Chapter Twenty-Three: Seven Nation Army

Chapter title taken from the White Stripes song.

"Maybe you are a Dark Wizard."

The parchment and quill kept staring at her, shrugging because they didn't know what to write either. How was Rosalind supposed to help train a group of officers and Aurors, having barely been in the force herself? She jammed the quill on the parchment, writing a big question mark, shaking her head and walking into the Auror's department and straight into Harry's office.

Harry, Dawlish and Bowen were already in their respective chairs, the older men downing a shot of whiskey, muttering something about how they would need it. "Ah, Ms. Rosalind," Bowen greeted her, offering a seat. "Pleased to see you've made it this morning." He put out his cigar, the smoke circling their heads. Rosalind inhaled a cloud of smoke, trying her best not to cough.

"So," Harry said as he waved away the ashes from the cigar. "The Order should be here soon. What do you have planned out for today's lesson?"

Rosalind looked at her roll of parchment before quickly stuffing it in her robe. "Well first I'd like to know what my limits are. I'm not sure what previous training everyone has had so I don't really want to go over what they're good at, I'd rather exploit their weak spots and go from there."

"Glad you asked," Bowen said as she slid a piece of parchment under her nose. "Here's a list of what Aurors have been trained on and when, as well as the rest of the department. We don't have all the details of members of the Order as of late but we should soon."

Rosalind glanced through the list, trying to decide where to start: Patronouses, jinxes, curses and physical combat with and without a wand were common themes, but there was one aspect missing that made her nervous.

"What about Unforgivable Curses? Are we going to be able to train with those?" she asked hesitantly.

"Well yes," Harry said as he made his own note on the parchment. "Without using the Killing Curse obviously. What experience do you have with them?"

Rosalind lifted her eyes to meet Harry's, trying to penetrate his mind. He still wasn't the best at Occlumency, but she knew that he wouldn't judge her. "A lot, to be honest," she admitted. "Use by and against me." Dawlish and Bowen's silence made her uneasy. "I hope that's not a problem."

"It's not don't worry," Harry replied reassuringly. "We understand where you're from and what you've been through." He smiled, calming her nerves. He shuffled several rolls of parchment together, with his small slanted writing in the corner: don't worry, you'll do great.

Rosalind smiled. "Thank you Harry."

The Boy Who Lived nodded. "Don't mention it."

Rosalind opened the door into the Auror's Department where all the officers from her division along with members of the Order were chatting amongst each other. Her heart fluttered when she saw George with Ron, who both threw her a wave. Draco was by himself as per usual, engrossed in a book-Brave New World.

She cleared her throat nervously, while Harry rounded up the room, obtaining their attention. All eyes were on her: some excited, others nervous, most apprehensive. They knew she didn't belong there, with them.

"Good morning everyone," she said breathing out a sigh. "Now that Harry's caught everyone up to speed, I'm also going to give a brief introduction as to what we'll be doing. The majority of you, particularly members of the Order and Aurors have had very similar training, which is great. We're not here to necessarily teach new things, rather brush up on our skills. Once we've mastered that we can move on to how we can tactfully outsmart these intruders because honestly they're not the smartest, but they're fearless and that's what makes them absolutely terrifying." She cleared her throat, shuffling her notes of parchment. "So we'll start with the basic jinxes and work our way up-pretty soon we'll move onto bigger things like Patronuses and Unforgivable Curses." She glanced at George who looked uncomfortable at the mention of Patronuses. "But if at any time anyone needs to leave, you're welcome to. You're not obligated to stay, and you're not obligated to fight if we need to." The band of witches and wizards seem to understand, and they began.

Once they got into the full swing of things it wasn't as bad as Rosalind expected-Harry, Ron and Hermione were giving instruction, and even Neville was starting to join in as well. He was a new Auror recruit, since he took time off to travel. Ginny was surprisingly adept at jinxes, blasting her brother Percy clean off his feet. The quirky Luna Lovegood was a quiet assassin as well; her spells were barely audible but her wand always gave off a giant impact. The training sessions occurred a couple times a week, with better participation each time. Duels became common, often times between friends, other times chosen at random. When it came to physical combat no one could beat Rubeus Hagrid the half giant, but Charlie Weasley was a close second when he was able to stop by. Afterwards if the sessions were later in the day many members would head to the pub together for a pint. Rosalind wouldn't always tag along, she felt awkward if George wasn't there, usually opting to hang out with Draco or Blaise or Daphne and Pansy instead. It was a good distraction, the training sessions. They allowed Rosalind to force herself to think ahead and not behind-she couldn't afford to keep dwelling on her past. Not now at least. She was put into a position of semi-leadership and she couldn't let them down.

