The Hidden Countries

Chapter Eighteen

The Start Of The End

"The Ministry then?"

"I say we take over Diagon Ally, the Ministry's useless!" Tonks protested.

"Explain to me, exactly, how we're going to take over an ally?"

Rose sighed and tilted her chair back as Kingsley and Tonks went out against each other. They were in the drawing room at Grimmauld Place, and they couldn't seem to come to a choice about what to take back from Voldemort's clutches first.

"You should go for the place that wouldn't be as heavily guarded," Jiraiya inserted, his eyes darting from the two feuding people.

Tonks glared at him heatedly, her moods seemed to be – erratic, well, considering she was about eight months pregnant, Rose felt it could be over looked. Kingsley just rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"We considered that, but we really didn't see the point," he explained to the ninja.

"To get a foot in," Kakashi replied lazily. Ron – who was sitting next to Rose, Hermione being on his other side, shot a look at Kakashi, then glanced at Rose.

"Has he gotten lazier? He sounds lazier."

Rose chuckled under her breath, but turned it into a hacking cough when Mrs Weasley shot them a warning look. "I think we should take Hogwarts," Hermione said speaking up for the first time in the meeting.

"Hermione," Mr Weasley said gently, trying not to hurt her feelings. "Hogwarts is the least of our worries at the moment."

Rose paused though… She really could see where Hermione was coming from, considering that the Wizarding World really didn't have that many places of value. "I think we should take Hogwarts," Rose repeated.

Almost the entire room looked at Rose like she was insane. Good point, she probably was. "Think about it, it's probably the easiest place, with the most value."

The room was silent, everyone actually deliberating on the issue. Hermione huffed in annoyance. Rose understood her frustration; everyone overlooked her knowledge because of her age. Rose glanced around the room to see that no one was overly convinced, they most likely just didn't want to tell her of all people no.

"Kinglsey, Remus, what was the last thing that Professor Dumbledore said to you?" Rose asked, restating the question that Kingsley posed to Remus when they were trying to make sure they were the real person. This might kick-start the argument a little bit.

"Rose is out last hope, trust her," Remus muttered under his breath.

Rose smiled at the group and Kingsley sighed. "How do we do this then?"

That was it; they were going to take over Hogwarts. Rose found herself grinning at nothing.

#$%^&*&^%$%^&*9

Rose rolled over to see the picture of the four marauders' hanging on the wall, surrounded by the numerous posters of bikini clad women. Rose wasn't overly fond of the way that Sirius choose to decorate his room, but it was his room, and Rose chose to stay in his room, so she had to deal with it. Rose really didn't mind that much but it had her feeling uncomfortable.

It was the only way she could feel close to her dead godfather, who was the closest thing to a real father that she had ever had. Rose sighed heavily. What she wouldn't give just to talk to him for a few minutes, for one last time. She could use his never ending, and surprisingly good advice.

Sitting up, Rose realised that she wasn't going to get to sleep anytime soon. Sitting in Sirius's old room and thinking about things she really didn't want to think about wasn't helping her that much either. There had to be something much better for her to do. Hopefully that something could involve less dark thoughts, and perhaps a means to fall asleep.

Rose sighed again. She wasn't sure what time it was, but with the amount of light and lack of noise about the house, she would have to guess it to be around midnight. Why did she always have her problems at the dead of night?

Feeling slightly thirsty, Rose decided that she would go to the kitchen in order to get a glass of water or something like that. Rose got up from the old bed, and slowly made her way out of the teenage boy's room and tried to make her way quietly down to the kitchen.

The key word in the last sentence was 'tried'. Rose always thought she was pretty good at sneaking around, and not being noticed – until she met him.

"You know, I could help you with that stealth issue of yours."

Rose turned to face the sound of Kakashi's voice. It was too dark in the hall, but she could make out the basic shape.

"Did I wake you up?" Rose asked softly, choosing to ignore the comment on her stealth.

"I'm a light sleeper," Kakashi explained.

Rose sighed, taking that she did in fact wake him up. "Come on, I'm going to the kitchen."

The two slowly made their way to the kitchen. When they reached the destination, Rose lit the lights in the kitchen. Was it too hard to ask for some real muggle lighting? Rose turned to look at Kakashi, only to realise what he was wearing.

"Do you ever change?" Rose asked incredulously. Rose seriously had only ever seen him wear one thing – his ninja uniform. Did he seriously sleep in that thing?

Kakashi shrugged his shoulders, leaning against the kitchen bench. "At times."

Rose gave him a deadpan look. "Do you even own pyjamas?"

