A/N: Thank you again to my amazing Beta AndiePotter-Snape for all your amazing efforts so far! This story wouldn't be as good as it is without your inputs ;) and thankyou to all of you for reading this story so far. I almost wrote four pages just for the Rose/Kayley scene lol and I couldn't stop writing this so I cut it short and it is continued in the next chapter which should be up by either today or tomorrow. Please R&R! Thanks guys! Enjoy!
Chapter 4 - Finally Happening
The last of the holidays flew by and Rose could not tell where they had gone to. It was now the 31st of August and she was to catch the Hogwarts express in the morning. Rose moved the serving of beef casserole on her dinner plate with her fork, her unpleasant thoughts churning over in her mind.
Her grandmother had been hovering over her in a protective yet annoying way, as if something horrid was going to happen before the first. Rose had been sorely tempted to rip down her mental wall and force herself into her grandmother's mind just to find out what had her so worried, but Rose restricted herself every time this urge stirred inside of her out of respect for her grandmother, the woman that had taken her in and raised her up as if Rose was her own daughter. Rose let out a frustrated sigh and shifted the food again with her fork. The doorbell rang and Rose watched as the woman sitting across her at the dining table got up to answer the door.
Rose could hear muffled voices coming from the front door and Rose strained to hear the voices. Getting frustrated at not hearing anything she pulled down her mental walls and let her mind roam the house to find out who had arrived at their house at this time of night.
Lucinda walked down the short corridor to the front door. She hoped that it wasn't her daughter but her hopes were sorely crushed when she opened the door to not only find her daughter but a male companion with her, who was obviously Lewis Prothorow when he stepped into the light pouring out of the open door.
"Hello Kayley, Lewis. Please come inside and take a seat in the lounge room. I will get Rosemarie." Lucinda said, hating to have to use Rose's full name. Lewis gave a nod of his head and pulled Kayley towards the lounge room which Lucinda had just pointed out for them.
Rose stood up as she saw her grandmother walk into the dining room, a wary expression etched deep into her smooth skin.
"What's wrong?" Rose asked instinctively feeling the effects of worry etching into her own skin.
"We have some visitors who want to speak with you. Just give them a moment or two and then I'll send them away," She said the worry still evident on her face. Her azure eyes swam with worry clearly and it only upset Rose more.
"Who is it?" Rose asked stepping closer towards her grandmother and running a hand lovingly along her grandmother's arm.
"Your mother and Lewis Prothorow, a friend of your mother's," Lucinda said meeting Rose's eyes. Rose could hear the venom towards her mother coming out of her grandmother's voice.
"Alright I'll hear her out." Rose said a calm determination settling over her. Yes, she loathed her mother, but she was still her mother and there was nothing wrong with listening to what she had to say.
"They're in the lounge room. I'll stay with you to make sure she doesn't do anything." Lucinda said but Rose barely even heard her as she made her way to the lounge room. Placing one foot in front of the other, determination setting her shoulders stiff and there was no emotion on Rose's face as she walked into the room.
"Hello Rosemarie," Kayley said as she got to her feet walking over to pull her daughter in an embrace. Rose lifted her hand, stopping her mother from what she had already assumed she was about to do.
"Don't touch me," Rose's voice was as cold as ice and Kayley stopped in her tracks, curiosity and anger fighting for dominance within her. Finally anger won out as she said "Rosemarie Margaretta Diane Ashmore that is no way to talk to your mother." Kayley reprimanded her daughter's tone as Lewis stood up beside her to take her hand.
Rose didn't miss the man's simple action and she certainly did not miss the tone that her mother's voice had taken. "That is exactly how I talk to a mother that betrayed and killed my father and who wouldn't have hesitated to kill me if she had to." Rose replied sitting on the edge of her favourite arm chair. She liked the look that crossed her mother's face and tried to repress a chuckle.
"So what did you want to speak to me about?" Rose asked crossing her arms over her chest, her eyes never leaving her mother's face as she sat back down.
"I wanted to discuss with you staying with me over the winter or Easter holidays; just for a few days." She quickly added sensing that Rosemarie was about to decline her request. It couldn't hurt to stay with her for a two or three days could it? What was the worse that she could do to Rose while she stayed with her? Rose resisted the urge to chuckle at all the horrid thoughts that filled her mind. There was plenty of horrid things that she could do to her while Rosemarie stayed with her.
"I'll think about it. I will send you an owl to let you know of my decision. Was that all Mother?" Rose asked laying the venom thick onto her title. The man, Lewis, gave a slight frown at the tone that she was carrying but she couldn't give a damn to what he thought about her or her tone.
