The Chamber opens: Chapter 15
Come September 2nd, Rose was the first one up before any of her new dormmates and friends. The sun was barely streaking over the horizon when the young Potter was jumping out of bed and heading for the showers, anxious to start her first day of classes at Hogwarts. Luna was up soon after that, joining her friend in getting ready as the other girls slept in. They kept quiet in order to let their friends sleep on, especially Ginny, who seemed to have a bit of a rough night with tossing and turning. Making their way downstairs, they weren't surprised when they were the only ones currently present in the common room. It wasn't long until the first signs of life started to appear however, as Hermione and a few other students began to descend down the stairs.
"Good morning Rose, Luna, sleep well?" The bushy haired witch asked as she took a seat next to them by the fireplace.
"Took a while but in the end, I managed it, too excited to start classes today." Rose jittered a little.
"I agree, classes are going to be most enjoyable, I'm especially looking forward to charms." Luna added her own thoughts.
Nodding in agreement, Rose smiled at her other best friend before shocking them both. "To be honest, I'm looking forward to potions most."
Taking a double take, a bright smile appeared on Hermione's face as she sat up a little straighter. "Potions? Really? I'm surprised, I would've thought you wanted to try out wand magic."
"Yeah, why not. I mean, I like making things by hand and as fun as waving a piece of wood around I find mixing and stirring concoctions much more entertaining. Plus, it's a bit like cooking."
"Don't let Professor Snape hear you say that, I'm sure that'll give him an aneurism." Hermione offered Rose a small smile.
The girls settled into small talk waiting for the rest of their friends to finally grace them with their presence. Harry was the next to come down, alongside Neville. Making their way over, Harry plumped himself down next to his sister and ruffled her hair.
"Ready for your first day Rosie?"
Quickly knocking her brothers hand away, Rose sorted her hair out once more as she shot Harry a glare. "Well I was, until some idiot came along and messed up my hair. Anyway, I was just telling Hermione that, so yes I am."
"I'm not looking forward to potions if we have it today…" Neville lamented.
Harry shot him a sympathetic look. "Sorry Neville, here's hoping that Snape has worked the stick out of his arse."
"Harry!" Hermione chided.
"What?" Harry just chuckled as Hermione gave him a glare as the others chuckled.
"I think professor Snape just needs to get rid of the Nargle infestation in him." Luna added casually,
The group of friends gave her a look before they all burst into laughter. Before long the rest of the gang managed to separate themselves from bed, as Ginny came down followed by Ron and Alec.
"Why can't we start tomorrow…or the next day…or next week." Ron managed to mumble as he sat down next to Harry.
"I don't think school works that way Ron." Alec added with a sleepy chuckle.
A very tired looking Ginny plumped herself down next to Rose as she turned to face her friend. "Did you sleep alright last night Ginny?" Rose asked
Ginny turned her attention to her friend. "What? Oh yeah, fine I guess, a little disturbed but that's usual for sleeping in a new place."
"Let us know if it keeps happening okay?" Rose cast a cautious eye over Ginny, concern written on her face.
Nodding her head lethargically, Ginny stood up and offered her hand to Rose, only swaying slightly. "Come on, lets grab some breakfast, everyone coming?"
Rose accepted the lift up and turned to give Harry a look of 'hurry up'. Rolling his eyes, Harry got up and beckoned to the rest of the group to follow them. The group nodded their heads and let out affirmatives as they wandered over to the portrait hole and stepped out into the hallway, heading down to the Great Hall. The majority of the school was still asleep, so finding a spot at the Gryffindor table was easy. The group started to load their plates up as Professor McGonagall roamed around, handing out timetables to the group.
"Miss Potter, I expect to see great things from you today, as I did from your brother, perhaps even better?" The elder witch gave Rose a rare smile.
Blushing almost as brightly as her hair, Rose smiled up at her Professor as Harry spluttered in indignance. "Thanks Professor, I look forward to transfiguration today."
Nodding her head, McGonagall made herself scarce as the rest of the student body began to flood into the hall. Harry shot the Slytherins a glare as Malfoy and his cronies made a move to come over and disrupt their morning, earning him a rather rude hand motion from the young Slytherin. Harry rolled his eyes and continued on eating, ignoring Draco as the boy continued to taunt the Gryffindor's.
The group of friends sat and chatted as they dug into their food, or their thirds in the case of Ron. Half way through Ron's fourth serve, the daily mail, delivered by the owls, arrived and with it came two letters for the young Potters with Hedwig and Zeus carrying them for their respective owners.
Unstrapping the letter attached to Zeus's leg, Rose broke open the seal and began to read. "It's a letter from Sirius, just asking us how the trip was and wishing us luck, sending lots of love." Rose turned to her brother, "What about you?"
Harry showed his sister the letter. "Same, although he added that I should try and be careful after the Dobby incident."
The group of friends looked up from their breakfast upon hearing Harry's words. "Dobby incident?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded his head as he told his friends what had occurred before they left for school, about the late-night house elf visitor. "Sounds like either this Dobby has either lost his marbles…or is right and you should be watching your back." Ron told his best mate.