"Yes," Kakashi replied with a measured amount of amusement.

Rose shook her head, opening cupboards looking for a cup to use. Rose frowned – Mrs Weasley hadn't been moving everything around on her again, had she? After a few minutes Rose managed to find a goblet and had it filled with water, she offered some to Kakashi but he hadn't wanted any.

"What's wrong, Rose?" Kakashi asked suddenly.

"Hm?" Rose grunted, draining the cup and setting it by the sink. "What makes you think something's wrong?"

"It's twelve at night, and you're in a kitchen – drinking water."

Rose paused. "Normal people drink water at midnight, you know? Okay fine… It's a long, boring story – and you really don't want to hear it."

Kakashi smiled, tilting his head to the side. "I think I do."

Rose sighed leaning back on the wall behind her, her eyes locked onto Kakashi's lazy form. She debated telling him the truth, and then she entertained not telling him at all. But eventually she realised that she had to tell him something.

Plus, they were friends, and friends told each other things. Right?

"This is my God-Father's house, Sirius Black. He was actually more of a father to me than anyone else I'd known, and being in this house – it well, it reminds me of him. I can never sleep," Rose said eventually.

"…What happened…?"

"He got killed, because of me. I tried to warn him but – she was there and then he, he wasn't," Rose realised that she hadn't made much sense. She hadn't really told anyone what happened, because all the people that would've cared was there. No one wanted to deal with her talking about it – and she hadn't wanted to talk about it.

Rose had been looking down, so she hadn't realised it when Kakashi had walked up to stand in front of her. Rose looked up at him, trying to will away the stubborn pieces of water in her eyes. Kakashi was looking at her softly. She hated it.

Hesitantly, like he wasn't very certain of himself, Kakashi wrapped his arms around Rose's waist. Rose chuckled slightly, returning the hug. Sometimes, words were not meant to be spoken because a lot of the time – actions spoke louder than words.

They stood still for quite a long time, a lot longer than a normal friendly – even if it was comforting hug should have lasted for. Then Kakashi began to speak. "I was five when I became a ninja."

Rose was startled but she didn't say anything. "I came home from my exam; I went to look for my father. But he wasn't there, I looked for him and I found him in the study, he was dead. He'd committed suicide."

Rose suddenly felt a gut-wrenching pain for Kakashi to have to go through that. He was so young and he had to deal with that – death. She thought it had been hard for her to grow up without hers, but Kakashi was young enough to still remember and grow up without them. It was horrible.

But Rose felt warmth in her chest; he had trusted her enough to tell her this. Kakashi wasn't the sort of person just to go around telling everybody about his past. He was the type to bury it, and never think of it again.

It was depressing what midnight talks could do to you. You start with mocking each other and it finishes in talking about dead father figures. Rose rested her head on Kakashi's chest, and he tightened his hold around Rose.

For a split second, Rose looked up to see the pain in Kakashi's eye. Kakashi showed so many emotions in his eye, it was like an open book – if one cared enough to see what was written in them.

Kakashi looked down at her and before any of them could process anything, Kakashi lowered his head. Then he kissed her.

It was awkward and unexpected, but not unwelcome… The friction between the fabric and her lips was strange, and uncomfortable, and the funny thing was – Rose wouldn't have it any other way.

The most pressing issue, although it being hard for her to think straight – other than the fact that Kakashi smelt like pine trees; was, why was she kissing Kakashi?

Rose's arms rose to place themselves behind his neck, pushing his face closer in to hers. His arms automatically tightened around her waist. It was comforting. Questions could wait until later.

"There's only one way in now," Ron said, giving Rose a hard look. "They've blocked off all of the passageways, and they have dementors around the borders; what made you think this would be easy Rose?"

Rose shrugged her shoulders, completely distracted with thoughts of the night previous. What had she been thinking? "Hm, okay."

"Are you listening to me, Rose?" Ron asked his voice gaining a grumpy edge.

"What?" Rose said turning to look at her two best friends. Hermione was looking at her with a growing looking of knowing on her face. It freaked Rose out and she wondered how the hell she perfected that look.

It wasn't a normal look for a person to even have.

"You're a tad distracted this morning, Rosie," Hermione commented. "…What happened?

Rose's thought's flickered to the night previous, and she felt her face grow hot. She still couldn't believe what happened. She had spent the rest of the night questioning herself. What had it meant? Did he like her? Did Rose like him? Of course she cared for him deeply but was that enough? Was it…Love? "Er, nothing."

