Chapter 14

After showing Wanda where everything was, and how to operate the antique register, Rose said, "I'd like to tell Rogue about you're condition."

Wanda's eyes widened, and she looked over at her friend. "Why?" she asked.

The witch sighed. "You're moving in with me," she explained. "And I don't want her to get the wrong idea."

"But what if she tells Kurt?" the other girl asked worriedly.

Rose sighed. She didn't like the fact that Wanda had no plans to tell Kurt about their child. Oh, she understood where Wanda was coming from and her reasoning, and respected that it was her decision to make. It was why she was asking for Wanda's permission to tell Rogue. "I'll ask her not to."

"But…"

"Wanda," Rose said, cutting her friend off, "it's all I can do, and I won't tell Rogue if you don't want me to. But I don't want to lie to her, nor do I want her to assume the worst of me. I still help you anyway." She looked over at the other girl. "But we need to compromise if we're going to be living together."

Wanda sighed, but smiled weakly at her friend. "I don't want to hurt your relationship with Rogue," she admitted. "If it will help, tell her. If she tells Kurt, I guess I'll just deal with it."

Rose reached out and put her arm comfortingly on Wanda's shoulder. "If I ask her not to, I'm sure she won't."

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Sitting in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, Hermione was once more thinking guiltily of Rose and how she had listened to Dumbledore when he had instructed her not to write her friend.

Of course, she had been distracted at the time, but that was no excuse.

She'd written to Rose after discovering that she had disappeared, but her owls had always returned unopened. She had given up after several months.

But life had moved on. She still worried about Rose, but had accepted that there was nothing she could do. And while her life had changed, such as her falling out with Ron, she did wish that she still had Rose to talk to. The other girl had been her closest friend.

The young witch was pulled from her thoughts as an owl landed in front of her with several letters. Recognizing her mother, and uncle Henry's writing, Hermione felt a tinge of guilt, as she reached for the two letters.

The guilt stemmed from a diamond engagement ring resting on the seventeen year old witch's finger. She still hadn't told her parents about her relationship, let along that she was engaged. She feared they wouldn't approve, due to the age difference.

Pushing the thoughts out of her head, Hermione decided to read the letter from her uncle first.

My Dearest Hermione,

I hope this letter finds you well, which I am sure it will as I have just seen you before your return to school. I do hope your studies are progressing well and that you are enjoying your school year thus far.

Now to the reason for this letter. I remember you mentioning your friend, Rose Potter, and showing me a picture of the two of you. You also mentioned that you worried for her, as she had disappeared about a year ago. I am writing to tell you that I have recently met her.

When I returned to the Xavier Institute from my visit, it was to meet a young woman that was considering staying at the Institute. She introduced herself as Rose Potter, I recognized the name and mentioned you. When I did, she asked me to pass on that she is sorry for worrying you, and that she forgives you.

She is currently living here, in Bayville, operating a store that sells various remedies and knick-knacks. It is quite popular with the students here.

I hope this news eases your worries about her.

Once more, I thank you for accepting my new appearance. And I hope to get the chance to see you again soon.

With love

Uncle Hank

Hermione smiled, and wiped tears from her eyes, glad for the news about her friend.

Opening the letter from her mother, Hermione didn't even consider informing the Headmaster. It was her listening to him that caused this situation to begin with.

Even as she began reading the letter her mother had sent, Hermione decided that it was, perhaps, time to try sending Rose an owl again.

And maybe she could talk her parents into visiting Uncle Hank for the holidays.

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Rogue was surprised, along with the other students, when they returned from school.

Sitting on the couch in the activity room was Laura Kinney. Known as X-23, Laura was a clone of Mr. Logan, a clone that had previously attempted to kill the man, before everything was sorted out.

"Laura's gonna be staying here," Logan said gruffly, answering the groups unspoken questions.

Laura waved at them all. "Hi," she greeted. "Hope you don't mind."

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After taking her bag up to her room, Rogue took out her scooter to ride down and visit Rose at White Owl.

Walking into the store, she was surprised by the conversation the two were having.

"So I'm thinking a big lawn, then there'll be room for a play-set and just general goofing off," Wanda said. "I mean, if it's okay with you?"

"Of course," Rose answered. She turned to see who had entered the store, and smiled when she saw Rogue. "Rogue," she said, her smile widening. "You here for that promised better day?"

"Maybe," the southern mutant answered, a slight grin.