"Honestly, I don't like it either Harry, I think you should tell Dumbledore when you get the chance." Hermione added.
Harry nodded his heads at his friends. "I agree, I'll see if I can catch up to him at some stage, otherwise I'm just going to have to keep my eyes open."
"Good idea mate, and we'll do the same don't you worry." Alec added.
Finishing up their breakfast, the group headed back up to Gryffindor tower to fetch their required books before they parted ways with the first-years and headed to their own classes. "Good luck Rose, I know you'll do brilliantly." Harry gave his sister a tight hug as they separated at the portrait hole.
"Thanks Harry, I'll see you at lunch yeah?"
Harry nodded as he ruffled his sister's hair again. "Oi! I just brushed it!"
Harry and his friends departed for their class as Harry chuckled away to himself, waving behind at his sister who returned it right back. The first lesson for the trio of first-years today was transfiguration with McGonagall, much like Harry's first year. Rose and her friends had arrived on time to the class and were welcomed much like her brother was, with a practical demonstration of some advanced transfiguration and a warning not to mess around in her class. Rose and her friends managed alright in the class, and even completed their assigned tasks on time, although Ginny had trouble with her wand, being unable to completely turn her matchstick into a needle. After stopping to chat with McGonagall for a bit, Rose continued on with her other classes. Defence against the dark arts was a joke, Lockhart simply couldn't teach for quids, and Rose couldn't wait to get out of there. She caught up with Harry and his friends at lunchtime, enjoying a nice spread of food whilst she told her brother about her first two classes. Harry had DADA with Lockhart first lesson and had to help Hermione clean up a rogue group of Cornish Pixies after the idiot Lockhart had set them loose to 'teach' the class. Poor old Neville ended up hanging by his robes on a chandelier. After lunch Rose had charms with Flitwick which she found was interesting. Rose excelled, earning herself praise from the tiny professor. Her last lesson of the day was Potions down in the dungeons with Professor Snape.
Rose wasn't sure what to expect from the potion master, who seemed to always cast a shadow of dread over the student body. Harry had spoken politely about him, although stressed that he was a hard marker and expected the best. So, when he stopped and gaped at her as he took the role, she was unsure of what to do,
"Madeline-Rose Potter?" Snape called out.
Rose stuck her hand up to answer. "Present."
Snape had to do a double take as he looked at the girl sitting in front of him. Had she had the piercing green eyes of her brother Harry, Snape would of swore Lily Potter had come back from the grave to haunt him.
"Lily…" Snape whispered under his breath.
Rose looked at him curiously. "Professor?"
The potion master shook his head and turned back to the board, forgetting the roll entirely. "The instructions for today's potions are on the board, break into groups and complete the required task, and try not to blow yourselves up."
Throughout the lesson Snape avoided Rose like the plague, focusing on anyone but her and Ginny who had paired up. Luna had gone off with another first-year Gryffindor who seemed to be just as confused as everyone else with Luna's form of conversation. Remarkably enough, Rose and Ginny managed to hand up a complete potion without any help from the potions master. As they handed up the vial of potion, Snape refused to meet Rose's eye as she handed it to him, instead focusing on the role of parchment on the table. As the lesson ended, Rose beckoned her friends to leave without her as she stayed behind to have a chat with the professor.
"Professor Snape?" Snape let out an audible sigh as he turned his head up to face the source of the noise. "Professor, have I done something to displease you?" Rose asked kindly.
Snape shook his head. "No, you haven't…Miss…Potter."
Rose was standing in front of his desk by now. "Why can't you look at me professor?"
Snape was trying not to break down in tears as the young Lily look alike stood in front of him. The last he had seen of the girl was when she was barely 2 months old, when he had run into the ruins of the Potter cottage to try and save his childhood friend.
"Miss Potter, unless you wish to discuss your work, I would ask you to please leave." Snape tried to answer in his most stern voice.
Rose turned on her heels and began to leave the room when Snape called out behind her. "Your potion was excellent Miss Potter…better than your brothers. 20 points to Gryffindor."
Rose blushed as she headed out of the dungeons, trying to pick up the pace to catch up to her friends.
Snape was glad the young Potter girl was gone; he couldn't cope if she had stayed any longer. His only hope was that the longer she was here at Hogwarts, the more use to her he would get. It was like seeing a ghost walk in through the doors when she had walked in with the young Weasley and Lovegood girls. He sat there at his desk for a good 10 minutes with his head in his hands as he contemplated what he was going to do. It was only after a student had knocked for the fifth time that Snape had pulled himself out of his own trance to get up and begin teaching the next class.
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The next day was Rose's 11th birthday, and although she was at school, she was showered in presents from her family and friends the morning of September 3rd. Harry had organised with Sirius and his grandparents to send her presents in the morning so that she could get them out the way before class. He had also pulled a few strings to allow her, a few of her friends and himself to skip the first lesson of the day in order be there for his sister's birthday. Fortunately, Harry had potions with Professor Snape that morning, and had been allowed to stay with Rose for the morning, although he tried to end the conversation as quickly as possible. Harry had an easy time also convincing Professor Flitwick to allow the girls to skip their first lesson, although the small, squeaky professor did hand him the homework for that night to give to the girls.
