A/N: Thank you to those of you whom subscribed for alerts to this story. I can't tell you enough how much that means to me. I hope that you enjoy this chapter and I promise things are going to start picking up from this chapter on. I apologize that the first two chapters may have been slow but I can't stress how much that I needed to set the foundations to this story before I could really get started in this. So with that said I would just like to thank my amazing Beta AndiePotter-Snape for pre-reading this chapter for me! And now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Obviously I'm not J.K.R though my initails are R.K.. I own nothing that you recognize.

Chapter 3 – The Good, the Bold, and the Beautiful

James couldn't be bothered unpacking. His parents had let Sirius come over for the summer and James knew that the long haired teen was grateful to get away from Black Manor. Even with Sirius in the house James could do nothing but sit on the window seat and stare out into space simply thinking about a fiery red head that James had fallen in love with over the years. True, she never really seemed to notice him in his best of times and she seemed to catch every mischievous thing that he did with his three best mates. James let go of the snitch that he was holding – the one he had pinched at the end of the last game – and allowed it to hover in the air in front of him. A light smack to the centre of his chest brought him out of his thoughts and made him look at the face of his best mate, Sirius Black.

"Hey, check out that bird. I've never seen her around her before." Sirius stated looking outside of the window. James turned his head to look out the open window and his eyes searched the street in front of him. It wasn't long until his eyes landed upon the girl on the opposite side of the street, outside of her house. It wasn't until the girl turned around and she looked up at his window that something stirred inside of him.

"Wow, she's hot." Sirius stated bluntly but James wasn't sure if he could agree or not. If it was her it didn't change how he felt about Lily but shehad been his first crush and it would be weird to see her back here. James shook his head trying to get the girl from his mind as she walked away, no it couldn't have been her. It had been too long and James learnt a long time ago to expect her to never come back.

Sirius was still talking and James pushed away thoughts about the new girl from his mind. Even if it was her, he wouldn't let her occupy his thoughts; thatjob was devoted to Lily and no-one else.

"Do you think she's a witch?" Sirius asked. James turned his attention back to his best mate and gave a lopsided smile.

"You can't tell if somebody's magicalor not by just looking at them Padfoot." James remarked his lopsided smile growing at his best mate's confused look.

"Quite true, but I don't think it would hurt to introduce myself the next time we see her." Sirius winked and gave out a laugh that was too much like a bark which instantly had James laughing along with him.

"I still can't believe that Snivellus called Lily that filthy name. What do you think we should do about it?" Sirius asked, James could only see red for a moment as the memory flashed across his mind. That filthy git had no right to call Lily a mudblood.In truth James had attacked the git as soon as Lily had walked away but he was never going to let the dungeon bat live it down.

"I don't know. Something horrid I suppose." James said smiling as a plan came to mind, "How about we…" James whispered to Sirius the plan that had come to mind.

"That may just work! Prongs, you are a genius!" Sirius barked out another laugh and the two boys stayed up for the rest of the night discussing other plans, Lily, Mary McDonald (Sirius latest squeeze) and of all the mischievous things that they were bound to get up to the next year.

The summer flashed by for Rose, some days she stayed inside reading her American literature, some days she spent it outside sleeping underneath the sun (even though sun-bathing was kind of pointless for Rose) and some days she spent it down in the park where on many occasion she would run into two very handsome boys. She didn't know if they were wizards or not but they were friendly enough – or perhaps toofriendly – towards Rose. They didn't ask her and she, in turn, didn't ask them if they were wizards or not. Rose figured that if they were she would see them on the Hogwarts Express that she was to catch on the first of September.

It was the 22nd of August and Rose had still yet to receive her official letter from Hogwarts. Rose did her usual morning routine: wake up at six, put on a tracksuit and take a jog around the block. Nothing unusual ever happened on these morning runs and Rose returned home with nothing new happening again. She took a shower to wash the sweat off, brushed her teeth and went down to make herself some breakfast. Her Grandma would have already gone to the ministry and so Rose was left with nothing to do besides to curl up with 'Dracula', the novel that she was reading at the moment.

Rose was pulled out of her novel when she heard the screech of a owl and she looked up to see a large, brown barn owl sitting in the open window. Rose bookmarked the page that she was on and got up to walk over to relieve the bird of its burden. The owl dropped the letter into her open hand and it flew up into the air. Rose sat down on the window seat and looked at the letter. It was a pale cream envelope and on the front was written in a deep emerald:

Rose Ashmore
The Lounge room
13 Belmont St
Carmden
London

How the sender knew where exactly she would be when receiving the letter was just a tad bit creepy and unusual but it only sent a shiver of excitement fluttering down her spine. Rose flipped over the envelope and on the other side, sealing the letter closed was a wax symbol of a badger, a rook, a snake and a loin. 'The Hogwarts Code of Arms', Rose's mind whispered and she felt excitement spark to life inside of her. She ripped open the envelope and pulled out the letter.

