Listen To Your Heart
Chapter Eleven-The Damascus 299
GILLIAN.
Remus came back into the hospital wing looking crushed and upset.
"What happened?" I asked immediately.
"Roselyn blew me off," Remus said quietly slumping into a chair. "She thinks that because I asked her it was like a last resort thing or something because you and I weren't going."
"Was it?" I prodded gently.
Remus' cheeks colored deep burgundy.
"Sort of," he muttered.
"Remus you're turning into Sirius," Lily said irritably. "You go around hurting girls' feelings. That's not you. Leave that job to Sirius."
"Hey," Sirius called affronted. "I resent that!"
We ignored him.
"You're right," Remus said nodding. "I'm going to go and talk to her."
He got up and was about to leave when Sam gently grabbed his arm.
"I see you're starting to fancy her am I right?" he said grinning at Remus.
Remus blushed again.
"She is pretty," he said earnestly. "We actually met a few times in the library and talked. I just never told you guys this."
"Whoo!" James cried mockingly.
Remus blushed even more and Sam released his arm as he left the hospital wing.
"Okay you lot," Madam Elkin said coming into the wing a few moments later. "Miss Ross needs rest. She'll be as good as new tomorrow. She can return to her classes then."
Sam however, remained behind as Lily, James, Sirius, and much to my disgust and protest, Peter hugged me and then left.
Sam sat down on the edge of my cot and placed both hands, palms down on the mattress on either side of my shoulders.
"What made you say that about Peter?" he asked curiously, his brown eyes filled with concern and curiosity.
I hesitated. I needed to tell someone. Someone else had to know. It was driving me nuts just thinking about it and maybe Sam could help me.
I launched into the whole 'dream' or 'premonition'.
When I was done, Sam's expression was blank.
"You believe me right?" I demanded hopefully. "I'm not going mental here!"
Sam smiled.
"Of course I believe you! Why wouldn't I?" he said.
I felt relief flooding over me completely.
"We'll keep a close eye on Peter then," Sam continued softly lowering his face so that it was inches from mine. "Nothings' gonna happen to you okay? I won't let it."
I grinned back.
He broke into a grin as well.
His grin slowly faded and he glanced down at my lips and then back up to my eyes. He moved his face closer. I shut my eyes and felt his lip gently pressing against mine. He kissed me softly and gently. I returned the kisses the same way. I felt him gently take my face in his hands as we kissed.
After a few moments, we pulled back, our breathing sawing in and out.
"I love you," Sam said softly.
"I love you," I repeated back.
He grinned.
"Good night,"
"'Night,"
He gave me a kiss on the cheek before he left the hospital wing. I turned over and dozed off into a peaceful sleep.
ROSELYN.
In the morning, I sat at the Gryffindor table helping myself to some toast and porridge. The rest of the lot was already up and awake. Gillian and Sam were obviously together now because they sat next to each other, laughing and Sam draped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a kiss on the cheek again. James and Lily were together too. Remus was sitting across from me at the table. He explained everything to me and I wasn't angry with him anymore. Sirius jokingly turned to Peter and asked him if he would like to go out sometime.
Everyone rolled with laughter at the quick and forceful 'no' that question got.
Gillian was totally radiant. I'm guessing it was because of the pregnancy. They explained what had happened to her to me as well. That was horrible. I felt so bad for Gillian. She couldn't even tell her own parents. Naturally, Dumbledore said he wouldn't tell them unless she said it was alright. Bless him. He was such a good Headmaster and teacher.
I felt a smile forming on my face as I reached for a roll at the same time Remus was. Our fingers touched.
"Go on," he said briefly blushing. "Take it."
"Naw you can have it," I shook my head.
"It's fine…I'm stuffed," Remus insisted.
"So am I,"
"I'll take it," Sirius said reaching over and grabbing the roll. "Thanks Rose."
I just rolled my eyes.
Remus and I chuckled though.
