AUGUST 30TH, 1993 - LONDON - THE LEAKY CAULDRON
"You've grown so much!" exclaimed Rose pulling herself away from their embrace to take in the actual presence of her brother once more. She kept a hold on his forearms unable to let go now that she had him so close. "Holy Isolt, you really do look exactly like dad!"
"And you look exactly like mum!"
"Except for your eyes," they said in unison.
They laughed at this. Of course, like her, Harry would have also heard this comment his entire life as they were both exact copies of their parents.
"And your hair," Harry then added reminding Rose of the one similarity she had tried to control and differentiate. "Guess it makes you look more like me and dad, though."
Rose chuckled softly in response not knowing what to say and also not wanting to indulge in that particular subject. She then peered behind her to find her parents and Tom observing them a few feet away. It seemed as if this was a more emotional moment for their audience than it was for them. Her mother and Tom were quietly dabbing tears from their eyes while Rodrigo looked on sympathetically.
Resisting the urge to gag at the sympathy radiating from them, Rose beckoned them over with a nudge of her head.
"Harry, I'd like for you to meet Rodrigo and Isabella Vega, my parents." She introduced, letting him go when her parents had stopped beside her. She hoped it wasn't insensitive introducing them as such after all, there was no other word for them. They were her parents.
Harry hadn't found it insensitive although Rose did register a small spark of envy deep within her brother. A spark that revealed the longing for a parent, he would be happy with just one if that's all he could have, and the normalcy of magic that Rose had always known. It wasn't made any easier by the clear fact that the Vegas loved Rose as their own flesh and blood nor by the privileged life they had given her. Rose knew not to take it personally, roles reversed she would no doubt have felt the same. Besides, she could feel how hard he was trying to suppress these feelings.
'Don't be stupid! She heard him think as he smiled at Rodrigo and Isabella. 'She had no choice where she ended up either! Aunt Petunia did turn her away otherwise we would have ended up sleeping in the same cupboard.'
'Cupboard?!' her mind screamed in bewilderment. Had her little brother just implied that he had been denied a simple bedroom and forced instead to sleep in a fucking storage closet?!
'And who knows what Dudley and his gang would have done to bully her! It was bad enough being their favorite punching bag on my own.' His inner monologue continued.
Rose forced herself from looking appalled and disgusted as she watched her father and brother shake hands.
Are you really surprised? asked the voice sounding rather amused. They're Muggles, violence, and cruelty against magic or anything remotely strange to them is in their nature. No better than the ones that have persecuted witches and wizards throughout history.
'But they're family!" Her mind shot back.
That clearly means nothing to them, he responded.
"Hello, Harry," said Rodrigo warmly halting Rose's inner conversation. "It's a pleasure to meet you, son."
"It's a pleasure for me as well, ambassador."
"Harry, querido," said Isabella gracefully leaning down to kiss the boy on each cheek, "It's so lovely to finally meet you. What a handsome young man you are!"
Her brother's cheeks comically reddened where they had been kissed, "Thank you, Mrs. Vega."
He glanced back at Rose, now that the initial excitement was settling he was unsure how to proceed, not that she had a clue either this was as much of a big moment for her as it was for him. Thankfully, her father took over.
"Why don't we sit?" He suggested simply and Rose internally chastised herself for failing to say something so obvious as it was the next fucking step!
The voice laughed gently at her self-criticism.
'You're not exactly helping either!' She thought with annoyance.
I've been with you long enough for you to know that you're allowing your emotions to cloud your mind again, he said. The amount of adrenaline and cortisol currently flooding your body is truly impressive. Tell me, how can you think of the obvious in this state?
He was right, she need to take control of the situation. It wouldn't work in her favor if Harry thought her clueless and helpless.
"Allow me to take your coats," offered Tom as they all moved to sit at the table Harry had previously occupied.
After handing her coat and hat to the jovial barman Rose settled across from Harry while her parents took a seat at each end. Taking the momentary distraction of settling in, Rose glanced over at the corner of the dining area where her real parents had once sat then at the other end where a large empty table stood. It was overwhelmingly surreal to think that, years ago, she had sat in this very room surrounded by her real family. It was almost like it had happened to someone else and watching it in someone's memory had made it feel like one of those No-Maj films.
"I'll get the young ones a Butterbeer," said Tom bringing back Rose's attention to the table. "What can I get for you and the missus? Ale? Wine? Tea? Coffee, perhaps?"
Her parents both ordered coffee and they all watched Tom retreat to the bar with a slight hop in his step. Clearly, this was the highlight of his entire hospitality career.
Rose returned her eyes to Harry, "I can't believe you're really here with me," she exclaimed unable to resist the effortless smile that etched across her face. "Last time I saw you you were still in diapers! Merlin, we have so much to catch up on!"
Harry gave a small laugh but said nothing as he mentally fumbled over what he could possibly say. Having absolutely no memories of her or her person he hesitated in his responses, it struck Rose right then and there that she was truly a stranger to him. How bizarre it must have been for him to not only find out he was a wizard but also that the big sister he had thought dead for eleven years had been very much alive the entire time. Worse yet, as a family, they were expected to be open and at ease with each other but twelve years and living half a world away had made that impossible as evident by the present silence at the table they now sat at.
As much as Rose was determined to control and expertly steer the moment she could only continue smiling as she was lost on how to move the conversation in its present awkward state. Thankfully, she earned a few seconds to rack her brain for a topic when Tom returned with their drinks.
Swiftly, the barman set down the tray he had been levitating and expertly placed each drink in front of its drinker with a swish of his wand.
"Thank you," they all replied.
"I'll be right over here if anyone needs anything!" He beamed once more at them before retreating behind the bar.
Silence once again settled at the table, Rose had failed at coming up with a conversation starter, and both her parents refrained from speaking to allow them to have control of their time together. Of course, of all fucking times for them to give her control this had to be it!
The silence stretched uncomfortably and the two teenagers were quick to imitate the adults when they took a sip of their drinks as an excuse to have something to do. Rose had to restrain from grimacing in disgust at the overtly sweet beverage she had been served and immediately regretted not ordering coffee as well. However, her jealousy ceased upon hearing her parents' mental distaste for their own drinks.
'This is terrible! Do the English not know how to make good coffee?' She heard Isabella think in Spanish.
Rose tried not to laugh at her mother's inner thoughts which would surely only work to make this uncomfortable silence beyond awkward so she refocused on Harry.
