Malfoy.
The early start on Saturday morning had been worth it, by midday even Ron had finished all of the homework assignments. The metaphorical weight lifted off their shoulders, they decided to explore the castle and its grounds in more depth with their new free time.
Rose's weekend however couldn't be entirely guilt free. Hermione had completely ignored Rose since Friday, her attitude like it had been before. Rose, confused and slightly hurt had tried to find Hermione on numerous occasions but Hermione had simply stopped coming to the dormitory entirely except to rest. In classes Hermione was only vocal to answer questions and at dinner she quickly ate alone and left. Trying hard to keep her end of the promise by at least attempting to smile at Hermione in the corridors, Rose had to reluctantly accept in the end that if Hermione wanted Rose's help that she would come and find her.
By the end of Monday's final class, everyone was helplessly overburdened with even more homework, with each tutor demanding at least 73 inches worth of parchment. Feeling the impeding doom that only essays could create Harry, Ron and Rose made their way back to the common room to drop their school bags off, the weight of their bags digging into their shoulders.
"Right. Dinner then straight back to it?" Ron grumbled.
"I think that's the only feasible thing." Rose sighed.
"We are only going to get more tomorrow." Harry agreed thoughtfully.
"And we won't sleep until it's finished, okay?" Ron asked.
"Sure." Rose and Harry agreed unenthusiastically.
"Hey guys have you seen this?" Neville stuttered.
Neville looked pale, his arm reached out pointing to a notice addressed to the first year Gryffindors.
"What is it Neville?" Rose asked curiously, moving closer to the mantlepiece to read it for herself.
'Attention all first years!
Flying Lessons will commence on Thursday 11th September at 16:30 for Gryffindor and Slytherin and 18:30 for Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Please meet Madam Hooch in the school grounds, outside the Quidditch arena.
No privately owned brooms allowed.
No pets allowed.
No exceptions.'
"This is bloody fantastic." Harry seethed sarcastically. "Why of all the Houses does it have to be with Slytherin?"
"Its pretty shitty." Rose agreed. "Lets try to think optimistically though, you could be brilliant at it."
"Or you make a huge fool of yourself in front of Malfoy." Ron grinned.
With the advantage of having ridden a broom before, Ron was acting smug for good reason. On more than one occasion recently Rose had caught Ron and Seamus telling rival heroic stories of situations that had happened on their broomsticks. Though the stories were so far fetched Rose doubted anyone would actually believe them, she was grateful that Ron had luckily stopped once he had seen Rose's amused face.
"We still have three days Harry." Rose soothed. "And remember a lot of people have never flown before even if they have come from a Wizarding family."
"This is true!" Neville nodded sadly. "Gran never trusted me near a broom, she says I'm too accident prone."
"Is she going to let you fly on Thursday?" Rose queried.
"I'm not going to ask." Neville shuddered.
"I get what your saying Rose, but you've flown before." Harry grumbled.
"Yes, but like I have said repeatedly, don't listen to Ron's ridiculous stories-"
"Hey!-" Ron began to speak.
"..Besides" Rose continued seriously, sending Ron a harsh stare. "Unless you have your own broom which none of us do, the school broom will only listen to you if it really trusts you."
Harry nodded, looked around the room at the other First Years, even Seamus suddenly wasn't looking as confident as he had been that morning.
Tuesday came and went in a blink of an eye and by the time Wednesday evening had arrived, the nervous atmosphere was so tense that you could cut it with a knife. Sighing Rose looked at Harry and then at Ron. They were in the common room, desperately trying to complete the latest round of homework from that day. Rose blinked, her eyes becoming slightly sore from all the concentration. Her middle finger dented from the pressure of holding her quill, she again glanced at the others.
"How are you doing?" Ron muttered next to her.
"Im starting to flake." Rose replied honestly. "I know it's only half past nine but the tiredness has hit me all at once."
"How much left have you got to do?" Harry sighed.
"I'm nearly finished." Rose answered sleepily. "I just need to finish the last two inches of Sprout's latest round of homework and then I'm done."
"Can I look at your charms and transfiguration then?" Ron yawned.
"Sure." Rose replied, not surprised that he was asking, he had after all subtly fell asleep in Flitwick's class. "Do you want me to go over anything so that you actually understand it?"
"Nahh, I'll pass." Ron replied nonchalantly.
Passing Ron the two neatly rolled parchments, Rose stood up stretching her arms towards the ceiling.
"I'm going to take Smutz out, the walk might wake me up." Rose sighed.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Harry asked sleepily.
"No, don't worry." Rose smiled gratefully. "I'll be back before you know it."
True to her word, Rose was back in the common room promptly, eager to get the homework finished before bed. As she walked through the tunnelled entrance, she tutted at the scene before her. Alone and fast asleep, Ron was face planting Rose's charms homework making a large dent in the once crisp parchment.
Tugging at her work, Rose smoothed the parchment, before carefully rolling it back up and placing it back into her bag. Settling back into the comfy armchair, she got to work finishing the last few paragraphs of Sprout's essay on fungus. Measuring her scroll, relived that she was a quarter inch over, Rose knelt her head back, grateful that she was finally finished for the night. Carefully placing the completed essay down next to her, she drummed her finger on the arm rest thinking of what she could do whilst she waited for the quill ink to dry. The fireplace crackled as a piece of wood ignited, the noise making Rose glance up. The mantlepiece above was laden with second hand books and Rose smiled as she had seemed to have found the perfect way to distract herself for the ten minutes she needed for her scroll to dry. Her finger traced the title of every book, praying that at least one of them would be of interest this late into the night. Begrudgingly settling on a book of magical beast facts, she settled back into her chair, curling her legs underneath her.
'* Fun Fact*
Flobberworm's may be toothless but they are surprisingly not picky eaters. Eating anything from old furniture to human flesh, Flobberworm's are most content when eating their favourite food - rotting cabbage…'
*Delightful* Rose thought sarcastically.
Snapping the book shut, Rose quickly decided that bed was far more inviting than reading another fact.
"No. No. No. How many times do I have to say it?"
Rose looked up, there were heated voices coming from the tunnelled entrance. Perplexed that there were students still allowed out, it was after all after curfew, Rose's heart sank as the two students appeared, revealing that the voices belonged to Angelina and Edward. Her breathing quickened as she saw him, her heart plummeting quickly as her neck grew warm with a jealous blush.
*What were they doing together? * Rose thought bitterly, and worse still *When had they started being together?*
It hadn't helped that Rose hadn't seen Edward for days. The amount of homework they had both been given had meant that they had had to keep to their own year groups. Quickly opening the book and holding it high so that only her eyes could be seen, Rose pathetically pretended to read.
Edward walked over to the water stand, grabbing a glass tightly in his hand, his body tense and face unimpressed. His eyes still on Angelina, it appeared he hadn't even noticed Rose's presence.
"I will keep saying it Angelina until you give me a good enough reason." Edward scolded curtly.
"I have given you plenty." Angelina sulked.
"I think once you have calmed down, you will realise that you haven't given me one good reason." Edward replied bluntly. "Your jealou-"
"Don't. You. DARE." Angelina hissed.
Rose was now skim reading the book, concentrating hard on any fact about Veela's that she could intake. Her body cringing from the awkward atmosphere, she was hoping that she could stay unnoticed, her body shrinking smaller and smaller. The more Rose tried to concentrate on the boring fact book, the more she overheard bits of their conversation, which was now edging towards an argument. Angelina started to pace the room, muttering angrily whilst she chewed her fingernails in frustration. The atmosphere in the common room had gone from awkward to unwelcoming.
Weighing up her options, Rose briefly glanced at her essay, mortified that it was still not completely dry.
*Fuck it.* She thought.
Quickly getting out of the chair, Rose tiptoed to the mantlepiece slotting the book back hastily into position. Cringing as she turned to make her way back to her belongings, her heart stopped momentarily as she saw Edward, now sitting in her recently vacated chair.
"How on earth did you get there so fast?" Rose whispered.
"Your walked over to the mantelpiece really slowly." Edward replied bluntly. "You must be tired."
"True." Rose agreed. "But there is twenty other seats in this room, why this chair, why mine?"
"Well, I presumed you were going to bed, unless you wanted to read anything else other than that really interesting fact book." Edward replied smoothly. " I take it you eventually got bored of eavesdropping on me and Angelina?"
