Chapter Seven

This is for all my reviews of all my stories who have been waiting patiently for the next chapter of Traveller's Rest. I thought you would need something to read since my muse went on vacation. Thanks for the Reviews.

Draconia

Chapter Seven

"Gee Rose did you sleep while we were gone?" Draco's voice interrupted her in between globe songs and paintings.

"You scared me!" She jumped and turned towards the door where Draco was grinning leaning against her doorway and jumped himself as The Waltz blared out of the globe. She waved her wand at it and it went silent.

"How many did you get done in four days?" He asked looking at her slowly shrinking wall space.

"Fifteen paintings, a couple of dozen figurines, some more Jewellery, some class work…" She shrugged. "I was bored, I didn't once have to listen to an argument." She grinned at him. "So I made my own noise."

"I heard." He shook his head. "Potter and Professor Snape back yet?" He asked looking over her new paintings.

"Uncle Severus came back yesterday, he's in a meeting with the Headmaster until dinner, Harry won't be back until after his birthday." She replied. "He said if you wanted something to do he left a list of potions in the lab for you to do, as well as a few extra credit essays on your desk."

"I just might do that." Draco nodded slowly. "What happened to your Masters paintings?" He asked looking at the blank space on the wall.

"I tried to recall them when they didn't return on their own but it didn't work." She sighed. "I sent a letter to the real them and found out that their copy of the paintings were destroyed with their shop. The portraits got stuck in between, and it had been too long since the destruction of the paintings that they in a sense died." She shook her head. "When they didn't return right away after I called, their paintings turned black, indicating they had been destroyed."

"Can you replace them?" He asked in concern.

"I could, if they gave permission to make another set." She shrugged slightly and gave the blank spot a sad look. "It's the first time I've ever seen a piece of work die that I created…I don't think I will be doing another set any time soon."

"Fair enough…how is your Art work going at Gems?" He asked pausing at the door as he went to leave.

"The Jewellery is selling slowly, the figurines are a little more popular but we expect that to change once the students hit Diagon after the Tenth." She shrugged.

"Talk to you later." Draco nodded and left the room.

"Mistress has mail." Binky announced as she popped into the room and handed over the single letter.

"Thank you Binky." She murmured and broke the seal on the letter and pulled the letter out and smiled as she recognised the rough but neat writing of Bill.

'Dear Rose,

Thank you for the gift, if I thought I could get away with it with out sounding rude and it wasn't a painting of Ginny and I, I would have found a way to return the painting. It must have cost you a lot of money and am thoroughly flattered and amazed at how well the painting was done.

You have both of our thanks and gratitude for the gift.

Ginny and I were devastated to hear that you will not be competing this year and not even able to attend to watch. We have been looking forward to seeing you and Richard again and seeing at how close we came to a draw once again. How badly is the injury? Perhaps next year you will be able to dance again.

I find myself a little excited to know that you are now in England, perhaps you would be able to come by our little studio and let us know what you think of our new routine.

I also found myself startled when my fiancé gushed over having a Jewelled Rose painting, and as a gift from a rival at that. When I asked her what exactly she was talking about she showed me the sub catalogue from Gems that shows all of Jewelled Rose's work, I must admit that I am dazed at the raw talent the artist shows. Let alone the price of some of the pieces. The entire family is thinking about buying a few of the cheaper pieces, mainly the Hogwarts Mascot collection.

Perhaps now that you are here we could meet up some where if you can't visit the Burrow. Even if Ginny couldn't make it, I know that I would love a chance to catch up and introduce you to My Fiancé.

Your friend

Bill Weasley.

Ps. You know I hate being called William. Consider yourself growled at.

Rose chuckled and gave a sad little sigh and made her way to her bedroom to write out a reply, knowing that it would be best to get the bad news out of the way, as fast as possible.

Dear Bill,

Yes I do know you hate your real name, hence I used it. It always gets a reaction out of you.

As to me dancing again…

I will be honest Bill. I will never dance again from my injuries.

