A Chaser or a Keeper

by Pluto24

When Rose Ward (O/C) starts her first year at Hogwarts, she instantly attracts the attention of school heartthrob Edward Oliver. Join Rose over her school years at Hogwarts packed with adventure, friendships, romance, drama and heartache. A book merging characters and situations from Harry Potter and Twilight.

12. Halloween

*Disclaimer! Not only do I have no rights to J. Characters or Stephanie Meyers, but I would also like to add that I imagine Rose's voice to sound like an in-between Adele/ Christina Aguilera. By using these two artists voices and songs as inspiration by no means makes me want to take credit for their amazing work. I just think it will help readers have a visual aid to accompany what I am writing about*

Halloween.

October went by in a whirlwind of Quidditch practices, homework and studying. Resentful for the unfortunate lack of free time they seemed to have anymore, Rose was secretly grateful that she didn't have the radio to have to consider too.

Thankful for her first period of History of Magic, Rose started completing the left over pile of homework she had still not finished from the weekend, quietly confident that Professor Binns wouldn't notice. Relieved that the homework pile was quickly finished, Rose began to observe the homework assignment already written on the blackboard. It was only as she started to write the date that Rose's stomach lightly churned, double checking that Binn's was indeed correct.

Monday twenty-eight October... When had it become so close to Halloween?

She really needed to think about what song she wanted to sing for singalong Friday, her own competition now only eleven days away. Pausing to look at Ron, she chewed her cheek thoughtfully, knowing it was a good use of time to brainstorm.

She still hadn't told Ron, frightened that if she did he would talk her out of it. His opinion meaning the most to her, she knew he wouldn't understand her reasonings for doing the contest. Instead she would have to work out her strengths alone.

She wrote down three words - piano, violin and guitar, underlining them on a scrap piece off parchment. Pulling lines off from the three instruments she started to think of songs that she could involve using the instruments she knew the best. As she thought, Rose drummed her fingers on the edge of the table, the rhythm helping her brain think. After a few minutes of rhythmical finger tapping, there was a soft but firm embrace over her own fingers as Ron placed his hand over hers to stop her tapping.

"Sorry Ron." Rose whispered apologetically.

"One of us need to pay attention." He winked.

Guiltily smiling and nodding, Rose subtly folded her brainstorm away, focusing once more on the lesson at hand.

The rest of the day passed slowly, with the Gryffindors being handed homework in every lesson. Eager to get it done as quickly as possible as it was the one evening she was free from Quidditch practice, Rose reluctantly worked through dinner and another further hour in the library.

Exhausted on her return to the common room, Rose collapsed in a comfy armchair beside Harry and Ron.

"Please pass me your essays" Ron asked pleadingly. "My brain has melted."

"Sure." Rose agreed. "I feel the same way."

Observing Rose's tired expressions for himself, Ron shook his head in amusement as he gratefully excepted the four rolls of neat parchment from her. Walking over to the fireplace to gain three warming hot chocolates from the refreshment table, Rose passed the boys two of them, before silently sipping her own. The warm liquid soon made her drowsy, her eyelids slowly shutting. The only audible noise now the school radio, the soft music seeing everyone into a calm trance.

The radio had finally started broadcasting the week before, the slots gradually becoming more popular amongst the students to listen to. Lee Jordan, who had successfully been interviewed was given a Monday evening slot, his concept - Easily listening tunes to help with the Monday evening blues.

"And now for a song that made it into the Wizarding top fifty, the year it was released and is the perfect end to my time on air. Thank you for listening this evening, tune in next week for some more chillaxing tunes." Lee said smoothly. "Here is Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love.""

Rose's eyes slowly opened as she adjusted herself to get more comfortable. Her Mother was a 'Bob Dylan' fan, his music one of her absolute favourites. Her heart twanging with the thoughts of her Mother, Rose listened closely, wanting to feel a connection to her Mum through the music.

The more Rose listened the more her her nose started to wrinkle, the song not connecting to her in the way she was hoping.

"You look a little torn there Rose." Edward chuckled.

Rose jumped slightly, unaware of Edward's entrance into the room.

"That's because I am." Rose agreed.

She turned her head away from the radio to Edward who was now squatted beside her armchair.

"Why does the song bother you so?" Edward asked curiously.

"I just reminded me of my Mum." Rose sighed truthfully. "She loves Bob Dylan, so I wanted to like it just so I could have a connection with her, but in truth I thought it was awful."

