Chapter 15:

George stood outside the shop while Fred rearranged the display in the front window. A flash of red hair caught George's attention. He turned around and saw Rose walking down the street. He waved to Fred and dashed after her.

Rose was walking down the street when a voice called out, "Hey! Hey you!" A man with vibrant red hair fell into step next to her. "George Weasley," he said as he extended his hand. Rose simply stared at it, so George withdrew it.

"Rose Carlisle."

"Oh I know who you are. You're Rose Potter." Rose stopped dead in her tracks. George stepped in front of her.

"Have you been following me?" Rose noticed George's wedding band. "How would your wife feel about this?"

"My wife?" George stopped to think. "Oh! That's not how I know who you are. You see, your brother married my kid sister. They're looking for you, you know?" Rose crossed her arms over her chest.

"Why?"
"Are you really that daft!? You left without even saying goodbye to your family!"

"I was scared!"

"Don't tell me, tell Lily and James. They're worried sick about you."

"What about the Death Eaters?"
"What about them? Trust me, you were in no danger. Harry, Tonks, Ginny and the Potters are all though fighters. You were far safer there than you would have been anywhere else." Rose brushed a strand of hair out of her face.

"So you really think that I should go back?"

"Yeah, I do, but I can't make you do anything." George looked at his watch. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work. I'll see you around." Rose said goodbye to George and continued to walk down the street. She made the decision to go back to the Potters and Disapparated right in the middle of the street.

Lily curled up on the couch with her head comfortably in James' lap. James ran his fingers through her soft hair. There was a polite knock on the door.

"Of course," James muttered.

"I'll get it," Lily said as she rolled off the couch. When she opened the door, she found Rose standing there. "Rose! How are you?"
"I'm fine. May I, uh, come in? I think I have some explaining to do." Rose twirled her hair around her finger, an old habit of hers.

"Of course, come in." Rose followed Lily inside. The house had magical items such as a broomstick propped up next to the door and muggle items like a telephone and television. It was an equal balance of both worlds, making James and Lily more comfortable and closer with the lifestyle they had been raised in.

James was sitting on the couch with his feet propped up on the coffee table. With a wave of her hand, Lily caused the table to slide over. James' feet slammed down on the floor.

"James, this is Rose," Lily said. James stood up and shook Rose's hand.

"Nice to meet you," he said.

"Same here."

"Please have a seat," Lily said as she motioned towards a chair. "Do you want anything?"
"Oh no, I'm fine." Lily and James both took a seat on the couch. "I'm sorry for leaving. I got scared. I didn't mean to worry you."

"All that matters is that you're alright," Lily assured.

"Is your friend alright, the one with the baby? I left after she got hit with that curse."

"Tonks and her baby are perfectly fine," James replied.

"Everyone's worried about you."

"Me? Why me?"

"You're a special young woman whose family has made their fair share of enemies. People were worried about your safety," James explained. Lily shook her head. That wasn't the best way to put things.

"Should I be worried?"

"Oh no, honey. Things are perfectly fine now. You have absolutely nothing to worry about," Lily assured. Rose seemed to look relieved.

"Other than our little mishap the other week, how have you been?" James asked.

"Pretty good. I've been looking for a job at Diagon Alley for the time being, but I can't find an opening."

"Fred and George probably need loads of help with the baby and the new shop," James pointed out.

"George Weasley? He's the one who talked to me today at Diagon Alley about coming to see you both. Do you think that he'll hire me?"

"I think he will," Lily replied. "Fred and George are Harry's brother in laws." Rose stayed all afternoon at the Potters. She couldn't bear to tear herself away from Lily and James. She knew at last that they really were her parents.

Lily walked down the street a week later in her muggle clothes. It felt unusual to her not to be wearing her usual robes. Finally, she reached her destination. She raised her hand and knocked loudly on the front door.

A/N: Any guesses as to where she is??

Tina101