"So how was your summer?" she asked going with the most relevant and therefore easy topic. However, she instantly regretted her selection as both their summers had been scandalously eventful. Her regret was further amplified when Harry proceeded to look directly into her eyes thereby unwillingly allowing Rose into his reel of memories.
He was laying in a small bed with a bed cover over his head, a flashlight in one hand, and a quill in the other. There was a magical history book propped open before him and she could sense the alertness that Harry had felt as he wrote as silently as he could to avoid waking and being caught by their aunt and uncle. The memory quickly changed and she was now in front of a very large and overweight man who had slammed down a phone in fury before rounding on Harry,
"HOW DARE YOU GIVE THIS NUMBER TO PEOPLE LIKE -PEOPLE LIKE YOU!" he had shouted venomously, spit flying everywhere.
The memory changed again and Harry was now in a dining room looking at a very large and ugly woman who resembled the man from his previous memory and was also present. There was also a skinny, uptight-looking blonde woman seated at the dining table along with an overweight teen boy.
"You mustn't blame yourself for the way the boy's turned out, Vernon," the woman's voice echoed in the memory and Rose could feel the anger that ran through Harry at being talked about in this way. "It's one of the basic rules of breeding...You see it all the time with dogs. If there's something wrong with the bitch, there'll be something wrong with the pup -"
It changed again as Harry's memories raced and Rose was once again looking at the vile woman but this memory had a much heavier and stronger layer of anger and hate.
"Go on, boy, go on. Proud of your parents, are you? They go and get themselves and your sister killed in a car crash, drunk I expect! Such irresponsible low lives."
"They didn't die in a car crash!" Harry had shot back, rising to his feet.
"They died in a car crash you nasty little liar, and left you to be a burden on their decent hardworking relatives! I consider it a blessing your bastard sister didn't survive or my brother would have been stuck raising that little bitch too!" The woman was now red in the face and screaming. "She would have been just like you. An insolent, ungrateful little..."
The woman didn't finish her sentence as her body began to gradually inflate and rise from her chair to the ceiling much to her horror of the adults.
So this must be the infamous 'Aunt Marge', thought Rose as Harry pushed back the memory. That only meant that the people in Harry's memories were the Dursleys' and therefore the other much skinnier woman could be no one else but her Aunt Petunia.
Her insides fumed at the way her aunt allowed the abuse toward her own nephew, and the way she said nothing as the memories of her sister and brother-in-law were insulted by that beast of a woman. She didn't even seem visibly bothered when Rose had been brought up and insulted.
They despise you and your kind, said the voice. That's why they wanted nothing to do with you. That's why they've mistreated Harry.
"They're not like us," came Draco's voice from the deep recesses of her own memory.
"It was fine," Harry finally responded. He had settled on a vague but polite reply not realizing the truth he had just shared. "Had a rather lovely, bonding summer with the Durselys although the family reunion could have probably gone a lot better."
They all laughed at his humor toward the situation although all the Vegas, including Rose, pitied the boy before them.
"How about yours, do anything fun?" Harry then asked.
Now it was his turn to instantly regret his choice of topic as the images of Rose and Draco immediately entered his mind followed by that of Marcus and the rest of the Slytherins. Rose could see that although Harry had chosen to give little credit to the tabloids a part of him felt angered and betrayed at her association with the rival house, particularly where Draco was involved.
"Great," answered Rose sincerely, ignoring his distaste and disapproval. "I was in Toyko for a special Championship reunion and press junket in June before flying over to Cartagena with my Mom and Dad. We spent a few weeks there with family before returning to L.A. in time for MACUSA's annual Fourth of July party, that's that No-Maj holiday that celebrates their independence day. But for us, American wizards and witches, it's an excuse to throw a big party and outshine the No-Maj fireworks. After that, it was all just packing for our move here."
Harry looked awestruck as he took all this information in, "Bet it has been a big change going from all of that to this. I mean, you know since we haven't had the warmest of summers." He internally cringed at his choice to comment on something as mundane as the weather, particularly as a response to her impressive list of summer activities. Also, despite himself, Harry couldn't help the jealousy that arose knowing that his sister had been given the opportunity to travel with two magical adults to call 'Mom" and "Dad' as well as have other magical people to call family
Guilt began to rise inside Rose as she remembered what she had seen of the Dursleys before the voice inside her mind spoke again.
Why should you feel any guilt? He asked. Did he expect you to have a miserable life too? Was losing your parents and family and witnessing it all not enough?
It was and Rose's pain had extended beyond that as she dealt with the aftermath of it all in a strange, unfamiliar place with strange, unfamiliar people. He was right, she shouldn't feel any guilt.
"Yes, it really has," she replied. Then, without knowing what compelled her to purposely and spitefully provoke a reaction from her brother added, "I'm so happy the Malfoys invited us to their villa. It was such a nice, relaxing break from all the craziness this summer. Malaga is so beautiful if you ever have a chance to go I highly recommend you take it! It almost felt like L.A., isn't it Dad?"
Rodrigo chuckled, "Almost, but I'm afraid it's missing that special flair and charm that makes Los Angeles unique."
Isabella and Rose chuckled and Harry, who did not care about either of the foreign cities, gave a small nervous laugh. What he really wanted was to warn Rose to stay away from the Malfoys and the Slytherins. To shake her and demand that she break off all ties with who he saw as the 'Dark Side'. He desperately wanted to do all this but dared not voice it out loud. Rose looked at him, careful to avoid direct eye contact, awaiting his reaction but daring him to voice these thoughts.
"That's great," he replied flatly. "Glad you had a good summer with your...new friends."
The Vegas smiled unaware of the hidden disdain in his reply and the growing ambivalence inside of Harry toward his own sister. Rose merely smiled ignoring the dull ache in her chest and the disappointment she felt.
Looks like your fear turned out to be true.
"Have you seen Hermione and Ron yet?" Rose asked remembering Harry's two best friends that he had written about in great length.
By now their drinks were finished and the adults had risen to join Tom at the bar where they had all switched over to a bottle of DeVega wine and were engaged in a lively conversation.
"No, they're coming tomorrow," Harry replied and Rose could sense the excitement at the prospect of seeing them. It was such a notable change from his conflicting feelings toward her. "Hermione's been in France and Ron and his family just returned from Egypt so they're coming to shop for school supplies."