"I've never been keen on him myself, I must admit." Edward answered thoughtfully "Though there is something about his lyrics that resinate with me."

"I struggled to hear them when his voice was so distracting." Rose replied, wrinkling her nose again.

"Ah." Edward chuckled softly, connecting with her eyes. "I wonder if I could help with that?"

Leaning closer so that their conversation was more intermit, Edward looked clearly into Rose's eyes.

""I know you haven't made your mind up yet But I would never do you wrong, I've known it from the moment that we met, No doubt in my mind where you belong, I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue, I'd go crawling down the avenue, And oh, there's nothing that I wouldn't do, To make you feel my love'"

His eyes were full of passion as he focused purely on Rose. The way he sang the words was incredibly invective, the words now poetry to her ears. Flowing smoothly out of his mouth as a natural movement, his voice steady and smooth enchanting Rose, rooting her to the spot. The passion behind the way he pronounced the words made it clear there was a hidden meaning behind them. When Edward finished, Rose couldn't help but let out a sigh, disappointed that the moment was so quickly over.

"And to think you quizzed me on my singing ability." Rose sighed satisfactory. "That was incredible Edward."

"Thank you." Edward chuckled affectionally. "It is not something I do very often."

"That is a crime." Rose muttered to him."

Edward grinned in triumph, Rose's compliments clearly meaning something to him.

"How did you find the lyrics that time?" Edward asked smoothly.

"They were beautiful." Rose agreed. "It's a pity they were lost in his melody and style."

"I completely agree." Edward whispered.

Edward was intensely looking now, his eyes trying to communicate in their own language. He leaned closer to her, not wanting to loose the close connection they had. His mouth opened to speak, but no words came out. Quickly looking over the top of Rose's head, Edward groaned unenthusiastically.

"I'd better go." Edward muttered, with a sad sigh.

"What?Why?" Rose urged in disappointment.

"Because Lee will be back soon and I need to avoid his giant ego. It has been far too big ever since he has been on the radio."

With another smile, Edward got up from beside her.

Edward hadn't even made it to the other side of the room when Lee came through the portrait hole gleaming, heading straight for Edward.
Impressed that Edward could predict that Lee would be back literally then, she continued to stare after them until Ron coughed to get her attention.

"Earth to Rose."Ron bellowed with raised eyebrows.

Promptly giving Ron her full attention, Ron chuckled as she looked at him with a curious expression.

"What?!" She asked amused.

"I just thought you wanted to doze?" Ron asked curiously, a grin at the corner of his mouth.

"I did." Rose agreed innocently. "The song distracted me."

"Yeah. The song…" Ron scoffed cheekily.

"It was the song!" Rose replied defensively. "Ah thats it! The song!"

Quickly removing her brainstorm from earlier out her bag, Rose dove into writing all the ideas that were suddenly popping into her head.

"Rose what are you doing?" Ron asked intrigued. "You haven't thought of more homework have you?"

"No, it's not that…" Rose paused. "You know what? I think I'm going to head off to bed."

Promptly standing, she rushed through her goodnights to Ron and Harry before eagerly heading to the girls dormitory.

Getting herself ready for bed, she was in no fit state to contemplate sleep. She was buzzing from this new discovery and was eager to get her brain fixated on the project at hand.

Edward seemed to really like the lyrics to that Bob Dylan song, and she needed a song for the competition. If she could recompose the way it was sung and played, she was sure that this song could have the potential to sound as good as the lyrics.

Grinning to herself, she grabbed her leather notebook from her bag as she started to write the chords for both piano and violin.

Rose worked throughout the night, by morning confident that she had come up with a competent piano tune and had some chords written out for the violin. She now needed to find Ruth Fields, the girl Professor Flitwick suggested for help. Hopefully Ruth would be able to help Rose gain access to the music room so Rose could test out her newly written music. If this went well, Ruth could then suggest students who could play the violin.

Rose thought carefully of what else she might need. If she was going to play more than one instrument she was going to need to know what they sounded like together. Grabbing her voice recorder which was used to record sounds, she put it in her rucksack along with the notebook.

Two days later, Rose had finally been able to track down Ruth Fields by subtly asking a friend of a friend of Percy's.