"So, I was wondering the other day what would happen if we found ourselves in a duel who would win," George said one afternoon on their way to the Auror's Office. "And I can't quite picture myself losing to someone of your stature," he added with a wink.

"I've taken on guys twice your size before," Rosalind said as she punched his arm. "I could take you on any day of the week."

George smiled, pulling her into a hug and kissing the top of her forehead. "I'm only joking love, you know I couldn't bear to hurt you."

Rosalind blushed, biting her lip as she saw Draco already in the room reading his book, strangely hoping he didn't see anything. "We're covering Patronuses today, by the way. I know that's a sore spot for you so I'm just wondering if that's going to be a problem."

George's smile vanished. "I heard. I think I'll be alright as long as I don't have to conjure one. I don't have a problem seeing them." He looked down at his girl, lowering his voice. "You make it easier for me."

Rosalind's heart swelled and contracted at the same time; as much as she loved hearing how George felt about her, she hadn't told him about Draco. But then again nothing had happened between them since the night of her panic attack.

Instead, she smiled. "You make it easier for me too."

Harry was rumored to have the best Patronus around so he led the session for the day. Happy memory, he kept repeating, think of your happiest memory and the Patronus should come. Usually in the form of an animal, every once in a while a magical creature. He produced a giant stag almost on command, prancing around proudly around the room. Hermione's was an otter, chased by Ron's Jack Russel Terrier. Luna Lovegood a rabbit, Neville Longbottom a lion. A true Gryffindor.

"What's your Patronus, Rosalind?" Neville asked as it was the members' turn. "Something big and mighty like you?"

Rosalind laughed. "A black mamba actually, but it's been years since I've conjured one. I came across a lethifold back home once."

"Blimey! A lethifold? Those are incredibly rare!" Neville exclaimed. "How'd you manage to get out of that?"

"It was either me or the lethifold," she replied modestly. "Someone I knew planted it there, it was a test to see how I did under pressure."

"Sounds brutal," he said in awe. "Whoever planted that there sounds like a prat though."

"Oh he was something else alright." She grit her teeth. "But he taught me a lot."

A jaguar growled, pouncing at the roaring lion. Draco smirked as the ghost-like apparitions fought, making his way to their group. "Are you going to show us what you got or not, Morana?" he asked with a half sneer. "Or did you forget?"

"I didn't forget," she scowled, rolling up her sleeves. She raised her wand, racking her brain for her happiest memory: easy, when she found out she was going to be a big sister thirteen years ago. "Expecto patronum!"

Nothing.

Strange, maybe the memory was too old. She tried again, instead thinking of when she was hired at the Ministry. "Expecto patronum!"

Still, nothing.

"Maybe I'm using the wrong memory," she said as Neville, George and now Draco were staring at her. "Maybe I need something newer and happier." She then thought of George, and the first time he told her he adored her. That feeling of adoration she felt for the first time in her life, how indescribable it felt. "Expecto patronum!"

A black string of fog puffed out of her wand, circling her like smoke. Then nothing.

"I don't-I don't get it," Rosalind said panicking. "I've never seen that happen before I thought Patronuses were supposed to be white or clear-"

"They are," Draco said slowly. "Unless you're a Dark Wizard."

Rosalind almost dropped her wand, stammering. "But I'm not a Dark Wizard-"

"I didn't say you are," he continued. "Just sometimes it's harder than others to produce a Patronus is all."

"Maybe it's not a good day for you," George offered, stepping closer to her. Draco looked annoyed, but didn't move. "And it's been a long time, you'll get it again."

"But the black smoke, I don't understand-"

Draco stared her down, fists clenched. "Maybe you are a Dark Wizard then," he said thickly.