No doubt you heard about the attack at Murdock Alley in LA a few weeks ago…well I was there, in the middle of the explosion. I am the only survivor of my family, they all died in the attack. I was in a coma for two weeks, and very badly injured. I couldn't even tell you honestly if Richard is alright, I have no contact with LA at the moment and I know he was there that day…

I was shipped the Saint Mungo's a few hours after waking, told the extent of my injuries, that there wasn't much else they could do for me and that I was being sent to live with my only living relative, my father's brother who I had never met.

Now before you panic, I have a few scars that couldn't be healed away, but the main injury if my right leg. I have a nice long scar hip to ankle, it used to be three fingers wide but with treatments, it is now down to only one and no longer red and angry. I can get around but not far and not very fast. I have to rely on a nice cane to get around and can't walk for more then fifty metres with out getting very tired and overstraining my leg, let alone stairs. According to my Uncle and the Medi witch stairs are a very big no no. I am to go no where near them.

I haven't been out side in nearly three weeks, I am just glad that my rooms are very large or I would be claustrophobic by now.

Please accept the gift as it was meant from the heart. It is painted directly from my memory and will play out the dances we did that day, before restarting to the beginning. It is a new form of Painting to the traditional. It isn't like a real soul painting but more a replay of a memory only in paint. If you tap the frame and call out any of the dances we did during that competition they will be shown.

This painting is the second of what the artist hopes of many, as was done as a favour to cheer me up.

If you truly wish to see me, let me know and I will discuss it with my Uncle to try and arrange a visit.

Your Friend

Rose.

She sighed and sealed it up in an envelope and asked Binky to take it to an owl to send off. She wasn't quite sure she was ready to see people who knew what she looked like before the attack, to actually see and understand what she had lost of herself.

She went back to her paintings and closed her door, cast a one way silencing charm around the room and turned her music globe back on. She sat in her seat, eyes closed listening as the vibrations spread through the room, before picking up her brushes and began painting.

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Rose look up from the four medium new paintings she had finished, when there was a loud knock on her door and flicked her wand at the globe to lower the volume, before flicking it at the door and watched as it opened on it's own revealing her Uncle standing there, with a raised eyebrow.

"Dinner started twenty minutes ago, Rose." He said dryly.

"I know." She nodded slowly. "Binky told me."

"And the reason you are not at the table?" He inquired as he stepped into the room and came to stand beside her, looking at her.

"I'm not hungry," She murmured, eyes turning back to her paintings. They were memory paintings, of training sessions of dancing, laughing and mucking around with Bill and Ginny, after a competition. Another of her and Richard at Salem, practicing out in a court yard, while a crowd of students gathered, cheering. Another of her carrying Lucas in her arms as she danced around a room as her mother played the piano and her father playing the Violin.

There was the beginnings of another on the easel of a group of friends talking and laughing but it wasn't finished yet.

A tear slipped down her cheek and she felt her Uncle's strong arm wrap around her shoulders and pull her to his side, hugging her gently.

"I don't even know if all my friends survived." She whispered. "I think it hasn't completely hit me, just how much I have lost because of that day…" Another tear. "I lost my family, my grace, my dancing, my friends, my home, my schooling, my freedom of movement." She sniffed and wiped away her tears, only to have more fall. "I gained an Uncle I never knew, I gained new friends, unlimited time to work on my arts, a business that is slowly picking up, money, a nice home…" She choked back a sob. "I would give it all up just to have it all back…even Lucas as annoying as he could be, interrupting me all the time to come and play. But I know that nothing will bring it back, nothing can undo what happened…"

"No, nothing can undo what happened." He said softly, as he shifted slightly and hugged her properly. "The best any one can do is make the best out of a situation, which you have done amazingly well. Set backs are a part of life, as much as we wish they weren't. Nothing is perfect, everything is flawed, you just learn to make the best of what we have for as long as we have it…" His voice trained off.

"And be thankful that we had it and a chance to experience it, even if it hurts us in the end." Rose finished with a choked laugh. "Father used to say that a lot when something went wrong.

"Yes, it was something mother taught us." He nodded slowly.

"Fate gives you lemons? Oh well lets make lemonade." She said softly. "That was Mama's view on things."

"What brought on this gloomy mood?" He asked as he released her and handed her a hanky to blow her nose.