Just then, the owl post arrived. My owl, an eagle owl named Emmy came soaring gracefully carrying a long parcel.
"What on earth?" I mused a loud as Emmy carefully dropped the parcel onto the table in front of us and landed gracefully onto my shoulder. I gave her a piece of bacon as 'thanks'. She hooted gratefully.
"Who's it from?" Lily asked eagerly turning her attention to the parcel.
"Mario," I replied confused as I took the letter off of the packing paper and opened it up.
I read aloud:
"Dear Roselyn,
Howya doing sis? Good? I'm doing well in the Auror training. I've actually only have to complete 3 more classes before I have to get the test! Wish me luck okay?
Anyway, an early Christmas present. It's a Damascus 299. The fastest broom out there and its' a new model. Just came out this month. Thought you might like it in case you're trying out for Gryffindors Quidditch team.
Unfortunately, on a more serious note, I've got some grave news about Mum and Dad,
My hands began shaking and so did my voice. Everyone was watching with anticipation and concern. I read on:
"She's in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Both Mum and Dad were walking home one night when they were attacked by some kind of vicious dog. Dad was bitten on the leg while Mum was mauled beyond recognition. The Healers are trying to help Mum, but it doesn't look good right now. I've alerted Professor Dumbledore about this and I told him I will be Apparating here shortly to check on you. Okay? Don't worry sis…things'll be fine.
Love you so much,
Mario David Rourke"
Somehow the broom didn't seem that important at the moment. I folded the letter up and put it into my bag.
"We're so sorry," Lily said as tears formed in her emerald green eyes.
"Miss Rourke?" Professor McGonagall called suddenly from the Entrance Way. "Your brother is here."
"Want us to go with you?" James asked kindly.
I nodded.
They automatically stopped eating and got up. The whole group followed me up to the Head Table as Professor McGonagall led us into the Entrance Hall.
I needed all the support I could get and it made me feel good to know that they were all there for me.
Mario was standing dressed in his Slytherin robes and uniform like he had worn when he was here. He saw me and tears formed in his chocolate colored brown eyes. His light brown hair neatly fell into place. The group stayed back, standing next to Professor McGonagall. I broke down and rushed forward to Mario. He threw his arms around me and hugged me.
I pressed my face into his chest and cried. I knew it looked a bit funny…a Slytherin hugging a Gryffindor, but I didn't care one bit.
After a bit, he released me from the hug and we headed over to the group.
"Guys? This is my brother," I introduced wiping the tears from my eyes. "Mario? These are my friends…Gillian, Remus, Sirius, Peter, James, and Sam."
Once everyone was introduced, McGonagall led us up to Professor Dumbledore's office.
Everyone sat around Dumbledore's desk. Mario kept his arm around me. Remus was sitting next to me on my right.
Dumbledore shook Mario's hand.
"Welcome back," he said kindly. "I see you're wearing your old robes and uniform?"
Mario nodded.
"Yeah," he said. "I figured I might have to stay with Lyn for a bit until we know the details of how my parents are going to be."
"Lyn?" Gillian asked confused.
"Roselyn," Mario said looking at her. "That's her nickname."
"We've been calling her Rose," Peter squeaked out.
Mario chuckled.
"Lyn is my nickname for her," he explained. "Her normal nickname is Rose yes. Professor Dumbledore," Mario said becoming serious again and grave. "Do you think it was a werewolf that attacked my parents?"
Remus suddenly became alert at this question.
Professor Dumbledore rubbed his beard thoughtfully.
"Did you personally see the attack?" he mused.
"No sir," Mario said shaking his head. "But there was a Muggle witness that did."
"What did he or she say?"
"He said that this huge 'wild' dog jumped out from Kasher Park and attacked both my Mum and Dad," Mario relayed to Dumbledore. "He said that there was something odd about the 'dog'."
"What was odd?" James asked curiously, but that caused Lily to elbow him in the stomach. James let out a whoosh of air and was hunched over.
"None of our business," Lily hissed to James.