"Excuse me?" Rose scolded.
Edward looked at her, his face chiselled.
"That was rude, i'm sorry."
"Yes it was and completely unjust. I hardly had a choice." Rose muttered. "In any case, I am going. You can continue to talk to Angelina without an audience, Ron and Harry are dead to the world."
Edward did a singular nod in response before taking a deep sip of his water.
"I just need to get my bag." Rose frowned, confused by his harshness.
Edward ignored her, staring straight ahead at Angelina whilst concentrating a little too hard on sipping the water.
"Edward?" Rose snapped. "Oh for goodness sake...Excuse me!"
She leant across his legs retrieve her rucksack quickly before slinging the strap over her shoulder a little too eagerly. Without looking back, she marched towards the dormitory before inwardly cursing that Smutz and the essay were still behind her. Reluctantly walking back to the coffee table, her heart sank as she saw that it wasn't there, a quick look under the table confirmed it wasn't there either.
"Looking for this?" Edward smirked, holding her parchment out in front of him.
Rose snatched the parchment quicker than she attended to, stuffing it into her bag for once not caring if it got smudged or crinkled. Edward eyes twinkled intensely as he looked at Rose, his gaze curious, reading her face like she was under investigation.
"Oliver? Oliver!" Angelina barked. "Stop talking to 'her'."
Edward looked at Angelina, his eyes cold and dark.
"I need to retrieve Smutz." Rose muttered cooly. "Then I will be out of your way."
Edward stood, moving out of her way as she knelt down to retrieve Smutz off the floor. Carefully standing, Rose paused momentarily, debating whether to open her mouth or not.
"Rose?" Edward asked firmly.
"I just wanted to remind you of our conversation last week. I asked you to never be in a mood with me." Rose muttered carefully.
She looked at Edward, her eyes showing the slight disappointment her heart felt. With a final nod, she turned towards the dormitory entrance not expecting Angelina to be blocking her path.
"Can you just go one night without distracting him?" Angelina muttered.
"I literally put a book back and retrieved my dog." Rose retaliated.
"And yet again it comes back to that bloody dog of yours." Angelina hissed, her eyes narrowed. "Oliver? I'm going to bed. I can't offer anymore ideas tonight and I've had enough."
Edward laughed bitterly, his head shaking in disappointment.
"You're the one who asked me to make you Vice Captain Angelina." Edward announced in a condescending tone. "What did you think it was going to be like?"
"Oh stop it. I cant talk to you when you're like this." Angelina snapped. "Your suggestions are ridiculous! I'm sick of being your punchbag purely because you're not getting your own way."
Locking her eyes on Rose, her face soon twisted into a sarcastic grimace that didn't suit her.
"How about you listen to his ideas and see what you think of them? Oh wait! Of course you'll like them because…."
"Keep-Rose-out-of-this-please." Edward snarled, the tone intimidating.
Looking at Angelina in confusion, Rose's arms started to weigh heavily with the weight of the sleeping Smutz. Her heart beating fast because of Edward's defence, she carefully took a step closer to Angelina.
"I have no idea what is going on here and to be honest I really don't care. I think this needs to be sorted out between the two of you without an audience and probably on a different day when you are both level headed" Rose replied calmly.
Angelina was still manically grinning at Rose, her eyes oddly wide. She briefly looked at Edward, her face changing to frustration.
"And yet tomorrow he won't listen to me anyway." Angelina answered bitterly.
Edward didn't reply. Awkward seconds ticked by as he refused to acknowledge her with an answer. With a final harsh look towards Rose, Angelina stormed off in the direction of her dormitory, slamming the wooden door behind her. Placing Smutz down on the nearest armchair, Rose turned to look at Edward utterly perplexed by the situation at hand.
"Care to explain why both of you have used me as a punchbag this evening?" Rose spoke sharply, looking directly at Edward.
"I didn't use you as a punchbag." Edward replied calmly, before meeting her gaze.
"Really?" Rose scolded. "You both treated this common room like it was your Quidditch office. I really didn't have an option to overhear your hostile conversation with each other and yet you made it sound like I thrived on the commotion. You knew I was here and you did nothing about it. Furthermore you purposely sat there knowing it would wind Angelina up. You brought me into this purposely and you knew she wouldn't like it."
"Prove it." Edward answered with a smirk.
"I just have." Rose quipped. "I just wanted to go to bed Edward."
"No you didn't." Edward replied cockily. "You just wanted to leave because the fact book bored you."
"I wanted to leave because you were being rude." Rose whispered matter of factly.
She bent down to pick Smutz back up of the armchair but as she did so, Edward gently touched her arm, a soothing pulse of electricity throbbing out from under his touch.
"Please don't leave." He whispered in her ear. "You can't go to bed angry with me."
Cautiously Rose slowly turned her head, her face inches away from his. The overwhelming urge to fill the space was suffocating, with Rose using all of her will power to look directly into his eyes. The usual warm Amber were now cold and dark like coal.
"You look a mess." Rose replied honestly.
"Don't change the subject." Edward muttered seductively.
"I'm not." Rose mumbled, pulling her eyes away from him so that she could finally breath.
"Rose." Edward replied firmly. "Look at me."
"Why?" Rose muttered, refusing to do as he asked.
"Why are you being so adamant?" Edward grinned.
"It's what I do." Rose replied seriously. "I allowed you to get under my skin Edward and I'm kicking myself for it. I have always had to stay levelheaded, George and Fred would have run circles around me along time ago otherwise. I knew you were trying to wind me up like Angelina, You wanted to keep poking and get a reaction out of me and congratulations you did."
"I'll admit that yes I was trying to wind you up." Edward agreed with a slight smile, leaning forward closer to her. "But I had no idea I was actually successful. All I saw was you remind me to stop being an asshole."
"That's because you were being an asshole." Rose grumbled with a small smile.
"I was." Edward agreed. "And I'm really sorry that I threw you into the lions den even if it was meant to be for good intentions."
"How does that make any sense what so ever." Rose frowned.
Edward guided her back to an armchair, sitting in the one she had sat in all evening.
"Has this got something to do with what Angelina said?" Rose asked nervously.
Edward sighed, looked at Rose thoughtfully.
"She has been so desperate to be my Vice Captain" Edward said diplomatically."But she has failed to understand how seriously I take Quidditch."
A small bit of relief left Rose as she heard the words.
"So you two have been at loggerheads over Quidditch ideas?" She muttered without thinking.
"Yes. Why, what did it look like we were doing?" Edward asked curiously.
"Honestly? You looked like a bickering old couple." Rose replied bluntly.
Edward laughed, pushing his hand threw his messy hair. He looked more like his usual self than moments before.
"Good grief, no." Edward chuckled. "It was the Quidditch trials yesterday, and nobody was what I would phrase.. satisfactory. Most of the applicants seemed to have never played the sport before."
"Oh dear, please don't tell me Lee was right." Rose moaned.
"Yes and no." Edward smiled sadly. "I would like to believe they were there because they did truly want to make the team."
"So what was your decision?" Rose asked curiously.
"I said no to all of them."
"All of them?" Rose exclaimed "I thought this was the longest list of applications the House had ever seen?!"
"I was." Edward answered, putting his head in his hands. "But when I say bad, I really am trying to be diplomatic. Angelina's response to the auditions was to add her friends to the squad instead. Her thought process is that she can train them up, our first match however is too soon for her optimistic ideas."
Rose nodded, understanding Edward's reluctance to listen to her one very faulted idea.
"And what's your idea?" Rose wondered out loud.
"Mine?" Edward replied in surprise.
"Yes you." Rose laughed, she got the impression that Edward wasn't surprised very often. "Angelina earlier stated that you never listened and that you used her as a punchbag. I may be presuming wrong here but I find it hard to believe that you have spent the last two days saying no and shouting."
"You presumed correctly." Edward said with amusement, "I never yell."
Rose smirked as she observed him. A giggle escaping her lips.
"Fair enough Mr Wood." She chuckled.
"But your right. I have got my own set of stubborn ideas."
Rose raised her eyebrow, the look he was giving her would give anybody wobbly legs.
"What was your idea?" She asked intrigued.
"To audition you."
Noticing that he was deadly serious, Rose's belly flipped as she realised the consequences of this evening events unfold and make much more sense. This wouldn't have gone down well with Angelina at all.