Ruth was scrawny with a rat shaped face, her overly large pointy teeth sticking out of her mouth even if her lips were shut. Her limp hair, placed in a thin ponytail, Ruth gazed up at Rose with a look of disgust as Rose introduced herself to her. Obviously seeing herself as the polar opposite to Rose in both talent and looks. She stared at Rose's nose piercing like it was a personal offence.

"Ruth Fields?" Rose asked boldly.

"Who's asking?" Ruth sniffed.

"Hi." Rose replied diplomatically. "My name is Rose Ward. Professor Flitwick suggested that I came to talk to you about the school orchestra."

"He did, did he?" She retorted with a sneer, turning to her friends with a roll of her eyes. "I don't think the school orchestra is really your cup of potion."

"Yes he did." Rose answered firmly. "And I'm not interested in joining your little club. I was however wondering who I could talk to about possibly playing some music on my behalf."

"In what sense?" Ruth asked with raised eyebrows.

Rose grinned, knowing she had perked Ruth's interest. Not wanting to mention too much to Ruth, Rose answered her question with some caution.

"I am to preform a song in front of the school and radio a week Friday." Rose answered honestly. "I am to play the piano but I need at least two violin and one cello player to make this work. I would also need the musicians to be rehearsed and ready to perform for Friday eighth November."

"And Professor Flitwick has given you permission to do such a thing?"

*A white lie couldn't hurt would it?* Rose thought to herself.

"This is why he gave me your name Ruth." Rose answered cheekily.

Pausing to register Rose's motives, Ruth straightened herself up ready to strike a deal.

"Okay. I know of some people that might be interested." She answered with another staged pause. "But it will cost you five Galleons."

"Okay." Rose said with a small nod. "But they will have to be Gryffindors.. it's kind of essential."

"Regardless, if they agree to go ahead, it will cost you that again for each member once they have preformed."

"Fine." Rose gulped, her stomach making a slight turn. That was all the pocket money her parents had given her for that year. "When do you want your payment?"

"Right now should suffice." Ruth answered with a macabre grin.

Retrieving her blue tweed purse from her bag, Rose handed Ruth five galleon coins without hesitation.

"You'll hear from me very shorty." Ruth said with authority.

"There was one more thing." Rose asked quickly

"Yes?" Ruth sighed impatiently.

"Where is the school piano kept?"

"In the music room on the seventh floor." Ruth answered as if this should have been obvious to Rose.

"And can anyone access the room?" Rose queried.

"Yes." Ruth answered grittily. "As long as it isn't in rehearsal times on Monday for The Frog Choir and Tuesday for Orchestra."

Calculating quickly when Quidditch practices were this week as well as time to achieve homework, Rose figured weekdays were out the question.

"I was planning on this Saturday. Rose paused. "Is this suitable?"

"I see no reason why it wouldn't be." Ruth answered with an edge of boredom.

"Brilliant. If we could keep this amongst ourselves that would be great. It's a new concept that we are working on and my friends don't particularly know what I'm doing." Rose gushed.

"Whatever." Ruth answered tonelessly. "Are we finished?"

"Yes." Thank you." Rose replied politely.

Nodding her thanks, she quickly left Ruth, knowing full well that Ruth and her friends were going to bitch about her as soon as she was out of ear shot.

Thursday soon arrived with the whole school excited for the night of surprises that Halloween had in store. A school disco had been organised for after the three course Halloween Feast, with everyone's costumes ideas soon becoming over the top.

Waking up on the cool Autumn morning, the dormitories had been decorated with hanging bats and fake cobwebs. The morning Hot chocolate's subtly tasted of pumpkin syrup and the Gryffindor common room now looked like a bat cave.

As they walked towards the Charms classroom they couldn't ignore the smells coming from the school kitchens.

"Oh my God, that smells so good." Ron purred, as they queued outside the classroom.

"Not too long until we get to sample the delicious treats." Harry agreed. "Are we getting into costume before or after dinner?"

"After." Rose agreed. "I think from listening to Fred and George that's what most people tend to do."

"Don't you think our idea is a little limited?" Ron muttered unenthusiastically.

"I think we don't really have a choice when we don't have much money." Rose laughed.

"You have your pocket money." Ron protested.

"Maybe Rose doesn't want to spend it on Halloween costumes." Harry argued.

"Thank you Harry." Rose blushed. Grateful she didn't have to admit she no longer had the money. "Besides the idea you so cleverly came up doesn't really need that much adding to it, so we can dress how we want."

