Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Martyr for My Love for You

Chapter title taken from the White Stripes song.

"Warn them."

"And we might share a kiss, but I feel like I can't go through with this...

and I know the right thing for me to do, is to leave you alone."

-The White Stripes

Rosalind stood there mouth agape, staring on as George and Angelina gawked over one another. Part of her wanted to excuse herself, another knew they would likely not notice.

"Oh how could I be so rude," George laughed after several moments of catching up with his old flame. "Angelina, this is Rosalind, she works at the Ministry with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Rosalind this is Angelina, we were good mates and teammates back at Hogwarts." He looked over Rosalind, flashing Angelina his signature grin.

"Pleasure to meet you," said the woman named Angelina, flashing a perfect smile to go along with her perfect face. "Your dress is divine, I must say!" Her overwhelming friendliness was genuine.

"Thank you, it was a gift from the Malfoys," she said bitterly, forcing a smile. Neither appeared to have heard her though, they were already enmeshed in conversation. She huffed, annoyed that she was left out; they were both so much taller than her it didn't matter that she was standing between them, they looked straight over her head. With her drink in her hand she made her way back inside, where Angelina was greeted by the rest of the crew. She watched as she greeted everyone like she was part of the family, from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, to the Golden Trio, to the rest of the Weasley clan. Apparently after the war she had spent some time traveling with a Quidditch team, having played Ginny a few times.

"...and right when I thought I had it, a Bludger knocked me out of the stadium, I dropped the Quaffle and Ginny scooped it up for the game-winning score!" Angelina was at the center of the table while the rest of the family clung to her every word.

"It was a good game though!" Ginny piped up. "Tough luck on your part, sorry to hear about the broken ribs."

"It comes with the sport," she shrugged as Mrs. Weasley examined her ribs, muttering something about how Quidditch was too dangerous. "You win some you lose some."

"How was the world tour?" Charlie Weasley asked eagerly. "Tell us all about it."

Rosalind watched on from the other side of the room how Angelina interacted so flawlessly with the Weasleys; she was basically one of them, with her talk of Quidditch and international career.

The more she saw Angelina with them the clearer it was that she didn't belong there. She would never be one of them. She and George never made sense-they lived vastly different lives, and despite what had happened between her and Draco, and George and his blonde friend, the outcome would have been the same. George would be with someone more similar to him, and she would be alone.

An odd feeling panged at her gut as she observed them together, watching George absolutely smitten with Angelina as if she weren't in the same room. She clutched her chest, heart thudding loudly with every beat, every smile, every laugh taking a crack at her. She thought she would be angry but no, this was different-this was what was supposed to happen all along. She wanted George to be happy, even if it wasn't with her. She was never meant for him.

"You're sad," Emma's concerned voice found her sitting alone. "Why are you sad?"

Rosalind snapped herself out of her daze, quickly wiping a tear from her eye. "Nothing. I'm just realizing I'm not deserving of being with someone."

Emma wrapped her arms around her sister's torso, voice muffled through the cotton. "But I love you."

Rosalind smiled, her gut wrenching. "I love you too." As Emma took hold of her arm, sucking in her breath, Rosalind took one last look over at George, hoping he would look over at her. For a moment that felt like an eternity, he turned his head in her direction, looking right through her. Invisible. With a loud crack, she Dissaparated, back into her bleak, dark home.

Christmas, the end of December and New Year's came and went along with Emma's thirteenth birthday. Rosalind took the afternoon off so they could spend the day together alone. They baked a cake, went ice skating, built a snowman, and took Ares out for breakfast in the morning.

"He's so ugly," Emma laughed as they attached a tiny stick arm to their snowman.

"He looks just like you," Rosalind said pinching her sister's cheek as Emma scowled. "What're you gonna name him?"

"I'll name him Bob," she answered simply. "Bob the snowman."

Rosalind rolled her eyes, picking her sister up and throwing her over her shoulders. "Are you ready to tackle Bob? I'm going to throw you in!"

"Nooo don't do it!" she cried, kicking her legs as Rosalind threw her into the snowman's chest, her little body plummeting into the three feet of snow. She coughed up slush, shaking snow out of her hair. They laughed as they cleaned their mess, getting ready to take Emma back to the Hogwarts Express. They ran back into the flat, rummaging for all of Emma's belongings, as it was almost time for the train to leave. They threw their Floo Powder into the fireplace, stepping out as the train choo-chooed and blew its horn.

