Discaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. He and everything else involving the world of Harry Potter is the property of JKR and I claim no rights to any of it. Also the song lyrics in the story are from the song 'Promise' by Eve 6 and I claim no rights to them either, I was just too lazy to come up with my own.

AN: Updated again! I love when I have enough time to write for this. Sorry that this one's a little short and a little bit of a filler chapter but what's in here will be needed for up cominng chapters. There are seventeen chapter to the first part of this story, and those are all I have sketched out so expect a bit of a hiatus around Thanksgiving, I'll need time to work out exactly what is going to happen next, what I have right now isn't very good. As always, please review, it makes me happy.

Chapter 12

The Naturalist

Of all the chores that Rose had the one she loathed the most was cleaning up after a birth. They'd been nurturing a Scandinavian Short Snout for nearing two months, and finally, and a bit unexpectantly, the female had given birth the night before. Midwife Bogdan, while not an overly stern woman, did believe in discipline. So it was that Rose stood calf deep in dragon placenta at four in the morning with the direct instructions to 'clean this mess up' before breakfast. Grumbling to her self, she loaded much of the waste and by product into a large bucket. The rules about no magic around dragons, or dragon parts, was a bit of an inconvenience, especially considering the hike to the disposal area.

Luging two rather cumbersome buckets up the small hill was a feat, and Rose honestly wondered how she managed to make it down the other side. Pouring out the putrid content of the buckets she felt her stomach turn, maybe she wouldn't want breakfast after all. Humming to herself she tried to take her mind of things as she began to fill the dirt back into the hole she'd dug earlier. An old song popped into her head as she began to move along to the music in her head. "I spit and stutter stuff and clutter. Worries in my worry corner," she sung to herself, swaying her hips in a make shift dance. "Maladjusted , just untrusted, rusted, sometimes brilliant busted thoughts, think I'll stay for awhile I'm intrigued and I'm red as a newborn, white as a corpse." Her voice rose in volume with each word, the sound echoing in the small clearing.

Beginning to move with more vigor she left with song overtake her thoughts. "I promise not to try not with your mind! I promise not to mind if you go your way and I go mine! I promise not to lie if I'm looking you straight in the eye! I promise not to try not to let you down, let me down!" With every word she felt a little bit of the weight that was on her heart slip away.

Stopping out of breath, and suddenly very tired. she heard clapping come from somewhere behind her. Jerking around sharply she stared at a small figure, perched on a fallen tree log and applauding happily. Still unsure of what was going on Rose watched as the figure jumped off the log, and made its way towards her. The long blond hair let her, partially, identify them as female, and obviously young by the size of their body. Stopping a few feet away the young girl, no older then perhaps twelve, tilted her head to the side, grinning at her. "That was very good." she chirped, large blue eyes seeming to twinkle.

Not sure on what to say, Rose sheepishly ran a hand through her short hair. "Um, thanks." she said, looking at the girl closely. She was dressed a little strangely as well, her purple hooded jacket having a smiling sunflower winking at her. Finally grounding herself a bit she looked at her closely. "What are you doing out here? It really isn't safe, there are dragons."

The girl just laughed, rocking onto the balls of her feet. "Of course there are dragons," she said, laughing loudly. "That's why I'm here. Mum is studying the Bunium Ransee. They like to live near dragons. It the sulphur from their fire, helps the young." Rose nodded dumbly at her explanation, she was certain she'd never heard of anything called a 'Buneeam Runsa' before. The girl didn't seem phased at all however, as she kept staring at Rose. "My name's Dahlia. Well, Dahlia Scamander, but you can just call me Dahlia."

Rose stared at her, not at all sure how to take her. "Um, Rose. Just Rose" she said, stooping to pick up her fallen buckets. The girl, Dahlia, continued to bounce, smiling broadly at her. "Um, I have to get back to work. Midwife Bogdan won't be happy if I don't get this done soon." Nodding to Dahlia she began her trek back to the birthing stable.

"It was nice meeting you, Just Rose!" she called after her. Rose laughed slightly at her unbridled exuberance. "You should come to tea! Mum will love you!" Turning slightly she held up a hand in acceptance before continuing on. For some reason, she liked that girl. Thinking about it she seemed a bit familiar but Rose had no idea where she might have seen her before. Shrugging her shoulders she went on, she had more work to do anyway.

