A/N: Hey guys, I'm so so so so so so so so so so so sorry that I haven't posted a chapter in almost a month. I feel completely awful about it, but I'm getting more hours at work, and less time to write. I love you guys so much, and I just want to thank you all for sticking by me. I would love it if you guys could read and review and let me know how the writing, story, and characters are in relation to what you expect. I love you guys so much! ~ Piper
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter books or characters, and there is mention of self-harm in this chapter.
"So do you know anything about the Muggle world?" I asked Rose.
"Not really," Rose replied, "My mum tried to leave that all behind, and my dad doesn't have the love of Muggle items that my grandad has."
"Okay, well let me fill you in on some of the things they like to do. In their world they have football instead of quidditch, um they have these things like our magical moving pictures called gifs, but they're actually clips from movies and tv shows, and…"
"Movies? TV shows?"
"Oh right, well movies are motion pictures that tell a story. So it's like reading a book, but instead you watch it play out on a screen with your eyes. They're really fun to watch. And then tv shows, or television shows, follow the same concept, but are split up into episodes and can last for years," I explained.
"It would be fun to see one of those, maybe."
"Well duh!" I exclaimed, "I'm not gonna show you the Muggle way of life without taking you to the cinema. Oh and we obviously have to go shopping in one a mall because they have a lot of cool things there. I only wish I could show you the glory of Disney, Spielberg, and people like that."
"Wait," Rose said confused, "Who?"
"Never mind," I laughed, "I'll explain when we have more time."
"More time?"
"Yes, silly, more time. Maybe, during of summer break I can talk to your parents about letting us watch Muggle movies, but for now let's focus on your first visit to the Muggle world."
"Well I've hear of some famous Muggle writers, and I would like to check out a book store or something like that. They have those right?"
"Of course," I replied giggling, "If they have writers and books, why wouldn't they have book stores?"
Rose laughed, "That's true isn't it."
"Oi!" I said excitedly, hitting myself on the forehead, "We obviously need to go to a candy store. You have to try their candies, Curly Wurly bars are my favorite."
"Curly Wurly?"
"Never mind," I groaned out, "Let's go talk to your mum about all this."
"Okay," Rose said, "Hey, you think we should always use girl stuff as our answer to the boys?"
"Nah, let's not overuse it," I said laughing.
Rose and I left our room, and headed down the stairs to find Hermione. As we walked down the stairs the boys raced past us heading the opposite direction.
"I wonder where they're racing off to," I said, glancing ahead at Rose, who just shrugged her shoulders in response.
"And if you were to ask we would say, none of your business," Albus said from behind me.
"Bloody hell Albus," I gasped out.
"Scare easy?" he sniggered back at me.
"You know she does Albus," Rose called to us from the bottom of the stairs.
"What's wrong with her?" Albus asked me under his breath.
"No clue, but shes been like this the past couple of days," I replied, "In all honesty I think Malfoy is finally getting to her. Like all the teasing and everything."
"Well keep an eye on her for me will ya?" Albus asked me, adding, "She doesn't open up to me much anymore."
"I'll be there for her, just like you guys are for me."
"Thanks," Albus said, grinning, "See ya later."
I watched Albus sprint back up the stairs, hearing a door slam a few seconds after he disappeared. I then turned to follow the path Rose had taken down the stairs, and met her at the bottom.
"Everything okay?" Rose asked me.
"Yeah," I said, smiling back at her, "Just trying to figure out what the boys are up to."
"Same here."
Rose and I turned to see a smiling Hermione, who was looking at us expectantly.
"So girls, anything you want to tell me?"
"We had some ideas, well more like Iz had some ideas," Rose said, laughing at the last part.
"Let me hear them then, Isabella," Hermione said, her eyes sparkling in wonder.
"Well I was thinking that we could go to the cinema, and walk around a shopping mall or two," I replied.
"Well those are some very good ideas," Hermione replied, "And what trip wouldn't be complete without a trip to the museum."
"Really mum, a museum," Rose groaned out.
"Yes, Rose a museum," her mum replied, "Just for a bit so you can learn more about Muggle life, without taking that joke of a class they named Muggle Studies."
"What's wrong with Muggle Studies?" I asked her.
"Oh, you know, just the facts," Hermione laughed out, "But I do believe that you girls have come up with some great ideas. I'll go ahead and make all the reservations we need for tomorrow, and we can head out early tomorrow morning."
"But mum I need my beauty sleep," Rose whined out.
"Then you shall just have to get to sleep earlier my darling."
"C'mon Rose, we need to get an early start to make the most out of our day," I told her.
"Well, fine," Rose gave in, "But you better be starting my day out with a coffee mum because I am going to need it."
"As will I my daughter, as will I," Hermione said with a small chuckle.
Rose and I then decided to bid her mother an early goodnight so we could get our outfits together and be ready as much as we could since we had an early morning ahead of us. I followed Rose into our room and went over to my trunk to look for more of my Muggle clothes. I found my red skinny jeans, my fashion combat boots, and a Star Wars t-shirt. I also pulled out faux leather jacket that pulled the whole ensemble together, and I folded it all neatly to set it on top of my trunk. I was happy that I would be able to look cute tomorrow, and I hoped that it would be a great get away. I was excited to show Rose some of my favorite parts of the Muggle world, and maybe it would help us get closer and open up to each other easier.