"I sent Bill a painting of last years competition in hope it would inspire them and let them know what I wouldn't be dancing any more. He sent a reply and I replied to that letting him know why." She took a slow calming breath. "It occurred to me that I haven't been outside in nearly a month, and it really hit me that I wouldn't dance, couldn't run, can't even walk far even if I did get outside." She gave a slightly bitter laugh. "I wouldn't even be able to sit on the ground, with out have a lot of difficulty getting back up or getting down…" She shook her head sharply. "I need to know who survived, there were a lot of families and students there that day…a lot of my friends…"

"Albus will be able to get a list of everyone who was there, injured or dead." Severus said quietly. "Why don't you make it an early night…I must admit there isn't much I can do about the being outside point…the best I could do is carry you out let you sit in a chair and read for awhile."

"I know there isn't much you can do." She whispered. "I think I just needed to get it off my chest." She sighed and slowly got up and let him led her to her room. "I think I just might read for awhile…since I missed dinner anyway."

"Call Binky if you get hungry later." He said softly and left.

She cast a one way charm gain and flicked her wand at one of the thirteen globes scattered around her room. A lone Violin began playing softly at first, before getting louder to the point she could feel the vibrations in the floor, especially when the piano joined in.

She sat down on her couch side ways, her legs stretched out in front of her, her head resting on the arm and closed her eyes, spelling off the lights until only the bright fire light lit the room.

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It had been a few days since her little break down with her Uncle, Harry had returned, in full control of his family wards.

It was late and she couldn't sleep. She pulled a long thin box out of the back of her wardrobe can called Binky.

"Mistress?" Binky asked in concern.

"Are you still able to pop me places or am I too big?" She asked quietly, looking at the box.

"Binky can still pop with Mistress but not far." Binky said her hands twisting at her ear.

"Can you take me to some where in the castle where it has the best acoustics?" She asked slowly looking up at elf.

"Yes mistress." Binky nodded and took her hand gently once Rose had a hold of her cane and standing. They appeared in the middle of a stair well. "Good Acoustics here Mistress, sound travel every way." Binky bounced a bit.

"Find my viola for me?" She asked opening the box as she carefully went down one step and sat down, her back against the wall. She pulled out a small flute as Binky nodded and popped away.

She put the flute to her lips and played a few notes before listening to the echoes and nodded before launching into a slow, haunting tune, that as it went deeper into the tune gained hope, until it was a fast, perky jig.

She lowered the flute when she heard an inquisitive chirp and found Fawkes, sitting on the banister of the stairs looking at her, with his head titled slightly.

"Hello Fawkes, what brings you out here?" She asked softly and Fawkes trilled. "Ah I know that one." Rose smiled slightly and joined in. It was a tune that spoke of hope, friendship, joy and passion, with faint overtones of sorrow. "Thank you Fawkes." She chuckled and wiped away the few tears that had fallen. "Again but slightly different?" She requested as Binky popped in with a small Viola case.

Fawkes trilled his agreement and Rose quickly tuned her Viola and then began the tune again. This time the tune sounded more powerful, louder and more emotional.

She listened to the echoes after they had finished with her eyes closed before she began another cheerful jig, that was followed by several others.

At Fawkes trill of welcome she looked up as the Headmaster came up the stairs, in a dressing gown, looking a little concerned.

"Dear child, what are you doing way out here this time of night?" He asked.

"I couldn't sleep." She sighed. "I haven't played in months, Binky brought me up here, saying the Acoustics were quite good." She smiled faintly, which quickly faded. "I do apologise if I woke you."

"You did nothing of the sort, Rose. I couldn't sleep myself, I was curious at where Fawkes suddenly disappeared too, though I think you might have woken your Uncle when you left your quarters…you know he has them thoroughly warded to let him know when some one comes or goes." His eyes were twinkling. "I must say you play beautifully with Fawkes."

"Thank you." She flushed at his praise.

He slowly lowered himself on to a step. "Play something for me?" He requested looking at them both. "something happy and hopeful."

Rose smiled and raised her viola again and played again.

"ROSEILAND JEAN MARIE PRINCE WHERE ARE YOU?" Her Uncle's voice bellowed.