"Your welcome." Ron grinned.

Flitwick arrived, encouraging them all to enter the room enthusiastically.

"Come in, come in! But please don't take your usual seats. Can I have the boys lined up against one wall and the girls against the other. I want to mix things up today."

Waiting for everyone to file in Flitwick continued.

"Today we are going to try to attempt the levitation spell. In pairs you will each in turn try to get this feather to float above our heads and into the air. Speaking the words Wingardium Leviosa, in a clear confident voice is the key to your success.

Miss Ward, can you go with Mr Longbottom please?"

There were a couple of snickers from Ron and Harry as Rose walked forward to be partnered with Neville. Lost to what was so amusing to her friends, Rose quickly sat beside Neville.

"Mr Weasley can you go with Miss Granger please?"

It was Rose's turn to be bemused, giving Ron one of her special sarcastic smiles. Ron returning her look with a two fingered salute, the action only making her chuckle even more.

Placing Dean with Lavender, Flitwick then allowed Seamus, Harry and Parvati to work as team, giving them two feathers.

It became aberrantly clear, that the only problem with Neville was his own self belief. Not caring to have a go herself, Rose spent the next hour practicing with Neville, adamant by the end of the lesson that he would get the spell right.

Momentarily distracted when Seamus's feather got caught on fire, the perplexed look Harry gave Rose as he put the feather out made her giggle out loud. The laughter only lasted moments as the whole room stopped to hear Hermione boisterously lecturing Ron.

"You're saying it all wrong." She said cruelly, a harsh tone to her voice. "It's pronounced like sarrr not sa."

"You do it then." Ron hissed through gritted teeth. "Instead of bossing me around like I'm beneath you."

Staring at Ron with a condescending look, Hermione flickered her bushy hair behind her shoulders before rolling her sleeves up.

"Fine." She snarled. "Wingardium Leviosa!"

Their feather rose elegantly into the air, the pure white object rising higher and higher. The wider Hermione's grin widened, the redder Ron's ears became.

"Look everyone, a clear example of how to do it perfectly!" Flitwick announced to the room proudly.

Flitwick hopped down from his desk, going over to congratulate Hermione personally. Jumping from her own stool, Rose rushed over to Ron's desk to comfort him. As soon as she was in earshot, Ron verbally pushed her away, clearly needing someone to bite into.

"Why couldn't you be the first to get that bloody feather into the air. We both know you could have done it." He snapped, looking back at Hermione who looked surprised by his comment.

"I've been helping Neville." Rose replied a little hurt. "It doesn't matter who got their feather in the air first, let be honest."

Rose went to nudge Ron in the arm, but he pulled his arm away in protest. Hunched over the desk, he instead shook his head repeatedly whilst biting his lip, clearly cautious of what other word vomit might come out of his mouth if he replied.

Sighing in defeat, Rose shuffled back to her seat, giving a small smile to Neville who once again looked guilty.

"I should have just let you go first." He muttered. "That could have stopped those two arguing."

"Don't be silly Neville." Rose said gently. "If it wasn't the feather, they would have found something else to argue about."

"Can you just have a go first, then I will carry on." Neville whispered, looking like he could possibly cry.

"If that's what you want." Rose replied with a sad frown. "But please don't blame yourself for this."

Aiming her wand at the feather she spoke clearly;

"Wingardium Leviosa."

The feather instantly hovering wherever she moved her wand but Rose at least had the grace to make sure it was only visible to herself and Neville. Weakly smiling at Neville, a little ashamed that she had successfully done it when the others had struggled, she lowered the feather quickly, placing it back onto the desk.

"There." She muttered quietly.

The rest of class was spent in awkward silence, with Ron clearly too angry to try the spell. When the bell rang announcing the end of the lesson, Rose watched him storm out of class without hesitation a perplexed Harry unsure on whether to follow or wait for Rose.

"Don't worry about me." Rose mouthed to Harry. "Go!"

Watching Harry quickly jog after Ron, Rose sighed in frustration. This was going to be a long day. Turning to approach Professor Flitwick, the room now vacant, Rose handed over a rough piece of parchment, her song choice and artist written neatly on it.

"Goodness me Miss Ward!" Flitwick giggled. "You are indeed organised- I'm impressed."

"Thank you Sir." Rose blushed. "I thought I was leaving it quite late personally."