Dear Miss Ashmore,

I am glad to say that you have been accepted to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is not very often that we have transfer students and I am ecstatic to say that you are the first in the past seven years. You will be starting your sixth year on the 1st of September. You will need to catch the Hogwarts Express before the eleventh hour at Kings Cross Station, Platform 9 3/4 Please find a list of all necessary books and equipment enclosed;

Professor Dumbledore,
Headmaster of Hogwarts

Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress

When Rose put down the letter from the headmaster she found that there was also a second page of parchment.

Each student will need the following;

UNIFORM

3 sets of plain work robes (black)
1 plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
1 pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
1 winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please not that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS

1 The Standard book of spells (Grade 6) by Miranda Goshawk
1 A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
1 Transfigeration and you (Grade 6) by Emeric Switch
1 One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
1 Defending yourself Against the Dark Arts; Advanced by Quentin Trimble
1 Advace Potions by Arsenius Jigger
1 Ancient Runes; A How to guide by Adalbert Waffling

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass phials
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR cat OR a toad.

Rose put both of the letters down and she realized that her grandmother had not gone to the ministry at all for here she was standing – about a meter – in front of her in her pyjama's and dressing gown.

"What have you got there, Rose?" Her grandmother asked kindly sitting down and taking a swig of her coffee.

"It's my Hogwarts Acceptance Letter," Rose replied a smile gracing her features. Lucinda smiled softly as well.

"Good. Well, since I have nothing to do today how about we go to Diagon Alley and get the things you need. Can you pass me the list please." She asked and Rose complied. Rose watched as her grandmother scanned over the list and then she handed it back to rose.

"Go and get ready Rose while I get myself dressed. We'll leave in about half an hour and we'll have lunch there." Lucinda told Rose before getting up herself and leaving the room to get ready. Rose walked out of the room leaving the book behind on the window seat and went upstairs to get dressed. She pulled on a short white summer dress, and picked up her black leather jacket and slipped that on as well. Rose left her wavy hair as it was and put on just a tad bit of makeup - nothing eccentric like mascara or eyeliner – just a little bit of foundation and a clear strawberry flavoured lip-gloss - and Rose was ready.

It wasn't long until Lucinda was ready as well. Rose had been waiting in the lounge room and when Lucinda came in they floo-ed to Diagon Alley.

Diagon Alley was bustling with business and for a moment after the quietness of the house, the overly crowded streets of Diagon Alley made Rose's head spin from all of the thoughts swirling in the air around her. Rose quickly put up her mental wall and blocked out all of the incoming thoughts. She had had practice doing so for all the years that Rose had been at W.I.C.C.A and now it was an easy task for her to do.

They went to Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions first, to get Rose's new set of school clothes. In there was four boys, the shortest and less handsome of them was with – whom must of have been – Madam Malkin.

"I'll be with you in a moment," Madam Malkin called, two sets of pins sticking out of the side of her mouth. Lucinda turned to face Rose and gripped onto both of her shoulders.

"Will you be alright here? I need to go and pick up some things." Grandma Adams asked, Rose replied with a soft yes and then she was alone with the three other boys. It wasn't until they had heard Rose's voice that they even noticed that she was there.

Sirius's hand hit James chest just like the first night he had seen the girl. "Guess she's a witch then," Sirius murmured to James a smile stretching out on his lips before he got up and walked over to the girl.

"Hi, I'm Sirius Black." The boy said to Rose when he had reached her. He took her gloved hand in his and kissed it gently. The glove prevented Rose from the boys every thought but she still could hear his "inner" voice as if it were being muffled from the glove. Rose could pick up the gist of his thoughts though and it made her flush.

"Hello, I'm Rose Ashmore." Rose replied, her smile was strained as if the moment was awkward. For her it was, because his thoughts were starting to become much clearer to Rose, even though the glove still remained on her hand. James wasn't really paying attention to the conversation but he caught the girl's reply and almost did a double take. He looked at her trying to connect this beautiful girl to the little girl of his past but he couldn't make the connection.

"What did you say your name was?" He asked from his seat at the window. He didn't mean to say it out loud, but now that it had been said he couldn't take it back. James notice her blush and the red marking her cheeks only made her more beautiful. Her forest green eyes met his and she said her name again. He knew just by those eyes that it was her. He gave her a lopsided smile and said.

"Long time no see Rose, I wonder, do you remember me?" He asked as he stood up his arms aching to hold his old best friend.

Rose's smile was genuine this time, "Messy hair, glasses and that lopsided smile. How could I forget the great James Potter," She joked and his smile grew larger. He gave out a little laugh and it made her laugh along with him.

"How have you been?" He asked and Rose just shrugged her shoulders.

"I could be better. Losing both of your parents in one night is straining." She tried to make a joke but he could see the pain in the depths of her eyes.

