Discaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. He and anything you recognize is the property of JKR. I am only borrowing her things and make no money from the writing of this story.

AN: Yea! This story is my new procrastination! I do have an exam this week, and Halloween is coming up, so don't expect an new chapter before next weekend. This is again a bit of a filler chapter, and one I had cut only to rework. The next chapter will have more to do with the plot though, I promise. This is just such a large story that I have to figure out how to get all the small stuff worked in to. Thats why those chapters are even shorter. Anyway, please review, it makes me happy.

Chapter 13

A life in Exile

As promised Rose went to tea once a week while Dahlia was home. In fact, she began to spend more and more time with the younger girl, finding that she enjoyed her company more then that of her peers at school. Dahlia would often sneak away when her mother went for more of her walks, perching herself on the stable gate while she watched Rose go about her winter chores. Their talks varied, from Rose's school days, which seemed years gone, to Dahlia growing up with only her mother after her father's untimely death. It didn't really matter what the topic was, Rose was genuinely happy to have anyone to talk with, the boys having been separated from her life altogether.

The few weeks flew by and soon Christmas had arrived. After much convincing Rose agreed to join the Scamander family for the day. She'd been given a few days off, Midwife Bogdan having traveled to visit with an equally aged sibling. Rose had arrived early that day, a few makeshift presents under her arm. Luna, as Rose had learned early on, was a bit of an eccentric and had insisted on a breakfast of pies before they were to open presents.

The gift giving was a happy affair, Dahlia still being young enough to look at everything with wide eyed wonder. Presenting her own gifts Rose happily accepted Dahlia's exuberant hug when she opened the wrapping around the small set of brushes. Rose honestly admitted that she had transfigured them out of a dragons horn that had been shad, which sent Dahlia into another bought of happy shouting. Apparently that made them all the better to her. Luna accepted her charmed gloves with a dreamy smile and remark about Snuffelums, what ever they were.

Rose's own gifts from her makeshift family were just as unique as those she had given. Dahlia, being so enamored with charms, had tried her hand at charming a work shirt so that it wouldn't stain. Not having the heart to tell the younger girl that such charms didn't work on things from magical creatures she accepted it with a wide smile. Luna's gift, a slightly lumpy multi colored scarf was as eccentric as its giver but Rose happily wrapped it around her neck anyway, knowing that she had spent a large amount of time knitting it more than compensated.

She was easily convinced to stay for other winter activities, or at least winter activities according to the Scamander family. After a day of fun and play, most of which had to be explained to Rose, they'd gone inside for a wonderfully warm meal and hot chocolate. By early evening, however, Rose knew that it was time to depart from their home. Saying her goodbyes, and promising to stop by for a new years celebration before Dahlia went back to school, she walked off into the falling night.

It wasn't the walk back home that got to her, or the empty hut that greeted her when she returned. It wasn't in till she was locked safe and sound in her tiny, cramped bedroom, scarf still wrapped tightly around her neck, that it sunk in that she'd missed Christmas with her family. She hadn't woken up early that morning to cinnamon cakes, and brightly wrapped gifts. There had been no off key carols at her Grandparents home in London, no pixie lights dancing around the Burrow while they ate her Grandma Molly's famous cooking. She hadn't seen her father drink a little too much 'Yuletide Cheer', as her mother called it, only to begin reminiscing with her Uncles about things she didn't remember. She hadn't seen her Aunt Ginny get that far off look in her eyes when she looked at a particular ornament of the large tree. In a way, it was almost as if Christmas hadn't happened at all, all the things that had made it Christmas to her hadn't happened.

Laying back on the bed she felt no tears well in her eyes. If she were honest with herself she hadn't really missed it. Her father's loudness, her mother's quiet teetering of intoxication. Every one telling her how much she looked and acted like her mother. The quiet fighting, the reason Vic and Teddy never came anymore, and the untold hostilities. She still didn't know why her Uncle George sometimes looked at Uncle Percy with such hate.

