With everything that was happening at Hogwarts Rose had been fairly relieved to get out of the Dark Arts on her two week rotation through classes (she had second year Dark Arts every two weeks with Harry) but alas, her good fortune had come to an end and she had to sit in on the Dark Arts once again.
Harry was well and out of the hospital though still a little begrudging towards Rose. He had relaxed a little towards her though and was talking to her though being rather short.
Maybe it was because Dumbledore hadn't scolded Harry. It didn't seem like he had. Part of Rose felt angry at Dumbledore for not stepping in.
Lockhart barged into the room and a piece of chalk floated up in the air and wrote the words " G"
On the board. "Today we are going to learn about the ancient practice of dueling students." He clapped his hands and pointed to the other side of the room where room had been made for a cat walk of sorts- a dueling walk.
"Now you will be assigned one opponent and I want you to practice your defense spells that I've taught you, hopefully you've studied them," Rose had studied them but she still was terrible at the Dark Arts.
"That's ok Hermione," Rose heard Ron say "I'll go easy on you."
Hermione had recovered from being petrified although her poor friend Hannah Baker was still in the recovery unit.
Hermione turned to look at Rose who tried to not to laugh and she looked back down at the floor.
"That would be uh…" Lockhart looked down at his clipboard, "Pansy and Rosemary?"
Rose flinched at the mention of her full name. She turned to Harry.
"What were the names of the defense spells again?" She whispered. Harry shrugged and gave Rose a light tap on the back.
Rose slowly made her way up to the platform. Pansy had met her on the other side but was walking very confidently. Naturally she threw the first blow.
"Expulso!" Pansy recited and Rose lifted into the air as she took a hard blow back to the ground after a light of blue emerged from Pansy's wand.
Rose could hear Malfoy and his clan snickering in the corner, as Rose tried to stand back up only to have Pansy repeat the same curse again.
"Expulso!" Pansy said with a wicked gleam in her eye as she shot Rose back down to the ground. Rose could already feel how weak she was up against Pansy. She looked to her side and saw Ron, Harry, and Hermione watching nervously.
"Come on Ms. Potter!" Lockhart cheered from the side. Rose tried to ignore him.
She hated how easily Pansy could knock her down. She hated that despite her being terrible and calling Rose racial slurs she could still win this battle. Rose hated how weak she was with magic.
Trembling, Rose could feel the impact from the walls begin to weigh on her, she was feeling light headed and couldn't remember any of the spells. Slowly, and in defeat, she lowered her head in truce and sunk to the floor.
She'd also realized she started crying while Pansy went back to her cheering Slytherin friends. There was little more than she hated than letting Harry see her cry.
Lockhart awkwardly rushed over and helped Rose stand back up.
"There, there," He patted her back, "Maybe next time."
Through whimpering tears Rose asked, "Professor may I be excused?"
He nodded at the intelligent epiphany. "Of course yes, and Harry go comfort your sister."
Rose folded her arms and walked with Ron, Harry, and Hermione outside of the classroom.
"That was straight out of line Rose." Ron said.
"She kept hitting you with the same spell!" Hermione added in disbelief "You're supposed to level up in dueling and she just kept hitting you!"
"It's alright guys." Rose said.
"Rose!" Rose looked up when she heard her name being called in the halls- it was George. He was rushing over to her.
"What happened?" He asked Ron and Hermione.
"Dueling practice," Harry answered, "Pansy Parkinson won."
George's face sunk. Realizing that Rose might want to be alone with Harry and George, Hermione stood up and tugged on Ron's shirt. They walked slowly away.
"Harry," Rose whispered, "I'm getting weaker."
Harry shook his head. "No, no, it was just a spell you hadn't learned yet, Rose, it'll be fine."
"I'm completely useless," Rose continued, "How can I protect you, Harry, if I can't even protect myself?"
"You're being too hard on yourself Rose," George insisted. "Duels are ruthless and difficult even for adult wizards and witches."
"Pansy is a year younger than I am and she took me out like I was piece of paper," Rose could feel tears streaming down her cheeks, "It just feels like no matter how hard I'm trying I'm just not getting any better."
"What spell did she use?" George asked Harry.
"Expulso." Harry answered. George grimaced at the thought of Expulso being used against him and touched Rose's head lightly to check for bruises.
"I feel exhausted," Rose said all of a sudden.
"You should go to Madame Pomfrey," George said, "She'll fix you up something to eat."
"I hated the way Pansy looked at me," Rose said for a moment not even listening to George, "Like I was garbage. I hope that when I turn 16 I find out I am a witch because Pansy won't even know what she has coming to her."
Harry and George looked at each other. It took a lot for Rose to hate someone and it was uncomfortable hearing her talk so darkly about anyone.
They all stared at the floor in silence before Rose stood up and walked herself to the hospital ward.