"You have to be kidding me." Rose replied mortified. "Edward I'm a first year and in case you haven't noticed not her favourite person."
"But at least you have talent." Edward urged.
"Listening to Fred and George's biased opinions isn't relevant." Rose pleaded.
Edward didn't argue, he just sighed and looked into the fire stubbornly, biting his tongue so he wouldn't reply.
"What is your second idea?" Rose asked.
"We are holding more auditions a week Friday." Edward muttered.
"Much more sensible." Rose sighed.
"On the condition that first years can apply." Edward said satisfactorily.
He looked at Rose with his deep intense stare. Reading her body language and carefully observing her facial expressions.
"What are you thinking?" He asked curiously.
Rose sighed, a look of confused intrigue on her face.
"I am thinking.. are you implying that I should audition Friday?" Rose replied truthfully. "But, I am also confused. Why were you both upset coming into the common room if you are simply holding more auditions next Friday?"
With a sigh and a pause, Edward looked briefly into the fireplace to mull over Rose's questions.
"I was bothered by what she was thinking." Edward replied. "She had got herself so worked up by the thought of me being biased towards you, that she was jumping to conclusions. I have spent more time this evening defending myself then actually speaking about Quidditch which in turn made me infuriated."
"I see." Rose agreed.
"I do however think you should audition. I promise I won't be biased like Angelina seems to believe, I need good players not friends on the squad."
"Why do you have such confidence in me?" Rose whispered.
"I don't know." Edward mused. "But what I do know is that I need you."
Rose's eyes brightened as Edward looked stunned by his own words.
"On the team." He continued smoothly. "I need you on the team. Which means bringing your 'A' game next week. It's going to take a lot to persuade Angelina."
Rose's sleepy head hazy, she couldn't quickly digest all the information Edward had shared with her as well as stare back at his hypnotising eyes. Pulling away from his eyes and instead looking over at Smutz, she could feel his eyes reading her intensely. She needed to give herself a movement to recover, not trusting herself to slip up in front of him. Breathing deeply in, she was engulfed with the smell of his aftershave even with a four foot distance.
"You've gone very quiet." Edward mused.
"I have." Rose agreed, turning her eyes back on him.
"Tell me what your mulling over?" Edward asked kindly.
"I'm thinking… not very nice things if I'm going to be honest." Rose sighed.
Edward frowned, the worry clear in his face.
"I'm just confused and annoyed with Angelina." Rose explained. "I just can't seem to win with her."
"I can understand that." Edward agreed, looking relieved. "She is jealous of many people at the best of times. Please don't take it to heart. She just doesn't like that you snap me out of my moods whereas she makes them worse."
Snorting at his comment and shaking her head, Rose replied;
"You can't actually know that."
"I am pretty good at reading people and she is practically screaming it." Edward insisted, chewing his lip into cheeky grin. "I don't even need to argue my point. Here I was, set on being in a bad mood all evening and yet again you have managed to snap me out of it."
"I think it luck more than anything else." Rose muttered embarrassed.
"I don't think it is." Edward replied seriously. "But whatever it is, don't stop."
Rose's heart fluttered loudly in her chest, her body numb from the words she had just overheard. Carefully looking at Edward sitting opposite her, she needed to remind herself to actually breath, his face unconsciously seductive.
"Edward.." She whispered, her mouth about to betray her thoughts.
He leant closer to her, his eyes pleading for her to finish her sentence. There was a harsh snarl, Ron had snored so loudly that he woke himself up from the noise.
"What's… what's the time?" Ron asked sleepily.
Rose sighed in relief. That could have been extremely embarrassing.
"It's ten thirty." Rose replied awkwardly whilst looking at her watch.
"Is it just you two still awake?" Ron commented curiously.
"I was actually just heading to bed myself." Rose muttered, her face glowing.
"It is indeed time for bed." Edward agreed with a sad smile. "Take Harry with you, he needs his sleep for tomorrow."
"What's happening tomorrow?" Ron asked with a stretch.
"Your flying lessons start." Edward reminded him. "And a good night sleep will certainly help."
"I think its probably best that you at least try and get a good nights sleep too Edward." Rose suggested gently. "Your eyes have been too dark this evening."
"I'll be up in a little while." Edward agreed quietly, before shutting his eyes and looking the other way.
Rose frowned, confused by his reaction. Looking at Ron for confirmation he shrugged before shaking Harry awake.
"Harry? Time to head up for bed now!" Ron shouted boisterously.
"Ron, he isn't deaf!" Rose scolded. "Imagine if that was the other way round."
Guiltily nodding, Ron gently poked Harry until he woke and moved from the sofa.
"Are you okay if I keep Smutz tonight?" Edward asked.
"Sure." Rose agreed, though still little confused. "Night Edward."
She helped Ron manoeuvre a sleepy Harry towards the dormitory doors, anxious that she hadn't properly looked at Edward as she said goodnight.
"Night Rose." Edward whispered.
Watching the three friends walk to the other side of the room and through the separate doors, Edward slumped back into the chair as soon as he knew he was alone. He collapsed his head into his hands struggling to remind himself that he wasn't human, he shouldn't and couldn't feel the emotions he was feeling. He wasn't too sure how long he sat there with his eyes shut, with just his thoughts for company, but when he eventually opened them Smutz was now awake staring at him curiously. Edward leant his head back against the headrest of the chair, absorbing the left over remnants of Rose's scent. Though Rose was accurate with her accusation of him purposely sitting in her chair she was wrong for the reason behind it. Edward could tell that he was loosing his temper more easily than usual with Angelina. He needed to hunt desperately, his eyes a knowing sign that he was thirsty. Knowing that Rose's scent would instantly sooth his anger and his mind, Edward had practically ran to the chair as soon as she had left it.
He had slipped up a couple of times with her tonight. Answering her questions honestly even if they made no sense because of it. It surprised Edward that for someone who was so sharp most of the time that Rose had never questioned whether the twins or Angelina had actually spoken to him. Edward sighed a pointless breath of air as he mulled over the course of the evening, physically and mentally drained by the rollercoaster of urges and emotions that one human could take him on.
What was she about to tell him? He pondered, frowning as he recollected the cautious gaze she gave him as she whispered his name. God the way she said his name made him purr uncontrollably, the animal instincts undeniable.
There was a light tap at the window as an owl hovered close to the latch. Noticing the envelope tied to its leg, Edward approached cautiously, aware that they were never fond of the close proximity. Delicately retrieving the letter as quickly as he could, he sat back down to read it.
'Dear Edward-Oliver,
I hope you are well?
You of all people should know not take advantage of someone else's gift. If it weren't for me keeping an eye on you, we would not have the faintest idea of what is happening in your life and you are all too aware of how it bothers Esme when you are too quiet.
Anyway now that i've gently reminded you of your brother and son duties I wanted to write to you before you have a fantastic shouting match with Flangelina. Your moods aren't worth the aftermath and from what I can see you are going to be in the dog house with Rose for far too long.
I keep having very peculiar visions that I can only presume have something to do with your upcoming Quidditch trails. I know the stupid sport is important to you and after the trials I witnessed with all your ridiculous hormone driven fan girls, you need all the help you can get. Anyhow I digress, the visions I have seen are so clear there is only one outcome. Edward, I know this sounds daft but I keep seeing Harry Potter as your new seeker and Rose as your new Chaser.
In normal circumstances I hate it when you are right especially when you are so biased, but I have checked all situations, she is hands down the best Chaser, even making you need to concentrate for once.
My visions also take a heed of warning. I keep seeing a red headed girl attached to you and Rose. It is unclear if she means you two harm but I do know that both your futures have her in it, no matter the course the future decides to take.
Keep shining, and hope to get a response from you soon.
Your dear sister,
Alice xxx'
Edward reread the letter, considering all the things that Alice had purposely not written. He knew that at times she found life easier without him being around, her thoughts free and her mind able to dive into the future untainted. He did however miss her. This was the first time that Edward had come to school by himself. His siblings sick of the repeated life that they had all lived for so long had finally decided to call it a day, content on being married and working. It was only Edward who was driven to attend Hogwarts, the charm of the school he was denied to go to in life, drawing him towards it. The way he saw it was it was his calling - One last school, one last time.