The malice in his voice shot Rosalind straight through her gut. "Why the fuck would you tell me that?"

Neville and George stared on confused while Rosalind stomped her way through the door, heading for the hallway. George's footsteps clamored behind her and she quickened her pace, heading for an empty room.

Sparks flew from her wand as she raised her arm to strike the empty wall when a lanky body grappled her torso, forcing them both to the ground.

"Gerroff me George!"

"Rosalind! Stop it!" The petite girl tried to fight him off but he prevailed by pinning down her arms. "I'm trying to help!"

Rosalind stopped moving, glaring at him. "I don't need help!"

"Yes you do!" he yelled as she began struggling again. "Clearly something is bothering you! What's wrong?"

"It has nothing to do with you," she mumbled, avoiding his gaze. "Draco's being an asshole that's all."

"Well that's nothing new," George said matter-of-factly. "But why did that bother you so much? You're not a Dark Wizard."

Rosalind opened her mouth, leaving it hanging for a moment. "I'm not but he knows how much a comment like that would hurt me."

"Why? Does he know something I don't?" he didn't sound offended, he sounded concerned. "What's going on?"

"I-I have to tell you something," she said quietly, her back against the stone wall. They were sitting on the floor, facing one of the faux windows. It was snowing today. "Draco and I-we've become pretty good friends. He knows a lot about me. I'm just upset he'd say something like that is all." She rubbed her arm nervously. "Nothing too serious. I mean I'm not even sad about it though that's the thing I thought he was-"

"Your friend?"

George's arms were crossed, his toe tapping grudgingly on the floor. "Malfoy isn't the best at keeping friends."

"I know he's just so hot and cold sometimes. And we work together so we have to get along." She didn't like how their bodies were side by side, no longer holding each other.

"You could ask for a different partner if it's a reoccurring problem," he continued. "It's happened to him plenty of times before."

Rosalind shook her head. "I don't want to. There's no one else that would work with me either."

George's ear perked. "What makes you say that?"

"I feel like I have to constantly prove myself. Because I'm American it seems that people think that I don't belong here and I should go home. But they don't understand that I can't go back." Her hand was on her wrist again, gripping it tightly but not enough to leave marks. Another nervous habit.

George finally faced her, looking concerned. "What exactly happened to you that makes you so scared?"

Rosalind tried to meet his gaze but focused on the ground ahead of her instead. "I really don't want to talk about it." She wiped her face, even though no tears had formed. "I don't want you to look at me any differently," she finished in a small voice.

"Rosie at this point there isn't much you could say that would make me see you differently," George said gently. "If you don't want to tell me because it's too painful I understand but if you want this to work as much as I do we'll both have to open up."

Rosalind's eyes glazed over, her voice still silent. "I can't tell you...but I think I can show you." He looked at her curiously. "How good are you at Legilimency?"

"Not very," he admitted. "But I can give it a go."

Rosalind shifted her torso so they were facing each other at eye level. "If you really want to know then you'll have to try it. I can open up my mind enough to show you and I'll close it when it becomes too much."

George eyed her, nodding his head slowly. "Alright. I'll try it."

Rosalind held her breath, looking into George's eyes blankly, letting her mind be penetrated by his. She felt a sensation of a body walking into hers, stepping into her own: colors swirled together, becoming a blur, then fading into an image clear as a dream. She didn't want him to see everything, only the bits of her life that she hated talking about. The memories started happily, her as a child, her first brushes with magic, then progressed into her sadder years-being a loner at SIM, her one relationship, all the fights she'd get into. When she killed him. Her time in El Salvador, and all the people she killed or got killed. Her parents dying, and everything she'd done to Emma. All the times she'd hurt herself, cried herself to sleep.

You can't open up to him, a sinister voice in the back of her head whispered. He's going to judge you. Either that, or you'll get him killed.

Rosalind snapped her eyes shut-the room whisked back into normalcy, the dreamlike state swirling away. Her heart was beating rapidly again; George was still staring at her with a blank face.

"Please say something," she begged.

He opened his mouth in attempt to speak, but closed it again. "I'm not sure what to tell you."