Even Ron looked interested now. Damn her too quick answer. "Who cares? Come on, Ron, what's the only way in?" Rose asked, trying to ignore her friends, focusing on what was really important.

"A passage though the Hogshead, but Rose, why are you going red… Are you sick?" Ron asked with slight concern. Rose and Hermione both looked at Ron like he was mental.

"He does… have the emotional range of a teaspoon, doesn't he?" Rose asked Hermione.

Hermione laughed, and Rose quickly joined in but Ron just looked confused. "What?"

"The painting?" Rose asked, looking back at Dumbledore's younger brother.

He grunted. "Do you want in or not Potter?"

Rose squared her shoulders. "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Dumbledore."

Rose turned back to the painting, only to have a hand stop her from going forward. Rose looked back with her eyebrow raised. "Yes Haku?"

"I think I should go first, Rose-Sama," Haku said blankly. "Just in case."

Rose smiled, not really seeing the point, but if it made the brown-haired boy any happier then… "If you want."

Haku gave her a fleeting, gentle smile, before disappearing though the paining. She heard Jiraiya's intake of breath. Rose turned to face his surprised face, with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"I told you this was filled with magic, but no," she muttered under her breath. "Anyone want to go next?"

"I do," Hermione said with a easy smile. "Then I think it should be, Jiraiya, Ron, Kakashi then you, Rose."

"Why do we need an order?" Rose protested.

"We do," Hermione said disappearing though the painting. Rose rolled her eyes and turned to face Aberforth.

"There's going to be more people coming though," she warned him.

He rolled his eyes. "What do you think I'm running here, Potter?"

Rose shrugged her shoulders. "Trust me."

"I'm not that trusting Potter."

Before Rose could counter, she felt an arm rest on her mid-back. A personal gesture – did that mean he saw her as a friend that he had kissed, or perhaps something more? Rose turned around to face Kakashi – her face going slightly pink. Why did she care so much anyway? It wasn't like she cared…They hadn't had much of any time to talk since… Rose shook her head, before her memories could draw her back there.

Rose then nodded her head, trying to ease Kakashi's confusion. "Let's go then, eh?" she asked him, cheerfully.

Rose followed Kakashi though the painting, which was completely strange – even for her, to this dark tunnel. It was rocky, not a smooth road though. Rose wouldn't have argued if it was smooth, but, you know, whatever.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, Rose decided to talk. "So hey, about the other day…"

Kakashi didn't respond but she knew that he was listening, maybe. Rose bit her lip, not really being sure what she wanted to say. Rose opened her mouth to say something else when she stumbled on a foot hole in the path, sending her forward.

Rose gripped on the back of Kakashi's jacket to remain upright. "I did that on purpose."

She heard Kakashi chuckle, but it sounded strained. "Of course you did."

Rose smiled regaining her balance, so he was listening. Rose still didn't know what she wanted to say. Maybe it would be better to not bring it up, but, she'd already brought it up, hadn't she?

"I just wanted to say it was, uh – is that light?" Rose started off slowly, before realising that there was a blinding light, extremely close to where they were. She wasn't procrastinating talking to him about the uh – thing.

The two moved forward quickly, walking though the light into a place that Rose recognised as the room of requirement. It was spaced out in a way she had never seen it do before – it was like barrack's, from the muggle movies she had watched when Petunia hadn't realised she had nothing to do. Except it was decorated in the different house colours (Red, gold, blue, bronze and black and yellow) – making it a bright place.

The colours were next to nothing to the spirit of the people in the room. They were cheering.

"It's Rose!"

"Potter! I told you, I told you Seamus!"

"Welcome back, Potter!"

Rose was surprised, looking out to the massive crowed of Hogwarts students, who were cheering – excited.

"Welcome back, Rose!" Colin Creevy said, jumping out of the crowed, excitement on his face. Rose raised an eyebrow, wasn't he a muggle-born? That was when Rose realised that his younger brother was behind him – the same amount of enthusiasm on his face.

The fact that his younger brother was magical proved he couldn't be all muggle-born. "Hey Colin."

Colin looked like he was perfectly blissed out. Rose had to stop herself from sighing; it seemed that absence did make the heart grow fonder.

"What's the plan?" Luna Lovegood said her voice dreamy; she was sitting on one of the blue chairs.

"A long one, Luna, but… we have to wait for everyone else."

Not too long after Rose had said that, Fred and George emerged from the tunnel. The cheering started up again. The Twin's soaked this up though, doing a series of dramatic bows.

Rose grinned at them. Things were just getting started.

A small and brief.

KAKASHI POV.