Throwing the note into the fireplace, Edward sighed as he thought of Rose sleeping upstairs. He found himself longing to sleep too, the sensation of what sleep actually felt like long forgotten. Not that he could ever forget what dreaming felt like, there was a reason he lingered downstairs after hours, aware of how unconsciously personal dreams were. Not that he ever judged anyone on their dreams, unashamedly admitting that if he could, he knew that his dreams would consist of Rose. Rose dominated his thoughts all the time, something he was aware was completely unhealthy. He was concerned that she was hanging around him too much, especially after she had noticed his eyes. Rose had observed his mood changes too and he could bet that she had made the connection. She was too alert and he couldn't afford any more slip ups like this. Even Edward had quickly grown frustrated and tired of asking her to speak her thoughts. He was starting to feel like an addict begging for drugs. But what else was he meant to do? She was a hard person to read, especially as she was so good at reading him in return. How did she always know when he was lying?
Frustrated with the lack of control his life seemed to have at the moment, Edward sighed deeply one last time, the Turkish delight and rose petal scent settling him.
"Time to hunt Smutz." Edward muttered.
He would feel better once he had got his strength back. If he didn't, at least it wouldn't be too long until tomorrow.
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The next mornings breakfast was extremely quiet. It was painfully clear that many of the first years were dreading their first flying lesson. Cautiously sipping hot drinks, only Rose, Ron and Seamus were helping themselves to bacon sandwiches. Aware of the awkward silence, Hermione started nervously reading flying facts out loud from 'Quidditch Through The Ages' her hands slightly shaking as she did so. Neville, who was eagerly scrawling down notes on his hand nearly missed the owl post. A beautiful dark brown owl, dropped a note from its mouth then shook its leg at the distracted Neville. After a loud hoot, which was directed inches away from his ear, Neville jump up startled before retrieving the parcel. There was a scribbled tag written in shaky hand, which Neville quickly discarded, clearly recognising the handwriting. Cautiously opening up the parcel, Neville held up a clear glass sphere to the light, the object no bigger than a tennis ball. The crystal clear orb quickly turned cloudy, the ball now a vibrant tomato red.
"Its a Remembrall." Neville muttered unenthusiastically. "The most useless object ever."
"What on earth does it do?" Harry asked, looking perplexed at the object.
"It glows red if you have forgot to do something." Neville replied. "Which makes it the most infuriating object ever. I've clearly forgotten something because it's glowing red, but what that is … I have no idea."
"Well, well, well." Malfoy's distinctive snarly voice could be heard. "What have we got here?"
Before anyone could react, Malfoy had snatched the ball straight out of Neville's hand, quickly passing it to Goyle. Malfoy Smirked at the Gryffindor table, his malice promptly getting Rose, Ron and Harry to their feet to defend Neville. It was the quick approach of McGonagall however, that made them sit back down instantly. A warning glance sent their way, it was clear that Malfoy wasn't aware of her arrival.
"Mr Malfoy, as much as I like to see interaction between the different Houses, why do I have the unnecessary feeling that you aren't here to be friendly." McGonagall barked.
The stunned face Malfoy wore for the split second before he recovered and turned to answer the professor was an absolute picture. What was even more amusing was the distant glaze Goyle constantly wore, he clearly wasn't comprehending the situation.
"I simply came to wish my fellow peers a good flying lesson Professor." Malfoy greasily expressed. "I only had good intentions, I can promise you."
"Is that so?" McGonagall agreed, clapping her hands together in mock happiness. "Then in that case, you won't mind giving Mr Longbottom his present back will you Mr Goyle?"
"Er what present?" Goyle thought out loud, looking at Malfoy for instructions.
"The one in your right pocket Mr Goyle." Clipped Professor McGonagall. "And may I remind you that when a teacher addresses you, you look at them not a fellow peer."
Goyle looked at Professor McGonagall, clearly uncomfortable with not checking with Malfoy first. He fumbled around in his trouser pocket, lazily thumping the Remembrall back in Neville's hand. Satisfied that the situation had been resolved, McGonagall turned on her heel back to the teachers table. Bitter and embarrassed, Malfoy grabbed Goyle muttering loudly before promptly moving.
Later that afternoon the Gryffindors reluctantly walked out of the castle, the sun shining high in the sky. Stood waiting for them just before the entrance to the Quidditch stand, Madam Hooch had laid the school broomsticks in a long row on the large, flat lawn.
"Gryffindors, welcome." Madam Hooch announced confidently. "We were worried we would need to send out a search party."
There were confident snickers as the Slytherins laughed at the joke. Congregated behind Madam Hooch, they had marked half the brooms as their territory with their bodies. Noticing that they had seemed to have picked the cleaner, newer broomsticks, the Gryffindors positioned themselves behind the remaining leftover broomsticks, trying to keep as far away from the Slytherins as possible. Even from a six metre distance they could hear Malfoy bragging, something that certainly wasn't helping the Gryffindor's nerves.
"Now that we are all here, let me introduce myself properly. My name is Madam Hooch and I am in charge of all sports here at Hogwarts." Madam Hooch confidently bragged. "It is my job to train you all up in the hope that one day you might make your house team."
Standing boldly in front of them, she carefully placed her hands on her hips. Staring at each student intensely, she gave them all an inquisitive stare with her hawk amber eyes, so different from Edwards warmer tones.
"In a few moments, I want you to stand to the left of a broom with your right arm extended out in front of you at a right angle. Your legs should be in line with your shoulders with your feet facing out. When you feel like you are in a strong position I want you to command the word 'UP!' You need to use authority in your voice and believe in yourself. If you don't have confidence, the broom will not listen. Ready? Off you go!"
There was a light shove in Rose's back, as some of the more nervous first years encouraged Rose to walk down first. Feeling slightly like the sacrificial lamb, Rose confidently walked down the line of broomsticks, coming to the first broom that was free. Though Rose had never formally spoken to the girl now next to her, Rose knew her to be Pansy Parkinson. With jet black hair and olive toned skin, the green on her uniform made her emerald eyes stand out dominantly.
Politely giving Pansy a slight nod, the formality was wasted as Pansy stared at her with a look of smelling something foul. Turning to check on Ron and Harry, she couldn't help indicate her amusement. Taking the position, just as Madam Hooch had shown them to do, Rose confidently commanded the broom;
"UP!"
Disappointed that it hadn't worked, Rose looked around, relived to see that she wasn't the only one who hadn't had success on the first go. Shaking her arms to loosen the tension, Rose cleared her throat and sharply said;
"UP!"
The broom rose sharply into Rose's hand, the wood whacking against the metal of her ring. Nodding as she passed, Madame Hooch leant in to give Ron some advice, his broom rolling around on the floor. Pansy who had resulted in verbally abusing her broom, gave up shortly after Rose's success and grabbed the broom when Madam Hooch wasn't looking. Giving Rose a dirty look as she did so, Rose returned the action with a smug smile, clearly amused by her actions. Only Hermione, Seamus and Crabbe had now still not had success with retrieving their brooms. Not wanting to have the whole class stare at them impatiently, Madam Hooch advised them to carry on trying whilst she gave the new set of instructions to everyone else.
"Now that your brooms have listened to you, I want you to mount the broom like so."
Hooch mounted her broom like a horse, holding the broom handle with both hands.
"As you can see, there are two golden stirrups near the start of the brooms twigs. Once you have taken off the ground, you steady yourself by slotting your feet into these." Hooch ordered. "The key things for today are:
- To kick sharply off from the ground,
- To hover for a few metres to get used to putting your feet into the stirrups,
- To lean towards the broom to move slowly forwards and
- To land back onto the ground safely by pushing down on the broom handle.
Any more than a few metres and I will dock House points"
Ticking them off on her fingers, she turned to give a warning stare at Malfoy who had openly groaned at her instructions.
"Even if you claim to have flown before Malfoy." She snapped. "Have you got any questions so far? No? On my whistle then! One. Two. Thr…."
Before Madame Hooch had finished the countdown, Neville in his nervousness had already kicked off the ground and starting hoovering above their heads. The panic clear in his eyes, he was wobbling all over the place, forgetting the set of instructions.
"Push the handle down Neville!" Rose shouted, hoping that he would listen.