"Not at all!" Flitwick replied. "But to do Bob Dylan too? That is a curious choice. You aren't going to dress as him are you?"

"I wasn't planning to." Rose chuckled. "Do I need to?"

"No." Flitwick gushed quickly. "I just couldn't imagine the scenario myself."

"I have also now spoken to Ruth Fields and she has agreed to the song."

"Indeed?" Flitwick responded clearly surprised. "What are you going to do about miming?"

"Oh don't worry about that Sir." Rose replied sneakily. "I have a voice recorder."

"Your using a voice recorder?" Flitwick asked curiously. " I have used one in passing, but never to my advantage when making music."

"Well sir." Rose replied cautiously. "My plan is to record a lot of backing music so that when we are all preforming live with our musical instruments, the vocals will still be heard using the recorded vocals."

"Which will be recorded on a voice recorder?" Flitwick queried.

"Yes Sir." Rose agreed confidently. "I have done this kind of thing before, the key is to start everything on the same beat."

"I have to say, this all sounds very technical." Flitwick answered, looking slightly confused. "But as long as you are okay with doing the prep work, I'll stay out of it!" He chucked to himself. "I will however keep a back up of the actual Bob Dylan track just incase things don't run as smoothly as you hope. I will give it to Mr Charles who is the radio Dj covering the contest.

The current plan is to have the three recorded contestants on first and yourself last, this way we can arrange the sound stage to suit everyones needs. Is there anything you will need, that I can get prepared for the evening?"

"Just a piano, two violins and a cello." Rose answered, ticking them off her fingers. "And for them to be in tune of course."

"Well its going to be extremely important for you all that they are!" Flitwick chuckled. "I look forward to seeing your rendition."

Flitwick placed her note on his desk, guiding her out of the classroom. Lining up against the wall patiently was his next class of third year Ravenclaws.

"Thank you for your patience everyone, please take your usual seats." Flitwick announced.

The third years started to shuffle unenthusiastically single file into the charms classroom. As Rose started to walk past them in the opposite direction, one girl in particular caught Roses's immediate attention. She stared at Rose in utter distain, her eyes filled with pure loathing. The look was so intimidating that it made Rose's spine tingle uneasily. Her brain shouting at her legs to continue moving past the scary girl, Rose could just about hear her friend mutter;

"Stop in Marietta."

Looking at the pretty Chinese girl, she weakly smiled at Rose, the look apologising for her friends rudeness.

"Oh Miss Ward I almost forgot." Flitwick squeaked."

Rose stopped in her tracks, quickly glancing from the friendly Chinese girl, to her horrible friend back to Flitwick.

"Sir?" Rose asked awkwardly.

Flitwick reached into his robes, producing a small card.

"Give this to your next teacher, so they don't dock house points for your lateness."

"Thank you Sir." Rose replied gratefully, carefully placing the card in her pocket.

Knowing full well that her Grandmother wouldn't be impressed anyhow, she wasn't wrong in her prediction. McGonagall read the note with pursed lips, nodding and gesturing for Rose to sit down, her look suspiciously analysing .

"Oh Miss Ward was Miss Granger with you?" McGonagall inquired.

"No, she wasn't." Rose frowned.

"Was she in your last class?"

"Yes she was." Rose sighed.

"Very well, you may sit." McGonagall replied unperturbed.

Rose nodded, turning to sit in-between Ron and Harry. As she sat, she could see from Ron's face that something had happened. His jaw locked and his eyes squinted. Rose kept her face forward, waiting impatiently for the moment when McGonagall would write on the blackboard. Finally, after what felt like half an hour had passed, Rose got her opportunity, not hesitating to pounce on Ron.

"What did you do?" She hissed under her breath.

"Nothing!" Ron answered defensively. "All I did was have an innocent moan about how basically there was a reason no-one liked her-"

"But she heard him." Harry whispered.

"It was the truth." Ron muttered sulkily.

"And yet still tactless of you, none the less." Rose replied shaking her head.

Hermione went unseen all day, she even wasn't in the dormitory when Rose went upstairs to drop her bag off. Quickly getting changed into a skater dress, Rose made her way back to the common room, glad to bump into Lavender who was now dressed as a corpse bride. Concerned for Hermione's wellbeing, Rose asked Lavender if she had seen Hermione since charms.

"Why yes I have." Lavender agreed in a gossipy tone. "She is currently crying her eyes out in the girls bathroom. Parvati said, that Hermione said that she wanted to be left alone."