"I think I am in trouble." Rose whispered a little fearfully.

"I think you frightened him, child." The headmaster stood up slowly and looked over the banister down the number of stairs to see Severus hurrying up the stairs. "Peace Severus, she is fine." He called down, and paused a sorrowful flute started.

She finished just as Severus appeared on their level.

"I'm sorry uncle." She said softly. "I couldn't sleep."

"At least tell me that you didn't walk up here." He growled, looking worried and a little frightened.

"No, Binky popped me up here. I wanted some where with good acoustics and I didn't want to wake any one by walking around our rooms…" She sighed. "I didn't mean to worry you." She took a slow breath. "I think I got a bit claustrophobic and I just needed out of those rooms for a bit."

"Rose…" Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am not accustom to worrying about other people and I do not deal well with surprises or fright." He sighed as she packed up her instruments. "Next time just ask, if it is becoming a problem spending all hours in your rooms at night, just send Binky to me and ask to leave for a bit." He helped her to stand as the Headmaster bent down and picked up her cane and passed it to her.

"It shouldn't be too often, Binky can't pop me very far or often before it exhausts her." Rose assured him with a very faint smile.

"Can't another elf take you?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, we tried, back home, Binky knows me very well, she's been my elf since I was a babe. No other elf could pop with me no matter how we tried. We don't know why." Rose shook her head and a yawn caught her by surprise.

"Binky." Severus called the elf back. "Can you return Rose to her room?"

"Yes, Master Snape." Binky nodded and gently took Rose's hand and popped them back to her room.

"Thank you Binky." Rose murmured as the elf took her instruments and put them away. She changed into her pyjama's and slid into bed and was asleep very quickly and never noticed when her Uncle checked to make sure she was safely in bed.

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The next day Rose found herself outside in the sun with her paints and a few canvas and told firmly not to move from that spot by her Uncle and that he would collect her in a few hours, before she could blink.

She shrugged after getting over her shock and surprise of being carried out of her rooms while Binky was ordered to find a nice spot for Rose by the front entrance doors outside.

She looked around and picked through her brushes before beginning painting the forest. It wasn't long before she heard yelps of excitement and Draco and Harry bolted out of the castle with their brooms in hand. They waved wildly at her as they sped passed her and kicked off the ground heading for the pitch. She laughed and shook her head at their antics before turning back to her painting.

It was an hour later as she was cleaning one of her brushes when she noticed movement in the forest and frowned. Draco and Harry who had joined her for a picnic lunch looked up at her in surprise when she gestured sharply at them to quieten down.

"What is it?" Harry asked softly, just as a spell fired out of the wood.

"Portkey." She hissed and watched as they other touched their rings and she touched her bracelet. "Graceland." She said and was jerked backwards and cried out as she landed hard on her side and bit back a scream as her leg flamed with pain.

"Where are we?" Draco asked panting.

"Workroom." Rose gritted out. "Binky."

"Mistress hurt?" Binky popped in fast, pain potion already in hand and poured it down her throat. "Binky get Master Snape."

"What happened" He snapped as he raced into the room a few moments later.

"Spell shot out of the forest, Rose noticed something just before the first spell was cast and told us to use our Portkeys." Draco shook a little.

"She landed wrong, I saw her land and her leg buckled." Harry managed to get out a few seconds later.

"Binky, get Poppy and tell her to bring one of the strongest pain potions she has." Severus snapped out as he picked Rose up, his face blank but he flinched when she let out a hoarse low scream as her leg moved. He moved as quickly as he could with out jostling her leg and got her on to her bed and conjured a firm ball and pushed it into her hands. "Squeeze the ball Rose." He stroked back her hair out of her face, "Bite it if you have to but don't grit your teeth or bite your lip."

The ball was brought up to her mouth and she bit into it hard, breathing harshly, cries of agony came from the back of her throat.

"What happened?" Poppy yelled as she ran into Rose's room.

"They were attacked from the forest and activated their Portkeys." Severus snarled. "She landed on her leg."

Poppy's face went grim and pulled the ball away from her face and poured the potion down her throat fast, followed by a dreamless sleep to knock her out.

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