Neville was shaking so badly that every time he tried to push down, he ended up getting higher and higher, the broom clearly controlling him. Madam Hooch was shouting at him to get back down but Neville was already out of earshot. Neville made a final attempt to lower himself, but the broom instead jerked sharply to the right. Catching Neville off guard he lost his footing, falling from the broom. There was a loud thud and a crack as he lay motionless for a few seconds. No-one dared make a sound as they watch Neville lying still on the lawn, a slight moan eventually leaving his chest. Madam Hooch sprinted over to him her face ghostly white. Reaching down and holding Neville's body up against her own, there was no way of giving Neville any privacy.
"Its okay boy, you just have two broken wrists." She muttered soothingly. "You are going to need a quick trip to the Hospital Wing."
Conscious of his wrists, Hooch picked him up by his elbows, putting one of her thin arms around him in a comforting embrace. Walking Neville back towards the direction of the Castle, Madam Hooch spoke to the group;
"All of you stay exactly where you are, do you understand? Anyone out of place when I return will be out of Hogwarts before I finish the word Quidditch."
Watching Neville and Hooch walk off into the distance, they all stood in silence, mortified by how their first flying lesson had ended up finishing. It was Malfoy's sadistic laugh that filled the silence, bent over laughing he wiped his eyes from the tears that had started to flow.
"Did everyone see his ugly fat face?" He bellowed before doing a cruel impersonation of Neville's face.
"Stop it Malfoy." Parvati muttered in disgust. "That's not even funny."
"Ooh standing up for Longbottom?" Pansy exclaimed gleefully. "I would have thought you had better taste in your men, Patel."
"Really Pansy, you are so pathetic." Rose scolded, rolling her eyes.
"Say that again?" Pansy hissed.
"Why? You heard me the first time." Rose answered, her eyebrow raised.
At half Rose's height, Pansy was looking up at Rose whether she wanted to or not. Her eyes were still scowling but her lips remained shut.
"And look what Longbottom dropped!" Malfoy announced with glee. "His precious Remembrall!"
"I'll take that, thank you Malfoy." Harry said boldly.
"No." Malfoy answered slyly. "I think I'll put it somewhere for Longbottom to find."
Confidently walking up to his broom, Malfoy casually kicked off from the ground and hovered over the crowd. With a final grin at Harry, Malfoy did a lap around them all. Harry's eyes never left Malfoy's form and without hesitation he moved into the correct position on his own broom. Looking at Ron and Rose for conformation, they both nodded in encouragement.
"Harry, you heard what Madam Hooch said, you will get expelled!" Hermione moaned.
Grabbing Harry's shoulder in protest, he didn't respond, kicking off the floor and zooming towards Malfoy at a fast speed.
"He hasn't even ridden a broom before." Hermione exasperated. "He is such an idiot!"
"He is standing up for his friend Hermione." Rose retorted defensively. "And hopefully push Malfoy off his broom whilst he is up there."
They all watched the pair of boys zigzagging around each other in the sky. It may of been true that Malfoy could indeed ride a broom but Harry had taken to it like a duck to water.
"He isn't too shabby is he?" Ron muttered to Rose.
"He is better than you, anyhow." Rose replied cheekily.
"Hey!" Ron replied hurt. "Have they stopped?"
"Yes, they have." Hermione answered unamused.
"But why?" Lavender muttered.
"Look!" Seamus shouted. "Malfoy, he is offering the Remembrall to Harry."
"I don't think he is Seamus." Rose frowned. "He is winding Harry up."
Malfoy turned towards the crowd with a macabre grin, before throwing the ball as hard as he could towards the castle.
"Malfoy could break a window!" Lavender exclaimed.
"Fuck the window Lavender, he could get Harry expelled." Ron retaliated.
"I did war-"
Hermione had started to speak, but got cut short by the look Rose and Ron threw her way. Watching in suspense, it was like they were viewing it in slow motion. As Malfoy glided back to the crowd, smug that he was triumphant, the Gryffindors watched as Harry flew at high speed towards the castle. It was a tense ten seconds, before they slowly started to see Harry come back into view. Grabbing Ron's arm nervously, they watched as Harry started shaking his right hand, a glistening object contained within it.
"Harry caught it!" Rose announced ecstatically. "He actually managed to catch that tiny glass ball!"
Cheering the Gryffindors ran towards Harry as he dismounted his broom, exaltation clear on his face. Ron quickly grew quiet, his face changing from happiness to terror within moments.
"Ron, what's the matter?" Rose asked with concern.
Confused, Rose followed his eye line. There in the distance, was the unmistaken march of Professor McGonagall heading straight towards them.
"Oh shit." Rose whispered.
"Not. Good." Ron swallowed.
Harry, noticing his friends faces looked at them confused before turning around just in time to face McGonagall.
"Potter, with me please." She clipped.
With one last look towards Rose and Ron, he gave Rose the Rememberall. With a small sad smile and wave, he departed with the Professor.
"Aw what a shame that Potter won't be at Hogwarts for much longer." Malfoy sneered. "Professor McGonagall is going to destroy him."
"Don't speak so soon Malfoy." Rose scorned. "I would bet a galleon that she noticed you too."
"Then why was only Potter taken?" Pansy laughed.
"Maybe she is going to summon Snape. He is your head of house after all." Hermione responded.
"Oh well. That's hardly a threat then is it?" Malfoy announced to the Slytherins, gaining another round of giggles. "You know I thought today was going to be a good day? First Longbottom and now Potter, it's absolutely perfect."
Retaliating quickly, Rose blocked Ron with her arm as he moved to respond to Malfoy. Giving his arm a gentle squeeze, she whispered calmly;
"Don't. Hooch is coming."
"Need your cousin to restrain you?" Pansy announced with a sneer. "How pathet-"
"Really Miss Parkinson?" Madam Hooch scolded. "For you bad manors I'm taking ten points from Slytherin."
"But Miss!?" Patsy moaned.
"And for his self control, I reward Mr Weasley ten points." Hooch continued, giving Ron a knowing glance.
Gulping and nodding his appreciation, Ron shuffled his feet, his ears warm with the attention.
"Now, can you all please make your way back to the castle. I know it's a little early but under the circumstances I think its for the best. Back to your common rooms instantly please. Class dismissed."
Without hesitation, the Slytherins all departed back to the castle without saying goodbye to Madam Hooch. Tutting to herself Hooch retrieved her wand, waving it towards the broomsticks which started to float towards a rack that was attached to the nearest wall.
"Madam Hooch?" Rose asked carefully.
"Yes Ward?" She said patiently.
"How is Neville?"
Turning to look at Rose, she noticed the Remembrall still in her hand.
"Longbottom's?" Hooch asked curiously.
"Yes."
"So that's what the fuss was about." Hooch muttered to herself.
Madam Hooch paused thoughtfully before addressing the remaining students.
"Are you all concerned about Mr Longbottom?" She asked gently.
Noticing the sea of nodding heads, she smiled again.
"Madam Pomfrey managed to fix his wrists within seconds but she wants to keep him in for shock.
As the Hospital Wing is currently empty, he could have visitors out of hours, but I suggest that if you want to go, to go now whilst Madame Pomfrey is in a good mood." Hooch suggested kindly.
Nodding her gratitude, Rose and the others waved goodbye to Madam Hooch before hastily making their way to Hospital Wing. Upon arrival a stern looking Madam Pomfrey, reluctantly led them to Neville's bedside.
"Hey Neville." Dean announced with a smile. "How are you doing?"
"It was over before I knew it." Neville replied with a tired, small smile. "I'm just glad that they have promised not to tell my Gran."
"Even better." Dean grinned. "You may live to ride a broom for another day."
"Harry wanted to give you this." Rose whispered gently, offering Neville the Remembrall.
"I was wondering where this had gone!" Neville sighed in relief. "Say, where is Harry?"
The first years dove into telling Neville everything that had occurred after he had left with Madam Hooch. He was a very good audience, gasping in the right places and applauding when needed. When they told him that Harry was currently with Professor McGonagall, Neville shuddered in sympathy causing Rose and Ron to smile a little.
"Do you think he will get expelled?" Neville asked Ron.
"No I don't." Ron answered seriously. "But I do think he is in serious trouble."
"Right everybody out!" Madam Pomfrey barked, waving her hand enthusiastically. "Give him a few more hours rest and he will be with you again."