"I have nothing to wear!" I heard Rose exclaim in frustration across the room.
"Need some help?" I asked her.
"Yes, please," she said pointing to her trunk.
"Well I think that, these jeans, with this snappy looking crop top, and that sweater, you would look awesome."
"You are a genius!" Rose squealed out, embracing me in a tight hug.
"Thanks Rose," I said giggling, "Now we should get some sleep, that way we can get up to do our hair and stuff."
"Totally, although I feel like I'm too excited to sleep."
"No, go to sleep now."
"Well look who has become the mother hen now."
"Oh hush up will ya," I said, shooting a mock glare towards my friend.
"Sleep well my dear friend."
"You too, weirdo," I said, climbing into my bed.
I was super excited for tomorrow, and now I just needed to will myself to sleep. I hoped Rose would have fun and enjoy the getaway, even if it was just for one day.
I woke up early, and for once it wasn't because of a nightmare. Instead it was to get ready. I was up a good half hour before Rose would wake up so that I could take a shower, blow dry my hair, and style it without being in her way. I grabbed all of my things and went to the bathroom, starting the shower. As I undressed I caught my reflection in the mirror, quickly looking away. I knew that if I looked I wouldn't like what I saw, and then I would punish myself on what was supposed to be a fun day away.
I hopped in the shower, quietly singing Titanium, by David Guetta, to myself as I rinsed the shampoo out of my hair. I avoided thinking about life as much as I possibly could all so that I could have a good day. I had woken up feeling better than I had the past couple of days, but now my mood was starting to drop. I knew that if I found a quick way to punish myself I could get over everything other than maybe the guilt of whatever I did to myself. I got out of the shower, dried myself off and walked out to my trunk. I opened it, grabbing out the box I had recently hidden back in my trunk a couple of days ago. I walked quietly back into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I put the CD James had given me in a cd player, and turned the volume down low. I couldn't even tell what song was playing because all it became was background noise. I couldn't focus on anything other than feeling better, and I knew that doing this would help.
I focused all of my energy into focusing on the negativity I felt for myself, as I brought the blade down onto my skin for the second time this week. I used the cold blade against my skin until I felt numb from the pain, and ultimately felt good enough to make it through my day with a good mood. I took out my bandages, and wrapped up my wrist, hiding the damage that I had dealt myself. Then I proceeded to change into my clothes for the day. After which, I turned on my blow dryer and started running it over my hair, brushing out the tangles as I went. I heard a knock on the door, and opened it, to reveal a sleepy, angry looking, Rose.
"Good morning sunshine," I said grinning.
"When'd you become a morning person?" Rose grumbled out.
"When I started waking up with nightmares, plus I've already showered so that helped."
"Well then get out so I can wake up."
"Alright snippy," I said laughing, "Let me just get my curling wand turned on."
"Fine."
I turned on my curling wand, and walked out the door. I grabbed my journal out of my trunk, and started writing. I talked about how excited for my day I was, and just about how fun my life had been in general. I talked about how I felt about myself, and how I felt about all of my friendships. I finished writing right as Rose came out of the bathroom, patting her hair dry.
"You can curl your hair now," Rose called over to me.
"Awesome! Thanks, I'll only be a couple minutes."
I ran into the bathroom, and I stood in front of the mirror. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, curling my hair into thick ringlets. I pulled my bangs to the side and wrapped the ends around my hair tie to hide it, securing my hair with a few bobby pins to keep it in place over the course of the day. I approved of my look, and turned off my curling wand, leaving the bathroom after around ten minutes.
"You look like a punk goddess," Rose gasped, "Can you please do something with my hair?"
"Sure," I said, smiling at her. I turned around and turned my curling wand back on.
When I had my curling wand ready, I brought rose in front of me, turning her away from the mirror, and used my curling wand to straighten her hair out, proceeding to style her hair into a waterfall braid. Once I had finished her hair, I turned her around, and she squealed with delight.
"You're the best Iz!"
"Nah, but I'm glad you like it."
"Let's go show my mom, and then head out," Rose said, grabbing her pack and running out the door.
I grabbed my pack and followed her down the stairs, and almost ran straight into her as I found that she had stopped right at the bottom of the stairs.
"Ro-?"
"Shhhhhh," Rose shushed me.
Rose pointed ahead to a beautiful blonde girl who was in the middle of snogging a boy with bright pink hair.
"Victoire and Teddy," she giggled out.
"Ahem," I coughed out just in hearing range.
"Oh, um hi Ro, and Isabella right?" Victoire asked me.
I nodded in response, still dazzled by the boy's bright pink hair.
"How long were you girls standing there?" Teddy asked, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.
"At least a minute," Rose boasted, "But don't worry I won't tell anyone."
"Thanks, I owe ya," Victoire responded, grabbing Teddy by the hand and dragging him out the door.
"Weird?" I asked Rose confused.
"Always," Rose replied giggling.
"I see you girls are up and ready to go," Hermione said, rounding the corner in front of us.
"That we are!" Rose squealed excitedly.
"Hush Rose, don't wake up everyone else," her mother reprimanded.
"Sorry," Rose whisper-yelled back to her mother.
"Well, then let's head out. Lily and Aunt Ginny are going to meet us later in the city, so for now it's just us girls."
"Then let's go already!" I said eagerly, heading for the door after Rose and Hermione.