Kakashi watched in amazement, this place would have to be something of a young child's dream. There was magic being used for the smallest of tasks, when it could be used for the most complex things possible. Different creatures wondering in and about the place; werewolves, elfs (Or a house-Elf as it had been explained to him,) and the most common it seemed, witches and wizards.

It was something that he had never expected, the small black-haired girl that caught his attention, wasn't even human. Of course it would happen that way, the fates seemed to like throwing things at him. But this time, Kakashi found that he really didn't mind as much. He was glad that he got to meet this girl – witch.

Rose was like no one he'd ever met before. She tried reaching out to him, she was bright, a beacon of hope for her people, for him. She'd been messed with by fate, just as much as he had. But they were nothing alike. He'd let the bad things affect him; he had become withdrawn, uncaring and lazy.

Rose hadn't been, no. Where his misfortune had made him a bitter person, it had the opposite effect on Rose. She had become brighter; she worked towards having more friends and family. She made her life worth living. And against all odds, she had dragged him into her life that was worth living.

Kakashi didn't want to lose that. He wondered exactly when it was that he fell for her, what was it? Her smile? Her green eyes that sparkled in the light? Or was it that never ending persistence that she seemed to share with Naruto?

Kakashi smiled, his mask hiding what would have been seen of that smile. His one good eyes watched as the black-haired woman walked around the room – there was nothing graceful about the way she walked, she could wake up a Nara – but it captivated him all the same. She greeted everyone like they were old friends. She shined. She belonged.

Kakashi's eyes darted around the room, taking in all the military based equipment in the room. They were all prepared for a battle; it seemed they'd been fighting for quite a long time. Fighting and waiting, waiting for Rose to turn up. It confused him, he wondered why everyone placed the weight of winning this civil war in the hands of a girl, that may be powerful enough to take a Jonin with the element of surprise, but wasn't ninja quality.

She lacked the will of a ninja – she was a fighter yes, a survivor defiantly, but never a ninja.

"Lilies."

Kakashi turned his head sharply, he had been aware of the red-haired twin – Fred, being next to him. He hadn't thought the boy would talk to him. "Hm?"

"It's her favourite flower," Fred said gesturing to Rose, a look of longing on his face. For a reason that Kakashi didn't like – Kakashi started to dislike the boy. It wasn't because Fred would always have more of a chance than he did.

Kakashi simply raised an eyebrow at the younger male, not caring enough about him to give more of a response. Hell, Kakashi did dislike the red-head to a degree.

"They remind her of her mum, plus, she thinks roses are unoriginal… Don't even try to buy rosemary perfume – or rosemary anything..."

Kakashi hummed, confused.

"I'm telling you because I'm not a sore loser."

Kakashi turned to face the boy, for once actually looking at him. He was tall, almost as tall as he was, with short red hair and blue eyes. He had a look that told Kakashi that he was like Naruto in the pranking department. It pained Kakashi to admit but he suited Rose perfectly. "I don't understand."

Admitting that did one of the hardest things he'd done, not like to come off as weak.

Fred scowled, his 'good' nature, running a bit thin. "I'm not an idiot, plus don't think you're the only one that goes for midnight walks – it's how we first met."

Kakashi looked over to the short girl, who was laughing at something with a blonde that didn't seem to be all there. He didn't know what to say, so he remained silent.

"I saw you two okay? And for fucks sake, I know she's bloody happier with you, okay?" He seemed frustrated.

Kakashi didn't say anything, Fred's words running around his head. She's happier with him, huh? Somehow he really doubted that. But with a look at the nineteen year old, Kakashi realised, that he really did mean it.

Kakashi felt something he hadn't felt in years, hope.

ROSE

Everywhere she looked, there was fighting, people going down. People getting hit with unknown spells and getting hurt. The Death-Eaters seemed to be gaining the upper hand. She was almost screwed.

But there was one thing that kept her smiling. There was the thought, the idea that if she faced Voldemort tonight, than it would be the end of everything – the war, the heartache, everything would be over and done with. Rose didn't know if it was to be her demise or Voldemorts tonight, she wouldn't actually know, but one of them was dying tonight. And even if it was her, then at least she knew that she had many people to fill her place.

No one would truly ever stop fighting.

Rose ducked under a few spells, sending a few nasty curses to Death-Eaters, but there seemed to be stopping them. The ninja were like god-sends. Haku was an amazing healer, but he couldn't do anything for those hit with the killing curse. Kakashi and Jiraiya seemed to be very adept at not getting hit, but not as good as actually getting close enough to be able to knock them out.