"No, no that was all. Well I will await your owl then daughter. Come Lewis, we have things that need to be done." Rose's mother said rising from her seat ignoring Rose's tone this time. Rose watched as her grandmother led her mother and Lewis out of the lounge room and to the front door. Rose could feel the strain of having to put her mental wall up so quickly after she had taken it down for her investigation. It was tiring to constantly have a mental wall up but it was going to be even more tiring when the school year started and Rose was at Hogwarts. Rose didn't need the "inner eye" to know that she was going to have a skull-cracking migraine by the end of the tomorrow.
Rose's eyes fluttered closed for a moment as she felt the extra presences leave the house. It wasn't until she felt a hand on her shoulder that Rose's eyes fluttered back open to find her grandmother looking down, concern and love swarming in her azure eyes.
"I think you should go to bed Rose, you've got a long day tomorrow." Lucinda said as she looked down onto her exhausted granddaughter. She couldn't be more proud of Rose than in that moment. The fact that she hadn't killed her mother on the spot was a great show of her self-restraint.
Rose, with a lot of effort on her part, nodded her head silently and made her way to bed. The event with her mother had emotionally strained Rose and so she prepared herself for bed with her remaining energy. Rose slept for the rest of the night without making a sound or stirring at all – which in itself was not a strange occurrence – but instead of her dreams being of her usual nightmare it was of a blank-faced man begging her not to leave him.
Rose awoke with the early morning sunlight in her face and she knew that she had slept in later than she normally would have; Rose blamed this instantly on her mother's visit last night. It was an unusually sunny day for the first of September and Rose smiled slightly. She was excited to start her school year at Hogwarts, she wondered how different it was going to be from W.I.C.C.A and it simply made her more excited.
Rose grabbed a quick shower in the bathroom adjoined to her bedroom and after a quick ten minute shower she walked back into her room, her body wrapped in a towel while her hair was towelled dry and laid perfect down her back. Rose slipped on the black jeans, white lacy tank top, black leather jacket, black leather gloves and the black flats that she had laid aside the night before. Rose put on the little bit of makeup that she was so used to putting on and a little bit of a sweet vanilla and coconut perfume that she had bought on a vacation to Rome.
Rose made her way downstairs, her trunk in her hand. Breakfast was an uneventful thing and Rose was grateful for that. She wasn't sure if she could even handle her grandmother's thoughts and fortunately, for her, Grandma Adams's thoughts were idle this morning.
However, though the house had been quiet Kings Cross was a different subject. It was bustling with muggles and all the insubstantial thoughts that filled their heads.
What is my wife going to think….
I'm late, I'm late! Oh God I'm late….
Does my ass look big in this and why, for Christ's sake, is that girl staring at me for…
That last thought made Rose put up her mental wall and advert her eyes away from the woman who had been complaining about her ass looking to big in those jeans. Rose hadn't meant to be staring but her eyes had jumped from person to person as their thoughts flooded into her mind. Rose and Grandma Adams strolled through the brick wall between platform 9 and 10 when they were sure that there was no muggles looking and they walked out onto platform 9 and 3/4 where the platform was filled with wizarding families. Rose's look of astonishment didn't pass by unnoticed and Grandma Adams gave a low chuckle to her granddaughter's amazement.
Rose took in the swarm of people on the platform, the blood-red and jet black steam engine and even though Rose's mental wall was in place she could feel all the thoughts pounding against those walls, trying to break in. She could see the Marauders – whom had, thankfully, not seen her yet – she could see James flirting with a red-head that seemed to be getting frustrated with the attention. A bit further off with a bunch of slimy looking kids was a tall, pale dark-haired boy watching the red-head girl with longing and then when Rose looked back over to James and the girl she saw that Sirius had seen her and was making was way over to her. Rose groaned inwardly and prepared herself for the boy's overwhelming thoughts.
"Hello fair Maiden," Sirius said as he bent over Rose's gloved hand and kissed it again like he had in Madam Malkin's much to Rose's frustration as his thoughts were as clear as day. It was Grandma Adams chuckle that made the boy remember that they weren't alone and Rose was grateful for her grandmother's interference.
"And who is this Rose?" Lucinda asked her granddaughter giving a small chuckle at the boy's ministrations. Lucinda didn't miss the thankful look that Rose shot her way.
"This is Sirius. He's a friend of James that I met in Madam Malkin's." Rose replied automatically, answering her grandmother's question. Rose saw James looking around – most likely looking for Sirius – and then his eyes found the back of Sirius's head and then shifted slightly so that their eyes met. Rose saw James give a lopsided smile and then she watched as he and the other two Marauders made their way over.