"It's fine," Mario said turning to them. "You guys have been good to Lyn so you should know as well."
He turned back to Dumbledore.
"He said the snout was longer and thinner,"
"That definitely sounds like a werewolf," Remus said quietly. "There's no doubt about that."
"Does this mean that my parents are going to change every full moon?" I asked terrified an in a small voice.
"I'm afraid only if they survive," Remus said. "Which I'm afraid it sounds like…well, I'm not sure. Most people rarely survive being bitten."
"We'll definitely hope that they will be alright," Professor Dumbledore said softly. "Until then try not to worry too much. I know that's easier said than done, so I'm allowing the lot of you the week off from classes. I'll alert the teachers and let them know what's going on. Mario, you may stay with James, Sirius, Remus and Peter in the boys' dorm even though you are wearing Slytherin clothes. You would be able to keep an eye on Roselyn easily that way…or would you like to stay with the Slytherins? It's completely up to you,"
Mario frowned.
"I'd like to stay with the Slytherins," he said. "Besides I can see Lyn is in good hands with this group."
He gave me hug and kiss.
"Very well," Professor Dumbledore said. "You guys are dismissed."
We left the office and headed down the corridor.
"Listen," Mario said turning to face me. "Mum and Dad will be fine. Don't you worry."
I gave him a halfhearted smile and nodded.
"Let's head back down to breakfast," Sirius said eagerly. "I'm still starving!"
We laughed and headed down.
Mario sat with the Slytherins who eagerly warmed up to him after hearing his name. Mario had been a legend when he was here. I couldn't help but feel proud of him.
A small group of Slytherin girls had begun crowding around him as well.
"He is cute," Lily agreed grinning at all the giggly girls. "Got to hand it to him."
"Cuter than me?" James asked pretending to be insulted.
"Oh definitely," Lily said mockingly. "At least he doesn't try and stuff two potatoes in his mouth at once. How very attractive that was."
She rolled her eyes.
I had to laugh at the look on James' face.
"What?" he asked innocently.
I turned to look at Mario. He caught my eye and gave me a private wink before returning his attention back to the group of girls.
The bell rang and we headed off out onto the grounds as we were excused from classes for the rest of the week. It was a beautiful day out. The sun shone brightly, reflecting off the shimmering lake.
We took a seat under the large oak tree. Gillian and Sam sat down and Gillian snuggled up to Sam. Lily and James sat down with their backs pressed against the trunk and Sirius and Peter began having a farting contest. Remus and I sat down across from Lily and James. To our right, were Peter and Sirius. Thank God they weren't actually farting, just making the noise with their mouth.
"That's really attractive Sirius! If you want a date for the dance, that's a sure fire way to get one," Gillian teased him.
"Isn't it?" Sirius joked. "It's a great way!"
We laughed.
Just then, a group of Slytherin 7th years, including my brother, began walking across the grounds.
"Ooh," I said eagerly. "Mario may want to join us!"
I stuck my arm into the air and waved.
"Mario! Come join us!" I called eagerly.
I saw the group hesitate and look at Mario before continuing.
Finally the group was standing right over us.
"Please tell me you aren't related to that," one of the boys scoffed at Mario as he gestured to me.
I sat, still smiling, a bit unaware by what the boy meant.
"Stand up," another one said grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet. Out of the corner of my eye, Gillian, Sam, Sirius, Peter, Lily and Remus stood up as well.
"Please tell me Bullet Boy is not related to you," the same boy scoffed looking me up and down.
"He is. He's my brother," I said proudly.
"Ding ding!" the boy laughed draping an arm around Mario's shoulder and mine. "We have a winner!"
"You're related this piece of crap?" the boy asked looking at Mario.
Mario kept his eyes low.
At that, my smile began fading. I heard Remus let out some kind of growl behind me.
The boy's eyes twinkled.
"So it seems," he said. "Let's have some fun with her shall we?"
He grabbed me and began dragging me toward the lake.