"But do you think she meant it?" Rose replied in a worried tone.

"She really doesn't seem to want to see anyone." Lavender shrugged in defence. "But take it from me Rose. She won't want to see you most of all. After all, you are related to the problem."

Harry looked at Rose, matching her worried expression with Ron swallowing guiltily.

"Lets go down to dinner." Rose sighed defensively, angry at Lavender for her tackless comment.

"Are you not getting into your costume?" Lavender heckled behind them.

"These are our costumes." Harry replied.

"Oh." Lavender replied disappointedly. "You could have fooled me."

Knowing that Ron was feeling worse than he wanted to reveal, they walked down to the much anticipated Halloween dinner in silence, each pondering what they should each do.

"You should have brought Smutz down." Ron spoke up after a long pause of silence. "There is going to be tones of food for him to eat."

"I did think about it." Rose replied glumly. "But Percy mentioned that the ceiling has thunder and lighting on Halloween and I didn't want to take the risk of Smutz being frightened. He is safe upstairs on my bed."

"Hopefully the ceiling doesn't produce rain." Harry said light heartedly. "I don't fancy being soggy tonight whilst eating."

"No." Rose chuckled in agreement. "Especially when the food is meant to be amazing."

Arriving down the marble staircase in better moods than how they left Gryffindor tower, by the time they made it to the Great Hall, all thoughts of Hermione had left their now preoccupied heads.

The ceiling was magnificent, the sky a wonderful midnight blue with purple clouds. The rumbles of the thunder shook the floor and the lightning lite the room up in bright powerful light. The effect was like someone had taken your photo up close with a camera, the flash blinding you momentarily.

Flying in the sky were colony's of real bats which swooped low over people heads and around the floating jack o'lanterns. There were more engraved pumpkins on the house tables, alongside large cauldrons which housed pumpkin juice and butter beer. Carrot coloured candles scattered the tables, illuminating the cobwebs that now covered everything, hiding the wood beneath.

Slowly walking towards the Gryffindor table with open mouthed ore, Fred, George and Edward watched amused, reading their reactions.

"Well? What do you think?" Fred asked with a grin.

"It's fantastic." Rose replied sitting next to him. "Hows your day been?"

"Not too shabby." Fred replied casually, planting his head on her shoulder briefly. "Where is your costume?"

"Where's yours?" Rose grinned. "I would have thought you would have loved the opportunity to dress up and act like a loon."

"How dare you." Fred replied in mock hurt. "Na only joking. We are getting changed after dinner. I didn't want to take the risk of spilling something down myself."

"Very sensible." Rose agreed

"When is dinner coming? I'm starving?" Ron moaned out loud making them all laugh.

As if Ron was heard, the golden plates and bowls filled up with sausages, pumpkin soups, baked potatoes, chicken wings and chilli con carne.

"Are there any trickster things here?" Ron asked nervously pointing to the delicious food.

"No, they tend to save that for the desserts." George replied honestly. "And this is just the starters."

"Good." Ron replied gratefully, before pilling on the meat.

"What do you think of Halloween?" Edward asked Rose curiously, handing her a goblet of butter beer.

"I like it." Rose grinned. "It makes me feel like a child again. How about you?"

"I find it curious." Edward smiled. "Though I haven't dressed up in years."

"That's a shame." Rose chuckled. "When Fred mentioned getting changed after dinner, I have to admit I was intrigued to see what you would be dressed up as."

"And what did you imagine me dressed up as?" Edward asked cheekily.

"I think you would look good as a pirate." Rose laughed.

"What?" Edward chuckled. "A pirate?"

"Why not?" Rose shrugged. "You could literally be anything."

"True." Edward agreed. "So what are you three going as?"

"Oh you mean you can't tell that we are in costume?" Rose grinned.

"I mean it's a beautiful dress, but no, I wouldn't have guessed you were in costume." Edward replied diplomatically.

"The truth is we don't really have much of a budget, so Ron thought of something we could go as in normal clothes." Rose smiled awkwardly.

"And Rose is going to paint our faces white after dinner." Harry continued.

"That was your idea." Rose blushed. "But yes, we are painting our faces white so that we look like an unrealistic coven of vampires."

"Vampires?" Edward chuckled. "Now that I would pay to see."