"Speak of the Devil, here he comes now." Rose said a full-fledge smile spreading out onto her lips.
"Oi Padfoot what did I tell you about leaving the poor girl alone." James called over the low buzz of voices swarming the platform. Sirius spun around like a naughty child caught in the act of doing something wrong.
"I don't see you leaving Evans alone," Sirius retorted and Rose gave a small chuckle so similar to her grandmother's. Rose felt her grandmother's hands on her shoulders again and she turned to face her.
"I've got to get going to the ministry," Grandma Adams started pausing for a moment, "Have fun this year and make sure that you write to me about all of your misadventures." Rose gave her grandmother a genuine lazy smile and wrapped her arms around her grandmother.
"I will and please be careful on your cases," Rose replied when she stepped back out of her grandmother's embrace. Rose watched her grandmother leave before she turned around to find that all four boys were now surrounding her.
"Hello again beautiful," James teased, his lopsided smile stretching out on his lips in a familiar way. Rose gave a hearty laugh that chimed like silver bells tinkling, and replied, "Stopping being a prat James."
"Hey look who's watching," The short chubby boy – Peter, my mind reminded me – piped up, his voice sounded more like a mouses squeak than anything else. The other three boy's heads swivelled from side to side trying to find whom Peter was trying to point out and then all four eyes were upon the tale, pale, skinny black-haired boy Rose had seen before.
"Snivellus," James and Sirius snarled. Rose was pretty sure that wasn't a real name and then came to the conclusion that that must have been their nickname for him. Still, the nickname did not sit well with Rose nor how James had snarled the name with so much venom that it almost burned in the back of her mouth.
"What the fuck is Lily doing talking to him?" James snarled again, his vision blurring into a red haze.
"Who's Lily?" asked Rose and all three out of four sets of eyes turned to her. Rose watched the boy's and James in particular until Remus started speaking.
"Lily is James' love interest." Remus states bluntly his eyes watching her face. She's more beautiful than his memory did her justice.
"Love interest. So she's not James's girlfriend?" Rose asked she watched as Remus's lips tugged into a lazy smile and he shook his head in a humourless way.
"He wishes," Remus replies. Rose could see his amber eyes burning liquid gold as she laughed softly.
"I'm going to go find a seat," Rose says to Remus as Sirius and James were distracted with the talk of Quidditch and Peter was sucking on a fizzing wizbee. "You're welcome to join me if you like." She gave him a soft smile and Remus's heart gave a slight squeeze and he gave her a soft smile in return.
"I might catch up with you later," Remus replies and Rose gives a small shrug of her shoulders in indifference, trying to hide the fact that his not quite decline had stung her somewhat. Rose made her way over to the train a lot of the same thoughts flooding into her mind as she accidently brushed past people.
Who is she? Where did she come from? Is she new here? Merlin, she's beautiful. The last thought was decidedly male and it came from every single male that Rose brushed past and then Rose could feel a pair of eyes watching her as she climbed onto the train. Rose resisted the urge to look around for the pair of eyes that she could feel watching her and made her way to find an empty carriage. It wasn't hard to find one since mostly everyone was still on the platform and Rose chose an empty carriage three from the back. Rose slipped her trunk onto the railing over the left-hand side seat and sat down next to the window. Rose rested her head against the cold, glass window and her eyes fluttered close. Her mind was roaming outside searching for the Marauder's and her mind found another girl's head that was watching the group of the four boys.
It was a little while later that Rose felt a hand on her shoulder and she slowly tried to blink away her sleepiness. When her mind had finally kicked in and her thoughts – and those around her – had become coherent she found that it was Remus's hand on her shoulder.
Remus could feel himself getting hard as he watched the girl in front of him waking up and he prayed to whatever god was out there that she didn't realize how hard she had made him.
"Hey," Remus said when Rose had finally looked like she was awake enough to understand the simple word.
"Hey," Rose replied a little bit sleepily, "What's up?" She asked before she had to stifle a yawn.
"I was just wondering if you minded if we sat with you." Remus said feeling a slight bit awkward with his hard on being squeezed gently by his tight jeans.
"That's why you woke me up?" Rose said giving a sleepy smile. Remus cursed under his breath, why, oh why did she have to smile at him like that? "Of course you guys can sit in here. You didn't need to ask Remus, but I'm glad that you woke me anyways." Rose said sitting up slightly and blushing furiously as she wiped away the dribble at the side of her mouth with her index finger.
"Come in, guys," Rose called out to the three other boys that she knew were waiting outside in the corridor of the train. James, Sirius and Peter filed into the room and sat down in the other bench across from her.
