his conduct reflects on Slytherin as well, and there are some who have found that conduct… wanting." She grinned once more. "I simply challenged him to do better, nothing more."

The polite smile faded from Narcissa's face, as she considered that. "I was under the impression that there had been threats made." She glanced at Daphne, who absolutely refused to get involved.

"Not by me," said Rose. "I may have implied that he would be known only as the blonde kid in Rose Potter's year if he did not improve, but that was mostly meant as a joke to lighten the mood. Perhaps he misunderstood my meaning?"

"Perhaps." Now Narcissa glanced back toward her son, who watched their conversation with a look of dread on his face. Lord Malfoy continued to chat with the auror, and saw nothing.

Any further response from Lady Malfoy was cut off by a laughing brunette running between them, wrapping Daphne in a hug. "Larch with unicorn hair!" Astoria shouted, laughing.

The laughter was contagious, as even Narcissa Malfoy found herself smiling. "Undoubtedly a powerful wand, Astoria." She said. Astoria turned and noticed Lady Malfoy and quickly gathered herself, offering the required curtsey.

"Lady Malfoy," she said.

Narcissa chuckled, before acknowledging the greeting. Then she turned and greeted Lady Greengrass, who had caught up to her youngest daughter after she had raced out of Ollivander's.

"Selena, how nice to see you." Narcissa said, as she hugged Daphne and Astoria's mum.

"Likewise, Narcissa." said Selena Greengrass, with a smile. Narcissa had been friends with Daniel Greengrass at Hogwarts, when both were in Slytherin House. Over the years, Selena had gotten to know Narcissa as well, in her own right. Both Greengrasses got along much better with her than with her husband, to the surprise of no one - though Daniel had, on occasion, worked with Lord Malfoy in the Wizengamot, as only a true neutral voice could.

"Narcissa," said Lord Malfoy impatiently, having completed his 'interview'. Lady Malfoy turned to him and nodded.

"I must go, it seems." said Narcissa. "Lovely to see the Greengrass family again, Selena. We will have to have tea sometime, once the girls are on the train." She turned to Rose with a smile, only a hint of annoyance at her husband's summons evident there. "And you, Heiress Potter, it has been a genuine pleasure to finally meet you."

Rose inclined her head, accepting the compliment. "Likewise, Lady Malfoy." And with that, Narcissa Malfoy walked to her family, and the Greengrasses made their way home.

oOoOoOoOo

Daphne Greengrass waited until that evening before confronting Rose. It had not been urgent at all, but her friend's words in the bookshop had bothered her all afternoon.

"Rose," she began. "Did you mean what you said to Ron Weasley's mother? About Slytherin House being the Dark?" Rose could hear a bit of hurt in Daphne's voice, and was surprised to see annoyance across Daphne's face. She rolled her eyes, not to dismiss the concern but at the whole pureblood dance she had had to perform that day.

"Merlin, no, Daphne. But she believed it, and assumed I was dark just because the hat put me there." Rose shook her head. "No, I did not sort myself into the den of snakes just to bring you heathens out of darkness and into the Light." Daphne could hear the capital L in 'Light', and snorted in laughter.

"So you lied to her face, then?" Daphne asked. Not that that would bother her, particularly, but it wasn't something to be done needlessly. Her father had taught her early on that words were as powerful as wands, when used correctly - and that they should never be twisted unnecessarily.

"No, I just took her expectations and turned them on their head." Rose sat back on the couch, thinking that afternoon's interaction over in her mind. "She expected me to be in Gryffindor, as did most of the wizarding world, if the whispers are to be believed. She expects me to be the heir to Dumbledore, fighting the good fight against the dark and so on. So did her daughter, if you noticed." Daphne nodded, she had seen Ginny's look of fear as clearly as Rose had.

"I'm twelve bloody years old," said Rose, tiredly. "I'm not the leader of anything, except maybe, maybe, our year in Slytherin House. That's it. I'm not fighting some crusade against anyone for the kind of spells they study, or for the blood in their veins, or the magic in their wand." She closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath. "I'll fight for my family, my friends, and maybe my house if the rest of the school targets us more than they have. But that's it."

Daphne sighed in relief. "Good, you had me worried for a moment there."

It was Rose's turn to snort. "Daphne, you saw the Heiress Potter today, out there sassing professors and sparring with two very different pureblooded mothers trying to protect their children." She smiled, taking a sip of her tea. "But Heiress Potter is a mask, a front. I'm just Rose, Daph. It's just me."

Daphne chuckled at that. "Rose Potter, when will you figure out that you're not just anything?"


A/N: By popular request, another Rose chapter. Balancing our time with each of the five has been one of the hardest parts of this fic, so far - and I know that Chaser has gotten a bit shortchanged in that. (Part of why he got such a spectacular confrontation with Quirrellmort, honestly.) I hope to change that, this year - as well as hint at the paths these characters will be walking as we go forward.

Many thanks, as always, to the readers over at the DP&SW Discord, who keep talking me down from revealing secrets and jumping the gun on some of the exciting things I have planned for future chapters.

We are nowhere near discussing the Hallows or the Master of Death here, but if you are looking for a fic where Death takes a more, well, hands-on approach to Harry's situation, consider reading Harry Potter, Master of Death, by Pseudonominal, here on ffn.

Feedback, as always, is welcome.