Rosalind's heart dropped. She shook her head, chocking back tears. "I knew I shouldn't have shown you all that that was so stupid of me," she said scooting away from him. She stood up, barely able to look at him. "I'm sorry I'm not who you think I am." She was staring at the ground too afraid to see his reaction. "I'm sorry I'm not a good person like you are."

"Rosalind-"

But she ran, like the coward she was.

"If you're seriously worried about these so-called criminals, I can send you away somewhere."

The porcelain clinked against the redwood as Daphne poured herself another cup of tea. "The Greengrasses have loads of estates we can send you too." She smiled as her elegant fingers clasped the china and she inhaled the black tea with lemon. "Or you could stay with me of course," she winked, setting the cup back down. "Rodolphus could join us too." She smirked, throwing a biscuit at Rosalind and her annoyed expression.

"Oh come on Rose, lighten up!" she laughed as Rosalind held back her grin. "You are a badass witch and you know it. There is no way those bastards could get to you. Besides," she said plopping a grape into her mouth. "If all else fails we could run away with Ares and raise him together, like lovers."

"Only if I get to be the big spoon," Rosalind toyed.

Daphne scoffed. "I'm bigger, I'm automatically the boss," she said coyly. "I can take care of you better than any man could."

Rosalind laughed in what felt like ages. It had been several days since her conversation with George and he hadn't contacted her. Draco hadn't either, which made work awkward. She quickly realized how lonely she was and how much she emotionally depended on them. As much as she wanted to hang out with Hermione and Ginny, they were busy with their own lives and boyfriends. Daphne was strange in her own right, but Rosalind enjoyed it. Ares was adorable also, always trying to learn Spanish from her.

"I don't need a man to take care of me," she laughed throwing the biscuit back at Daphne. "Or woman for that matter."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "Someday you'll see the light," she joked, crossing her long leg over the other. She was barefoot, as she always was at home. Ares was out with Grandpa Greengrass and Astoria with one of her many admirers. She snapped her fingers so the house elf would clear the table, leaving them completely alone. "I've never given you a tour, have I?" she dusted off her camisole, grabbing Rosalind's hand and pulling her off the couch. "C'mon, I'll show you around."

One thing that Rosalind was jealous about England that the Americas didn't have was preservation of family history. The Greengrass mansion had rows upon rows of portraits of generations past, as well as another room solely for family heirlooms. Everything from rings, bracelets, earrings, wedding dresses, to pocket watches, pins, suits, goblets and more, their pride in their family history obvious.

"This is fascinating," Rosalind breathed, peering into a family portrait. Two little girls pre-Durmstrang days were shoving each other around for more room in the picture. Young Daphne and Astoria looked exactly the same as children, with less of the arrogance they carried today.

"Is this little Daphne?" she laughed picking up the picture. "You were so cute."

"Did you expect any less of me?" Daphne grinned. "Astoria and I always fought to be in the picture. The girl loves to be told how beautiful she is."

"You're the same way and you know it," she teased.

"You're right. I love it when you tell me that." She winked, plopping herself onto her giant bed, stretching. "Has the Weasley boy talked to you yet?"

"Not yet," Rosalind replied laying down next to her. "I don't know if I should try to get ahold him or not." She hadn't told her the details of what she told George except that she opened up about her past and he didn't say anything.

Daphne frowned. "Do yourself a favor and don't talk to him first. You are a prize and you should not go around asking for his attention." She pulled Rosalind onto her chest, stroking her hair. "Pity, I loved the way he treated you." Rosalind was surprised at how well Daphne took the news of her seeing George, she didn't even bat an eye. "He's awfully sweet to you, I think you might be too much for him."

"How?" Rosalind asked through her hair. "If anything he's too good for me."

Daphne rolled her eyes again, smacking Rosalind hard in the face with her own hair. "Don't think that way or he'll start to believe it too." That's what she loved about Daphne, she was blunt and honest. "As for Draco he was just being a prat. He's not used to not having what he wants and he hates that you're not throwing yourself at him. He was the same way with my sister." Rosalind's stomach churned whenever she mentioned Astoria, a feeling she was not used to. "Draco is a man who loves the finer things in life but can't always reciprocate. He's not as difficult as he comes off to be, he just needs to learn how to go about it the right way."

Rosalind's eyelids began to droop as Daphne continued playing with her hair. "How'd you get so smart Daph? You always know what to say."