That morning, Rose and Harry sat with their friends at the Gryffindor table, digging in to the breakfast spread with impunity. Everyone wished the young Potter a happy 11th birthday, and had gifts passed to her from her friends, whilst the ones from her family and anyone else would be piled on her bed up in her dorm. As breakfast came to an end, Ron, Hermione, Alec and the other Weasley brothers bid Harry, Rose, Ginny and Luna goodbye as they headed to their own classes, which they couldn't manage to get out of. Heading back to Gryffindor tower, the group sat themselves down on one of the couches by the fireplace as Rose and Ginny sprinted up to the girl's dorm to fetch Rose's presents.
As they waited, Luna and Harry chatted about the state of the local centaur population residing in the Forbidden Forest. Harry had the unique experience of meeting the centaurs earlier in the year when he served detention with Hagrid in his first year. Several moments later, Rose and Ginny came back down from the girl's dorm with a large stack of presents in both set of arms. Plonking them down on the table in front of them, Rose started to get stuck in without a second guess, earning a chuckle from her brother.
From her grandparents Rose received some muggle perfume and beauty products. Remus, as always, gave Rose a book on useful everyday charms, such as cleaning charms, building and painting charms, personal grooming and basic healing spells. Sirius on the other hand, gave her a book on useful defensive and offensive spells that were suited for witches to use on over exertive or aggressive wizards. Ginny and Luna had a flip through the book as Harry chuckled to himself, knowing full well that Rose would have to use some of those spells the older she got, fighting off the boys that would naturally come floating her way. From Molly and Arthur, Rose was given some homemade fudge as well as a newly knitted pair of winter gloves for the coming months. The Weasley boys had chipped in to buy Rose a rare collection of Jane Austen novels, most of which were original editions. Hermione gave Rose a book on potions, whilst Alec had gone a cheekier route and gifted her a book entitled '101 ways to woo a wizard'. Needless to say, Harry wasn't impressed, only causing his sister and Ginny to laugh harder as he tried to be the over protective big brother. Luna's gift was by far the strangest, and as she opened the crudely wrapped brown paper, she had to wonder what on earth it was.
"It's a caste of Crumple-Horned Snorkack's foot, Daddy managed to find one from a magizoologist in Stockholm. I asked if I could gift it to you since you seem to be the only other person besides Harry and Ginny that believe me, oh and of course Daddy." Luna explained brightly.
Rose nodded slowly as she looked at the hunk of stone in her hands. She had to admit, the footprint looked interesting, it was more like a hoof print then anything, but nonetheless, Rose thanked her friend for the present. Ginny's present was up next, and Rose couldn't help but be excited as she opened it up to reveal a pair of muggle binoculars, though she could tell they were second hand.
"Ginny! How did you find this, and how did you know?" Rose asked as she flung her arms around her best friend,
Ginny grinned sheepishly as she returned the embrace. "Harry may have let slip how you'd like your own pair after your Grandpa took you out birdwatching with him",
It was true, Rose had expressed a desire to have her own binoculars after Alex had taken her out during Harry's first year, to bird watch with him. She didn't think something she'd assume so boring could be so enjoyable, as she found watching not only the birds but all of the native English wildlife to be beautiful to watch.
"Thank you so much Ginny, they're beautiful, I'll make sure to put them to good use." Rose smiled at her friend.
Lastly, it came down to Harry's present. Rose had no idea what her brother had gotten her, but if she had to guess from the way his mouth was turned into a smug smile, she would hazard a guess to say it was going to be fantastic. Her guess was as good as gold, as a pair of bright, sparkling gold earrings with studs of red ruby in them, looked up at her from the paper they were wrapped in.
"They were mums, Dad gave them to her on her 18th birthday. I had Sirius fetch them from Gringotts during the holidays." Harry explained.
Rose let out a little meep sound as she fondled the pieces of jewellery. "I…I don't know what to say…"
Harry chuckled as he ruffled his sister's hair. "I didn't think it would have this effect on you."
As Rose turned to face her brother, Harry saw the tears that were threatening to overflow from her eyes. Harry wrapped her up in his arms as Rose let the tears fall away, soaking through his school robes, straight through to his shirt underneath as Rose bawled her eyes out. When she finally came up for air, her eyes were red and puffy, and tears still slowly flowed from them.
"Thank you, Harry, have I ever told you that you're the best brother in the world?" Rose shakily said.
"You may have mentioned it once or twice." Harry smiled as he brushed his sisters' tears away, "Come now, no need to cry, mum would've wanted you to have these someday anyway."
Rose nodded her head as she turned to look at her friends. Both Ginny and Luna had small smiles plastered on their faces, although Ginny's face bore the tell-tale signs of worry. "I'm alright guys, it just caught me off guard that's all."