Pushing all of that from her mind she focused on the events of this day, this Christmas. She'd had fun, felt loved, for the first time in years. They hadn't judged, or anything, they'd just accepted her into their home. In a way she wished Luna could have been her mother instead. She was so much more open, so much more kind. Her mother, a lawyer through and through, was cold, calculating, and exact. Everything happened exactly when it was meant to, not a second earlier. Like Hugo, right on time, right weight, right everything. The perfect son to Ron and Hermione Weasley.

Rose stopped herself before her thoughts went on. It didn't do her any good to think about exactly what she meant to the family. There was a reason why she was the only Ravenclaw in a house full of Gryffindors. Even Vic, who in personality was every bit a Huffelpuff had managed to be accepted into the bravest house of Hogwarts, the house of heros. Rolling onto her side she looked out the window. What were they doing, honestly? Two Slytherins and a Ravenclaw out to stop the next Dark Lord? The mere idea of it was crazy. It should be someone else, someone more like James or Hugo or anyone else in her family. Why were they the one's out here, doing this?

About to close her eyes, and try to get the thoughts to leave her mind and soft pecking echoed throughout the room. Bolting up ward she looked towards the window, a tawny own hovering just off the ledge. Opening the it quickly she allowed him in, watching as he dropped a package onto the bed and moved to perch on the bed post.

Opening the paper wrapped parcel carefully, and a bit fearfully she glanced around as though someone would burst into her room at any moment. Allowing the paper to fall off the small box she held her breath. A single piece of paper lay on top of what ever lay within. The words in familiar script stared back at her. 'I though you might need this.'

Moving the paper out of the way she stared at the small metallic object which lay within. The dagger, clean silver with a sturdy yet ornate handle, was beautiful in Rose's opinion. The sheath, clean, hand sown cloth was sturdy yet pretty enough to be disarming. Placing the dagger back in it's sheath she secured it to her right calf, just under her pant leg. It never hurt to be prepared, and after their last run in with the Coming storm herself it would not do to be caught off guard again. Slipping off to sleep, fully clothed in the cold room, she allowed a smile to cross her face. Scorpius had remembered her, and thankfully her liking of sharp objects. The next time she saw him she would be sure to repay him tenfold.

The week following Christmas once again flew by in a flurry of activity. New Years came and went, Dahlia returning to her studies, and Rose focusing on her work. She continued weekly teas with Luna, both happy to have some form of companionship in the long droning winter days Romania steeped upon them. She continued her studies as well, not only in the herbal arts but anything that Luna or Midwife Bogdan would teach her. She'd learned stitching, not only for cloths but for wounds as well, and untraceable charms for anything from keeping warm to temporarily blinding an opponent.

As winter swiftly moved along Rose noticed that it seemed to last longer than in England, because by the fifth of February there were still two feet of snow on the ground. It wasn't that she minded winter so much, except for the fact that dragons primarily mated in late summer and early autumn, meaning that their sixteen month gestation had most giving birth in the dead middle of winter. She had, had one happy experience while luging buckets of afterbirth. Due to the snow they had to bury the remnants closer to camp, where the ground was softer. It was during one of these trips she had spotted Scorpius, who she had not seen since late October.

It wasn't a large occasion to be happy over but it was something to look forward to during her duties. Luna had laughed openly at Rose's retelling over tea, her eyes twinkling slightly. "Young love, Little Rose, is a commodity that is too often wasted on the young. Get your boy. Have happy years." she said, pouring the tea. Rose was about to retort when Luna's eyes shot to the parlor window. Not even looking at Rose she glided over to it, looking intently at the clouds. "A unique happening is upon us. Too soon the tide shall change. A messenger at the gate. A herald to the coming of a word." Turning to look at Rose, she felt frightened by the pale face of her friend. "Something wicked this way comes." The words sent a feeling in Rose's stomach, like a stone had been placed there. It seems her peaceful times would not last for long.

Rose knew that Luna was no seer but the words stayed with her for several days. It was possible that they could mean anything. Maybe an own from Vic would come soon, telling what progress they'd made. It didn't really matter anyway, she'd concluded a few days later. The future was undecided, and no mysterious words of any kind would change that. She had a life here, and by all that was she was going to focus on that for once in her life.

tbc.

Next: The Messager: A mysterious figure arrives at the Dragon Camps. Who are they and what do they want.

AN: Once again, please review.