"Well we are all having second thoughts I must admit." Rose gushed. "I don't think our half arsed attempt is going to be realistic enough compared to most peoples extravagant costumes and it is insulting to vampires."

"Your worried about insulting vampires?" Edward asked bemused, his eyes sparkling at Rose in intrigue. "But please do let me know, what does make a convincing vampire?"

"Well." Rose responded thoughtfully putting her cutlery down to give him her full attention. "I would say-"

The oak doors that led to to the Entrance Hall crashed open as Professor Quirrell staggered into the room.

"TROLLLL! THERE IS A TROLL IN THE DUNGEON" Roared Professor Quirrell.

His voice the sound of pure terror, Quirrell sprinted down the house tables toward the front of the room. He haulted right beside Rose and Edward whispering;

"I thought you should know."

Before collapsing on the floor in fright.

Edwards attention remained on Quirrell, his eyes narrowed with concentration. After a moment, his gaze turned to confusion, his focus going from Quirrell to Snape and then back to Quirrell. His eyes then darted to the twins, a subtle nod sent their way. Witnessing their silent interaction, Rose became even more curious when Fred and George both gulped in understanding. It was painfully obvious that they now looked more concerned than they had done moments before.

Still caught up in the curiousness of how the three boys were behaving, Rose was oblivious to the upheaval surrounding her. Students had started to scream and jump to their feet, the atmosphere now verging on manic.

Rose was glued to her seat, watching the hysteria like it was a performance. The flashing bolts of lightening adding unnecessary drama.

Slender fingers cautiously placed hers in a light embrace, the touch sending instant goosebumps up her arm. Slowly lifting her head to the owner of the hand, her curious eyes met with Edward's, his face full off worried concern. Eyes locked on each others, their eyed drifted only when Dumbledores voice amplified the room.

"SILENCE!" He roared.

The room went instantly quiet including the ceiling.

"Prefects, take your positions." Dumbledore announced in a staged clear whisper. "Guide everyone in your House's upstairs and back to your common rooms instantly. You are all to stay in the common rooms until your Heads of Houses come to see you. - Teachers come with me."

Percy rose up quicker than a cork being shot from a bottle, quickly polishing his prefect badge as he did so. Instantly ushering people to his side, he promptly started lining students up in sets of three. Still in shock, Rose didn't realise she had automatically embraces Edward's fingers into a tight embrace. It was only when Fred started tugging at her arm and guided her up with his hand in the arch of her back that she started to move stiffly, her fingers finally realising Edward's.

"Come on Rose." Fred whispered with some urgency. "We need to line up."

"I need to go talk to Dumbledore immediately." Edward announced desperately. "I'll catch you all up."

"What?! Now?" George urged taken aback "Oliver don't you-?"

"Not now George." Edward answered quickly.

Edward turned to look at Rose with pleading eyes, his fingers yearning for his hand to slot into hers again. He could see she was concerned and still confused, so he leant forward so that their faces were inches away from each other;

"Stay safe, follow Percy." He ordered seriously.

Leaving behind him, a lingering smell of his aftershave.

Following him with her eyes, Rose noticed that the twins too looked perplexed by his actions. Before she had time to quiz them on Edward, Percy moved them all into the line of Gryffindor students.

Fred and George just in front, and Ron and Harry either side of her, they all walked past the unconscious Quirrell and out into the Entrance Hall.

The Castle was quiet now, as each House under strict instructions to cautiously make their way back to their common rooms in utter silence. Up the Marble staircase and along the long corridor they went, the only noise, their muffled footsteps.

There was suddenly a large gasp as Harry took a sudden intake of breath.

"Hermione!" He whispered in a panicked tone.

Rose turned to look at him, her face matching his.

"Oh shit." Rose replied, grabbing Ron's arm "We need to get her… she won't of known."

Ron silently agreed, indicating with his eyes to the doorway on their left. Sidestepping into the dark entrance they waited discretely for the last of the Gryffindors to walk on by. As soon as their footsteps were out of earshot they rushed back down the Marble staircase joining the Slytherin line that was marching towards the Dungeons.

"Where are the girls bathrooms?" Ron muttered.

"Next corridor on the left." Rose whispered, leading them both subtly out of the Slytherin line.

They had just turned the corner when they heard footsteps following closely behind them. Worried it was a Prefect coming to redirect them, they lunged behind a hideous statue of a famous Slytherin, it's hunched back making perfect cover.