"That should be fun," Rose commented sweetly eager to sway his sentiments to more pleasant ones. "I'm really glad you found good friends like them."
Harry smiled brightly, "Yea, they're brilliant!" The love he felt toward them was so palpable in his face and tone that it made her feel jealous. "I imagine you must miss your friends at your old school."
A short laugh escaped her at the ridiculousness of that sentence, "I didn't really have friends at Ilvermorny," she admitted. "I preferred to fly solo," she then added to make it sound less pathetic.
"Could have fooled me," Harry remarked, the picture of Rose and the Slytherins clear in his mind.
She closed her eyes for a second holding back the sigh of frustration that threatened to escape at her resignation. It was clear that Harry was not going to let this go as easily as Rose had wanted to imagine. However, that did not mean that she did not have a right to defend herself.
"Only until recently did I meet people I actually got along with."
Harry frowned, worried about the meaning of her words before leaning across the table, "Look, Rose, I need to tell you something that you may not like but you need to know," he said in a low and serious voice.
"You think it's a bad idea for me to be friends with Slytherins," she stated for him in a flat tone, smirking as he was momentarily taken aback.
"Right, the Leglimency, I forgot." He remembered now worried about what he might have accidentally revealed to her.
Rose nodded, the smirk she learned to imitate from Draco plastered on her face.
"Then you know what I think about it?"
"Everything."
Harry nodded solemnly, 'Fuck it!' he mentally exclaimed, "You shouldn't be friends with any of them, especially Malfoy," he said firmly. "He's a prejudice, evil little git who would do anything and use anyone if it benefited him even if it's just to spite someone he doesn't like."
"And in this scenario, you're that someone he doesn't like and I'm the one he's using, right?" Rose questioned raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Yes," he answered swiftly as if it was the most obvious fact in the world.
Rose sighed, "Harry, I don't expect you to understand my involvement with Draco so just know this. The Malfoys have a lot of political influence, they basically control who gets elected and who stays in office here. It's better to be on good terms with them, especially for my father." She explained matter-of-factly making sure to end with a small gentle smile that would usually convince anyone of her "conflicting" situation because truthfully Rose did not give a damn about her association with the Malfoys. The fact that there was a political necessity to be acquainted with them was a perk as she had her own agenda with the family. Nonetheless, it would surely be convincing, after all, in her world, it wasn't uncommon for children of politicians to have opposing views to that of their parents. However, they knew better than to rock the boat.
There was also no way Harry would not understand her allegiance to the Vegas when they had cared for and loved her all these years.
Unfortunately, Rose had overestimated her luck, Harry's eyes widen in shock then quickly narrowed, his nostrils flared as a scowl formed on his face. It was amazing, shocking really, and, although she refused to admit it and would never, hurtful how it contrasted against the warm smile he had given her in the beginning.
'WHAT?!' His mind screamed. 'She can't be fucking serious! What have they done to her?! They have her brainwashed!'
'HOW FUCKING DARE HE?!' Her own mind screamed. It was taking all her willpower to force herself to not react to his thoughts or else she would curse him right there for having the audacity to think that of the Vegas.
'Good girl,' The voice said soothingly and with approval. 'He's not worth you making a spectacle of yourself. Your parents would pull you out of Hogwarts before you even have a chance to board the train. They'll send you back to those idiotic mind Healers for attacking your own brother.
Rose agreed but was nonetheless fuming, 'That doesn't mean I can't throw a hex or two at him once we're in school or, better yet, maybe I can get Draco to do it."
His chuckle echoed softly in her mind calming her somewhat but, to her dismay, that completely vanished at Harry's reply,
"So you'll just ignore the fact that Lucius Malfoy was a suspected follower of Voldemort for the sake of your father's political career and agenda?" He demanded angrily.
Rose's body stiffened, her throat constricted and an iciness spread throughout her veins and down her spine raising goosebumps over every limb at the mention of His name.
No one, absolutely no one, said the Dark Lord's name!
How could he throw around that name so casually as if it was nothing?! As if it meant nothing?!
How could it mean anything to him? The voice asked. He was raised as a Muggle. He cannot fear what he has never known. He'll never know what it was like for you to have stood in his presence and witnessed his power.
He was right. Harry should count his blessings to have been sheltered from that reality but it still angered her to hear him diminish it as evident by the cold glare she gave him.
"Don't say the Dark Lord's name," she replied in a low and rather menacing tone
"Why not?" Harry challenged his forehead furrowing. "That's his name, not 'the Dark Lord'. He said in mocking reverence that only worked to infuriate her further. "In fact, only his supporters and sympathizers call him that. You should know that before you go around repeating what your new Slytherin friends say. Might create the wrong impression."
If looks could kill, Harry would have been six feet under from the way she glared at him, her temper now flaring dangerously.
Easy now, said the voice comfortingly. This is not the time or place. It'll win you no favors with him either.
Quickly, she collected herself not wanting to say something she might later regret but if he was going to spew out facts then so would she. "Lucius Malfoy was cleared of all charges," Rose reminded refraining from sharing his confirmed involvement as a Death Eater as it served her no benefit if Harry knew. "He is a respected member of the Ministry of Magic and the wizarding world and therefore someone the American Ambassador and his family must be well acquainted with."
Now it was Harry's turn to glare which shook Rose at the sight of her mother's eyes glowering at her with such reproach. However, her expression remained as stoic and cold as ever, never faltering.
"Seems like you're very well acquainted alright, especially with his son."
Rose remained silent, angry but unable to respond as the secret moments she had shared with Draco (and his father) flashed through her head. No one, much less Harry, could ever know of these events. "It's politics, I don't expect you to understand." she finally answered curtly.
'Stop it! You're being an idiot, she's not like the Malfoys," she heard Harry think. 'She just doesn't know.'
"I'm just looking out for you, Rose," Harry began his tone and expression softening. "Sirius Black is on the run, he murdered a load of Muggles the night our parents were killed. He was You-Know-Who's right-hand man. It makes sense he would reach out to his old friends. Those Slytherins you were partying with, many of them are Pureblood supremacists or have ties to You-Know-Who like that git Rosier. Now that we're together they can come after us, you can't trust them! You don't know these people or this world like I do, you've been gone too long."
And who is to blame for that? Said the voice to her. You don't need anyone looking after you.