The witch turned back to the other mutant. "Think you can handle everything for a little while?"

Wanda smiled a bit hesitantly. "I think so."

Rogue watched as Rose gave Wanda a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine," she said. Turning and walking towards Rogue, she asked, "How about we go out for dinner? My treat."

"Where?" Rogue asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rose shrugged. "Wherever seems good."

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Rose made sure that they sat in the back when they entered the pizzeria. After placing their order, Rose sighed and said, "We need to talk."

"Those words never preceded anythin' good," Rogue commented, raising an eyebrow.

The witch smiled a bit sheepishly. "It's nothing bad, just…a few things you need to know."

"Kay, what?" Rogue asked.

Taking a deep breath, the witch said, "The first thing you need to know, since you're in a relationship with me, is the differences between magicals and non-magicals. Namely, the fact that, with a few exceptions, we don't have casual intercourse. At least, not their first time."

"What do ya mean?"

"A….bond, I guess you could call it, is formed when a magical's virginity is taken," Rose explained. "This bond is even more potent if both participants are virgins."

"A bond?" Rogue asked. "Ya mean like talkin' in each other's minds?"

Rose shook her head, with a small smile. "No, nothing like that. The bond is, and understand that I have no experience with it and only know this from the talk all of us witches were given in school, but its….the taking of innocence has power, at least magically. If given freely, it binds the participants together. It's one reason why magicals usually marry their school sweethearts." She sighed. "I'm not explaining this the best, am I?"

Rogue reached over the table and took Rose's hand in hers. "At least yer tryin'," she assure her girlfriend.

The witch gave Rogue a small smile. "This bond remains in effect for the rest of one's life. We were told that, when the bond is formed, should one of the couple die, the other will feel it. And while they'll live on, their life will never be as meaningful as before. I can't really explain it more, since I've not experienced it. But the important thing, is that even if we give our virginity to a non-magical, the bond still forms, just as strong as it would if both partners were magical."

"So yer saying that, if we go all the way …we'll basically be married?" Rogue asked for clarification.

"Not legally, but we might as well be."

Rogue sat back in her chair. "That's good ta know." She smiled at Rose, "Anythin' else?"

Rose grimaced. "Yes, but before I tell you, I need you to promise me that you won't tell Kurt."

"What?"

"I need you to promise not to tell Kurt."

The southern mutant narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

Rose sighed. "I can't explain until you promise, but I will promise you right now that if you do, I will explain why I need that promise."

She took a deep breath, but Rogue nodded. "Alright, ah promise not ta tell Kurt."

"Wanda is going to move in with me…."

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Rogue sat on the steps of the institute, looking up at the night sky.

The mutant was unable to sleep.

She didn't like not telling Kurt that he was going to be a father. He was her brother, and she felt he had a right to know. But at the same time, she understood what Rose had told her about Wanda's reasoning.

It still left a bitter feeling.

"You should be in bed."

Rogue turned her head to find Ms. Munroe standing behind her. The older woman was wearing a robe over her nightclothes as she gave Rogue a concerned look.

"Ah can't sleep," Rogue admitted.

"Nightmares?" Ororo asked, knowing that the young mutant sometimes had them, especially from the memories of people she had absorbed.

Rogue shook her head. "No," she sighed. After a moment of thought, she explained, "Ah know somethin' ah think someone else should know. But ah promised not ta say anythin' and understand why the person that should be tellin' this other person, has kept what ah know a secret."

The African woman walked down and sat beside Rogue. "It sounds like you have quite the dilemma."

"Tell me about it."

"Perhaps, you should try and get the one that asked you to keep this secret to reconsider," Ororo suggested. "They may not, but at least you're trying to resolve the issue. And you would not then be breaking your word. If they do not reconsider, you have a difficult choice to make."

"A choice?" Rogue asked, confused.

Ororo nodded. "You must decide what, in your mind, is best for both parties; keeping your silence, and your word, or telling the one you think deserves to know and breaking it. It might not turn out well, and you could lose friends either way. But it is up to you to decide what you think is right."

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Sorry for the long wait.

And I know that they didn't meet X-23 until after they were outed as mutants, but this is Fan Fiction and I've taken license with it.

Please Review and Checkout the Challenges in My Forums and the stories I have up for adoption, posted under the title Please Adopt Me! And please, if you enjoy this story, look at my stories More Important Things and Bloodhound. I'd really like to see someone accept my Bloodhound Challenge.