Ginny nodded as she came over and helped Rose clean up, casting a few charms which helped reduce the redness in her eyes and the puffing. Next, she helped Rose place the new earrings through her ears, handing back the simple diamond studs that Sirius had gotten for her last Christmas.
"Thank you so much all of you for your presents, I'll treasure them always." Rose said as she wiped her eyes of the last of her tears.
Harry and Ginny placed an arm each around her as the snuggled into her on the couch, "With pleasure Rose, what are best friends for." Ginny told her.
"I promised I would spoil you, now I'm fulfilling that promise." Harry said as he laid a kiss to her forehead.
At that moment, Rose felt like the luckiest girl in the world, even though she may not have her mother and father there, she still had her amazing brother, her mother's family and the best friends she could ever ask for.
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After Rose's birthday, the first few weeks of school began relatively easy in comparison to how Percy and the twins would describe their own starts of term. Harry and his friends had eased back into school work and homework, except Hermione of course. However, as October began, Harry began to notice how much more work he was receiving compared to last year, and if to prove that, Rose and Ginny would parade around how much less work they had then their siblings. Harry had been initially concerned that Rose would struggle, but those thoughts were soon pushed away as news of Rose's thriving school work reached his ears. Flitwick and McGonagall had both secretly confided in him that she was doing marvellously in her classes. What concerned him still though was the attitude of professor Snape in regards to his sister. Snape had continued to act completely closed off to Rose, and although she had a natural affinity for potions and didn't struggle in the least, the lack of communication was upsetting his sister, eventually she began to think that she had done something wrong to upset the Professor.
"Don't be ridiculous, how could anyone not like you." Harry had told his sister one night after dinner as they sat by themselves to chat.
"I don't know, I just think there's something about me that he can't seem to get past."
Harry gave this food for thought as he sat there. "Has he said anything to you at all?"
Rose shook her head before she thought about it a bit. "Well, on the first day when he called my name, he looked at me and said…Lily."
Harry's eyebrow rose a little. "Lily? As in mum? How would he know mum?"
Rose shrugged. "No idea, but I distinctly remember him saying her name as he looked at me."
"Well you do look like mum, besides the…you know, eyes." Harry circled her eyes.
Rose slugged his arm lightly in return. "Yes yes, you get the marvellous Evans eyes and I get the Potter eyes, don't laugh to hard pretty boy, you've still got dads messy hair."
As if to prove her point, Rose ruffled her brother's hair up even more with her hands. "OI! It's bad enough without you ruffling it up even more."
Rose didn't find answers to her problems that night, and wouldn't for a number of months. However, all thought of the Professor was lost the next day as her brother and the young Malfoy heir came to literal blows down in the transfiguration courtyard.
Rose and her friends were sitting in the transfiguration courtyard on Saturday morning, talking and working through their homework when her brother came down with the rest of the Gryffindor team to go practice on the Quidditch pitch. Rose waved to her brother as they made eye contact, earning a return wave and smile from her brother, before his smile fell into a scowl as he noticed the Slytherin Quidditch team striding into the courtyard.
"I can't believe this." Oliver Wood muttered as he made a beeline for the Snakes, "What do you think you're doing Flint." Oliver asked as him and the Lions pulled up in front of the Slytherins.
Flint merely passed the Gryffindor captain a slip of paper as he smugly smiled. "What does it look like, we're going down to practice, got permission and all."
Oliver read through note quickly, "I Professor Snape give the Slytherin Quidditch team permission to practice today on account of their new seeker." Oliver looked up, "You've got a new seeker, so who is he."
The Snakes parted as Malfoy stepped forward with a smug look on his face. Harry scoffed as he caught sight of him. "Malfoy, you're the new Slytherin seeker?"
"That's right Potter, and that's not all." Malfoy sneered as he turned his broom on the side, "Father made a rather lovely donation to the team this year. It's the new Nimbus 2001, outstrips the Nimbus 2000 by a mile."
The rest of the Slytherins turned their brooms, revealing that they all indeed had Nimbus 2001's. By this stage, Rose and her friends had decided to make their way over, as had Harry's friends who had noticed the confrontation.
"So, what, you bribed the team then did you Malfoy." Rose said as she came up alongside her brother.
Draco sneered as he looked down at the youngest Potter. "Shut it Potter, I doubt you'd know anything about Quidditch or brooms anyway."
"Besides my brother being the youngest seeker in a century and all that, no I wouldn't know a thing." Rose snorted.
Draco narrowed his eyes. "I wouldn't expect a daughter of a filthy mudblood who-"
Malfoy never did get to finish his sentence, as Harry lunged forward and planted a punch to Malfoys jaw, causing an audible crack to resonate through the courtyard. Fred and George jumped in by Harry's side as the Slytherins made a pass for him, and Ron, Alec, Ginny and Rose pulled out their wands as the other Slytherins at the rear made a move to draw theirs. No further bloodshed was shared that day as Professor McGonagall quickly rushed over to break up the fight,
"WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE!" McGonagall demanded as she stepped in between the two groups.
"Potter here just whacked Malfoy." Flint pointed an accusatory finger at Harry.
