Notes/strong: So for some inexplicable reason, I thought the Carrow siblings were in the Order of the Phoenix. So I had to re-write a few things. Sometimes I get my books mixed up. Honestly, I'm just dumb

Also more of the Adventure Squad (Emma, Alfie, and Clara) that's what I call them can be found on my tumblr.

I've been trying to get this chapter fixed but for some reason formatting keeps getting fucked up.

Magic, that was how Rose could describe the train ride to Hogwarts on her seventh year. You could taste the excitement in the air. Pure and clean it was unlike any magic they could learn. With Fred and George showing off all their new tricks while other seventh year students running car to car to catch up with old friends they hadn't seen over the summer. This was their last year, so filled with possibilities and endless ideas for the future

Then they stepped off that train and reality hit. It only took a few weeks for Umbridge started bearing down and everyone became stressed. Tense with the reminder that the world outside those doors was changing.

It was as if those first days were made of magic. Fred and George showing off all their new tricks. Everyone getting excited.

Slowly, with every nail that hit the wall with a new rule, the magic seemed to fade. The walls seem to crack under the pressure. The reality of the world around their school of safety seemed to become more real.

Clara fell back clutching her face. Instantly, as if appearing out of nowhere Alfie was on top of her his wand pointing at the large Slytherin boys and Umbrage who stood over the girl.

"Stay away from her" He hissed.

"Look hot shot, she had it coming…" One of the older boys hissed leaning down/

"I would listen to him if I were you." Emma stood behind them her wand glowing dangerously.

Rose has been calmly reading in the library with Fred and George. She was leaning against her boyfriend has he absentmindedly played with a strand of her hair as he looked over a new spell he and George were concocting. It was moments like this Rose loved. That feeling of being totally in sync with the boy holding her.

That feeling of bliss was interrupted when Carrie came bursting in. Out and breath and a little disheveled.

"Clara… Umbridge… some big brutes… Alfie… come" she waved toward Rose who was already bolting toward the Slytherin girl.

The scene she walked into was chaos. Students were gathering in a circle around a screaming Alfie who was shooting hex after hex, a little unsuccessfully in his blind rage, at one of the larger Slytherin boys. Emma was screaming like a banshee and kicking and clawing at the other while Liam tried to pull her off getting a few hits to the face while he wrestled his smaller cousin to the ground.

Clara sat a few feet behind Alfie, her hands covered with blood. It looked as if she had gotten a pretty bad bloody nose.

Alfie had given up on his wand at this point and was about to charge the large boy when Rose was in front of him pushing her younger brother toward their sister. She could feel the large Slytherin boy's breath on her, so close as he hissed down at her.

"Move aside Hufflepuff, I need to teach these two…"

"They are done." She cut him off, her fierce green eyes meeting his beady black ones, "They were out of line I'll handle it."

"And who are you?" Umbridge asked in her shrill voice that sounded more like fingernails on a chalkboard.

"I'm their sister."

"ROSE!" Alfie screamed, "They attacked…." Rose clamped her hand over Alfie's mouth before he could speak further. Her eyes never leaving Umbridge's. It was as if the world stopped everyone looking from the new defense against the dark arts teacher and the even-tempered Hufflepuff girl. There was something in Rose's eyes, a fire, something that couldn't be put out and shouldn't be messed with.

"I need to get her to the hospital wing." Rose finally said nodding toward Clara who was now standing, "Let us pass."

"Umbridge nodded toward the Slytherin boy who nodded back moving aside. Taking a hard grip on Alfie's arm before bending down to help her sister up Rose lead both of them out and up to the hospital wing.

A few feet away Emma gasped for breath pushing her hair back into place, composing herself. Liem quickly pushed her to follow their cousins putting his strong frame between her and Umbridge. A fierce grip still on the pretty Slytherin girl's arm.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

A few weeks later Harry started Dumbledore's army.

Fred ran up to Rose after class a few days later, out of breath but excited. Harry was going to show them how to defend themselves against the pending doom that was rising around them. His face was glowing with excitement and purpose. However, as he talked Rose's face grew more and more grave.

She took his hand in hers giving him a long hard squeeze, "I'll think about it" she mumbled laying her head on his shoulder.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Hey don't forget we have our first meeting later," Fred said a few days later after meeting up with Rose after class. He had pulled her away from the other students for some quick alone time. It had been harder and harder to find a place where they could be together with the ever-present eyes of Filch and Umbridge. But Fred knew the school like the back of his hand so he managed.

"After all with Fred, if there was a will there was a way. And there was always a will when it came to Rose.

Rose felt her cheeks flush as she looked away, anywhere but the bright eyes of her boyfriend. That rock that had been living in the pit of her stomach grew. She hated this feeling, the feeling of being unsure and uncomfortable. Things were out of her control and the uncertainty of it all made her anxious.

"I never said I would go." She mumbled glancing up at him. His face seemed to fall slightly, there may have even seen a little annoyance there. Something that made her feel sick to her stomach. She was going to throw up that rock.

