Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Anything in regards to Harry Potter is the property of JKR, and I make no money from writing this.

AN: I'd like to thank everyone who's reviewed so far, your reviews are greatly appreciated, and I always attempt to respond to everyone, especialy if you have any questions about my story.

thoughts'

Dreams

Chapter Five

The Disappearing doorway

They'd stopped mid way up the stairwell, turning down an airy but dimly lit hallway. Leaning against the wall to catch her breath Rose wiped her forehead before continuing down the hall. Stopping between numbers 22 and 24 they waited while he rummaged through his pockets. Pulling out three bit of parchment he handed one to each of them before turning back towards the door. Taking out his wand he tapped it against the wall three times then leaned forward, brushing his lips against the dry wall. Glancing down at the parchment Rose quickly read the words, Number 23 Glasgow Building, as the wall began to shift.

A hardwood door with brass numbers materialized from the wall, it's silver handle jingling as he opened the door. Grinning he turned towards them, holding the door wide. "Welcome to my humble abode." he joked as he ushered them inside. Walking down the short entrance area Rose let her eyes gaze around quickly, getting her bearings for her new 'home'. "Through that door is the kitchen, and across from it is, obviously, the setting room. Down the hall are the three bedrooms. Vic and I are on the right next to the bathroom and you'll be staying in the tiny little rooms off to the left. You can go get settled if you want. Al, and Malfoy, you'll be in the one with the bunks, the other's for Rosie. Well? Get at it, no doubt the lovely Missus has some god awful French thing boilin' on the stove." Not waiting for a response he ducked into the kitchen leaving them where they were.

Squaring her shoulders Rose pushed past the boys and made her way down the hall. Her room wasn't 'small', per say, there was enough room for the cot and a chest of drawers. Letting her bag fall from her shoulders she flopped on to the cot and closed her eyes, willing away her headache. Everything had seemed so simple when they'd come up with they're half backed plan three months ago. Now the world was closing in fast and she had no way of knowing which way the next blow would come from. Heaving a sigh she leaned her head against the pillow, watching the light form passing cars play off her ceiling as sleep finally overcame her.

Roses eyes snapped open as quickly as they had closed, but she no longer found herself in the small room sh had fallen asleep in. Here, where ever that was, was dark, and cold, a silvery mist swirling around her as she looked around. "Anyone here?" she called, her voice sounding muffled in this strange place. "Scorpius? Albus?" Her calls where meant with silence. Walking forward she felt the air thicken, as the mist began to wipe past her.

"Rose." a gentle voice called to her. Jerking around quickly Rose made out a shadowy figure in the distance. Moving slowly against the thickening air she tried to make her way towards the figure. "Rose, Rose." It's calls grew softer the closer she moved, the winds wiping around her, blinding her.

A dark chuckle resounded through the air, as hissing voice echoing in her ear. Crying out in frustration as the winds pushed even harder, the darkness deepening. Just as she feared the wind would over take her she caught a glance of light in the darkness, a streak of silver light like lightening, lighting the person's face. Blue eyes flashed at her, cold as ice, and sharp as steel. The wind grew deafening as she struggled, her cries drowning in their wails. "Scorpius!" she screamed one final time as the wind over took her, and her world once again dissolved into darkness.

A soft knock on the door jarred her a few hours later, causing her to spring from the bed. Vic had smiled apologetically, and announced that lunch was ready before disappearing down the hall. The meal had progressed without any incident and Rose found herself slowly relaxing as she watched her friends laugh and talk with Teddy. Later as the boys, prompted by Teddy, had taken up residence in the setting room Vic had pulled Rose into the bathroom to 'solve her hair problems'.

Leaning against the bath tub Rose snorted as Vic looked over the package once again. "See it says its perfectly safe, and natural looking. It'll fade out in a few months and then you'll have to touch up. Ready to get started?" she said, removing the components from the box. Rose leaned against her raised knees trying to contain her nerves as she ignored the question. "Rose? Rosie?" Turning sharply Rose looked into her cousins clear blue eyes. "Wanna tell me what's wrong, sweetheart? I know you're a teenager but your not usually vain about things like this."

Turning away to stare at the wall paper of the room Rose hugged herself. "I'm not." she managed to croak out. When Vic merely raised a brow in question, Rose shrunk further into herself. "It's just... Mal, Scorpius, has always called me Red, cause of my hair. He said to was pretty once, fetching for a Weasley." Stopping short she turned fully to look at her blond cousin. "What if... What if he won't call me it anymore?" Her whispered question seemed to go unnoted by Vic for a moment as the older woman looked at her strangely.

Suddenly a bubble of laughter rose from Vic's chest as she dissolved into giggles. Quieting herself when she saw Roses stricken expression she pulled her into a reassuring hug. "Oh, sweetness, I wasn't laughing at you. It's just, sometimes I forget how young you are. No matter the situation life gives you, still so green in love." she explained, cupping Rose's face. "You'll always be Red to Malfoy, no matter what color your hair is, just as I'll always be Blondie to Teddy, no matter who grey my hair could get. The hair isn't what matters, he cares for you, not it."

Heaving a silent sigh Rose picked up the cardboard box the dye had come in, gazing at the chestnut brown locks of the woman on the cover. Nodding a bit lethargically, she turned around, closing her eyes. "Tell me if it turns ugly." Snorting Vic chose not to answer, allowing the pop of the cap to be her response.

The next hour passed in a blur as Vic worked on her hair, not allowing her to so much as glance at a mirror. Finally, after rinsing and washing her hair she exited the small bathroom, still not daring to glance at a mirror. Trying to control her breath she walked slowly behind Vic, down the hall towards the setting room. Running gently into the back of the older woman, Rose realized they had come to their destination far too soon for her liking. " And now I present the new and improved, Rose Weasley!" Vic's words barely registered in her mind as she was thrust into the setting room to an eggar audience.

Nervously playing with her sleeve she dared to glance up. Al had stood up from his seat, walking towards her with a grin in place. "You look as pretty as ever, Rosie." he assured, as though he already knew all of her fears. Return his grin with a somewhat weak one of her own she whispered her thanks.

Glancing back to the other occupants of the room, she took in Teddy and Vic's grins as they cuddled close together. Allowing her eyes to stay on the couple a moment longer Rose watched with peaked interest as Teddy discreetly touched Vic's stomach. 'Could she be?' her thoughts quickly drifted off as she stilled her resolve to glance at the last person in the room.

Turning towards him she gave a half smile, trying to liven her own dismal mood. When he didn't return it her heart feel slightly. Nervously biting her lip she tried to meet his gaze, only to have him cast his eyes elsewhere. Feeling an unwanted lump form in her throat she tried to keep her feelings at bay. Turning towards Vic as tried to smile even though her lips were trembling. "I'm feeling very tired, I think I'm going to retire for the evening. You'll wake me for the meeting in the morning?" Not waiting for a reply she turned sharply, trying to keep her tears at bay as she went to her room.

Closing the door softly behind her she leaned against it, finally allowing the tears to flow down her checks. Angrily wiping at the fallen tears she cursed herself. "Damn it, Weasley! There's a war brewing and your worried about whether or not Malfoy likes you hair anymore! Stopping crying and pull yourself together!" she hissed as she tore across the room, quickly changing her cloths before hastily climbing into bed. With a quick flick of her wand her lights went out, sleep quickly following. Late in the night, hours after retreating to her room, Rose could have sworn she heard someone whisper, "You'll always be my Red."

tbc.

Next: The first meeting of the 'Order'.

AN: I hope everyone enjoyed this new, longer chapter. I'll have more posted soon, but classes and work really begin tomorrow so I don't know how long it will take.