"Tell Harry thank you." Neville shouted over the crowd as they started to leave.
"We will do." Ron replied, waving glumly.
The door politely but firmly now closed in their faces, the first years turned to one another with sad smiles. Deciding to go for an early dinner as the Great Hall was so close, they all shuffled unenthusiastically towards the noise of hungry students. The Gryffindor table though still reasonably empty did have one person sitting there waiting eagerly for them all to arrive. The twins, Edward and Lee keeping him company.
"Harry!" Parvati exclaimed. "So you didn't get expelled?!"
"No I didn't." He agreed with a grin.
"Have you got detention?" Dean asked.
"No I didn't get that either."
"House points deducted?" Lavender enquired.
"No I didn't actually." Harry acknowledged with relief.
"Though you should have!" Hermione blurted.
"What did happen Harry?" Seamus asked.
"I can't tell you just yet." Harry said apologetically. "I'm really sorry."
"Oh!" Lavender answered curtly, a little miffed. "I guess we will have to wait then."
"You won't have to wait too long." Harry swallowed guiltily.
Shrugging in disbelief, Lavender and Parvati marched down the table away from them, Dean and Seamus following suit. Grinning at their peers sudden reaction, Rose saw Harry's guilty face.
"Don't worry Harry." Rose cooed. "We aren't in a mood with you."
"Aren't we?" Hermione chimed.
"No. Were not." Ron snapped, indicating to himself and Rose.
"Thank you." Harry grinned. Hermione huffed loudly, sitting down in an overdramatic fluster. Rose chewing her lip in amusement caught Edward's own amused stare looking back at her. He beckoned her over, tapping the seat next to him in a manor that was overly tempting. Forgetting Harry and Ron momentarily Rose automatically followed Edward's suggestion, walking round to the other side of the table.
"There is someone desperate to see you." Edward grinned.
Smutz who had been siting under the table at Edward's feet suddenly sprouted up his head appearing over the top of the bench.
"Smutz!" Rose exclaimed, Giving him a huge fuss. "Thank you." She said gratefully. "How has he been?"
"He hasn't been a problem at all." Edward purred. "I took him to Defence Against The Dark Arts with us, not that Professor Quirrell noticed and then I took him out for a walk once I had spoken to your Grandmother."
"My Grandmother?" Rose whispered back intrigued. "Thats a very specific reference to add in."
"It is isn't it." Edward agreed cockily.
Looking at Edward with slight confusion, Rose then looked across the table at the twins and then Harry. Harry was looking at Edward, a look of deviousness on his face.
"Can we tell them?" Harry asked Edward smugly.
"Hmm I don't know" Edward replied playfully. "Do you think we can trust them?"
Nodding Harry turned to face an eager Ron who was leaning towards Harry, not wanting to miss a word. With Fred and George wiggling their eyebrows and tapping their noses unhelpfully, Rose turned back to Edward, returning his crocked smile with one of her own.
"Tell me what?" She asked intrigued.
"Well technically I only wanted the Quidditch team to know, but I do desperately want to tell you myself. Your Grandmother came to visit me in Defence Against the Dark Arts today with Harry." Edward whispered.
"Harry is your new Seeker isn't he?" Rose grinned.
"He is." Edward confirmed.
"That's brilliant news Edward!" Rose replied "Thats one less problem for you to worry about!"
"And it gets Angelina off my back a little bit too." Edward winked.
"Does she approve?" Rose asked cautiously.
"Thats the best bit." Edward chuckled. "Because McGonagall informed me of the situation, her decision trumps mine."
"And are you okay with that?" Rose swallowed.
"You should have seen your Grandma's face Rose." Edward said with another side smile. "If you could have read her mind you would see pure happiness. She practically confirmed that Harry is perfect."
Rose smiled carefully, digesting what Edward had said. Her Grandmother was always so conservative with her reactions that it was hard to believe in her being so open and relaxed. Turning to see what Ron's reaction was like, it was clear that he was ecstatic, currently still in deep conversation with Harry.
"Why do you want to keep it a secret?" Rose muttered to Edward.
"Because it's an advantage that no one knows we have a seeker at the moment." Edward whispered, his breath hitting Rose and making her light headed with the sweetness.
"He must be good." Fred leant across the table to tell Rose. "Oliver was skipping as he told us."
"No I wasn't." Edward frowned, screwing up a napkin and chucking it at Fred.
"You were buzzing!" George agreed, looking at Edward and chuckling.
"I can believe it." Rose giggled.
Edward rolled his eyes in mock frustration, but his crooked smile showed that he found the comments funny. His back suddenly straightened rigidly, his smile vanishing. Looking at the twins in confirmation, he nodded his head to the left.
"I think we have trouble." He muttered to the twins.
Rose looked from Edward to the twins, curious to what he could mean. As if he had predicted the future, Malfoy waltzed up to Harry, the arrogance radiating off Malfoy's body.
"Surprised you're still here Potter!" Malfoy projected with a sneer. "Is this like the prison system? Are they giving you one last meal to show you what you will be missing?"
"Oh please." Harry retorted with an eye roll. "In the sky you weren't this courageous. Has that got something to do with your bodyguards?"
Crunching their knuckles at Harry's comment, Crabbe and Goyle took a step closer to Harry.
"leave it!" Malfoy muttered, after glancing quickly at the teachers table. "I could take you down easily Potter." Malfoy spat. "How about a wizards duel tonight?"
"If you insist Malfoy." Harry responded with gritted teeth.
"Harry I really don't think that's a good-" Rose started.
"Whose your second?" Ron interrupted boisterously.
"Ron!?" Rose scolded.
"Crabbe." Malfoy answered quickly. "Meet us in The Trophy Room at midnight. You can come to cheer the winners on. Ive always wanted a cheerleader." Malfoy greasily replied, winking at Rose in reference.
Edward shot up from the table, looking at Malfoy squarely in the face. Malfoy's cocky smile quickly vanished as his pale face drained of all the colour that he had in it. His eyes fixed on Edward's form, his bottom lip started to wobble as he stood frozen, not able to blink.
"Oliver…. Oli." George hissed. "Sit down Oli, he isn't worth it."
Edward slowly lowered himself elegantly down, but his eyes stayed focused on Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle grabbed an upper arm each, lightly dragging Malfoy back to the Slytherin table, his eyes remaining on Edward until he was out of sight.
"Everything okay?" Rose mumbled gently, nudging Edward's stiff arm so that he would know that she was addressing him.
Edward sighed in frustration, his shoulders lowering slightly.
"I didn't like what he was applying." He answered grittily.
Rose smiled, rubbing his arm soothingly.
"Yes well, he is a pillock isn't he?" Rose replied unabashed, getting a snort out of Edward.
"Doesn't it bother you that he just sees you for your looks?" Edward asked frustratingly.
"I think you know how that feels." Rose replied quickly, blushing slightly.
"Don't change the subject." Edward purred.
"I'm not." Rose shrugged. "Mentioning that I've noticed that your eyes are back to their usual Amber would be changing the subject."
"Touché." Edward replied with a crooked smile.
"Thank you." Rose grinned. "I thought you would appreciate the subtle reference."
"I did." Edward agreed. "But will you please divulge me into your thoughts of why you stayed so calm when I didn't?"
"Because to be honest, Malfoy's opinion really doesn't resinate with me." Rose replied seriously. "I haven't got the time for him. If he really wants to imagine me as a cheerleader, good for him as that's as close to reality as he is ever going to get."
Sighing, she looked at Edward carefully.
"I try to only let the people I respect get to me. Without my respect I hold them in no regard what so ever."
"Then I am humbled to be in the Rose Ward fan club." Edward grinned.
"Good." Rose laughed. "We might get t shirts."
"I would wear one with pride." Edward smirked.
"Rose?" Ron scolded, making her look up.
"What?" Rose replied with a frown.
"Are you coming tonight?" Ron asked urgently.
Rolling her eyes at Edward who laughed, she returned her attention to Ron.
"Have you explained to Harry what he has signed himself up for?" Rose inquired seriously.
"Err no." Ron replied confused. "What exactly is there to explain?"
"Its all innocent Rose." Harry agreed.
Rose sighed, shaking her head at the pair of them.
"You have literally just been given a great opportunity with no punishment attached Harry and here you are, about to waste it being immature with Malfoy."