It was their ninja training, Rose was for sure. And where they have the element of surprise and killer reflexes, they weren't a match for some of the killer magic produced.

Rose didn't much mind this, as long as no one got hurt. She had a snake-face to find…

"Ninja, a rare find," a high cool voice said. This caused fighting to come to a cease. All the attention of the duellers turned to the middle of the room, where Voldemort stood his pasty white face shown to everyone. He had come. "I can say, that you belong here do you, boy?"

That was when Rose realised who he was talking to and she froze, hidden behind two burly Aurors that were on her side. It was Haku. Had Voldemort turned up because… he was curious about the ninja?

"I belong where I do."

Voldemort sneered. "I had to come and see… But there is indeed some of your kind here. You'd be welcome on the winning side, all of you! A waste of magical blood is indeed a tragedy."

Rose snorted and the gathered fighters were all frozen, unsure of what to do. Rose pushed her way forward, no one trying to stop her. "Yeah, we're not the stupid Tom."

His eyes flashed a burning red. "Who dares-"

"Me," Rose said like she was a simple misbehaving child, pushing her way to the front, smiling at Haku. Haku's eyes darted from the two figures. "Go."

That single word was all Haku needed to retreat from Voldemort's side, back into the large group of people. "Rosemary Potter, you are a fool."

"At least I have a nose."

Voldemort's eyes almost became slits, like a snake, his anger burning a hole in her almost. But Rose just smiled; this was all it would take. "You dare-!?"

"Oh yes, I dare, I thought we'd gotten over this, Tom Riddle."

"Avada Kedavra!"

Rose felt the green curse, skim over of few of her hairs. That had been a close one. Using her wandless magic, Rose sent a flock of birds after him.

Voldemort sneered, angrily. "Do you think mere birds could stop me!" he said this before burning the poor things alive. Rose just shrugged her shoulders, concentrating too hard to be bothered with talking.

With a flick of her hand, Rose had trapped him in a ring of fire. This time it was Rose's time to smirk. It didn't last long before a green light was shot at her from the side, causing her to duck and scowl, realising the flame.

"Did you honestly think that would work, Potter?" he taunted.

Rose shrugged her shoulders again. She conjured tables and chairs to throw up him, she tried stunning but nothing seemed to work. He was way out of Rose's level – he was simply too good.

That of course lasted until he jabbed Colin Creevy's little brother Dennis on the neck with his wand. Rose widened her eyes horrified. "What is it Potter, the boy… or you?"

…There really wasn't a choice was there, he was only fifteen. "Rose no!"

Rose ignored the yelling voice of Ginny Weasley. She raised her hands. "You win."

With a wide, creepy smile, he shot one last curse at her. The Killing Curse. It didn't hurt, she watched with dull eyes as the curse hit her dead straight in the chest, she saw his gloating look. She heard screams; someone else would take him out… Before she blacked out.

Rose looked around, she was in the forest, and it was a nice place. It still didn't explain though, why exactly she was there.

"Rose, you've grown my dear."

Rose turned sharply to face the figure of Albus Dumbledore. Rose's jaw slackened, before some of her pent up anger caught up with her. "Why sir, why did you lie to us?"

"Lie about what?" Dumbledore asked, his voice truly sounded confused.

"About the dark arts, you tried it out didn't you?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I was foolish in my ways in my youth. I have tried to right my many wrongs. But Rose, you have done something to be proud of."

Rose looked at the dead Professor with confusion before she smiled. "Oh yes, I got rid of them all sir, just like you asked me too."

Dumbledore nodded his head, his blue eyes giving that maddening twinkle. "You have come so far, I only wish you would have had more happiness."

Rose shrugged her shoulders glumly. "Oh well, live goes on – well, not in this case really, I'm kind of dead aren't I?"

Rose smiled at her bad joke, wondering if anyone was missing her, or more importantly, had anyone killed Voldemort yet?

"Not necessarily."

"What do you mean 'not necessarily'?" Rose pressed, confused.

"You are not technically dead yet, my dear," Dumbledore explained, making no sense.

"But how, sir?"

Dumbledore gave her a grim smile. "It could be explained in my memories, stored by Professor Snape for you. That is if you choose to go back."

"Choose?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Of course you do not have to go back, if you wish not to?"

It took her a brief moment to think about why she would go back. To save everyone, maybe… Ron and Hermione would be upset, but they would get over it – eventually. But… then there was Kakashi. She wanted to go back just so he could mock her stealth that one more time. "I do."

Dumbledore gave her a gentle smile. "Then off you go… Oh, and I'm very proud of you Rose. Very proud."