Rose looked away only returning her gaze to him once she had taken a second to calm down. Her brother only meant well, his warnings although unnecessary and unwelcomed were made out of true concern. In that second, she thought of indulging her plan to him so he could know she was not being stupid. She knew what Lucius Malfoy was capable of but she was also a natural-born Legilimens and the wizard's Occlumency was abysmal at best. In fact, resisting the urge to break through his mental barriers had been a courtesy that she could eventually withhold if need be.
As far as the Slytherins went, well firstly, how dare he tell her who she could be friends with, and secondly, Rose knew who they were and who they were related to. But that was exactly it, they were only related to offenders. Evan Rosier was certainly not his father and for all their physical similarities, Draco was not Lucius! Rose had seen another side to them that Harry obviously never had. They were no more their relatives than Rose was her mother. But there would be no convincing Harry of this, his own bias ran too deep and strong. No, he couldn't know of her plan, she needed to protect him. His emotionally-driven actions could ruin everything and get them both in deep shit.
"I am more than capable of looking out for myself, little brother."
'Oh Rose, you don't know what you're getting yourself into' 'His inner monologue stated. 'It's alright once she's sorted into Gryffindor she'll see how quickly Malfoy and his friends turn on her. She'll see it then.'
The glare once again threatened to return at his bold assumptions as if Harry knew anything about her character or her new friends, particularly Draco, but held back instead to receive his physical reaction.
He only nodded, resigned at continuing the pointless argument but nonetheless ended with one last warning.
"Just be careful with that lot, Rose, they're dangerous and I won't stand seeing you get hurt."
It had occurred to Rose that the celebrity treatment she was used to would be present in this world, she was, after all, Harry Potter's sister. The publicity from the Championship and her 'wild' summer had only worked to add to her fame. Judging from her interaction with the innkeeper earlier, there was no doubt that she would be met with the same stares that Harry must surely endure.
She did not, however, imagine the magnitude.
An hour had passed when they decided it was time to begin their shopping and after the unsettling argument with Harry, Rose was more than relieved to escape the private confines of the pub. She was so hurt, disappointed, and irritated to the point that she no longer knew if meeting her brother had been a good idea. No less than half an hour after meeting they had their first heated argument. It had been a disaster! A sentiment unwillingly shared by Harry who was now equally heavily conflicted. He loved her but meeting her had made him realize they were complete strangers with little in common. They had been raised in different worlds with different views. To add insult to injury, Harry could not stop himself from comparing her to Draco.
Why couldn't he just see things her way?
Her excuse for associating with the Malfoys had been foolproof. Anyone in her world would have understood the situation she was politically bound to but then again Harry had not grown up in her world. Part of Rose had known that he would be upset but she never expected him to be so hard-headed and stubborn. To make matters worse he could not hide his true feelings or thoughts to save his life. He wore his emotions so blatantly on his face as on his sleeve.
He truly believed Draco was using her to spite him, which, in all fairness, had been true in the beginning but not anymore.
He believed Lucius Malfoy's interest in her was also due to him.
And at the very deep depth of his subconscious, a small part of him believed all her fame was due to him.
Everything was about him!
As if you didn't have to work hard to be where you are.
Rose couldn't agree more but it wasn't something she wanted to discuss with Harry. There was no way he could ever know that she had undergone mind-healing treatment or that she had been kept away from others after she had violently attacked a No-Maj. He could not know that she had been alone at Ilvermorny because she was considered abnormal. Although, frankly, being alone had been beneficial as it provided her with an abundance of time to study and train.
You've never been truly alone, reminded the voice as they all stepped through the brick archway into the cold but bustling street of Diagon Alley. Who has always been there to help you?
'Do you always need so much reassurance?' She thought back with annoyance. 'You've been whispering nonstop in my head practically my whole life so you know it's you!'
Testy today, aren't we? It's not my fault your idiot brother put you in a mood.
Thankfully the conversation ended there and all further thoughts about Harry vanished from Rose's mind at the sight of the colorful shops lining the street around and ahead of them. The blurry images from her memory were suddenly sharpened and she was able to recognize a few shops such as the ice cream parlor where she very faintly remembered being treated to sundaes.
Despite the unpleasant dip the weather had taken, the alley was congested with wizards and witches of all ages and types. Judging by the number of families it seemed they weren't the only ones who had put off their back-to-school shopping. There was much noise, physical and mental, that Rose had to do her best to ignore the deafening volume to be able to truly take in her surroundings. To her left stood a cauldron shop and to her right, there was an owl emporium. Her eyes scanned around for any sign of the Apocathery, the only building she had any real interest in, but it was lost amongst the rows of shops lining the alley up ahead.
How strange that this very alley had been home long ago. Her mother had probably walked along this street with her in a stroller, perhaps her dad had joined them too. Maybe she had waddled down this street hand in hand with both of them. Briefly, Rose imagined them, walking the cobbled street ahead, each holding onto one little hand belonging to the red-head babe she had seen in Tom's memories, perhaps they even swung her back and forth as her adoptive parents had done.
"Rose?" came the voice of her present-day father pulling her back. "Are you alright?"
Realization washed over her that she had been so lost in her contemplation she had unknowingly stopped walking. Her parents and Harry now stood ahead looking back at her with a mixture of concern and confusion although in Harry's case it was more of the latter.
'I knew this wasn't a good idea,' Rose heard Isabella think. 'This is all too much for her.'
"I'm fine," Rose responded quickly making her way over to them, slightly annoyed and offended that her mother would think her so weak. "Just got distracted, it's so amazing isn't it?"
Her parent's eyes darted throughout the alley as she gestured at the air around them, both taking in the sight of what they were well aware was her first home. It was strange for both to have stepped into the world that she had belonged to before them. Nonetheless, when their soft brown eyes settled on their daughter there was nothing but understanding and compassion for her because, although Rose had shared as little as possible about her feelings toward this trip, her parents knew its significance.
"It's very charming, isn't darling?" said Isabella admiring the architecture of the Old World that in a way reminded her of her own home country. "Everything is much too modernized back in America. You can really feel the magic here."
"You really can," agreed her husband looking at the imposing marble building far ahead. "Certainly lives up to its reputation."
His eyes then fell on Rose, 'If this becomes overwhelming you can tell us,' he mentally communicated.
Rose held back from rolling her eyes choosing instead to say nothing but only nod so he knew she understood. Despite her parent's best intentions their incessant need to protect her and treat her as a delicate flower was becoming exceedingly tiresome. Had they not learned that she was anything but that during the Championship?!