"That's because Malfoy called Harry's mum a mudblood!" Ginny stepped forward, her wand still out, "Sorry Harry…" Ginny muttered quickly after realising what she had said.
Harry waved it off as he looked at his head of house. "Is this true Mr Potter, Mr Malfoy?"
"Of course it isn't! Potter just hit me for no reason!" Malfoy tried to say as he gripped his jaw.
Fred and George and the rest of the Gryffindor team cried out in anger. "You little liar! We all heard what you said!"
"What Ginny said is true Professor, Malfoy did call my mother that rather horrible word and I'm quite happy to say that I whacked him one in return." Harry said calmly.
McGonagall took a deep breath in and out as she shut her eyes and placed a hand over her eyes. "Mr Potter, I can't have you attacking students and causing such damage, I'm afraid you're going to have to serve a detention."
The group cried out in outrage as Harry nodded his head. "I understand Professor."
"Only one night though. I will inform you of it tonight, and you can serve it tonight and get it over with. However, considering the circumstances, no points will be deducted."
McGonagall turned her eyes to the Slytherins now. "However, because of your disgusting language Mr Malfoy, you shall be serving detention every night for the next two weeks! And 50 points from Slytherin."
The Slytherins cried out in outrage as the Gryffindor head of house dished out her punishments. "No arguments, I don't want this to happen again, understood!" Everyone nodded their heads as the two sides parted away from each other.
"I'm sorry Potter, but I can't let you go unpunished. I'll make sure it's an easy detention tonight." McGonagall said as she pulled Harry aside.
"Just so long as it isn't in the forbidden forest with Hagrid." Harry chuckled.
McGonagall graced Harry with a rare smile as she shook her head and wished them all goodbye. "Alright you lot, I think we'll practice tomorrow after all that's happened today. I'll see you all bright and early tomorrow morning." Oliver called out as the team started to go their separate ways.
Harry looked around for his sister, finding her sitting on the edge of the courtyard wall by herself.
"You alright Rosey?" Harry asked as he sat down next to her and pulled his arm around her.
Rose shook her head as she buried her face in her brother's neck. "Mum died for us, and people are going around and saying things like that about her…Its horrible."
Harry nodded his head as he brushed his sister's hair with his hand. "You're right, it is, but guess what?"
Rose looked up at her brother. "What?"
"I'll hit anyone who says anything about you, dad, and especially mum, because no one gets away with hurting a Potter."
Rose smiled up at her brother as she cleared her tears away. "I love you Harry."
"Love you too sis, go on, go have fun with your friends, I'm going to get as much freedom in as I can before my detention tonight."
Harry later found out that his detention would be much worse than the Forbidden Forest by far. McGonagall told him at dinner that he was to report to Professor Lockhart, who he would be serving detention with. Harry let his head fall to the table as his friends broke out into laughter, all aside from Hermione who had chided him for his actions once again, telling him he shouldn't let Malfoy get to him. That only rewarded her with a glare from the two Potters.
Saying goodbye to his friends, Harry made his way to the defence classrooms where Lockhart would be waiting for him. Upon entering, the classroom, he was greeted with a toothy smile from the infuriatingly vain professor,
"Ah! Harry! I heard about your little fight in the courtyard today, must say I'm awfully sorry, it's obviously my fault." Lockhart enthusiastically raved.
Harry stuck an eyebrow up as he looked at the man. "Uh, how is it your fault Professor?"
"Well I gave you that little taste of fame back in Diagon Alley, you're obviously trying make a name for yourself, you're just going about it the wrong way that's all!"
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing and rolled his eyes as he took a seat in front of the Professor. "You're right Professor, it's definitely all your fault, 100 percent. I mean, it's not like being the boy-who-lived matters at all." Harry said sarcastically.
Lockhart either didn't notice or didn't care about Harry's answer as he shot straight into his next line. "That's why tonight I'm going to be getting you to read and sign all of my fan mail and write replies to them."
Reaching down beside his desk, Lockhart pulled up a large stack of letters and placed them down on the desk with a thump. Harry audibly sighed as he looked at the pile, knowing he wouldn't be done for a while, and hoped that whatever Malfoy was doing was worse.
Throughout the night, Lockhart chatted on about his many 'endeavours' across the globe, how he saved villages and towns from various threats and menaces. Harry zoned out about 10 minutes in, and let his reflexes take over as he wrote small little thank you letters to the various witches and occasional wizard that wrote in. However, towards the late end of the night, Harry's ears began to pick up something that most definitely wasn't Lockhart's prattling voice.
"Kill…Kill…Must Kill…Hunt…Slither…Kill…Seek…rip apart…Kill…Kill."
Harry looked up at the Professor. "I'm sorry what did you say?"
Lockhart looked at Harry. "I was just saying how I seduced a Russian Princess who turned out to be a warlock using Polyjuice potion."
Harry shook his head. "Before that."
"Oh…um…I think I was telling you about the time I lived with the last remnants of the Inca's in Peru."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Did you…hear a sort of soft voice, whispering before?"