"Bye sissy I love you!" Emma waved quickly as she ran to catch the train. Rosalind stayed behind to assure that she made it on, catching the last compartment before the engine whirred, leaving for the castle and Hogsmeade Station. Other parents hung around as well, watching their little loved ones leave for the remainder of the term. As she turned around to leave, she spotted a dark, mangy and familiar face with two men, one with similar features.

Rodolphus Lestrange lifted his chin towards Rosalind, signaling her not to approach him. She had forgotten that he was undercover, he looked so different and wild, as did Dawlish. The former Death Eater shook his head in her direction. You can't be here. It's not safe.

Rosalind frowned as Rodolphus grit his teeth while one of the men said something to him. Go back to the Ministry. Warn them. Hogsmeade Station and Hogwarts. I don't have time to explain. Her frown deepened as she opened her mouth in retort.

GO.

Rosalind looked around panicked, as the rest of the families walked away smiling, happy, without a care in the world. Without hesitation she ran to the fireplace, appearing in the Ministry's halls still dripping wet from the snow. She ran in her soggy boots into the lift and out into the Auror's department, bursting into their meeting.

"What are you doing here," a disgruntled Harry said in the middle of his talk."I thought you took the afternoon off-"

"I did!" she exclaimed breathlessly. "I just came from Platform 9 3/4 to drop my sister off-Rodolphus was there with Dawlish and someone else-I didn't talk to them b-but Rodolphus sent me a message." She doubled over as she clutched her side, out of breath. "He said to warn the Ministry, something about Hogsmeade Station and Hogwarts. I don't know what's going on but he didn't have time to explain."

Harry, Bowen, and the other Aurors stared at each other as other department members stuck their noses in the door. "Thank you, Rosalind," Harry said slowly. "We'll send the Aurors there immediately. You are dismissed."

"But my sister is there too I have to see her-"

"I understand. We are sending Aurors there only for now," he said sternly. "You are dismissed."

She stood there with her mouth open, angry that Harry wouldn't let her go. She stormed into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, pacing around her desk before a confused Draco stopped her.

"What's the matter with you? I thought you took the day off?"

"I did. I saw Rodolphus at Platform 9 3/4. Something is going to happen at Hogsmeade Station and Harry sent the Aurors to check it out. I asked if I could go and he said no."

Draco sighed, taking a seat. "What do you expect? They're Aurors. They'll always be better and more important than us."

"I know but I have to make sure my sister is okay-"

"Doesn't matter. Aurors always take the big jobs. You can't do anything about it."

"Ugh this isn't fair!" she groaned, slamming her head into her desk. "I was the one who let them know about it!"

"I know," he said in a calmer tone. "But remember the Chosen One gets to call the shots."

"I should head over there anyways to make sure she's okay-"

"Are you mad?" he said with a stiff laugh. "They'll handle it. You're skilled and you're smart but let them do their job."

"Look at you being the voice of reason," she said sarcastically.

"I'm your partner, love, I'm here to help," he said with a wink.

Rosalind sighed dramatically, grinding her teeth. What would they possibly be doing at Hogwarts? Blowing up the school? It didn't make any sense. And if something happened to Emma she wouldn't be able to live with herself-that would be another death because of her.

She was like a bad omen: she couldn't be close to anyone without someone getting burned in the process. Toxic, noxious, lethal. She served no good purpose. Tragedy didn't follow her around, she created it. She wasn't bad luck, she was the root of the problem, a parasite waiting to slowly reap upon the earth. It was no wonder she never had any friends-who would want to stick around for someone like her?

A sudden burst of clapping ensued, an odd cheery moment among the bleakness. Rosalind turned around to see Breckenridge, with her broad shoulders and statuesque body limping into the room. After spending weeks at St. Mungo's, she was cleared to go home.

"What're you doing here?" Lucille exclaimed, helping her partner. "I thought you'd be home!"

"I heard the news about Hogwarts," she answered, finding a seat at her usual desk. "We've got work to do, don't we?"