"It's not like that Rose!" Ron moaned.
"It's exactly that Ron." Rose snapped. "You don't know what magic Malfoy is going to use against Harry and all Harry has learned so far is how to lift a feather and how to turn a matchbox into a beetle. Harry could seriously get hurt in this, and then your expected to fight off meathead over there."
"Not the wisest of moves there bro." George agreed.
"Why would Ron need to fight Crabbe?" Harry asked confused.
"Because he has volunteered to be your second." Rose answered. "In normal circumstances a second is used when the first dies. Now I doubt that's going to happen, but let me repeat neither of you know what magic Malfoy knows."
"Rose has a point you know." Hermione butted in. "I really couldn't help overhearing…"
"Oh couldn't you." Ron snapped. "I bet you couldn't."
"It really isn't any of your business." Harry agreed.
"But think of all the house points you…."
"Good bye Hermione!" Ron bellowed.
Turning to give Rose an exasperated stare, he mouthed. "She is your twin." Before turning to Harry for a private conversation.
"Well he seems to have outed you there Rose!" Fred laughed. "Too sensible, that's your problem."
"Sometimes there is a very fine line between being sensible and being an idiot." Rose retorted bluntly.
"I've got a feeling that Malfoy and Crabbe are setting them up anyway." Edward muttered quietly. "Its just a hunch, but they should be careful."
"Good." Rose answered, playing with her food suddenly loosing her appetite. "What gave you that impression?"
"I'm good at reading people remember." Edward whispered, tapping his nose.
The rest of the evening was spent with Rose listening to Ron give Harry unhelpful advice. Though Ron was not in a mood with her anymore, he was frustrated that Rose wasn't helping Harry with tips and techniques.
"Ron. What happens if this is a trick?" Rose pleaded. "You and Harry could be being set up?"
"What makes you think that?" Ron laughed.
"Edward seemed to get that impression earlier. I'm just passing on what he told me." Rose replied.
"Edward-Oliver? Since when are you obsessed with his opinion?" Ron scoffed.
"I'm not obsessed." Rose retorted defensively. "What is with you sudden attitude towards him?"
"I've just noticed that you speak to him an awful lot." Ron shrugged
"I'm his friend Ron." Rose replied cautiously. "I hang out with him no more than Fred and George."
"I've seen how the girls around here react to him." Ron argued, his skin going pink. "And I'm not a fool, I know how the boys act around you too."
"Malfoy was-"
"Im not talking about that prick Rose." Ron interrupted.
"I'm just talking to him Ron." Rose answered carefully. "Your starting to sound like Angelina."
"I just want you to be careful." Ron said sympathetically. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"DUELly noted." Rose mumbled, looking jokingly at Ron so that he got the reference.
"Its late." Ron grinned. "You might need to take Smutz out sooner rather than later."
Checking the time, Rose was mortified to read that it was eleven thirty.
"Where has the time gone?" Rose muttered perplexed. "Your right, I'm taking him out straight away. Please both of you consider just staying here please?"
"We will see you in the morning." Ron replied sternly.
"Fingers crossed." Rose replied sarcastically.
Pacing around on the lawn several minutes later, Rose was quickly verging on hysteria. Smutz had sprinted off as soon as he was off the lead, vanishing into the
night without a trace or shadow to follow.
"Lumos." Rose whispered, her breath catching in the wind.
The darkness felt less intimidating and empty now that she had her wand light out. Walking towards the castle steps, she sat there huddled for warmth.
"Come on Smutz" She whispered desperately.
The clock tower in the distance chimed. It was midnight.
*Great* She thought bitterly, she really should be in bed.
The tinkle noise of Smutz's collar made her head snap to the corner of the lawn where the noise had come from. Tapping her leg and shining her wand, she saw the black and white form of Smutz run towards her, covered in twigs and leaves. Peeling the foliage off and promptly putting him on the lead, she gave a quick fuss, the relief relaxing her instantly. Rose climbing the stone steps back into the castle, her anxiousness soon returning.
The Entrance Hall was eerily echoey, her footsteps leaving a ripple of sound for every step she took. Cautiously climbing the marble staircase and down the first pitch black corridor, the comfort of knowing she was allowed to be out of bed at this hour didn't help her conscience. No matter what she did, she couldn't shake the sensation that the quietness produced. It was a constant companion and it felt unfriendly. Turning another corner and faced with anther empty corridor, it suddenly dawned on Rose what was wrong. There were no ghosts. The irony of the castle feeling more haunted without the presence of the dead wasn't missed on her, but the fact that she hadn't crossed paths with her usual group of misty friends was odd. She heard a crack and a pop from behind her, the hair on her neck rising from it.
*Peeves.*
Walking a little quicker than before, she hoped that her instincts were wrong. Even with permission to be out at this time of night, she wanted to avoid any interaction with the poltergeist as much as possible. Turning the dark corner quickly onto another empty corridor she heard a magnificent crash coming from ahead. Confused and torn between confronting the noise or returning towards a possible poltergeist attack, she recognised the familiar voice of Harry from dead ahead.
"RUN!" He bellowed.
Frozen on the spot, Rose watched not only Harry and Ron sprinting towards her, but the unlikely duo of Hermione and Neville. Her brain not quite comprehending the situation at hand, it was only when Ron grabbed her arm and dragged her in the opposite direction that she realised that they must be in trouble. Following Harry's lead and keeping pace with Ron, they ran for a good five minutes, zigzagging through passageways and ending up near their History of Magic classroom. Looking at Smutz who was panting slightly, but enjoying himself, Rose looked around for the others. Neville was leaning against the wall panting in the darkness. Hermione on the other hand was infuriated, her hands clenched into fists.
"I think we shook Fitch off." Harry announced calmly.
"What-did-I-tell -you!" Hermione hissed between breaths.
"You didn't need to follow us." Ron retaliated.
"Were you set up?" Rose asked sharply.
"Yes" Harry answered, the annoyance clear in his voice.
"Malfoy told Filtch that they would be in the Trophy room" Hermione said in a tell tale voice.
Ron growled, but Harry held his hand up to him. Looking at Hermione is discontent it was clear that Harry had had enough of Hermione for one evening.
"Come on." Harry snapped impatiently. "We can discuss all this when we are back safe in the common room."
"Be quiet." Rose hushed.
She could start to hear foot steps. The others instantly became quiet, listening to what Rose could hear. The noise was now coming from in front of them all and too close to escape the person responsible for them. They all held their breath waiting for Flitch to catch them, but as the footsteps got louder, the body that should have come with them wasn't present.
"Oh no." Rose whispered, realising her instincts were spot on.
Ron looked at her with the dawned realisation of what or more specifically who it was.
"Good evening Peeves." Rose spoke aloud in a friendly whisper.
"Its now morning, you naughty little first years." The poltergeist answered with a sneer.
"Is it?" Rose replied innocently. "Gosh that dog walk took longer than expected."
Peeves laughed evilly, appearing before them all.
"Should really tell Filtch that you are all still out of bed, and so far away from Gryffindor Tower." Peeves spoke sweetly. "It really is the right thing to do, especially since McGonagall's Granddaughter is lying."
"Peeves please let us go, we honestly just want to go back to bed." Harry urged.
"I will have to think about it Harry Potter, I really will. I need to weigh up my options." Peeves sighed dramatically, before grinning mischievously.
"Oh for goodness sake." Ron snapped at Peeves. "Just bugger off already."
Peeves shot around, staring at Ron with a sadistic grin.
"Be my guest Sir!" Peeves replied seriously, pointing his arm out in indication that they could all walk past.
Ron surprised that his short temperedness had actually worked, walked past Peeves beckoning the others to follow. Waiting for Neville to pass him as he was last, Peeves took a staged deep breath and bellowed so loud that their ears rung.
"FIRST YEAR STUDENTS OUT OF BED! FIRST YEAR STUDENTS OUT OF BED AND OUTSIDE THE HISTORY OF MAGIC CLASSROOM!"
Not hesitating for a moment they all started to sprint again, running down the corridor and turning sharply around a corner. The corridor had a dead end, their only option a doorway on their right. Sweaty and panting Harry tugged desperately at the doorknob but it was no use, the door was locked.
"Shit." Ron panicked. "We need to get this door open and quickly."