She didn't know how to explain it to him but she just didn't feel comfortable with the gathering. It seemed just like a disaster waiting to happen. Putting all those children in one place together. If (and when really) they were found what could they do? It seemed like a target just waiting to happen.

Better to stay under the radar and get through this year. Graduate and move one. But Fred wasn't one to stay under the radar.

"So you're not going." Fred finally said his eyes boring into hers while she tried not to look into his intense gaze.

"I just… " Why was this so hard? Normally they could talk about everything? The conversation would flow so easily. Even when they disagreed they could do it in a way that wouldn't end like this. With both of them feeling so conflicted.

Or maybe this was really the first time they had ever disagreed about anything before? She felt like they had lively conversations but maybe this was the real true time they were on opposite sides of an issue. "I just don't feel right about it."

He let her go taking a small step back. She could instantly feel the lack of his warmth.

"Ok," he said before just turning and leaving. Leaving her alone with her doubts. Doubts she hadn't had about how he was feeling since the first time he had kissed her.

"And she hated it.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Didn't talk about much after that. Conversations were strained and always seemed like there was some ulterior motive lying just under the surface of every world.

"Then the conversation turned to Percy.

Fred was angry to say the least. The way Percy was treating the family and how it hurt his mother in particular. However, Rose just didn't seem to get it.

"He's just trying to protect his family."

It was as if her words had frozen over the room, "No he's just in it for himself." he almost growled back. Next to him George's eyes grew wide. He, like his brother, was mad at Percy however, Fred's rage didn't seem to just be placed on the older Weasley boy. However, Rose also seemed to be so caught up in her own head she didn't notice.

"If he was in it for himself he would disown you guys not distance himself from the issue. Try to see it from his perspective. He thinks that by warning you it'll keep you out of harms…."

"Why are you defending that git! You don't even know what you are talking about!"

"Rose mouth shut so fast her teeth made a loud clicking sound. Her eyes were wide blinking rapidly as if trying not to cry. Her face slightly flushed. Pulling out a book she started to flip through it, "Ok let's talk about something else" She said, her voice barely a whisper.

They did for a while. Talking about classes and the lack of education this year. About Hogsmeade and how their trips seemed rushed and not as much fun. The conversation turned to Dumbledore's army, their voice's lowering.

Rose didn't talk much just glanced at the Weasley boy her eyes boring into his very soul. He could feel it. This, more than any words she could say, bothered Fred.

"What is it?" he asked turning on her.

"You know what I think." She said biting her lip.

"Oh, I know what you think and I don't care"

"She was taken aback for a moment. Her mouth in a tight line. Fred glanced at her studying her face. They both sat there for a moment, studying each other. Next to him George and Lee watched on, concerned. The tension was so thick you could drown it. Neither of them had ever seen Fred and Rose like this. Both had always been the life of the party. Or Fred was with Rose giggling at his side. They never argued or even seemed to have problems with each other. If Fred said something silly Rose would just go along with it and vice versa.

"Good to know" Rose's voice broke the silent battle they were having. Getting up she gathered her books and walked out.

"Fred watched her go still fuming.

"That was a mistake." her twin's voice could be heard from behind him.

"She thinks what we are doing is reckless! And that I needed to apologize about Percy! Percy! The prat who basically betrayed our family! And don't get me started on the Slytherin thing!" He whirled around venting all that anger. George raised his hands in defense. Obviously, there was more going on than even he knew.

"Hey! I'm not saying Percy's not a prat or that she really understands, but this is Rose here. Family is the most important thing to her. Hell, you saw her stand up to those brutes when they got into a fight with Alfie, Clara, and Emma." Lee laughed behind George at the memory. Fred didn't find it funny.

"She is basically against us! I don't need to apologize for this or anything else! She's the one who should be taking a stand!"

George sighed rubbing his temples, he wasn't going to fight with his brother about this. As much as he liked Rose he also saw where his brother was coming from. Rose had been shutting her eyes and ears to the building tension that was growing in the school. They had to be ready for this when they got out of Hogwarts. The war was coming and no matter how many "it's not about us" she said would stop it.

But was it worth this fight? Worth losing her over? Probably not. "She's your girlfriend you deal with her however you want." The twin finally said.

"But don't be surprised if she leaves you" Lee chimed in. "Rose may seem laid back but everyone has their limits and we are all being pushed to them this year."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The next day Fred found her sitting in her corner of the library, the corner where he had found her the day after he had kissed her. It was the corner that she always went to when she was upset or really needed to think. He stood there watching her as she sat there, knees folded under her chin. Her eyes seemed to be boring a hole into the wall in front of her.

He almost went up to her. Told her he was sorry. Tried to explain what they were doing was for their own safety, no matter what she thought. They could work it out. If she didn't want to be a part of Dumbledore's army that didn't mean they couldn't be together.

He almost did.

But something stopped him.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

They didn't talk for a week. She avoided him and he let her. It seemed as if this was the new normal. Neither of them talked out their problems just pretended they didn't exist.