Daphne chuckled. "I'm a Greengrass darling, we know everything."

"Today's the day!" Harry said to Rosalind cheerfully. "Unforgivable Curses. Are you ready?"

Rosalind shrugged. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Harry smiled, patting her shoulder. "Good. We need you."

Rosalind simpered as they walked into the Auror's Office, Harry beginning his usual introduction. All eyes shifted to her once he announced the lesson of the day.

"I'm sure all of you have heard of the Unforgivable Curses," she began, pacing around the room. "The key to these Curses is a high drive to inflict pain, sometimes for no reason. We could all point our wands at each other and mutter 'Avada Kedavra' and nothing would happen because we are not trying to kill one another. It is possible to resist both the Imperius and Cruciatus Curses but it is extremely difficult-Harry here is the only known wizard alive that has successfully resisted all three. Once under the Imperius Curse, you will go into a dreamlike state. Everything will feel slow moving and mellow, making the person under the Curse easier to manipulate." She stopped pacing, facing the room, resisting the urge to smile awkwardly. "Now who can tell me which one of you is Imperiated at this moment?"

A pin drop could be heard in the room amongst the silent panicking: no one dared move. What if they were wrong?

"No one wants to speak up?" she asked, circling the area. "No one wants to take a wild guess? No one feels different, sleepy, like they could be easily swayed?" She stopped next to a group of young members. "Come on, I'm sure someone doesn't feel like themselves."

More uneasy glances, a few mutterings. A couple of people volunteered themselves but no one seemed confident in what was going on.

"Alright, let's play a game then." She was at the head of the room again, standing on a box so everyone could see her. "Simon says. I'm sure everyone knows how to play, right?" The department nodded, most with skeptical faces. "Simon says stand in a straight line." She smiled as everyone complied. "Simon says jump up and down twice." She could feel the eyes rolling in her direction, but the room obeyed her command. "Simon says spin around three times, squawk like a chicken, and roll around on the ground."

Laughter erupted as Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lucille and Percy Weasley began making fools of themselves while the rest of the room stopped.

"Simon says stop. Simon says go to the window, stand on the sill, getting ready to jump." Several people screamed as all four of them listened, dancing their way to the window sills. "Simon says don't move."

Rosalind sighed, calling the attention back to herself. "How many of you honestly knew that they were Imperiused? Can anyone tell me?"

An arrogant looking young wizard raised his hand. "I could tell as soon as we started playing the game, they didn't even try to fight it."

"You think you could?" she sneered, standing square in front of him. "Alright, let's see it then."

The boy almost looked uneasy, glancing at his friends to back him up. "See what?"

"You in action. Imperiate me, use the Cruciatis Curse on me. And if you're feeling brave, try the Killing Curse too."

Harry gave her an uneasy look from the other side of the room, but she nodded she knew what she was doing.

"What? No, you're like half my size that wouldn't be fair."

Rosalind laughed. "Oh so you feel sorry for me now? Are you saying you can't do it? We're wizards, size doesn't mean anything."

"That's not what I-"

"Then do it."

The boy stared at her. "Alright." He cleared his throat, pointing his wand at Rosalind. "I-Imperio."

Rosalind kept her smile, shaking her head. "Try again."

He frowned, concentrating harder. "Imperio!"

Not even a spark from his wand.

"Try the Cruciatus Curse," she ordered. "Maybe that will be easier for you."

"I don't know-"

"Do it," she said sternly. "You had all this talk about how it was easy and now you can't back it up? Don't disappoint your friends."

He glared at her, rolling up his sleeves. "Fine. Crucio!"

The room winced, a slight tickle went up Rosalind's spine. "Nope. Try again. Like you mean it."

The boy was now annoyed, frustrated at his lack of magic. "Crucio!"

Rosalind sighed. "I'll give you one last chance. If you don't get it, I will curse you."

His eyebrow quivered and his hand shook, his wand ready to strike. The vein on his temple was pulsing. "Crucio!"

Rosalind's arm twitched, but it wasn't painful. She tilted her head to the side, sucking in a smile. "Sorry about this. Crucio!"