They could hear frantic footsteps coming from the other end of the corridor. Hearts in their mouths, they knew there was only a matter of seconds before they were caught by Filtch.
"Please move out the way!" Hermione snapped. "Alohomora!" She whispered to the door.
There was a clink, and the door unlocked. Grateful that spell had actually worked, they all frantically piled into the damp smelling room. Worried that one of them would tread on Smutz and give them away, Rose picked him up, holding him tightly to her pounding chest. They all held their breath as they heard Filtch's heavy footsteps directly outside the door. The slim bit of light the underneath of the door allowed showed the silhouette of Fitches and Mrs Norris's slender legs. They were a metre away from them at best.
"Peeves." Filtch spluttered out of breath. "Which way did they go?"
"Which way did who go?" Peeves replied innocently.
"The first years. You said that there were first years here."
"I did?!" Peeves answered in fake surprise. "Gosh, I really don't remember saying such a thing!"
"Don't waste time Peeves, which direction."
Peeves began to tap his invisible foot, making thinking noises. After a stressful minute Peeves finally clicked his fingers.
"I remember something!" He announced.
They waited in suspense. They all knew Peeves knew they were there, but could they trust the poltergeist to not tell Filtch that he was only six feet away from his victims.
"Yess Peeves?" Filtch pleaded.
Peeves giggled loudly;
"Just this…" Peeves answered innocently, before blowing Filtch a raspberry and disappearing with a loud pop.
"Peeves!" Filtch bellowed.
But apart from Filtch's angry growls, the corridor was now silent.
"Come on Mrs Norris, they can't have gone too far."
Hearing his footsteps getting further away, Rose sighed in relief knowing Filtch had gone for good. As she became more relaxed however, Rose was made more aware of the vibrating shivering mass that Smutz had become.
"Lumos." Rose whispered. "Smutz what's the matter?"
Looking down at her dog, she could see his eyes wide and frightened, his gaze looking directly behind their group. Slowly turning her head to follow his line of sight, a gasp of horror left her lips as she gazed up at a humongous beast. The three headed creature had fangs the size of samurai swords which protruded out of their lower jaws like a Saber tooth tiger. The amount of drool foaming and trickling down its many chins indicated that it was either very poorly or very hungry.
"Everybody walk slowly backwards out the door. Now." Rose whispered urgently, not taking her eyes off the beast.
Walking steadily backwards, she gripping Smutz so that he wouldn't let go. Her back hit the doorway first, her left hand shakily finding the doorknob. Feeling the cool metal in her hand, she twisted and swung the door open rapidly, moving swiftly out the way so that the others could leave the room promptly. Pushing the door shut once they were all safe, she promptly locked the door before following the others running down the corridor. Their only yearning thought, the safety of the common room.
"Pig snout - Pig snout!" Neville gasped, out of breath.
The Fat Lady looked utterly bewildered.
"Where have you been?!" She exclaimed.
"Please." Harry begged. "We just want to go to bed."
The portrait hole swung open, offering them the welcoming dim light from the fireplace. Collapsing on the nearest sofa, Rose after a couple of moments, released her grip on Smutz checking him over to make sure he was okay. Looking around she looked over at Ron who was sitting next her, his eyes wide. He looked over at Rose, the panic still there.
"Why would they have a thing like that in the school?" He asked her utterly bewildered.
"Where you not even using your eyes?" Hermione snarled.
Her comment made Rose twitch, she had forget that Hermione was present, and her attitude was not appropriate. After the silence ate away at the room for a few seconds, Hermione continued in her irritation.
"Did none of you notice what it was standing on?!" She asked condescendingly.
They all shook their heads.
"It was standing on a trap door." She snapped. "Don't you get it? It's guarding something, and whatever it is must be important."
Standing up she directed her anger at Rose and Ron, looking at them angrily as she spoke.
"I hope you're happy with yourselves" Hermione snarled.
"Are you seriously suggesting that we chose that door on purpose?" Rose hissed. "May I remind you, that it was you who cleverly opened the door in the first place."
"We could have ended up killed or even worse expelled. Did you even consider that?"
"Of course we can comprehend that we could have died." Rose snapped. "But if the former had happened, I can guarantee you wouldn't care about the latter."
"And to think I thought we could start to be friends." Hermione replied disappointed.
"I suggest you go to bed and cool off." Rose replied calmly. "From my understanding, Ron and Harry hardly encouraged you to come along. I think you are more angry at yourself than us."
Hermione glared at Rose, the words clearly stinging. She marched towards the girls dormitory, slamming the door loudly behind her.
"Can you believe her?" Ron roared, turned to Harry and Neville in disbelief. "Like Rose said, she chose to come along."
"She does seem to have a one set way of thinking." Harry agreed. "I'm sorry Rose, she seems to have forgotten that you didn't like the idea any more than she did."
"Its not your fault Harry." Rose sighed.
"I am sorry for not listening to you earlier." Harry replied with a weak smile. "I am seriously going to kill Malfoy."
"I'm sorry too." Ron grumbled.
"Good." Rose said quietly.
"She has given me something to think about though." Harry pondered. "Why is there a trapdoor?"
"Its a castle. Trap doors are hardly unusual" Ron shrugged.
"But not all trap doors have three headed dogs on top of them." Harry urged excitedly. "This has got to be linked to volt seven hundred and thirteen, Hagrid did say Hogwarts was the safest place after Gringotts."
"Whats volt seven hundred and thirteen?" Neville asked quietly.
"Don't worry Neville." Ron replied. "Its a long story and I can't be bothered to dive into Harry's wild ideas right now."
Harry shot a hurt look at Ron, surprised by his lack of enthusiasm.
"Lets just go to bed Harry" Rose winked, indicating with her head towards Neville. "We can always talk about your theories tomorrow."
Harry nodded is understanding with a small smile, but Ron looked on unimpressed. Concluding on reflection that they must have just survived the pre warned third floor corridor, Rose couldn't help but be on the same wavelength as Harry. That dog must be hiding something, why else would Hogwarts have a three headed death machine? Leaving the common room and heading up to bed, Rose could hear the angry tuts coming from behind Hermione's bed curtains as she entered the dormitory. Rolling her eyes in amusement, Rose unapologetically ignored her completely, instead quickly cleaning her teeth before crawling under her warm duvet. The duvet sunk as Smutz jumped onto the bed, curling contently into the cove of Rose's legs. Giving him a last tap on the head, Rose collapsed into the fluffy pillow with a final deep sigh of relief.
In the next turret along, an anxious Edward was sitting on the edge of his bed. His fingernails denting the mattress, it was taking all of his strength to not destroy the fabric. His mind gaining instant knowledge of what had happened on the third floor corridor, the more Edward saw, the more anxious he became.
Grabbing his broomstick Edward opened the window, knowing there must be a way of prizing Rose's dormitory window open. He needed to see for himself that she was okay, safe and well. The look on her face as she faced the three headed dog still haunting his mind.
He paused mid mount, as the dirty stalking paranoia feeling hitting his chest. There were three other girls in that dormitory he needed to be respectful of, and he certainly didn't know if Rose would feel comfortable with him in there either. Lowering himself slowly off the broom, he sank slowly onto the edge of his bed, his eyes tightly shut. Of course he knew she was okay, he had seen and heard them all come into the common room earlier. He didn't need to physically see or smell her to know she was there, he was just being selfish. kicking himself for choosing an earlier time to go hunting, he was too far away and too deep in concentration to be aware that she had got herself into any danger until it was too late. He knew Malfoy was setting them up and he knew Filtch was going to be dragged into it, he should have focused on his mind for the course of the evening to guarantee their safety. But why had Rose got involved? Especially when she had explained specifically that she wouldn't go. Chewing his fingers from the uncertainty of his questions, he pondered on what he could do to maintain the control he nervously felt he didn't have.
*Alice!* He thought in relief.
He may not be able to see her thoughts, but Alice has never had a problem seeing her future. Smoothly rolling over to his bedside table without making a sound, Edward quickly grabbed a clean piece of parchment from his rucksack, his quill already in his hand. Alice had asked for a letter one day soon, maybe just maybe she had foreseen this happening too. Satisfied with his letter he silently left the tower, desperate to get it sent as quickly as possible. He couldn't let another situation like tonight happen again, especially when her friends seemed to accidentally find danger.