This is a story about a girl who manages to steal the heart of one made of stone.
I dedicate this story to anyone who has wanted to escape reality, even if it is for just a few minutes.
A Chaser or a Keeper
Chapter one: King Charles I
From the outside Rose looked like any other curious girl. At six foot two, with long blonde perfectly curled locks and violet blue eyes, she looked like she had come out of the pages of a modelling catalogue. Her heart shaped face, though still full of eager youth, showed a resilience to accept who she truly was.
She stared guiltily into the mirror as she held the Hogwarts letter of acceptance for what felt like the fiftieth time. Her parents had always told her to accept her fate and to embrace it, and here she was betraying their guidance. Her parents never received a Hogwarts letter, Squibbs can't attend wizardry school even when your the daughter of Minerva McGonagall. They weren't even sure if Rose had any magically ability until she was three. Rose's parents woke up to Rose physically different from the toddler they had placed in the cot. Diagnosed as a Metamorphmagus, Rose's new look stuck, its beauty now seen to her as a curse.
There was a knock on the door, a gentle rhythm that showed the concern behind the person responsible for the sound.
"Come in." Rose responded quietly.
A tall man came into the room, silvery grey hair spiked his head, and a neatly trimmed beard adorned his face. There was an excited sparkle to his eyes as he viewed Rose on her bed.
"Still in your pyjamas? I would have thought you would have been showered and dressed already."
"I needed a moment to collect my thoughts." Rose replied guilty. "I'm not sure I'm as ready for this as I thought."
"Rose?" The man said firmly.
"Yes… Dad?" She answered apprehensively.
He sighed, almost cautiously as he looked down upon her.
"Don't let your Grandmother get into your head."
"Easier for you to say." Rose muffled a reply as she lifted her legs up to tuck them under her chin. "I can feel the whole weight of the family on my shoulders."
"Your Grandma got one daughter into Gryffindor." He hissed quietly, his eyes showing the motive behind his words.
"Yes Aunt Molly did her proud." Rose agreed, turning away from his strong stare. "And every Weasley since. But I'm not a Weasley."
"No, your a Ward." He said boldly. "And me and your Mom are proud of you, whatever House you get into, understand?"
Rose nodded sincerely, not quite looking at her Dad. He came to sit next to her on the bed, placing his warm hand on her knee.
"We have always tried to give you the life you deserve Rose, maybe leaving you in the care of your Aunt and Uncle wasn't the right.…"
"Don't say that." A single tear fell from her face. "Being homeschooled here was the best decision you could have both made, it just meant sacrificing seeing you."
"I'm sorry we can't go to the station with you." Her Dad muttered sombrely. "Flu networks and Squibbs don't mix."
"Your with me up here." Rose weakly smiled, placing her hand to her head.
"And in here." He gestured to her heart. "Now go jump in the shower, before your Aunt Molly has a heart attack."
Rushing her shower to make up for lost time, Rose quickly changed into a skinny jeans and fitted t shirt, flicking her long curls to cover her shoulders.
Rushing down the spiral staircase that lead to the ground floor, Rose could hear the rest of the family gathered around the kitchen table.
Aunt Molly seemed a little more stressed than normal, spreading sandwiches like her life depended on it. Hastily shoving a wrapped sandwich at Rose as she passed, she muttered that there was bacon still in the pan. Helping herself to breakfast and sitting opposite Ron, it was only when Rose looked up that she saw that Ron looked how she felt. His face was a light shade of a grey.
"Ron" Rose whispered gently.
He didn't answer but looked repulsively at the Sandwich that was left in front of him by his Mother.
"Ron, no-one is going to forcibly make you eat corned beef." Rose smiled sympathetically. "We could always find the trolly lady on the train?"
"Okay." He nodded slowly, pushing the sandwich towards her. "I cant look at it."
Nodding in understanding, Rose retrieved the sandwich and continued to finish her breakfast. Placing the empty plate in the sink, the dishcloth jumped to life to start cleaning. Aunt Molly was back in the Kitchen muttering to herself about Fred and George, something about the cat and knitted trousers.
"Rose, get ready to leave in ten minutes okay?" She nodded, gently patting her arm as she passed. "Oh and have your spare change of clothes in your school bags for when we get to the pub, you know how dirty the flu network is."
"Sure." Rose nodded sagaciously.
Leaving the kitchen to climb the stairs, Rose found that the stairs were blocked by Fred and George.
"You okay if I get passed you?" Rose said with crooked grin "Its just your kind of in the way."