"Very well then," Rodrigo said cheerfully. "Why don't we start with your new textbooks?"
"Flourish and Blott's is right down the street," Harry proudly informed pointing in the direction in which they immediately began walking with both siblings side-by-side ahead of the adults.
At first, they walked in silence, Harry was hesitant to speak again for fear that they would find another difference that could spark a second argument. Fortunately, Rose was still too enthralled by her surroundings to truly care but knew that she had to make an effort to talk to her brother at some point. After all, this was their big day, they were supposed to be bonding or whatever. However, there was also hesitation with her as she had to be careful what she said to Harry lest he reacts negatively as he had earlier. She couldn't stop herself from thinking how it was such a shocking contrast to the ease and freedom she had felt with Draco.
Thankfully, Harry made this easier by being the one to break the silence.
"Do you remember any of this?" He asked motioning the air around him with his hand as they passed Quality Quidditch Supplies where a crowd of young children stood admiring the new Firebolt.
Rose stared indifferently at the most coveted broom of the summer and shrugged, "Some of it," she answered turning back. "Most of what I remember seems like a dream, the images are imprinted but not the details."
Harry looked down at his sneakers, "Probably a lot better than remembering none of it," he said somberly, obviously referring to himself.
He certainly likes making everything about him, doesn't he?
"Well, you were an infant," Rose pointed out.
"Right,' he said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Do you remember what they were like?"
There was no need for Legilmency to who he was referring by 'they'.
Rose's previous aggravated state dissipated somewhat as the yearning Harry felt for their parents flowed into her. How she wished at that moment to be able to offer him more than just half-forgotten details but at least it was better than nothing.
"Mom was so beautiful, obviously you've seen her pictures. I remember how she liked brewing potions, she even had her own little lab set up in our kitchen," she recounted fondly. "I use to help her with little things like sorting and counting ingredients and after you were born she would sit you near us while we worked. I remember she smelled like oranges and cinnamon."
At this, Harry imagined Rose but with bright green eyes standing over a steaming cauldron, the subtle scents of citrus and cinnamon hung in the air as his brain recalled and applied these smells to their mother's image.
"And Dad?"
"Dad, well, he was awesome," Rose continued imagining her father's handsome face from Tom's memory. "He was always smiling and laughing. We played a lot and he was so much fun especially when our uh...friends visited." She cursed herself for that near slip-up but, thankfully, it had gone unnoticed. "They were great parents, Harry. They loved each other and us very much. I don't even have a single memory of them ever yelling."
Harry only smiled, it was a melancholic smile but still a happy one brought on by the reassurance that their parents had been good, kind, and loving people not some drunken, low lives as their horrible aunt had made him believe for so many years. "I wish I could remember them."
'Me too,' thought Rose not caring that it sounded tone-deaf in comparison but the few clear memories she had of them were not enough.
Regardless she scrambled her brain to offer some kind of consolation or comforting words but was interrupted when a worn-out purple shop came into view. Her mind froze, the building looked very familiar, very familiar.
It was the Apocathery!
Her heart felt as if it had stopped and Rose forced herself to remain emotionless as they passed. It pained her when she allowed her eyes to dart up to the two three-pane windows above. There it was. Her old home. Although the curtains were drawn she could faintly remember the rooms that were concealed. One had been her parents and the other had belonged to Uncle Sirius.
She could remember running between both rooms and to her own, sometimes there was a black dog in these memories playfully chasing her and tackling her with sloppy, wet kisses. Oftentimes she wondered what had happened to the dog, he had never shown up at Godric's Hollow so Rose could only assume that he had been given away or died.
In other memories of the apartment her mother's friend, Marlene Mckinnon had been present. Rose could recall the hazy glimpses of her smiling face, bright and beautiful as Rose had seen in the obituary archives during her research. Of course, that did no justice to the way she had smiled at Sirius in Tom's memory.
Briefly, she thought of sharing the first part of these recollections with Harry but decided against it. This was hers to keep, this had been her life before him. Back when there had been no threat from the Dark Lord toward them. When they did not have to hide.
Just the three of you, whispered the voice. Free and happy. Happiness you never felt again. Not even with the Vegas.
It plagued Rose with guilt to admit that he was correct. As much as she loved her adoptive parents Rose had never experienced the instinctual bond that she must have surely had with the Potters. A bond that brought true, unwavering happiness, especially to a young child, that vanished the night she had seen them murdered.
Her life had changed for the worse the minute Harry was born!
Her stomach wrenched at the self-hatred and guilt that followed this thought.
How could she think that?!
It was no more Harry's fault than it was hers! He had been an innocent baby with no control over his birth!
Don't punish yourself for what you feel instead ask yourself why?
'Why what?' She thought back sharply not in the mood for his usual cryptic hints.
Why they were betrayed?
Rose held back from rolling her eyes, 'Everyone knows why! Sirius gave us up so the Dark Lord could take out what many believed to be his competition.'
His silky laughter sounded softly sending chills down her spine, No, my lovely Rose, think bigger! He encouraged. Someone more powerful than Black had to be protecting you, your family, and even your dear godfather himself.
'How do you know this?' She asked.
Because YOU know this!
How exactly did that make sense Rose couldn't even begin to phantom regardless she strained to think as far back as she could but there wasn't much of her parents or their lives outside of Godric's Hollow. It was a miracle she even had these tidbits of Diagon Alley. Had her parent's been in some kind of bigger war effort? Who apart from the Ministry had fought?
"Rose?"
She turned quickly to see Rodrigo waiting for her as he held the door open to Flourish and Blott's. Harry and Isabella had already stepped through and stood peering curiously out at her.
'Why is she so distracted,' thought her mother with concern. 'We should go home. She will have more than enough time with Harry once they're in school.'
Rose practically ran into the shop wanting to avoid any further suspicion from Isabella. Merlin forbid, she cut this trip short as she had done with their vacation. That couldn't happen again, so Rose forced her mind away from the past.
With a clear head came a new flood of incoherent thoughts as the shop was filled with Hogwarts students and their parents searching for their textbooks and crossing titles off lists as they found them. Once inside Rose headed straight to business and collected all the required fifth-year books in order to leave the deafening enclosed space. Thank Isolt, that Harry had completed his own shopping days ago as it made things move quicker.
However, her desire to leave became urgent by the sudden and alarming change in the thoughts coming from the other patrons.
'Is that Harry AND Rose Potter?!'