Lockhart looked at Harry with his stupid shit eating grin on his face. "Harry, what on earth are you on about." looking down at his desk and the small clock that was on it, he made a sort of fake startled noise, "My! Is that the time already! It looks like your time is up Mr Potter, you're free to go."
Harry thanked his lucky stars as he got up and stretched before he made a beeline for the door. "See you Monday professor."
"Don't let the fame get to your head Harry!" Lockhart called out one last time.
Harry ignored the Professor as he dashed out of the classroom and headed straight to Gryffindor tower. Upon entering, he spotted his sister snoozing alone on one of the couches by the fireplace. Making his way over, Harry brushed his sister's hair as he sat down next to her. Rose sprung up at the touch and looked around until her eyes fell on Harry.
"Oh, it's only you."
Harry snorted. "Who else were you expecting?"
"No one tosser, I was waiting for you, how'd it go?"
"It was boring as all hell." Harry snorted again.
Rose rolled her eyes as she sat her legs up on the longue and drew them up to her chest. "Stop snorting! You'll end up like a pig. Anyway, why does that not surprise me in the least, Lockhart is a self-centred Prick."
Harry ignored his sisters language. "But…at the end, something really freaky happened."
Rose cocked an eyebrow. "Freaky?"
Harry looked over at his sister and gave a nod. "I heard a voice…saying Kill and hunt and seek and all sorts of things."
"Oh-kay…that is freaky."
Harry nodded his head. "And when I told Lockhart, he said he didn't hear anything at all."
Rose frowned as she looked at her brother. "What do you think it was?"
"I don't know, but if it's only me hearing it…maybe I've gone insane?" Harry put on a look of mock terror.
Rose snorted as she shoved her brother. "Or it could just be that you're tired, who knows. If it's really disturbing you, go talk to Dumbledore."
Harry shook his head. "I reckon you're right, I think I'm just tired, do you know how many letters I answered tonight?"
Rose shook her head. "How many?"
"Bloody…81 all up, my hand is going to be permanently stuck in a claw shape." Harry emphasised as he stuck his hand up in the shape of a claw.
"Oh no, you'll never be able to play seeker again, what ever shall you do."
"I don't know, but at the moment, all I know is that you and I need to get some sleep."
Rose nodded and as If to emphasise the point, a large yawn escaped her mouth. "Come on then, time for bed."
Harry helped his sister up and walked her over to the stairwells, only to stop when he noticed Rose was following him. "Uh, wrong staircase Rosie."
Rose looked up from her feet and at the boy's stairwell before looking over at the girls. "Oh…right. Sorry I forgot we weren't at home."
Harry gave his sister a sad smile as he wrapped her up in a hug. "You'll get used to it; you've been doing so well recently."
Rose sniffed a bit as she dug her head into Harry's chest. "I know, I just miss you that's all, I'm not really use to sleeping on my own still."
"I know what you mean, but it'll get easier, I promise."
Rose nodded her head as she wrapped her own arms around her brother and wished him a goodnight, sticking her head up to receive a kiss from her brother on her brow before she broke away and headed up to her dorm room. As she entered her dorm, she spotted Ginny over by her desk, a candle still lit and her face laying on top of her dairy.
Making her way over, Rose gently shook her friends' shoulder. "Ginny? You alright?"
Ginny jumped up with a start as her eyes darted around the room before they settled on Rose. "Rose! Sorry, you scared me. Guess I must have drifted off while I was writing."
Rose nodded her head, but noticed that there was nothing written in her dairy. She let it be as she helped her friend up and over to her bed. "Next time, fall asleep in your bed and not on your desk you duffer."
Ginny waved her hand. "yeah yeah I know. Thanks Rose, see you in the morning."
Rose nodded her head before she jumped into her own bed and let sleep take over her, drifting off to Never never Land.
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The weeks dragged on, and before long Halloween was just around the corner. Harry had been cornered one day by Sir Nicholas who had asked Harry and his friends to attend his death day party, where he was petitioning the Headless Hunt to allow him to join. Harry wanted to accept, however being as it was his sisters first Halloween at Hogwarts, he politely declined, much to Sir Nicholas's disappointment. Harry and Rose also had another reason to be together on Halloween. As they found out from Sirius and their grandparents, the night that Voldemort had attacked the Potters, ending the lives of Lily and James, was Halloween night. As such, they wished to spend the night together at least, for the first time remembering their parents as a family.
Sirius, Remus and their grandparents had sent them letters on the morning of Halloween, reminding them that no matter what happened all those years ago, they were still allowed to enjoy themselves and have fun, and told them to not let Voldemort win, instead enjoy the night with their friends and remember that these small moments are what their Mum and Dad protected and gave their children with their lives.
It was on the way to class that Harry pulled his sister aside as their friends continued on. "Remember, Mum and Dad didn't die for us to mope around and be depressed, they would want us to be happy alright, just remember that."
Rose nodded her head as she gave her brother a hug. "I know, and don't you forget either. I know how broody you can get when you're down."
Harry chuckled as he ruffled his sister's hair. "That's why I've got you silly."