The boy slammed onto the stone floor, his body convulsing. His breathing was constricted, he looked as if he was on the verge of tears.

"You felt bad for me didn't you?" she asked calmly, as if they were chatting over tea. "You thought I wouldn't be able to handle it so you couldn't do it." She kneeled to eye level as his convulsing stopped. "Am I right?"

The boy sat up, scooting as fast as he could away from her. "Yes. I-I didn't want to hurt you."

"And that's the problem, you see," she said to him, helping him up and facing the others again. "You have to want it to happen. Particularly with this curse and the Killing Curse, you have to not only be angry in general, but you have to want to inflict pain. It is very difficult to conduct one of these curses with good intentions-you have to be purely sadistic. Now for the exercise, there will be two lines. You will all have a few minutes to partner up to practice on each other, then will try to Imperiate Harry and use a Cruciatus Curse on me. If you fail, you will be subject to a curse of our own. I know this is difficult for a lot of you, but it's important that you know what these curses feel like and how to defend yourselves. Because with people like the ones we will be dealing with, the last thing they will feel is pity. They love hurting people, they get off on it. We can't give them that pleasure." She looked over at Harry, who nodded at her. "Alright now partner up, you have ten minutes to get ready."

Many tense bodies withered around the room, unsure where to start. No one wanted to partner up with their friend because they didn't want to hurt each other. But like Rosalind reminded them, they couldn't feel pity for the other person.

"Nice job," the Chosen One said to Rosalind as they watched the others attempt to curse each other. "For a second there I almost thought you enjoyed cursing him."

"Funny you should say that," she replied darkly. "Sometimes I used to. I haven't cursed anyone in a long time though. It's not the same when they don't deserve it."

"Are you going soft on us already?" he teased, laughing at Ron's attempt to curse Hermione. Rosalind scowled. "I'm only joking, I know this is hard for you. I really appreciate you doing this with us."

Rosalind attempted to smile. "No worries." She turned her attention to Neville Longbottom, who was sitting alone. He sat in a chair by himself, leaving Seamus without a partner. Rosalind excused herself to talk to him.

"Hey Neville, are you alright?" she asked concerned.

His back was facing her; he shrugged his lanky shoulders. "I'll be alright. It's just difficult, you know, coming from my background."

Rosalind's stomach dropped. "Oh Neville I'm so sorry-you really don't have to do this if you don't want to-"

"No I do!" he said almost angrily. "I have to do this! I have to show them that I'm strong, that I can do this!"

Rosalind hesitated, reaching out an arm to comfort him. His bravery made her envious-bravery was one thing she didn't have. "You are strong, Neville. You're one of the bravest people here." She patted his shoulder gently, smiling at him. "I believe that you can do this."

Neville looked up into her eyes, almost smiling. "Thank you Rosalind."

The shuffling of feet signaled that the ten minutes were up. The oldest and most experienced Aurors were at the front of the lines, ready to give Harry and Rosalind a go. For the most part it was easy on their end; most of the curses thrown at them made them feel ticklish rather than in pain. A few Aurors and one officer were able to actually hurt them, like Dawlish. He threw Rosalind on the ground quick with his Cruciatus Curse.

"So sorry Rosalind," he said giving her a hand. "Didn't mean to hit you that hard."

"It's fine," she grunted, annoyed that someone actually got her. "Nothing that hasn't happened before." She tried her best to smile. "Nice job."

The line continued. A few years ago it would've been much easier to inflict the curses, but she was having a hard time with the younger recruits or her friends. Hermione was especially difficult to curse-all Rosalind could think about was the scar on her forearm.

Her favorite ginger now stood in front of her, with an oddly pained expression on his face. George didn't greet her, nor did he make eye contact with her. Rosalind's heart hurt-why hadn't he reached out to her?

"Go for it," she commanded trying to sound calm. "Let's see what you got."

For a moment George looked into her eyes, trying to read her. But she blocked her mind. She didn't want to make it easy for him.

"Crucio."

A shiver went up her arm. "Is that all? I don't want to hurt you," she said trying to sound confident.

George was silent. "Looks like you might have to."

