Chapter Thirty-Eight: I've Got All This Ringing in my Ears but None on my Fingers
Chapter title taken from the Fall Out Boy song.
"You're my best friend."
The last (!) chapter.
"I'm sorry."
Her voice echoed throughout the stone walls, ricocheting and hitting her squarely in the chest. Her hands were shaking from the nerves while the four pairs of eyes watched her. "I do love working here it's j-just that-" She held her breath in order to keep herself from stuttering. "I'm not okay." Her voice was low as she averted their gaze. "I haven't been okay for a long time."
Hermione offered a kind smile. "It's okay. It's understandable."
"Thank you," she breathed in relief as Harry, Ron, and Bowen nodded in agreement. "I didn't realize until I was in the middle of the action again how much it has all affected me. A part of me enjoys it because it's thrilling but what I experience in the aftermath is a lot to deal with." She shook her head, pinching the skin on her hands. "As much as I'd love to continue I need some time away to help myself."
"Have the sessions helped at all?" Hermione asked gently.
"Immensely. I'd be a complete wreck without them."
Hermione beamed, Bowen leaning forward on the oak desk. "You will be sorely missed Miss Morana, and are welcome back when you are ready should a position be available."
Rosalind nodded her thanks, the door opening behind her to signal her dismissal. She stepped into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's office for the last time, heading to her desk to pack her belongings.
"Sorry to see you go Morana," Breckenridge's booming voice said.
Rosalind shrugged. "Might not be forever."
"Either way, you did a hell of a lot for that big case," she said slapping her on the back. "And I think your next venture is a noble one."
"Thanks Breck," she smiled. "I appreciate it." She packed her few photographs and trinkets into a box, slugging into the elevator. It felt odd yet liberating to be leaving her post. Odd because she spent years fantasizing about becoming a Hit Wizard, but liberating because she now had full control of her life. The golden grilles slid open, a pale, familiar face greeting her.
"I'm going to be miserable without you, you know."
"You managed your entire life before you met me, did you not?"
Draco grinned, taking the box from her hands. "Who knows how much longer I'll be here anyhow."
"Oh yeah?" she said in surprise. "What're you thinking of doing?"
He shrugged. "Dunno yet. I've never fit in here anyways. I don't want to rely on my family's money. Blaise has a few ideas brewing so we'll see what he says."
They walked to her apartment, enjoying the beautiful summer day. There was not a cloud in the sky, several children wandering about with their toys and make-believe games. A warm breeze swept the flowers from the ground and around their ankles, fully bloomed from spring. The cobblestone street ended, leading to the doorway of her small flat. She opened the door for Draco, clouds of dust greeting them. It was near empty save for a few arbitrary objects, all her belongings either sold or at Daphne's.
Draco set the box on the counter, pulling her into an embrace, his back against a wall. His head rested on top of her head as she listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat. He kissed her forehead and used both hands to lift her face, their eyes locking for a moment before their lips met. He kissed her tenderly, his fingers rustling the curls on the back of her head. She punctured the kiss with a sharp inhale, opening her mouth so he could deepen the kiss. He pulled away to peer into her eyes as he traced her cheek with his fingertips.
"I'm going to miss you," he said softly, their breath intertwining.
She smiled, her heart fluttering and stomach in knots, her insides burning from his touch. "I'm going to miss you too." She glanced at the floor before meeting his gaze again. "My relationship with my sister is the most important thing in the world to me. Her and I need to work on that together before I can do other things in my life."
His stormy eyes flickered. "I know."
She wrapped her arms around him, a small square object in his pocket poking her rib. She inhaled his familiar peppermint scent, a hundred memories flooding through her. She leaned her head all the way back, giving him a gentle kiss. "See you in an hour?"
"Make it an hour and a half," he said checking his watch. "Blaise is in love with his voice so it'll be a longer meeting than anticipated."
Rosalind laughed. "As long as you don't miss it."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
She smiled, making her way to the fireplace, their hands still entwined as they gave each other another long, last look. He grinned as she dropped her hand, Disapparating.