'It's Harry Potter! There's the scar! That must be Rose Potter, then!'
'Holy Merlin, it's really Rose Potter! Thought she'd be taller.'
'Who is she trying to fool with that fake hair color!'
'It's actually HER!'
'Such a terrible influence on young witches, hope the so-called parents are proud of the disservice they've done to the Potter's memory. Probably too busy being snobs with the Purebloods to care like the rest of that pompous Ministry lot! '
'It's the bloody fucking Potters!'
'I'm asking for an autograph!'
Instinctively Rose lowered the brim of her hat not that it would help now that they had been recognized. "Dad, we need to go," she said with some urgency escaping her voice to Rodrigo as he finished paying.
"In a minute, Rosie," he said rather pointedly but nonetheless with a smile. He reverted his gaze to the young shop assistant while she neatly placed the new textbooks in a shopping bag.
'What's going on Rosie?' He, however, asked in his mind.
'I wonder if they'll both sign my textbook.'
'Godric, she was amazing at the Championship! Should I go up to her and introduce myself or wait until we're in school? Will she think that's weird? Of course, she will!'
'I reckon he doesn't even have a plan on how to stop the Muggle drugs from entering. Can't even handle his own daughter! They should have done a better background check on him, law enforcement experience does not equal a competent father. He probably bribed them with all his money like those bloody Malfoys.'
'How can I get her attention?'
'Look at their clothing! Bet it all cost more than all these four's school supplies and our rent combined. If you ask me he should pursue Fudge to dismantle the Pureblood power over the Ministry not go on holiday with them!'
"Just like the bloody Malfoys no wonder the girl got so cozy with that crowd. Rich and above the law. So much for MACUSA's prided diplomacy.
"We need to go now," Rose quietly emphasized placing a hand on Rodrigo's arm to further express the urgency. She anxiously watched the shop assistant place the last book in the bag, annoyed at the glacial pace at which she performed her menial job. Finally, she handed the bag to Rodrigo, and once he turned Rose leaned in closer and whispered in Spanish, "We've been recognized. They're going to mob us if we don't get out now!"
Her father's eyes glanced around the shop immediately noticing the stares and whispers coming from the crowd.
'Let's go before there's a scene,' he mentally instructed.
A scene unfolding was the last thing she wanted, this was supposed to be her shopping trip with her brother! The thought of stopping to sign autographs instead of rediscovering Diagon Alley was one she wanted to avoid. The inner clamor and excitement, some sexual, were producing a terrible headache for the young witch and she wanted nothing more than to step out into the open air.
Swiftly and avoiding all eye contact with the buzzing crowd, they made their way to Isabella and Harry. When they reach them, Rodrigo leaned close to his wife and quietly communicated the situation.
"Let's go children," instructed Isabella calmly guiding her family to the door.
"Rose, what's going on?" asked Harry quietly, his brow furrowed with confusion at the sudden change in behavior from the shoppers and her parents.
At least he's observant.
"The perks of being famous," Rose whispered under her breath.
Her words truly sunk in at the sight of a girl approaching them, parchment and quill in hand. 'Oh, fuck no, not this!' He internally cursed. It was enough to make both of them quicken their pace and practically sprint out as they all stepped out the door.
"That was a close one," remarked her father leading them quickly onto the street and away from the shop.
"We should head back to the Leaky Cauldron, amor," suggested Isabella now more than ever convinced that she had been right about this trip all along.
"No!" Rose practically shouted earning herself a scolding look from her mother. "I mean, we're fine. It's not like they're following us."
Her mother remained unconvinced.
"If we hurry we can still get all my things before word travels that we're here," Rose argued chancing a pleading look at her father.
"Uhhh...I don't think that's going to be an option, Rose," said Harry, his face turned over his shoulder.
They all turned to look at what he meant and were greeted by the unnerving sight of what looked to be more than half the shop headed their way.
"Come on, back to the pub," Rodrigo ordered. "Swiftly and quietly."
You'll never make it before they swarm you.
They had to! The Leaky Cauldron wasn't so far, it was possible that they could reach it before the crowd reached them. However, that possibility was destroyed when out of nowhere a blinding flash went off in front of them. Rose groaned, raising her arms to shield her eyes only to be met with several more flashes once she looked back.
"ROSE! HARRY! LOOK OVER HERE!"
"GIVE US A SMILE, DARLING!"
"HARRY, ROSE! IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME SEEING EACH OTHER?"
"AMBASSADOR, WILL YOU BE ADOPTING HARRY POTTER TOO?"
"HARRY, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE YOUR SISTER BACK?"
"MRS. VEGA, HOW ARE YOU LIKING ENGLAND? ARE YOU CONCERNED FOR YOUR DAUGHTER'S SAFETY?"
"ROSE, ARE THE RUMORS ABOUT YOU AND DRACO MALFOY TRUE?"
"AMBASSADOR, WHAT'S YOUR PLAN TO STOP THE FLOW OF MUGGLE NARCOTICS FROM ENTERING OUR COMMUNITY? IS THE AMERICAN MUGGLE GOVERNMENT TO BLAME FOR THEIR MISHANDLING OF THIS ISSUE? DOES MACUSA TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY?"
The deafening commotion and visual pain from the cameras had frozen Rose in her spot, she had even failed to immediately notice that the ever-growing crowd had caught up and were now encircling them as they shoved each other, shouting and holding out quills, parchments, newspapers, and magazines at them.
"OUT OF THE WAY!" Came a rough, thundering voice.
Rose had never been more relieved to see her father's security team pushing their way through, wands in hand, to immediately form a protective circle around them.
STAY BACK!" yelled the head guard. "STAY BACK BEFORE WE GET A HIT SQUAD OVER HERE AND ARREST THE LOT OF YOU FOR DISORDER AND HARASSMENT!"
The threat was enough for the crowd to part allowing the Vegas and Harry a path to walk along with the guards as they guided them back to the pub never once breaking formation. Although Rose could not see behind them she could hear the crowd thunderously following along. She tried not to trip on the cobbled pavement a difficult task with her vision blocked from seeing in front of her. So much for rediscovering her old home now all she could see were the guard's backs. She inwardly cursed her luck. Nothing had gone as planned from the start!
To hell with it! Her parents could just send a staff member to collect the rest of the supplies as her mother had originally wanted. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to return to the private and quiet confines of the Leaky Cauldron.
