Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter related.
Chapter 5:
Rose looked at the parchment and quill in her hands. It was average quality. She was exhausted and just wanted to go to bed after writing the letter. She knew who the letter was for, Pandora Zabini. She was her only friend left when Scorpius betrayed her. Luckily for her, Pandora hated Scorpius and the rest of her family.
Flashback to Hogwarts 4th year:
Rose sat next to Pandora in the Great Hall. Dinner was just starting and they were both staring at the Gryffindor table. There in front of them was Scorpius Malfoy and Lily Potter making out. It was sickening. Rose felt like a rusty old knife was repeatedly stabbing her in the heart. She felt betrayed by the boy she loved for being with the girl who caused her pain. Rose felt pressure in her hand. It was Pandora squeezing it. Rose looked at her and smiled in thanks.
"Don't think about him. He doesn't deserve you. You deserve someone way better than Malfoy. He isn't even the dirt on your shoes." Pandora said. Rose nodded in response.
"You're such a good friend. I'd be lost without you." She responded with a heartfelt smiled.
Pandora smiled back. "I know you'd be lost without me." She said with a laugh. Suddenly the mood around them was lighter and they both went back to eating and ignoring Scorpius and Lily.
End of Flashback
Rose picked up the quill and dipped it in ink. She then started to write.
Dear Pandora,
I wish you were there today. My family ambushed me and I had to explain why I did what I did. It was exhausting. And when I told them about Lily, Lily at first started to lay the blame on everyone else. Typical her. But by the end of the whole fiasco, everyone was ashamed and Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny were royally pissed at Lily. I'd love to be a fly on the wall at the Potter house tonight. But you would have been proud of me. I really laid it into them and I totally ignored Scorpius. Yes he was there. I don't know how. Only family are allowed in the ward. Probably the nurses couldn't say no to the Potter and Weasley prestige. Anyways, when I get out do you think I could stay at your house for a bit? I really don't want to go home with my parental units. I love you and I wish you could visit. Say hi for Leo for me!
Love,
Rose
Rose looked at the letter. She really hoped that The Zabini's would allow her to live with them. Rose really didn't want to be anywhere near her family. She didn't even know if she wanted to be near them ever. She remembered escaping to Pandora's house to escape her ice-cold house. Rose would always get comforted by Pandora and her twin brother Leo.
Flashback to Last Summer
Rose sneaked into the living room. She took a bit of floo powder and said, "Zabini Estate!" She felt the magic of floo and arrived with a plop in the Zabini's fireplace. Rose saw both Pandora and Leo sitting on their sofa with mugs warm butterbeer in hand. She ran from the fireplace into their embrace.
"What happened Rose?" Leo asked, his chocolate colored eyes wide with emotions. Rose took the mug from Pandora and sat down.
"I just couldn't be there anymore. It was so cold and horrible. No one would talk to me and at dinner they would just have conversations with Hugo in front of me. It was like I didn't even exist. I just wish the holiday would be over so I could at least avoid some of my family." Rose said with tears crawling down her face. Pandora and Leo embraced her in response. Rose then hugged them back.
"Well at least we only have a year left until we graduate. Then we could move in together while we all study to be Healers." Pandora said in a hopeful voice. Rose smiled at the thought.
"Yeah there's that. I can't wait to move out and not see them again. I just wish I had a time turner to make it happen faster." Rose said. Then she heard a noise. All of the teenagers looked over near the hallway. There stood Mr. and Mrs. Zabini.
"Uh. Hello Mr. and Mrs. Zabini. I'm sorry I'm here so late I just had to get away from my family." Rose said apologetically. Mr. Zabini looked upset and Mrs. Zabini looked sad.
"Don't worry Rose. It's no problem. I just don't get how your parents and family can treat you this way. Frankly it makes me very gutted and pissed off." Mr. Zabini said. Rose was surprised at that. Mr. Zabini never really talked to her so she assumed he didn't like her or approve of his children being friends with her based on his old beliefs. But she was apparently wrong.
Mrs. Zabini decided to open her mouth to put her two-sense in. "I agree with you Blaise. I don't understand how your parents could do that. They seemed so nice and family driven at Hogwarts. And especially Molly Weasley, with her losing a son I expected her never to want to lose another family member. Rose sweetie you can stay as long as you like. You're practically family. I'll go and set up the guest room for you." She said. Mrs. Zabini then gave her a massive hug that could rival Nana Weasley's hugs. Following his wife's lead, Mr. Zabini patted her on the back.
"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Zabini. I really appreciate it." Rose replied with tears in her eyes. She was so happy that she has another family.
End of Flashback
Rose got off the bed and walked into the hallway. She spotted a nurse. But before the nurse could chastise her for being out of bed Rose asked, "Excuse me but could you send this please? It's very important." While handing her the letter. The nurse nodded and turned around.
Rose stood there but then remembered something. "Excuse me, Nurse. Could I have some more parchment? I have to write another letter?" Rose asked the nurse before she could walk away. The nurse made a gesture for Rose to follow her. She walked with the nurse to the front desk.
"Can I get some parchment for Ms. Weasley?" The nurse asked the lady at the front desk. The lady nodded and gave Rose some parchment. "Thank you. I'll go back to bed now." Rose said.
She walked back to her room thinking about what she was going to write to Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. After all, Scorpius and her were best friends for years. They would probably want to know if she was okay.