"Sit down Remus," Rose said softly to the boy still standing next to her.
"I can't," Remus said a look of regret passing over his features, "I've got to go to a prefect's meeting but I'll come back in a little while," He said before he left.
The boys chatted about Quidditch, girls and pranks while Rose watched the land rolling pass them outside of the window. Rose could feel herself falling asleep again, and she didn't bother trying to stop the black wings wrapping her up in its velvety soft embrace.
It was dark when Rose awoke, and the boy's where talking in hushed whispers. Rose could feel a flutter of a pulse against her forehead and Rose blushed when she realized that her head was resting on Remus's shoulder. Rose had not had any dreams or nightmares and she was grateful that that was the case. What would the boys do if they heard her screaming from her nightmares? Rose shuddered to think what would have happened, to think of how much attention she would have warranted if she had had her usual nightmare.
"Hey sleepy head," Remus murmured, Rose gave a small groan of understanding but she didn't move her head. She could feel Remus's arm gently – and yet barely - wrapped around her, almost as if he was afraid to wrap her up in his arms.
"We're almost there, why don't you go and get changed." Remus suggested, at this Rose awoke completely and agreed silently by getting up and taking her small carry-on bag with her to the change rooms. It was on Rose's way back to her shared compartment with the boys that she found the solitary figure sitting alone in the compartment right before the change rooms. Rose wondered if she should introduce herself but then Sirius stuck his head out of the compartment two more down and called her over.
Rose hesitated for a second longer, her eyes wanting to see the boy in the compartment again but she continued forward hoping that Sirius didn't see her hesitation. Rose continued down the corridor to her shared compartment with the boys and sat back down in her seat. The rest of the ride to Hogsmead station didn't take very long at all; at least fifteen minutes top. Rose was still a little groggy when she got out of the carriage with the four boys and Remus's arm around her waist helped her to walk over to the carriages without falling over. Rose wasn't surprised at seeing thestrals pulling the carriages, they were supposed to be only seen by people that had seen death and so Rose was able to see them but she doubted that a lot of the students now filling into the carriages would be able to see them. She supposed that it seemed more magical if the carriages were "driven" by themselves and Rose amused the boys ignorance by playing the ignorance card herself.
Remus explained that the first years usually went by boat to the castle to experience their first glance of the castle. Rose listened as he told her how he felt about seeing the castle the first time and about the giant – but friendly – man that had led them on the boats. Rose smiled softly at Remus's tale and although Rose wished that she could have experienced what Remus was talking about, she was glad to be right where she was with the Marauders.
When they arrived at the castle and had gotten out of the thestral drawn carriages they walked into the great hall. An old witch walked up to Rose and the Marauders and she saw the boys start growing agitated as the witch approached them.
"Good evening Professor McGonagall." The boys said in unison and Rose give a slight chuckle as the Professor greeted the boys.
"And you, I assume, are Miss Ashmore." Professor McGonagall said after she had greeted the boys.
"Yes, I am." Rose replied curious as to why a teacher would seek her out the first moment that she walked into the school for the first time ever.
"You need to wait out here until I come to get you, as you will need to be sorted into your house before you can sit down at a house table." Professor McGonagall explained.
"We'll see you later Rose and don't worry we'll still talk to you no matter what house you get sorted into," James said giving Rose a lopsided smile that made her smile too.
"Even if she's sorted into Slytherin?" Peter asks shock spreading out onto his face. Professor McGonagall doesn't say anything as she walks away but Rose can see her shaking her head as she leaves.
"Even if she's sorted into Slytherin," Sirius says with a wink and the three boys walk away. Rose can feel Remus's arm still around her waist.
"Go on Remus, I'll be fine," Rose says giving the fourth boy a small smile and he automatically smiles in response. Rose can't help but think that Remus is cute when he smiles, his sandy blonde hair in his amber eyes and the gentle smile tugging at the corners of unusually blood red lips. He walks away without saying anything but; honestly, there is nothing to be said.
It's clear to Rose that even here there are prejudices between the houses but that isn't what has Rose worried. What has Rose worried is the bombardment of thoughts that is bound to happen when Rose is introduced in front of the entire school. Rose let out a sigh, if she didn't get a headache tonight she was sure as hell that she was going to have a migraine by the end of tomorrow.
A/N: Review's = love 3. As from the next chapter I will be sending out short previews for everyone who leaves a review and if you guess where the lyric's of the next chapter's title comes from then you can get a bit extra on the preview. Pictures of all the characters I intend to put to play in this story is on my wall! thanks for reading guys and please pretty please with suger on top leave a review I would love to hear what you think!