Her wish was granted a minute later when the guards in front of her parted and Tom came into view as he held the door to the pub open for them to enter. The door immediately shut behind them as soon as they had all stepped through with a few of the guards remaining outside to prevent the crowd from following.
"I'm so sorry, Harry!" Rose exclaimed with frustration covering her eyes with her hands.
"It's alright," he said still shaken from the experience. "Who knew seeing the two of us together would make everyone go mental."
"Ambassador, we should leave now," stated Richard firmly. "There's no point staying. That crowd is only getting bigger by the second, 'fraid there'll be no shopping with that mob waiting outside."
He was right. The sound of the crowd could be heard through the closed door loudly chanting "Potters, Potters, Potters!" and in her mind, their voices only multiplied creating a sea of distorted cacophony. Curiosity compelled her to focus as sharply as she could to make out any clear sentences.
'Hiding away? Looks to me as if someone is guilty.'
'I was hoping she wasn't a rich snob fancying herself above her fans but she can't even come out and greet us!'
'What's a few autographs?! Harry had no problem doing that last year.'
'Should've known she's as stuck up as the purebloods she fucks.'
You really aren't creating the best impression so far. Commented the voice.
'And what do you propose I do?' She asked in desperation.
Go out there. Greet them. Give them the show they want. Make them believe what you want them to believe. The only way you can have control of a situation is if you take it not hide from it. You're a charming, beautiful witch, let them see only that.
"We need to go outside," Rose stated flatly, stopping her parents from following Richard.
Isabella looked as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing, "Rosie, it's crazy out there and we haven't had any prior briefing to be properly interviewed! The press will jump at any chance to twist your words!"
Rose rolled her eyes at how little faith her mother had as if she hadn't already been subjected to countless interviews during the Championship. Granted, she had been provided with an excellent publicist but the best advisor had always been the one living in her head. It was time to prove that she had learned more than enough from him to take on this spontaneous challenge.
"I can handle it," Rose reassured then turned to her father who would have the final say. "Trust me, dad. It's bad for our image if we hide away from them. They're already thinking that we have something to hide and that we think of ourselves above them for not signing a few autographs!"
The Ambassador sighed deeply knowing that his daughter was right. He looked at his wife, "It would send a positive message if they saw Rose and Harry together, especially after what the Skeeter woman wrote. That is, of course, if you're comfortable with it, son?" He said turning to Harry.
Harry, who up to this point was still trying to process the situation that had unfolded, looked startled at being pulled into this plan, "I'm probably not the best for this," he said quickly. "I mean, I've never done this sort of thing before I might muck it all up for Rose."
Rose approached her brother, "Just smile, wave, and keep things light," she instructed ruffling his hair in an attempt to achieve a messy-casual look for his black locks that had been flattened by his hood. Unfortunately, it only made his hair stick up from all ends. "Try not to say too much, I'll do most of the talking." She wished she could do more for Harry's appearance which could not even be passed off as grunge but there was no time for the fashion emergency that was her brother.
"Ok," Harry nodded although in his mind he wished nothing more than to find a way out of this.
"Tell the rest of the team that we will be out to greet the press and Rose's fans in five," Rodrigo instructed his team. "Inform the press that we will not be entertaining false rumors stemming from Ms. Skeeter's article."
Richard gave a serious, quick nod then turned to relay the message to the rest of the team outside. The pub was momentarily filled with the thunderous noise from the crowd as the door opened, it sounded as if had increased by tenfold!
The beating against her chest pounded heavily at the thought of what she was about to face. This wasn't the excited crowd from the Championship rooting for her victory, this was a crowd that wanted..no, demanded answers. Answers about Rose's personal life as if she owed the world an explanation. Yet, she had to face them!
You can do this, Rose. Her mental advisor encouraged her. Show me that I have not been teaching you in vain.
Turning to Harry, Rose held out a hand which he took rather reluctantly.
How different from darling Draco. He would willingly do you this favor more proficiently and with class.
Rose mentally shook away the voice's words, she couldn't keep comparing her brother to his rival despite the latter showing more understanding.
"Come on," she said gently guiding Harry to the closed door Richard had just stepped back through.
"Ready?" The guard asked glancing behind them to Rodrigo and Isabella.
Rodrigo nodded and with that, the bodyguard opened the door.
"ROSE! ROSE! GIVE US A SMILE, LOVE!"
"HARRY! LOOK OVER HERE!"
Lights flashed behind the invisible magical barrier that separated them as the Potters and Vegas stepped into the deafening and exciting chaos that consumed their senses. However, now Rose was prepared for it, this crowd was really no different than the crowds at the Championship.
They just want a show. The voice agreed with her.
She could hear the press's questions that they wanted to ask and the curveballs they would throw at her in hopes of oversharing.
They all yearned to be the ones to make her slip up in hopes of another scandal to report but Rose was ready. It was all a manner of taking control of the conversation through body language, facial and auditory reactions; banter, and positive but undetectably vague answers.
Unfortunately for Harry, he had not been born with Legilimency or raised by a political family therefore he had no advantages or experience with the press or fans that could aid him. Rose could feel how nervous and overwhelmed he was, she had thought he would have been used to this treatment by now. Dumbledore had truly spared him from growing up as a public figure.
"AMBASSADOR! AMBASSADOR! HOW ABOUT A FAMILY PHOTO?"
Rose could sense her parents coming to stand behind her as the rest of the security team filed out.
"HARRY! ROSE! OVER HERE!" Came more excited and youthful voices that belonged to a large group of kids and teenagers all cramming to get a better look, quills, and pictures in hands in hopes of an autograph. Some of them were Hogwarts students, Rose knew this through Harry as he recognized several faces.
She also heard him mentally curse and felt his embarrassment but nonetheless Rose smiled in their direction before approaching them giving Harry no choice but to follow as their arms remained connected.
The young crowd squealed and jumped with excitement as they saw the Potters approaching. Rose gave her best, dazzling smile and waved before coming to a stop in front of the youthful crowd.
"Hi Rose, my name is Emily! I'm a fourth-year Ravenclaw, I hope you're in our house!" shouted a raven-haired girl.
"I'm a sixth-year Gryffindor!" shouted a tall, sandy-haired boy.
"I'm in Hufflepuff! I'm the team's Keeper!"
"Can I have your autograph, I'm such a fan! Yours too, Harry?"