Lucille laughed nervously as she jabbered on how it was too early to know. The rest of the department clamored around her desk, firing questions left and right about her attack, bringing over cups of tea to discuss the current situation. The office was in a standoff, waiting desperately to hear from the Aurors. The minutes ticked into hours, and the laughter and optimism died down. The only word they had received was that they were to remain in the office until they had further information.

Breckenridge cleared her throat, limping towards Rosalind's desk. "How're you holding up?"

"Me? I'm fine," she replied quickly. "How're you doing? You've been out for a while."

The woman shrugged, her scars still looking fresh. "I'll be alright. Nothing time can't heal." She took a deep breath, lowering her voice. "What do you reckon they want?"

Rosalind shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."

She nodded, her lips pursed. "Whatever it is it won't be pretty." They both sighed, glancing at the clock again. It ticked slower and slower as the day went on; towards the second half of the day the group was becoming restless with no news. Draco was in the corner playing Exploding Snap, while Rosalind was tapping her foot impatiently, pouring over her notes. Her gut was telling her something was wrong-but she couldn't put her finger on it.

A small paper airplane smacked her in the forehead, causing her to almost rip it in two with her hands. She recognized the thin, elegant writing scribbled on it as Draco's: Let me beat you in Exploding Snap. She laughed under her breath, surprising herself. Draco caught her eye, giving her a sly grin. She slumped into the chair next to him as he was finishing up a game.

"What's this letting you win talk I heard about?" she teased.

"Nothing. Had to get you over here somehow didn't I?"

Rosalind rolled her eyes. "Because you're the worst to be around," she laughed as he shuffled the cards, playing against Avery. His long, slender fingers found themselves resting on her knee, his facial expressions remaining the same. "Don't worry. We've got this game."

She smiled slightly, as Draco continued on as if he hadn't performed his gesture. "I'll try."

"Damn right you will," he said confidently as the cards exploded, narrowly missing his already pale eyebrows.

Their shifts were done and over, but the department remained at the Ministry just the same. The entire group was restless, having been there all day. Lucille was filing her nails, legs propped up onto her desk. Avery was on the floor reading the Prophet, Breckenridge and Rosalind staring blankly at the ceiling. After what had felt like days, a faint clacking could be heard running their direction. Their bodies jerked upward, staring at the great white stag standing in front of them. Harry Potter's Patronous had arrived, his voice echoing through its mouth: they have arrived at Hogsmeade Station. The kids are in danger. Many are missing. Send reinforcements straight away. The voice faded, the Patronous disappearing like a ghost, the entire room in shock.

The Galleon began to burn in Rosalind's pocket, but she ignored it, knowing what it was going to say. Emma was one of the last students to get onto the train, just as she saw Rodolphus and Dawlish. She could've been a target, or easily taken. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest, the bodies around her moving slower than usual. She could see Draco saying something to her, but she couldn't hear his words. He grabbed her arm, forgetting to hold her breath as she felt as if they were passing through an extremely tight tube. Within seconds they had landed at Hogsmeade Station, the screams of panicked adults and children burning her ears.

Harry ran to his colleagues as soon as they arrived, sweat dripping down his forehead. A million questions were thrown at him, but he waved them away, catching his breath. "R-roll call, they just finished up roll call," he stammered, doubling over. "A lot of first and second years are missing, along with some older kids." He stood, clutching his side. "Bowen's son is missing. So is Dawlish's. Rosalind," he turned his body towards hers, as she tensed at his facial expression. "Your sister is gone too."

Rosalind's body fell into the wall as it caught her, keeping her from slamming the ground. She shoved herself away, retching into the snow, the remains of her lunch all over the outside of Honeyduke's. She could see Harry and Draco trying to help her, as her head became heavy.

"Rose-Rosalind-" Draco stammered as he saw his partner retching all over the snow. "Calm down we'll get this under control-"

She could barely hear him, her body still in shock. Her mind was paralyzed. The chaos surrounding her masked her into the surroundings, as members of both the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry were trying to gain control. A faint voice was by her side, barely audible, moving her into a different location.

"Don't worry Rosalind I got you. I won't let anything happen to you. You got it?" Draco's voice felt far, his features almost unrecognizable as he moved her into the Three Broomsticks. Madam Rosmerta handed him a tonic, which he eased into his partner's throat.

Her eyes fluttered, as if woken from a dream. "Whas...whass going on?" she asked groggily. "Where am I?"