Pretending that they didn't even exist.

Then one day it all changed.

Umbridge hurt the wrong girl.

"What is wrong with you!?" Everyone turned to see a slightly flushed Rose who was helping Norie up. The short girl was wiping away a trickle of blood from the hit. "She just asked you a question!"

"Miss Primmington I would advise you to lower your voice, and mind your elders." The toad-faced women said taking a step closer to Rose. "I let it slide once at the beginning of the year but it won't happen again." But Rose didn't back down this time. She didn't try to pull her friend out of danger. She just stood, ready to fight.

"All these children, we are here to learn and all you are doing it treating us like cattle! Why are you even here? Get someone who wants to teach us! Wants to protect us."

"Miss Primmington I am merely following the guidelines that the Ministry has…"

"By hitting students and using extreme measures to punish them!? You are nothing but a coward like the rest of them! We are just children! What makes you think that this behavior is right in any way? What gives you the right to do this!?"

"… if you don't calm down…"

"I have seen enough of this! If you don't start treating these students kinder I will go to the minister myself and make him disbar you!"

She laughed at this, a cracking sound from her throat.

"Oh really… you are?"

"Do you not know who my Grandmother is?" Rose hissed.

She fell silent eyeing the girl, Rose merely looked back ready to challenge her.

"Miss Primmington, I will be meeting you in my office in an hour. As for this…" She motioned to Norie "I would suggest you follow the easy to understand guidelines or you will not graduate." Having the final world the stout woman walked off.

Someone from the crowd let out a whistle and other students clapped as Rose turned to Norie who held a handkerchief to her nose.

Fred stood in the crowd looking at her he smiled as she walked by but Rose merely turned away as she helped Norie to her dorm.

That night she didn't come to dinner.

She wasn't with her family.

She wasn't anywhere.

Fred would have searched the castle if he didn't know her better.

She sat in her corner of the library holding her arm to her chest as she was curled up in tight in a ball.

"Rose?"

She looked up before turning away trying to wipe away her tears. It nearly broke his heart. If his favorite thing in the world was her laugh this was the worst thing in the world.

"Rose…" He knelt next to her, "What happened?"

"She… she killed my owl and then… " She held out her arm to show the scratches on her arm. "I will respect my elders. Written on it. Bruising surrounded the pink lines on her pale skin.

He gently took her arm in his hands looking up at her.

"She… she told me I wouldn't be allowed to talk to anyone until I went home. My attitude needs to be improved because I am a spoiled brat that my family made." She covered her face with her hand, "I just got so mad, what did Norie ever do… I just feel so helpless."

"Shhh," Fred whispered taking her in his arms hugging her, "don't cry."

"I can't protect you… I can't help her… I'm useless." She sobbed into his chest. "I don't know what to do."

"You don't need to protect me," Fred said stroking her hair, "I just need to protect myself. And I'm sorry too" He said taking her head in her hands stroking away her tears with his thumbs. "I've been a real jerk"

"I don't want to fight" Rose whispered letting out a soft sob that felt like a knife in Fred's heart. The thought that he had any part of this was killing him.

"I don't either," He said leaning forward, "Ever" he kissed her so deeply as if to chase away every problem she had.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"We're out of here," Fred said turning to her. She laughed as both the boys stood with their brooms. Determined looks on their faces.

"Do me a favor? Give this to my grandmother," She said handing him a small letter. He nodded taking it and putting it in his pocket. Then leaning forward he kissed her. She smiled into his kiss as she returned the favor. She knew it was going to be hard not having him around for the rest of the year but she could do it. She knew she always had him there if she needed him.

Once they pulled away, breathless she smiled matching him lopsided grin he would always get when she kissed him.

"Hey no kiss for me?" George teased leaning against his broom. Rose giggled walking over to him and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Take care of yourself, Rose, no more blowups ok?"

She smiled at George "I make no promises."

"I think you could take down the dark one with that fire." George laughed.

"You know she could," Fred said coming up behind Rose kissing her on the neck one more time taking in her scent, her taste. Trying to remember everything about her before he left. "Now hurry up and go before they think you are part of this."

"Ok," She whispered a sad smile on her face.

"Oh and Rose," She turned back, "You better come see me at the end of the year because I'm going to kiss you senseless"

She laughed "I'll think about it!" she called over her shoulder as she ran to the dining hall.

Their show was better than she could imitation. The huge Dragon attacking Umbridge before exploding the whole wall of rules.

It was chaos as all the students ran out to the courtyard. Rose could feel the pure adrenaline around her as she felt it sweep over the students. This was what they needed, a bit of magic, a bit of hope.

A small flicker of a firework flew toward her, bright green flickering. As she (stupidly) reached for it, it exploded blooming into a beautiful multi-colored rose.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The rest of the year was uneventful. As it would be without Fred. Rose stayed close to Norie and kept her head down just hoping nothing else would happen before they left.

Then Abigail went missing.

And few days later she was brought back

With Josh's death body.