"My love," Daphne hugged her tightly, drawing her into her home. "I am so excited for what's to come." She beamed, leading to the table where the house elves had tea and biscuits ready. "Everything has been finalized with the lawyers. We're all set to start once you're back."
"Great," Rosalind smiled, taking a seat. With the help of Daphne's contacts and persuasiveness, they were opening a shelter and resource center for trauma victims. They had worked tirelessly together and with other witches to develop enchanted bracelets. If they were unable to leave their situation, their bracelet notified them and the authorities and Summoned them immediately for transport. The bracelet was invisible to everyone but the wearer and gave an exact location when the wearer was in trouble. Once at the facility, professionals would speak to the victims and get them to St. Mungo's, file the necessary paperwork to press charges, and provide shelter, food, and water along with resources to help them get back on their feet. The building was Unplottable, and open around the clock. The bracelets were free of charge and located in near every shop within fifty kilometers, placed in small baskets at registers, stores, outside of buildings, and only visible to those who need them but are too afraid to seek help. Daphne would run the day to day operations while Rosalind would travel to the victims and transport them to their facility.
"Does Emmy know about the trip or is it a surprise?" She sipped her tea, setting her cup gently on the oak table.
"She thinks we're going to be gone for a week. I haven't told her we'll be gone all summer or that you and Ares will be joining us for a few days."
"How grand," Daphne smiled, handing her a roll of parchment. "Those are all of our recommendations. They're categorized by the hotels you are staying at. Do not forget to owl us," she said as Ares climbed onto her lap, sporting a beret and planting a wet kiss on his mother's cheek.
"You know I won't," she said laughing at the little boy attempting to touch his mother's dangling earrings, much to her dismay. She tucked the parchment into her bag. "Thank you, Daphne."
"What for?" she asked, blowing a raspberry at her son.
"For allowing me to do this with you. And being a great friend."
Her head cocked to the side. "I always knew this was the right choice for you."
The floorboards outside the room creaked, a pair of long, slender legs outside the door strutting by them, the piercing blue eyes meeting Rosalind's, her mouth curling wordlessly.
"Don't mind her," Daphne rolled her eyes. "Her bark is worse than her bite."
"Her bite wasn't what I was thinking about," she laughed dryly.
"You have nothing to worry about." She placed her hand on her knee reassuringly.
Rosalind shrugged, the clock chiming. "I better get going. I'll see you in a month, right?" She leaned down to Ares' height, tickling him. "See you later Mr. Ares!" she said as he giggled, his beret falling to the floor.
"Later Rosie-Linda!" he kissed her cheek and waved, Daphne escorting her to the door.
"We'll be reunited in Paris mon amie," she waved, the pair blowing her kisses. "Au revoir!"
The steam from the engine of the Hogwarts Express blared into her ears, a mass of eager parents awaiting the arrival of their children. Rosalind tread carefully through the crowd with a bag of luggage, spotting a brooding Draco leaning against a wall, his hand fingering something in his pocket. His face lit up upon seeing her, now sporting a smile.
"Have you seen her?" he asked, placing his hand on the small of her back as they tried not to shove the other parents towards the end of the platform.
"No," she shook her head. "She's always one of the last to come out. She probably got distracted by something she found in one of the compartments."
They stopped outside the last compartment, a pack of first and second years hobbling out. Second to last of the group was a little witch, struggling to heave her trunk and baggage from the stairs, her glasses and hair askew. Draco grabbed the handle effortlessly as she threw her arms around her big sister.
"Sissy!" she cried, pulling out a round object. "Look what I found on the train!"
Rosalind laughed, rolling her eyes as the clear smoke inside the object turned crimson. "A Remembral? What did you forget?"
"Oh," she scrunched her nose. "I think I forgot my spare glasses."
"Don't worry about it," she said rubbing the top of her head. "Are you ready for our trip?"
Emma nodded. "When do we leave?"
"Right now," Rosalind said as they made their way across to the other platforms. "We'll be gone for most of the summer."