"You're in the Three Broomsticks," Draco said quickly. "I just brought you in here. Are you alright?"

Rosalind glanced around, taking in the room. The chaos outside the pub was diminishing. "What's going on? What do we need to do?"

"Nothing," Draco reassured her, forcing her to sit as she tried to stand. "I already spoke with Potter. You're staying here in the meantime. They will need you later. He's bringing Rodolphus and Dawlish as soon as he can and we'll go from there. I'll be right back."

"Draco where are you-?"

"Stay put, Rosalind!" He said angrily, grabbing his wand and running outside the pub door, leaving Rosalind alone with Madam Rosmerta, who shrugged her pretty little shoulders.

Rosalind creaked into a sitting position, her body feeling usually heavy. She wobbled over to the windowsill against Madam Rosmerta's orders, peering outside to take a look at the chaos but there was none; whatever had happened, she had already missed it. She sat back down, taking the pint of butter beer that was offered to her, eagerly waiting for Draco and the others to return. The Three Broomsticks was near empty, save for her, the landlady and a few frightened customers.

In what felt like hours later, Draco, Harry, Dawlish and Rodolphus burst into the pub, followed by Hermione, Ron, Neviile, and other Aurors, all their voices booming over the rest.

"Did you ever think of sending a goddamn Patronous, either of you?" Harry roared at the undercover Death Eater and Dawlish, sopping wet from the foot-deep snow.

"I can't exactly produce a Patronous, mate," Rodolphus growled with his arms extended, as if awaiting a challenge. "Being a former Dark Wizard and all."

"They had us under a close watch at all times," Dawlish began, his mustache crusted over with ice. "There was no way we could send a message without being seen. They don't trust us yet we're trying to get into their ranks-"

"So what's the problem? We've given you resources-"

"We can't understand what the fuck they're saying half the time!" Rodolphus roared over the others. "The spells we've been using and all the magical objects we have aren't enough. There's too many of them and they're not all in one location and they use their bloody hand signals all the time."

Harry let out a long sigh, the weight of the situation creasing lines onto his face. "How did you know about what was going on today?"

"Piecing the puzzle together," Dawlish cut in. "They recognize Rodolphus, they like him a lot. He was welcomed almost with open arms," he said in a harsh tone. "They took a while to warm up to me. My recruitment was harsher. But they trusted him with information, asking about Hogwarts. They'd done their homework, the lot of them-but they wouldn't tell us much. We knew if they were heading near Hogwarts it would be something big."

The Aurors glanced at one another in silence. "Do you have any idea where they could have taken them? There are loads of kids missing, most of them from wealthy, well-connected families or ones whose parents work in the Ministry," Harry pressed. "Any idea at all?"

Both men shook their heads. "We've no idea. But I don't think they're necessarily planning on hurting them," Dawlish continued. "At-at least I hope not..." his voice faded as he thought about his son. "I just want my son back."

Hermione placed a hand on Dawlish's arm to comfort him. "So what now, Harry? They don't have much time. They'll know they're gone."

The Head Auror paced around the room, scratching his head and pulling on his jet black hair. "We need someone else." He turned to Rosalind, who was sitting by herself in the large chair. "We're going to need you Rosalind. You're the best bilingual option we've got."

Rosalind froze as the entire room focused on her. They looked angry, on edge and hesitant. "What do you need me to do?" she asked slowly.

"We'll need to come up with an alias for you. Something convincing with a storyline. And give you a disguise-Hermione can take care of that," Harry said quickly, still pacing the room. "You two-Rodolphus, Dawlish, go. We'll send her as soon when she's ready." The two men nodded in agreement, leaving without another word. Harry barked orders to the others, focusing again on Rosalind, lowering his voice. "I know it's been quite some time since you've been undercover" he said in an intensely jarring tone. "But this is extremely important and I wouldn't be offering to put you on the line like this unless it was absolutely necessary. Do you understand?"

She nodded, still shivering from the cold breeze coming from the closing door. "Yes. I understand."

"Good. We don't have much time. It'll be just like old times."

Rosalind nodded somberly. "Right. Just like old times."

It has been a while since Rosalind was undercover-something we all know isn't necessarily good for her. Hopefully she can maintain her composure but we shall see. Thank you to those that are still around :)

Next chapter: Gematria (The Killing Name)