"Well, let me make the introductions," James said gesturing for Remus to join them. When Remus was standing next to James he continued. "You've already met Sirius, and you know who I am. This is Remus," James said waving a hand at Remus and then continued as he pointed over to Peter "And over there is Peter. And together we make the Marauders." James gave a winning grin and Rose gave a hearty laugh that tinkled like soft bells chiming, both Remus and Sirius seemed to be entranced by the sound of her laughter and James' grin grew larger.

"The Marauders. Did you get the name from old 'Maraudy's' fort?" Rose teased but James smile only got even larger as he winked and said "You bet I did." Their laughter resounded throughout the small shop again and Sirius let out a frustrated grunt. It figured that James would get all the attention.

"Could someone please explain what's going on here?" Sirius asked a bit frustrated but happy at least that they weren't all over each other.

"I used to know Rose when I was a kid. She lived in the burnt down house across the road." James replied to his best mate, who seemed to be getting frustrated.

Remus had not said a word other than a short hello to the girl. He knew what he was, he knew that pretty girls like her couldn't - more like wouldn't - be seen with someone like him, a werewolf. Moony had stirred when Remus had seen Sirius kiss her gloved hand. He wondered why she would wear black leather gloves like that, why she would want to hide her hands - which he assumed were beautiful just like the rest of her. He wondered why she would want to hide any part of herself. Maybe her hands are scared, his mind whispered. Remus smiled softly as he heard her laughter. She was beautiful inside and out. Remus wanted her to notice him but he wasn't going to push his luck. He was lucky enough to even be standing near her, though that would probably change when she learnt of what he was.

Rose watched as the fourth boy, Peter, walked up to the group and she knew that they were going to leave.

"It was nice to see you again, James. And it was nice to meet you Sirius, Remus." Rose said, she saw Remus's body give a slight shiver as she said his name and their eyes met for a moment. For some strange reason Rose couldn't hear his thoughts. Perhaps if she touched him she would have heard his thoughts but she only smiled when their eyes met trying to show the truth of her words through her eyes. He smiled softly as they exited the shop with Peter following behind them.

Madam Malkin turned to her then after the boys had left the shop and said "How can I help you dear?" Rose explained to the woman what she needed and she was ushered to the little platform that Peter had just been standing on. It took a while and Lucinda had come back by the time that Madam Malkin was done.

"That will be 12 sickles and 3 knuts for the three work robes, 2 sickles for the hat and 2 sickles and 6 knuts for the winter cloak. In total that is 16 sickles and 9 knuts." Madam Malkin said and Grandma Adams paid the woman. It didn't take very long for Rose to get everything else and she didn't bother with getting a pet. Rose didn't see the boys again and she regretted it slightly but it was rounding onto two o'clock and Grandma Adams and Rose were still to have lunch.

Rose and Lucinda exited out of Flourish and Bolts and back past Madam Malkin's, they walked past the side street that turned off into Knockturn Alley and they continued down Diagon Alley until they found the little café a little bit further past Gringott's. It was a quaint little shop and the two women decided that they were going to sit outside since it was a nice enough day. Rose set down the bags before she took her seat across from her grandmother whom had already picked up the menu placed at the little two seat table. Rose also picked up her menu. A little after Rose had decided on what she wanted to order the waitress came along.

"Welcome to Madam Blackard's Casa de Café. I'm Lilliana and I will be your waitress today. Are you ready to order?" Lilliana the waitress said with her notebook and pen propped in her hands.

"Yes, can I get the shepherd's pie and a butterbeer," Rose said placing her menu down, the waitress recorded her order and then turned to Lucinda whom ordered the same thing. They settled into an easy conversation after the waitress left. Rose noticed a very mugglelooking family come to the cafe. There was the mother and father; there was also a girl her age that looked very similar to the girl's mother. Rose could hear the girl's easy conversation with her parents and was slightly envious of the girl's good fortune.

Lucinda and Rose ate their lunch in silence; Lucinda had noticed Rose watching the red head girl and felt a stab of pain for her granddaughter. She knew that Rose wished that her life had been normal, that her mum wasn't a death eater and that her father was still alive. Not that Rose ever complained but Lucinda still knew her granddaughters desires anyway, and so she left Rose to think. Lucinda shrunk the items that they had brought and slipped them into her purse. She floo-ed back to their house via the Leaky Cauldron and she left Rose to unpack her things after they had arrived at home. There was a letter sitting on the kitchen window sill addressed to Lucinda. She ripped open the envelope and pulled out the short strip of parchment.

I will be seeing my daughter soon Mother, and there is nothing that you can do to stop me.

Lucinda knew instantly who the letter was from as the message was perfectly clear. Kayley was coming to see Rose. True, Lucinda didn't know when, where or how but she knew why and she knew that there was nothing that she could do to prevent her from seeing Rose.

A/N: Please remember to leave me a Review (good, bad, flame or C.C it doesn't matter to me) and select "Story Alert" if you want to be updated on this story. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please tell me what you thought of it =)