Chapter 2 – It's what friend's are for

One week ago, I was in New York; now, I was lying on a camp bed in Lily Potter's bedroom in Godric's Hallow. I couldn't believe one week had passed since I met everyone at the Burrow. I knew them all so well that I felt like part of the over-grown family.

"Rose! You have a letter from America!" I ran downstairs, hoping the letter was from Dad or Hugh. When I got to the kitchen Ginny handed me the letter.

"Thanks." I opened the letter and read it – it wasn't a letter from Hugh or Dad.

Dear Miss Davis,

It has come to our attention that you have moved country. We understand that it would be impossible for you to commute from England to New York, so we have sent a letter of recommendation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Your summer results will be sent along in two weeks. We will all miss our favourite student here at Salem Academy.

Wishing you all the best in the future,

Professor M. Cattermole (Headmistress of Salem Academy for Witches)

"Morning darling."

"Morning Mom. Look at this letter." I handed her the letter from Professor Cattermole. She read it and looked at me. "Mom, what if Hogwarts doesn't accept exchange students?"

"Don't worry Rosie. Professor McGonnagal will be a fool to not take in a student like you." She gave me a hug of reassurance. As we broke apart, I saw that James had come into the kitchen, hair messy and pyjamas still on.

"Morning Sunshine!" I waltzed over to him and gave him a big smile.

"Go away." He wasn't a morning person.

"So what do you want to do today Sunshine?" I took advantage of his grumpiness to cheer myself up. Mom and Ginny looked at each other and started smiling. I kept my big smile on my face, just to annoy James.

"I said go away Rose."

"Now, Sunshine, that's not very friendly. How's about we go out into that wonderful garden of yours and play a bit of Quidditch?"

"Rose, not now!"

"You don't want to play Quidditch? Ladies and Gentlemen, James Potter does not want to play Quidditch, I repeat, James Potter does not want to play Quidditch!" As I was broadcasting this to the kitchen (Ginny, Mom and Lily), Harry walked in.

"James Potter, I am very ashamed."

"I just said not now! You can't say anything around here anymore!"

"I'm sorry Sunshine. I promise to shut my American gob that I inherited from my father and be nice to you for a change." I laughed with the adults and I saw a smile creep across James' face.

"What's so funny?" Albus had just walked into the kitchen, rubbing his tired eyes.

"Oh nothing Albie!" I walked over to Harry's double and ruffled his hair.

"Breakfast is served." We all took our respective places at the round table, me between Mom and James, Mom beside Harry, who was beside Ginny, Albus between Lily and James and Lily beside Ginny. We ate our breakfast with laughter and chat.

"So when do Hogwarts letters usually arrive?"

"Two weeks before we go back. Sometimes its three weeks, all depending on the owl that delivers it," James answered.

"So, what are you kids up to for the day?" Harry asked us.

"We might go to Uncle Ron's to fetch Sam and play a bit of Quidditch."

"Since when are we doing that?" I asked.

"It was your idea!" He laughed.

"I'll go, but only if Sierra comes too." I gave him my best puppy dog eyes.

"Well then Lorcan has to come as well so it can be an even number!" Albus piped up.

"No, because you're not coming!"

"James, be nice."

"Mum!"

"James."

"Dad!"

"Haha!"

"Rose!"

"Mom!"

"I wanna go!"

"Albus!"

"James!"

"Dad!"

"Lily!" Everyone laughed at Lily's cuteness.

"Mum, tell him he can't go."

"Come on James. Let him come, Lorcan too. It'll be fun!"

"Ok." I knew he wouldn't be able to resist those puppy dog eyes of mine.

After breakfast, we went back upstairs to get dressed. It was a hot day, so I decided to wear my denim shorts, pink vest top and white short-sleeved cardigan. I combed my brown hair back into a pony-tail. I wore white tennis shoes and I must say, I did look pretty good. Just a little foundation and lip-gloss and I was all set to go. I walked downstairs to meet James when Mom bumped into me.

"It's not that warm out there you know."

"Yes, it is Mom. And we'll be playing Quidditch; I can't play Quidditch in jeans!"

"You can and you will." She pointed to the stairs, indicating me to go back up. I groaned but went back up to the room. I slipped on a pair of washy blue skinny jeans and ran back down to the kitchen.

"Happy?" I said as I passed Mom. I saw James and Albus waiting at the back door for me.

"What took you so long?" James asked me. He was wearing navy tracksuit bottoms and a green t-shirt that matched his eyes.

"Excuse me for taking my time in getting ready!"

"Can we just go. Please!" Albus said impatiently.

"Sure kiddo." James punched his brother's arm playfully. We walked to the Weasley house, which was fifteen minutes away. It was a nice walk. Albus and James fought all the way there, but this kept me amused. When we got to the Ranch (so called because of the horse ranch in the back), Sierra and Sam came running out to us. This meant we didn't have to go inside. Sierra was wearing a white skirt over black three-quarter length leggings and a red tank top. She wasn't carrying a broom, like her brother. I wondered if she knew we were playing Quidditch with the boys.

"Uh, Sierra, you do know that we're playing Quidditch, right?"

"The only time Sierra and Quidditch are in the same sentence is 'Sierra doesn't play Quidditch'," laughed Sam.

"You mean, you don't play?"

"Of course I don't! It's a boy's game! You don't play, do you?" She raised her eye-brow and looked at me questionably.

"Well, yeah, I do. Not really well, but I play for fun."

"I guess I better not come then if I'm just going to be watching." She stormed back into the house in a huff.

"You could have told me that she doesn't play Quidditch." The three boys were doubled over with laughter.

"That was priceless! Sierra Weasley finally getting turned down!"

As we walked back to Potter Manor, the boys were still laughing.

"Come on guys, it wasn't that funny!"

"You obviously don't know my sister all that well then," Sam said through laughter. We reached the top of the hill and went into the house, awaiting Lorcan's arrival by Floo.

"Rose, come here for a minute." Sam motioned me over to the back door. He walked out, and I followed. He walked over to the big tree, and I followed.

"Yeah?" He took my hand in his.

"You're great, you know that right?" He tightened his grip.

"Am I?" He laughed at my stupidity.

"Of course. You talked to Sierra and made her remember that although everyone is still grieving, we're getting over it. Then, you spoke to me. You told me about your dad, and how everything was changing for you and your brother. You made me feel normal again. James hasn't been able to do that yet. You're just... great!" He gave me a hug.

"It's what friends are for," I whispered into his ear.