Emma's eyes widened. "Really?" An old wizard bumped into her so Rosalind grabbed her so she'd walk in front of them. Emma looked up at Draco. "Are you coming with us too?"
Draco smiled with a shake of his head. "No boys allowed. But I may or may not surprise you at the end of the trip."
"Can you bring me some chocolate frogs? I only need one more card to complete my collection-"
"Emmy," Rosalind shot her a stern look as Draco laughed.
"Of course, which do you need?"
"Dzou Yen," she replied matter-of-factly. "A Chinese alchemist."
"You got it," he grinned. They approached their subway station, the doors screeching open and a flood of Muggles shoving their way in and out. Emma took the remaining seat, Rosalind and Draco standing and clutching a post. She grinned observing the curiosity on his face.
"You've never been on one of these before have you?"
"Never." A middle-aged man was nodding off in the corner, a pair of young kids attempting to throw popcorn into his mouth, instead hitting him square on the nose.
The subway took them to Bank Station, where they caught another train to London City Airport. Draco looked like a fish out of water trying to decipher the stations and read the maps, restraining himself from using magic.
"I don't know how the Muggles do it," he said as they stepped foot into the airport, bodies rushing to their destinations with small objects against one of their ears. "Why are they talking to themselves?"
"Those are cell phones," Rosalind explained, her and Emma laughing. "A mobile phone so they can call anyone from nearly anywhere. They even have cameras now and they're being developed to have more features such as email and wireless internet."
Draco raised his brow. "Internet? Muggles developed all of this?"
Rosalind shook her head in amusement. "You have much to learn, young dragon." She pulled a few bills from her wallet, handing them to Emma who wanted a snack at the cafe before their flight, Draco still glancing around in piqued curiosity. She rubbed his arm, his gaze meeting hers. He unpocketed a hand, touching the side of her face and stared into her eyes, his heart beating rapidly. She placed her hand on his chest, pulling away upon hearing her sister's voice.
"Don't go falling in love with Astoria while I'm gone," she teased.
He smirked, taking a step back while his arms dropped to his side. "We'll see how long you're gone."
She grinned, their eyes meeting for the last time, her heart slowing in her chest before she caught up to Emma who had teas for the both of them. "Where's our first stop?" she asked excitedly.
"Well there is lots of history there including a leaning tower, ancient ruins, and lots of pizza and pasta," she said as Emma jumped on her toes, a few drops of tea spilling on her pants.
"Pizza! We're going to Italy!" She beamed, wrapping an arm around her sister. They walked with their arms linked to their gate, Emma bouncing in her chair until it was time to board the plane. She let her have the window seat while she took the middle, a knot forming in her throat. The last time they were at the airport was when they had arrived in London. She was scared, lonely, and broke, unsure where they would be the next day. It felt like a lifetime ago that they lived in the states surrounded by the love of their parents.
"Sissy," Emma's small voice interrupted her thoughts. "Even though Mami and Papi aren't here anymore I'm glad I still have you."
Rosalind sniffed, tears now flowing down her cheeks. "You'll always have me," she said grasping her hand.
Emma smiled, the bags under her eyes reddening as they did when she was about to cry. "I know." She hiccuped, the plane beginning to move around the runway. "You're my best friend and I love you."
Rosalind wrapped her arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head. "I love you too."
The sisters held each other in silence, the plane now in the sky, their world shrinking below them. The English scenery faded into Italian homes peppering the landscape, ancient buildings still erect for their history to be unfolded. The screeching tires against pavement bumped them into their landing, their pilot speaking in perfect Italian.
"Benvenuti in Italia."
It feels bittersweet to be finished. This to me felt like the best ending-Emma is Rosalind's only surviving relative, and she needs to be her first priority. I want to thank anyone who's stuck around to read the whole thing, I know Rosalind can be quite *a lot* at times. I am currently writing a part two to Rosalind's story set a few years into the future, titled "Falling Away With You." I hope to see you there!