The two siblings carried on through the day, remembering what they had each said to each other, and trying their very best to not let the significance of the day get to them. They did rather well, and it wasn't until the feast that night that everything came crumbling down for them. It started off as it did last year, with Dumbledore telling everyone to tuck in, before they all piled food onto their plates. Harry and Rose chatted amongst their friends as they enjoyed themselves throughout the night.
"How are you doing?"
Harry looked to his right to see where the voice had come from. Ginny had scooted over to be closer to him and was looking at Harry with her big, brown, chocolate eyes. "Not bad I suppose. I mean, after all these years of not knowing, it kinda doesn't feel like this was the night they died."
Ginny gave Harry a look. "What do you mean?"
Harry chuckled a little. "I mean, Rose and I mourn Mum and Dad every day, and that probably won't change. But we keep on living, and we both remember that our parents wanted us to live…so we do."
Ginny nodded her head as she reached under the table and gave Harry's hand a squeeze. "When'd you get so wise huh."
Harry smiled as he returned the squeeze. "Rose and I had to grow up, we didn't get a childhood with Vernon around."
"I wish you could of…I wish even more that you had come to Ottery St Catchpole even sooner then you did, we could have grown up together."
Harry chuckled. "That is true, maybe Sirius could've been freed earlier, who knows. All I know right now that I'm happy where I am."
Ginny was about to reply when the sound of a knife tinkering on a glass drew their attention to the head table. Dumbledore once again was standing and looking out towards the student body.
"Tomorrow, eleven years ago, I stood at this very table, overlooking a group of students that are now out in the world, making a name for themselves and enjoying their lives, creating families, adventuring, seeing children grow and walk,
"Those students were told that the previous night…this night…Halloween night, that they could have those lives that they wished, because the greatest threat to their freedom, our freedom, was vanquished. Eleven years ago, our futures were given to us, our chance to live and to love were defended, but not without a cost."
Harry and Rose looked at each other, suddenly understanding where this was going. Rose sought out her brother's hand and gripped on tight.
"Eleven years ago, two students who sat where you sit now, gave their lives to give us a chance at peace. Lily and James Potter died to protect their two children, who sit here amongst you today, Harry, and Madeline-Rose. But in protecting their children, they protected our world from the deadliest threat our society has ever faced. The Potter family was ripped apart, two children, both less the two years old, orphaned overnight.
"It was because of the sacrifice Lily Potter made for her children, that allowed our world to continue living, it was because of her sacrifice, that her son Harry managed to defeat, and survive, the evillest of wizards our society has known. Tonight, on the eleventh anniversary, both Potter children sit here, a testament to what their parents sacrificed, and a symbol to our society of what love is truly capable of. I implore you now, raise your glasses, to James, and Lily Potter."
A wide range of mummering's sounded across the hall, as students and staff alike stood up to toast the Potters. Voices toasted the Potters from each table, but none were as loud as those on the Gryffindor table, who roared out their approval to two of their own and to the parents of two of their most beloved housemates. Ravenclaw's and Hufflepuff's added their own toasts, however the noise from the Slytherin table was unsurprisingly quiet.
All day, Harry and Rose had done their best to keep themselves together, but that speech by Dumbledore, whilst touching, had been the final straw that broke the camel's back. Both at once, Harry and Rose left the Gryffindor table with lightning speed, leaving the great hall behind, not stopping until the sounds of the hall were nothing but a distant murmur. Then, and only then, did Rose and Harry allow their defences down. They gripped onto each other as tight as possible, allowing tears to flow from their eyes as both young Potters sobbed into each-other's arms. Harry had tucked Rose's head underneath his chin, as Rose buried her face into his chest as close as possible. They stayed there, for a good few minutes before they finally calmed down enough to speak.
"So, seems like we failed to keep positive hey." Harry said with a soft laugh.
Rose let out her own soft laugh as she sniffed. "I don't think we can count that back there as our fault."
Harry nodded in agreement as he laid a kiss to his sisters' brow. "Come on, let's just head back to Gryffindor tower, I've had enough of tonight."
Rose mumbled her agreement as she allowed her brother to steer here through the hallways of Hogwarts. Their trip back to the tower was interrupted however as they came across a chilling sight. Before them was writing on the wall which could only be written in blood. 'Enemies of the heir beware' was all it said. To make matters worse, Mrs Norris, Filch's cat, appeared to be dead, hanging by her tail around a torch.
"What on earth?" Harry said in surprise.
Rose had disentangled herself from her brother in order to get a closer look, examining the cat. "She's as stiff as a brick, Merlin what happened to her."
Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Merlin?"
"What? Ginny told me that's what wizards say instead of 'my god', thought it appropriate since we are magical folk." Rose smirked.
Harry let out a chuckle as he joined his sister in observing the cat. They only noticed the distant patter of footsteps a moment later as Harry's friends caught up with them. "Are you two alright...what the..." Hermione stopped and stared at the seemingly dead cat, her mouth agape.
"Merlin, what happened here?" Ron asked as he looked at Mrs Norris.