Her jaw clenched; this didn't feel good. She raised her wand slowly. "Crucio." She whispered it, hoping it would not be as painful. George dropped to the floor, his eyes snapping shut. Rosalind sprinted to his body, forgetting for a second that the pain was temporary. "George I'm sorry!" she began, but as soon as he saw her face he turned away. She sat there a second too long, forgetting about the rest of the line, hurt that he didn't want to be by her. She bit her tongue, then hurried to the rest of the group.

She was distracted for the next few people in line but quickly bounced back, becoming nervous again when Neville came around, but his Cruciatus Curse was better than almost everyone else's, knocking her clearly onto the stone floor.

Neville dropped his wand, rushing to Rosalind's side. "So sorry-I didn't know I could do that-" he stammered, pulling her onto her feet.

Rosalind took his hand, patting him on the back. "That was great Neville! Don't be sorry at all." He smiled sheepishly, making his way to Harry's line.

Eventually it became Draco's turn. His sneer was gone, but the arrogance still intact. Their eyes connected and for a brief moment. Rosalind almost thought he would back off. He inhaled sharply, hesitating-

"Crucio!"

A twinge of pain shot up Rosalind's back, but she was able to fight it off, reacting immediately.

"Crucio!"

The curse hit Draco so hard he was unable to catch his breath: he was convulsing on the floor, more than anyone else had all day, appearing as if his limbs were on fire. Rosalind's heart swelled and sank simultaneously. She raised her wand, ready to strike a second time-

"Rosalind no!" Hermione hissed, jerking her arm away. "Don't hurt him, he's your partner!"

Rosalind grit her teeth and lowered her wand, as someone else helped him on his feet. She stayed annoyed the rest of the lesson, ignoring anyone who tried to strike a conversation with her. At least she was the one who got to hurt him this time. She didn't want anyone else to hurt her, ever, and the fact that both Draco and George had recently both angered and saddened her. It had been years since she was close to another human being; opening up to someone wasn't easy. But then again, she deserved it.

Instead of Apparating, she decided to walk home. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows, elongating her shape and exaggerating her features. Her heels clicked against the cobblestone street, the autumn leaves swirling from the breeze. Rosalind clutched her jacket closer to her chest as she approached Knockturn Alley. The place still gave her the creeps and she always did what she could to avoid it. She sighed as she neared the obnoxiously decorated joke shop in Diagon Alley, almost tempted to go inside, seeing George smiling broadly to a blonde-haired customer.

He doesn't want to see me, she thought. If he wanted to talk to me he would've done it by now.

She swallowed a lump in her throat, shrugging off the regret she almost felt for not visiting George. She unlocked her door, shoving her shoes and skirt on the hardwood floor. She pulled her hair out of its bun, laying down in her matted bed. The lump in her throat hadn't gone-it had intensified. She held her breath, heaving out a pathetic, silent sob, tears slowly streaming down her cheeks. As much as she hated to admit it especially since it had been so long, she had enjoyed using the Cruciatus Curse again. The way Draco convulsed on the floor like that, so powerless...she had missed that. But the guilt afterwards was always immediate.

Oh, there you go again. Craving control. You haven't changed one bit. Still the same heartless bitch you've always been.

No, Rosalind shook her head. I'm not. I'm not heartless.

The voice inside her head laughed. Stop lying to yourself. You loved hurting Malfoy. You wanted to hurt him.

I've changed. I can change.

A leopard doesn't change its spots.

I used to not be like this-

It's too late to go back.

The vase on the her shelf shattered as Rosalind slammed her first into it. She screamed into her pillow long enough for her lungs to hurt, tears burning from the corner of her eyes.

"You're right," she breathed, staring out her door. "I missed it. I haven't changed one bit. Maybe that's why I can't produce a Patronus anymore..."

She snatched her wand, desperately trying to conjure her happiest memory. "Expecto Patronum!"

The faintest mist, fading almost instantaneously.

"This can't be happening," she whispered, trying again with the same result.

Nothing.

Her heart came to a standstill. Had she become a Dark Wizard?

So this chapter has a little bit of a shift-Rosalind and George's relationship feels over as well as her friendship with Draco. She's also feeling conflicted, which could cause problems later on, along with the guilt she has been carrying for years. What do you think of her and Daphne's relationship? I think she's fun to write. Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it :)

Next chapter: Duality.