As the days progressed the invitation to tea had completely slipped her mind, work and studies occupying her time. It really wasn't that much of a surprise that she had forgotten anything, the time consuming activities of her new job kept her mind well occupied. Relaying hay in the newborns pin one afternoon Rose felt like she was being watched. Glancing up she met clear blue eyes only a few centimeters from her own. Jumping back she gave a short squeaking sound, dropping her rake.

The other girl rushed forward, helping her up off the floor. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you!" she exclaimed. Once standing again Rose brushed off her apology, it wasn't Dahlia's fault she was so jumpy today. Everything once again in order the younger girl smiled brightly. "Mum was wondering if you'd come to tea to day. She'd love to meet you, she always wants to meet the new workers, and she didn't even know you were starting so she can't wait to find out all about you!" Listening to her rambling Rose felt a smile slip onto her face.

"I would love to be able to come to tea, but I have chores to do today." Rose explained, apology in her voice. She really did have a lot to do today, and Midwife Bogdan wasn't very open to the idea of 'days off'. Opening her mouth to explain maybe she could come later, Rose was cut off by a happy cry from Dahlia.

"Aunty Dan!" she exclaimed, rushing over to hug the midwife that had just exited the hut. Moving quickly to get back to work Rose looked at them out of the corner of her eye. "Aunty Dan, I just came by to invite Rose to tea. Mum would so like to meet her, you know she's always looking for someone knew to exchange stories with." Rose was a bit surprised to hear Midwife Bogdan laugh happily at the young girl.

"Well, Miss Dahlia, I think I can allow my apprentice to take one afternoon off for tea, especially for your dear mother." the old woman said, her voice sounding pleasant for once. Still raking hay, Rose stilled when she called her name. "Go clean your self up. You may go to tea, but you will be back by five and you will finish relaying that hay." Not wishing to look a gift horse in the mouth Rose quickly moved into the house to clean up and change.

The walk to Dahlia's home was one of the best Rose had, had in a while. She laughed as Dahlia skipped around, telling stories of her school friends, and Quidditch, which she was apparently very found of. Rose was fairly sure that the girl went to Hogwarts, mostly because she seemed enamored with a Quidditch player of another house, a male Quidditch player. She seemed a bit sad when she said he hadn't returned that year because he was doing privet studies abroad. The sadness only lasted a moment however, before she began to talk about her love of charms.

Finally arriving at the house Rose took in the quant appearance of it. Small by all means, and a bit rickety in appearance it had a feel of home nevertheless. Pushing open the heavy wooden door Dahlia rushed in, crying out a happy, "We're here, Mum!" before hanging up her coat and Rose's. Being ushered into a parlor of sorts Rose looked at the collection of unique artifacts that took up the space. Taking a seat at a polished round table, she smiled while Dahlia continued to rattle on about this and that.

The door at the other end of the room swung open, a woman of about forty entered, a bright smile and a tray of sweets. "So, our guest has finally made it." she said, her voice sounding dreamy and melodic at the same time. Nodding sheepishly, Rose took an offered cup of tea.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it sooner. Midwife Bogdan wants me to stay focused on my studies as much as possible." she explained. The older woman merely brushed off the apology, smiling broadly at Rose.

"You are here now, that is all that matters. Lia here tells me you are a midwife in training, I certainly know that is time consuming. I once tried to be a mediwitch. I didn't make it past the third week." Mrs. Scamander laughed, taking a sip of her own tea.

"Well, still, it is a pleasure to have tea with you today, Mrs. Scamander." she said smiling.

The other woman returned it. "You are quiet welcome, but I do wish not to be called 'Mrs. Scamander'. It makes me feel old you see. Please, call me Luna."

Nodding Rose smiled. "I will endeavor to do so, I still find it hard at times not to refer to my elders by title and such. Left over from my school days I suppose." Her words seemed off even in her own ears but she hoped they wouldn't question it. Uncle Charlie was the only one who knew what her real age and situation was anyway.

The conversation progressed, every topic from the proper way to prepare for Advanced courses to Luna's view on whether or not Thestrals should be domesticated, or rather if the could be. The hours flew by too quickly for Rose, and soon four o'clock had arrived. Saying her goodbyes in the front hallway of their home, Rose promised to try to come by for tea again before Dahlia left to return to school. Giving one final wave she began to make her way back towards the Midwife's hut. For some unknown reason Luna had been familiar though she couldn't place where, and supposed it didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was if she stayed off the radar of anyone, including her new friends. She was almost certain Luna had known she was a Weasley and that boded well for no one.

tbc.

Next: A life in Exile: Oh, how quickly time doth fly.

AN: Please review, it makes me happy, and the happier I am, the more frequently I review.