Harry shrugged his shoulders as he made his way over to his friends. "No idea, Rose and I were heading back to the tower when we stumbled across this…Enemies of the heir beware, what the hell is that supposed to mean."
"I think it's an heir of one of the founders." Alec said, "it's the only possible answer, unless old Voldy set up a succession chain."
Harry and Rose shivered at the thought, and considering what night it was, it was very much a possibility. They were shaken from their thoughts when the sounds of hundreds of students making their way to bed sounded from up the hall. Before the group of friends could scatter, the majority of the student's body had made its way towards them, blocking their escape. Gasps and cries went out as the students found the young Gryffindor's standing by the scene.
From behind the crowd, the sound of Filch's voice resonated throughout the corridor. "Make way! Make Way!"
Harry visibly paled as he heard the caretakers voice. Upon reaching the scene, the old man made a gasp as he spotted his beloved cat. "My cat! MY CAT! WHICH ONE OF YOU MONGRELS DID IT THEN!" Filch carried on as he stormed over to the group.
His hands went for Harry's collar, lifting him up by the scruff against the wall. "IT WAS YOU WASN'T IT BOY!"
Harry shook his head violently as fear gripped him. He kicked his legs out, trying to escape to no avail. "No it wasn't, we just found her like this, I promise you!"
"LIAR!"
"Argus!"
Harry was never more relieved to hear the sound of Dumbledore's voice then at that moment. As If he was burned by fire, Filch's hands retracted from Harry's collar, dropping him down on the ground with a thump. His friends and sister raced over to him to check that he was alright.
"Argus, what is the meaning of this!" McGonagall thundered as she steamed across the floor to stand by her students.
"This one here murdered my cat he did!" Filch said, pointing an accusatory finger at Harry.
McGonagall, Snape and Dumbledore all stepped forward at this point to examine the scene. "Your cat is not dead Argus, merely petrified." Dumbledore said calmly.
"He did it! I know he did!" Filch continued to rave.
"I severely doubt that Mr Potter could petrify your cat Filch." Snape said coolly as he eyed Harry.
"I would remind you also Argus, of what night this is." Dumbledore said with an icy note, "And should you handle any other student in that matter again, you shall face punishment, do I make myself clear?"
Filch was still raging on as he nodded his head. "I want to see justice here! I want punishments!"
"Argus, I would suggest you go back to your quarters and try and rest." The brisk voice of McGonagall's Scottish brogue left no room for debate.
Reluctantly, Filch complied and headed off down the halls to his own quarters. Meanwhile, the entire school was now at the crossroads where the scene was. Malfoy and his cronies had shoved their way forward, commenting in their own unique way.
"Enemies of the heir beware?" Malfoy sneered, "You're next mudbloods!",
"MR MALFOY! 20 points from Slytherin!" Snape called back angerly before McGonagall could say a word.
Harry smirked as he saw the young snake seep back into the crowd of people, trying to avoid attention as his head of house eyed him off. Eventually, Dumbledore dismissed everyone back to their own dorms. "I would like everyone to head back to their dorm rooms, this matter will be investigated I can assure you of that!"
As Harry and his friends made to leave to, Dumbledore called out for Harry and Rose. "Harry, Rose, could you stay behind for a while, I'll make sure to escort you to Gryffindor tower." Harry and Rose nodded as they wished their friends goodbye before standing in front of the headmaster, "Harry, Rose, is there anything you need to tell me about tonight, about this incident here, anything you noted?"
Harry and Rose shook their heads for a moment before Harry stopped and opened his mouth. "Actually, there is one thing." Dumbledore beckoned him on, "The other night when I was serving detention with Professor Lockhart, I heard this voice call out, saying all sorts of things like 'kill' and 'hunt'."
"And have you heard this voice again?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry shook his head. "I haven't, or at least I don't think I have. I thought I might had heard something tonight but I was a little distracted I must admit."
Dumbledore smiled sheepishly. "Yes, I would imagine that would be of my doing, no?"
Harry and Rose nodded their heads. "I must apologize my dears that I did not except such a reaction from the both of you." Dumbledore said, placing a hand each of one of their shoulders, "I thought merely to honour you and your parents for the first time, as now both of you are here."
"The thought was very kind professor, and we did appreciate it… but it was kind of the final straw. Harry and I have been having a hard time holding it in all of today and that speech finally broke us. Not really the wisest idea I've seen." Rose curtly explained.
Dumbledore nodded his head, embarrassment in his eyes from the scrutiny he was taking from the youngest Potter. "I understand, I hope I did not cause too much distress."
"Not at all professor, in truth it was very touching and I'm very thankful you did it." Harry's reply was polite compared to his sisters.
Dumbledore smiled at the both of them, "I think it best we get you back to the tower now, I'm sure you both have a long day ahead of you tomorrow, and I'm sure the gossip machine will be working overtime tonight."
Harry chuckled as he pulled his sister along as they were escorted by their headmaster back to their dorm rooms. All prior thoughts of their parent's death were forgotten as they headed off to bed that night. Instead, their thoughts were both on what had occurred to make Mrs Norris petrified, and what the writing on the wall actually meant.