"Are you saying I'm fat?" Fred asked deviously.
"No. Im trying to say your both fat." Rose grinned.
"Ouch." George grinned back. "Its a good job that I know your kidding. You don't seem nervous." He observed.
"Are you kidding?" Rose bluffed. "I can't wait." Her heart sinking at the white lie.
"We've got your back Rose." Fred said with care clear in his voice, smacking her back for good measure as they made space for her to climb.
"And if you seriously think that I haven't just felt you put some stupid note on my back Fred-"
"Must be getting sloppy." He muttered to George as they left for the kitchen.
"Your just too easy to read." Rose shouted back, peeling the expletive off her back.
slowly making her way up the familiar staircase, Rose took in all the things she had taken advantage of over the years. Her small comfy bedroom that she shared with Ron was going to be missed. The dark green walls were covered in peeling quidditch team posters and Rose's artwork. Even hearing the whacking noises coming from the ghoul made Rose feel like he was coming to say good-bye. It made Rose wonder when she was next going to see it all again, a nervous ripple of excitement leaving her as it finally starting to sink in - she was really going to school today. Ron was on his bed, packing the remainder of his things. Upon seeing Rose he smiled, looking up with a curious stare.
"Ive just had an interesting chat with your Mom."
"Oh yeah?" Rose acknowledged curiously. "What about."
"About Smutz."
"What about him." Rose replied, her heart sinking slightly.
"She is under the impression that you have permission to bring him to school."
"Well I did send an owl to Professor Dumbledore to ask permission."
"And we both know he hasn't replied." Ron retorted with raised eyebrows. "Why couldn't you just go for the usual toad, owl or cat like everyone else."
"Because I'm allergic to cats as you are fully aware Ron." Rose scolded. "Besides Mr I'm taking my brothers old rat which is also not on the list, you know a can't leave my dog."
"I just don't think sneaking Smutz into school in the wisest of things to do."
"It isn't sneaking if I'm walking him on a lead with everybody able to see him" Rose grinned back.
Ron snorted but nodded in understanding that the conversation was over, checking under the bed to see if there was anything that he had missed.
"Rose, Ron are you coming down any time soon?" Percy shouted from bellow.
Looking at Ron for confirmation, Rose rolled up her spare clothes shoving them hastily in her red rucksack. Grabbing the dog lead from behind the door she left the room not daring to look around again, shouting goodbye to the ghoul on the way out.
The living room was now packed with everyone's luggage, nine people, one rat, one owl and one dog, the family piano having been pushed into the corner to make more room. Her parents huddled next to Aunt Molly, they smiled as they saw Rose appear at the top of the stairs.
"Now Remember to pronounce the pub name properly before throwing the flu powder in the fireplace" Aunt Molly bellowed to the room. "Especially you Ron, this is not the day to get lost in the middle of London."
Rose gave his hand a quick squeeze of encouragement, it was one time for heavens sake and now wasn't the time to get Ron in a bad mood.
"Percy you first" She ordered, handing him the plant pot.
"Of course Mother, King Charles I, Kings Cross"
His hand dropped the sand into the fireplace, it illuminating green before engorged Percy into the fireplace.
"Remember When you sneezed Ron and said King Snarls and ended up in the lion enclosure at London Zoo?"
"George, seriously how is that helpful in any shape or form" Rose snapped, shaking her head and inciting with her eyes for him to read the room, Ron's grey tinge had returned
"You wouldn't be smiling either if it had happened to you" Ron responded, his ears now matching the fiery shade of his hair.
Sighing Rose stared at the twins, the harshness of her eyes making their mischievous grins flicker. She knew Ron too well and now he was going to be in a shit mood all day. This was further proven with the specific, defiant way he spoke into the fireplace when it was his turn.
The only one left, Rose looked at everyone in turn, trying to show some sort of confidence.
"Would it be easier if I took your luggage for you?" Aunt Molly suggested, looking down at the now nervous Smutz.
Rose grinned her thanks, scooping Smutz up, who at this point was shivering slightly. Rose gave him a pat on the head trying to give him reassurance. He really was a confidence boost that she couldn't explain. He had gone everywhere with her and school could really be no exception.
"Have a great term at school." Her Father smiled proudly.
"Enjoy every moment." Her Mom continued, giving her arm a squeeze.
"Thank you." Rose responded, hoping her eyes showed them how much she cared.
She took a pinch of the soft, cool sand, breathing into Smutz's fur for reassurance. Stepping into the fire she turned to see her parents one more time.
"King Charles I Pub, Kings Cross."