"Of course," Rose replied sweetly, grabbing a poster of her torn from a Teen Witch Weekly and an inkless quill from the girl's hand. Quickly, she signed her name and passed it to Harry who reluctantly did the same. She reached for another as more posters from the Championship and magazine covers were shoved at her. Behind them, the press was snapping away at their interaction and her parents were currently busy being interviewed.
"How are you finding England, Mrs. Vega?"
"It's a very lovely country, everything is so charming and beautiful."
"How soon can we expect the Ministry and the Magical Congress to come up with a course of action against those guilty of drug smuggling?"
"Next week all members of the Wizengamot and I will sit down to begin an aggressive effort to resolve this issue that we are all taking very seriously."
"Is this Harry and Rose's first time meeting since they've been separated?"
"Yes, it's been a very exciting day!"
At this Rose walked over, leaving the young crowd calling after her, with Harry at her wake. The press immediately set their sights on the young siblings, their real targets, flashing their cameras furiously and shouting unintelligible sentences all at once.
"HARRY! ROSE! WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE TOGETHER AGAIN?"
"DO YOU FIND YOU HAVE A LOT IN COMMON?"
"ONE AT A TIME NOW!" shouted Richard stepping in front of her as the press pushed against each other to crowd around the two. The reporters immediately obeyed and toned down their commotions desperate to appease the guard to get to their game.
Rose smiled warmly at a young brunette reporter that came into view once Richard stepped away.
"Rose, Harry," she addressed them cheerfully. "We are so excited to witness this important day in magical history. Has it been as emotional for the two of you as it is for your fans?"
'Fans?!' She heard Harry mentally exclaim with distaste.
"Very much so," Rose began pleasantly, ignoring her brother. "It's been a day I've looked forward to for many years and words cannot express how it feels to be reunited with my baby brother."
They shifted their attention to Harry eagerly awaiting his response.
"Errrr...," he began desperately searching for the right words to say. "Yea, it's been great," he managed to blurt out rather awkwardly. Thankfully, he took note of this and added, "I am very happy to see Rose. I can't wait to have my big sis with me at school this year."
'Perhaps he's not totally hopeless,' thought Rose.
It's much too soon to tell, responded the voice.
"Rose! Tina from Teen Witch UK, big fan!" spoke a pretty blonde girl who looked only a few years older than Rose. "I simply adore your outfit! Can you tell us who you are wearing?"
"Thank you," Rose answered brightly. "Yes, my outfit, including my hat, are from this year's Serena Snow Fall Collection and my shoes are Alessandro Incanto."
"Do you feel at home, Rose?" piped up a male reporter.
"Yes," lied Rose with a smile. "Everyone, including all of you here, has been incredibly welcoming!"
The crowd cheered and clapped at her answer but it was drowned by the laughter that rang inside her mind. Her answer had amused him but he proudly approved of her lie. Rose forced herself to hold back the satisfactory smirk that threaten to form from knowing that she was proving herself to him...or was it to herself?
"Particularly the Malfoys?" shot a female reporter with strawberry-blonde hair once the crowd had quieted down.
Richard made a movement as if to stand in front of her to remind the woman that their vacation was an off-limits topic but Rose, filled with confidence from her advisor's approval, answered before he could take any action.
"Yes," she replied politely, smiling to show that she had nothing to hide. "The Malfoy's were the most gracious hosts. We had an incredible time at their gorgeous villa and I'm more than grateful to them for going out of their way to ensure we had a good time. Particularly with Draco, who was kind enough to show me the city during the annual feria festival."
"Are you two dating?!" Another reporter shouted out brazenly.
Rose gave a small laugh and shook her head. "No, Draco is a very bright and handsome young wizard but we're only good friends."
"What else can you share with us about the young Malfoy heir?" piped up another reporter now encouraged to ask the questions they had truly wanted to hear.
"Ummm..." said Rose scrunching her face to appear pensive yet playful. "He's obviously a really good dancer!"
The press laughed as did her parents but beside her, Rose could hear that Harry found this none too amusing.
"Harry, Rose," called out a dark-skinned male reporter in a more serious tone. "Sirius Black was last sighted near London, are you concerned for your safety at Hogwarts while he remains at large?"
"Of course we are," answered Rose instantly. "Not only for our safety but that of our fellow classmates. However, my brother and I have full confidence in the safety measures taken by Headmaster Dumbledore and the Ministry. I'm sure it won't be long until they catch Black and return him where he belongs."
"Okay, that's enough for today," came Richard's loud voice as he placed himself between them and the press.
The Vegas and Potters allowed themselves to be ushered back towards the pub door when a voice rang out loud.
"HOW ABOUT THAT FAMILY PHOTO, AMBASSADOR? JUST ONE PLEASE!"
Rose nudged her father gently with her elbow at the man's words. Rodrigo smiled down and nodded proudly at her initiative in handling the press so expertly. He whispered to his wife and they all turned back to face the crowd. Harry, of course, reluctantly followed suit as he had been doing this whole time.
Rose stepped in front of her parents and pulled Harry in to stand beside her before another hurricane of flashes went off before them, blinding them all from seeing the crowds' faces. Not that they needed to see them as all they had to do was stand there and smile.
Once it stopped the crowd cheered and clapped once more. The thunderous chant of "Potters! Potters! Potters!" rang around them. There was so much excitement and noise, it reminded Rose of being back at the Championship and just as she had been coached to do, she raised a hand and waved at them. They cheered louder and the young witch couldn't help but smile as their excitement poured into her.
However, there was a different emotion radiating from her brother that tainted the elation she felt. It was an emotion of disappointment and disapproval that seethed from Harry at the way she accepted and seemed to bask in the spotlight but most notably at the way she had spoken of Draco. There was dislike with an underlayer of distrust at her family's connection with the Malfoys, even if it was political which he found disgusting.
Mustering all her will Rose forced her expression to remain cheerful and bright although deep inside her chest there was an ache.
Don't feel bad, Rose, said the voice gently. He could never understand you, not like Draco and his friends. Not like me.
His words did little to alleviate the feeling because as much as it was true, as much as Harry had pissed her off, it was not what Rose had wanted.
She loved her brother that unexplainable part that felt whole and complete with him was overwhelmingly strong but that didn't take away from the fact that everything had gone all wrong.
A/N:
Now for a disclaimer: the memories included in this chapter are excerpts from the PoA book. I did not write nor come up with them that was all Rowling. I did, however, edit them to include Rose.