Disclaimer : I own nothing. Except Rose. Enjoy!
The flat was silent as Rose sat in the kitchen reading a letter she received from Dumbledore earlier that morning. It was cold and rainy day, so she blessed the warmth and coziness of her home but unluckily for her soon she would have to go outside because of the message from her former headmaster.
Miss Clifton,
Let me invite you for a cup of tea at my place, this afternoon. I have to discuss some important matter with you, about your after work activities, which I think you will find most helpful.
I am looking forward to our meeting,
Albus Dumbledore
She frowned at the thought of leaving home and going all the way through London to Grimmuald Place, for she knew that was what Dumbledore meant by "my place". And "after work activities" certainly referred to her membership in the Order of Phoenix. Rose sighed.
She was tired from spending all day at St. Mungo's where she worked as a healer and now this? Nonetheless she rose from her chair and headed towards bathroom. After brushing her hair quickly, the girl put on her cloak and exited the flat. The weather was awful and it started to rain more heavily.
Just my luck! – she thought and wrapped her scarf closer around her neck.
Rose wondered what was that important matter which Dumbledore had to discuss with her. Surely it wasn't something of great importance to the Order. Rose was a freshman in the group and her role there was insignificant. Her time at Hogwarts had ended two years ago with excellent notes in potions, charms, and herbology and then she started to work as a healer. She had some useful skills in that domain but they hadn't been used by the Order thus far.
Truthfully, Rose hadn't participated in any mission and no one really paid attention to her at the meetings. They all smiled at her politely and chatted, sure, but her opinion on important matters didn't count. No one asked her what she thought.
It had been a great surprise for her when Dumbledore had come to her personally a few weeks ago and asked her to join his cause. He had never paid much attention to her back in school, and she was no expert in DADA classes either, so it was strange but she agreed nonetheless.
After incidents during the Triwizard Tournament, one couldn't feel safe anymore, especially when the Ministry refused to see the truth and tried to decry both Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter. In Rose's opinion, Fudge was an idiot. He wouldn't believe in You-Know-Who's return even if he'd apparated right into minister's study. Every wand could be useful when the war started ( and that was what was going to happen for sure ) and Rose was eager to help in every way she could.
Finally, she reached her destination. Quickly, Rose climbed the stairs leading to the front door of Black's house and entered the hall. It was warm here although pitch dark. A smudge of light spread through splits in kitchen's door and that was the only source. Rose had to walk slowly for she didn't want to wake that horrific painting which hung on the nearby wall. Mrs. Black must have been one nasty old hag during her life if her portrait truly did mirror even the slightest bit of her real character.
After taking few steps ahead the girl noticed a man, who exited the kitchen and came closer in view. Sirius Black was still very handsome, even after all this years in Azkaban. He smiled at the girl and she blushed slightly. Rose kicked herself mentally.
Good for me that it's so dark here, or else I would make a fool of myself. Again.
"It's good to see a familiar face," he said.
Well, that is an overstatement giving that we're in complete darkness – thought Rose but said nothing, too busy trying not to stumble on the carpet.
"Recently, there weren't any meetings so I'm all alone here with Kreacher," Sirius continued as he led her to the kitchen. As if on call, the ugliest house-elf Rose had ever seen emerged from the pantry. He glared at Rose with his pale eyes.
"Filthy, little blood-traitor," he muttered.
"Get out!" Sirius snarled at the creature.
The house-elf left immediately but not without couple more silent insults.
"Sorry about that. He has a screw missing, pay no attention to him. Want some tea?"
They sat at the table, talking about Rose's work. Sirius seemed to be very interested in their conversation, joking and telling her funny stories about his school days. Rose thought that he must have been lonely and he was just grateful for the company of another human being. She couldn't imagine being forced to stay in this creepy place with crazy house-elf and even crazier portrait of a mother who despised her own son more than anything.
Rose liked Sirius right from the start, he was a good man with great sense of humour. A bit irresponsible at times but very brave. He always kept her company during meetings of the Order and chatted with her at dinners when everyone came to try the delicious cuisine from Mrs. Weasley whenever she was present at Grimmuald Place. In fact, he was the only person who treated Rose seriously. She had a feeling that he understood her because they both were somewhat excluded from Order's activities. Except that in Sirius's case it was for his own safety, and in Rose's case the reason was unknown. If Dumbledore didn't consider her good enough, why had he recruited her in the first place?
After a while, they heard silent footsteps outside the door and Dumbledore came in.
"Rose. Sirius." He greeted them with a smile.
He hadn't changed much from the last time Rose saw him. Sirius poured some tea for him and the three of them sat in silence. Dumbledore entwined his fingers on the table and said nothing for some time, lost in thoughts. Rose shifted uncomfortably in her chair eager to know what he wanted from her. At last the headmaster spoke.
"Ah, there is nothing better than a cup of hot tea during such weather, isn't it?"
Both Rose and Sirius stared at him in disbelief. Dumbledore was a genius, there was no mistake about that, but he was also a bit crazy, there's no doubt. He must have noticed their incredulous looks for he suddenly took serious expression.
"I didn't call you to chat about weather, though. Miss Clifton, I hate to upset you but you must know that you are in great danger, now that Voldemort has returned."
"Well, that applies for most of us, wouldn't you say?" said Sirius jokingly, but looked at Rose with worry.
"Undoubtedly we are all in danger, muggles and wizards alike," Dumbledore agreed and took another sip of tea, "but at this moment it is Miss Clifton who has been put in direct peril."
"You are a pure-blooded witch," he continued. "Your family's roots reach to the early years of tenth century. As such you would make a great asset for Death Eaters, without any living family member you could devote yourself entirely to Voldemort's cause."
Rose listened to him in shock. Why her? Her family had never supported You-Know-Who and Death Eaters couldn't have any use for her either way.
"They haven't tried to contact me yet," she said aloud, trying to make her voice strong and confident to hide her fear.
"Oh, I am convinced that it's only matter of time. Voldemort thinks that you're completely unprotected. He'll take his time, he has no need to hurry things up."
"And he is mistaken! There's no way in hell that we will hand Rose over to him!" Sirius exclaimed. He looked at Dumbledore and went on. "We could hide her here. She'd be safe."
"It could be arranged. We'd have to act cautiously, we cannot raise any suspicion..."
Both men were discussing Rose's fate as if she wasn't present. Again, no one had asked for her opinion. They were treating her like a child, even Sirius whom she trusted the most.
They think me weak. Why would they even bother? I don't know any secrets about the Order. I have no information that Death Eaters don't already possess. There's no point for them to pursue me. Maybe it's for the sole purpose of collecting all purebloods and killing all blood-traitors.
Then, a sudden realisation struck her. Maybe that was why Dumbledore had recruited her. To make sure that she wouldn't join the other side. It was not for her skill or beliefs. She has not been trusted. They wanted to keep her away from You-Know-Who to prevent her from helping him. After all, her family had been completely neutral during first war, they didn't join the Order. Voldemort hadn't managed to recruit them before his downfall. Dumbledore must be afraid now that she would join Death Eaters out of fear or something else. He considered her weak. Not worthy explanation of her situation. He, who was so eager to give everyone second chance, wouldn't give her her first. Rose clenched her fists in anger.
"Enough," she said quietly.
So this is it. Tell me what you think, what needs to be improved. If there are some mistakes, please let me know. This is my first story and I would appreciate constructive criticism so I could get better. Thanks for reviews :)