Crouched in the cold and damp darkness, they waited silently for the footsteps to disappear. The steps grew louder and louder, the pace confident and quick.

"Snape?!" Rose whispered in surprise.

Making his way away from the Dungeons, Snape quickly looked behind him suspiciously before sprinting out of site.

"That was weird." Harry agreed. "Why is he not helping the other teachers?"

"That's not important for now" Rose replied with a tone of panic. "Can you both smell that?"

The corridor had quickly filled with a rancid acidic smell, the scent burning their nostrils and making their eyes water.

"What is that?" Harry gasped, covering his nose and mouth with his hand. "Its like dirt and mould met something that died a long time ago."

"That's eau de Troll." Rose whispered with some urgency. "It must mean it's clo-."

She didn't get to finish her sentence, their ears suddenly pricked to the sound coming from the end of the corridor. Short loud bangs could be heard hitting the stone floor, as the shadow of the ginormous troll came into view. The bangs they soon realised were coming from the club that it was holding. The troll's back was arched to fit under the ceiling, as it's feet shuffled across the floor. A low groan kept escaping its blubbery lips as the troll struggled to move in the tight space.

The troll passed them, making its way down the long corridor. Pausing outside the entranceway to a new room, it contemplated whether to go in.

"That's the entrance the girls bathroom." Rose moaned, turning to the boys to gauge their reaction. "Lets go!"

Appearing from behind the statue, they sprinted down the corridor, following the trail of the troll. Creeping up behind it, with a distance of twenty feet between them, they saw it stoop its ginormous form into the wooden doorway of the bathroom.

"We could lock him in." Harry whispered thoughtfully.

"No we can't" Rose hissed frantically. "Hermione could still be in there!"

A loud scream escaped from inside the room as Hermione seemed to have come face to face with the invader.

"I think that's answered our question as to whether Hermione is still in there." Ron replied nervously.

"We are on our way Hermione!" Rose urged.

Sprinting towards the girls bathrooms, the boys hot on her tail, by the time Rose made it into view, Hermione was slumped over a basin, pure terror still in her eyes. The troll had her cornered, as it stood arched over her with its club raised high.

Bravery and adrenaline hit Harry all at once as he leapt onto the trolls back, clinging on by clasping the trolls neck fat. Now momentarily distracted by Harry, the troll turned around angrily, trying to shake Harry off his back. Without hesitation, Rose slipped past the troll, ducking under the trolls arm and headed straight towards Hermione. Grabbing Hermione by the arm, Rose dragged Hermione into the nearest toilet, promptly locking the door behind the two of them.
She looked at Hermione relieved to see that though in shock, she wasn't hurt. The relief was short-lived, the troll roaring angrily as it lost sight of Hermione.

The cubical got hit with horrendous force, splinters of wood castigated down on the pair of them like dangerous rain. Looking carefully up, Rose saw the towering form of the troll peering down at them. The troll growled in anger.

As the troll raised it club slowly into view again, Harry shouted;

"Wingardium Levi-"

But the spell cut short.

The troll whipped around aggressively at the sound of Harry's voice, the wand slotting up the trolls nose, wedging firmly in place.

The troll roared in pain, not aware of the wand dangling out of its nostril. It shook its head, before taking another swipe at Rose and Hermione.

"Get the club Ron!" Rose shouted anxiously.

She had foolishly lost her own wand upon entering the cubicle and was now fumbling through the splinters trying to retrieve it.

"I can't" He panicked

"You really can Ron." Rose urged. "Please have faith in yourself!"

"We all believe in you!" Hermione pleaded with him.

"Just give it a go!" Harry barked, having been swung around again violently.

There was another crash as the whole cubicle now crumbled around them. Hermione screamed as the trolls entire form came perfectly into view.

"Please Ron" Rose whispered, her eyes urging him to try.

Ron gulped, clearing his throat as he focused on the club.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" He bellowed in a confident voice.

The club gently detached itself from the trolls stubby fingers, levitating elegantly above its owners head. Perplexed momentarily that it no longer had the club, the troll roared in anger.

"Drop the club Ron!" Rose yelled.

Nodding, still shocked that he had managed to achieve the spell, Ron quickly directed the club above the troll. He made the club drop with significant force, the heavy end promptly hitting the top of the trolls head.

The club made a fantastic echoing thud, before clanging on the floor.

Staggering, the troll started to sway sideways, the movements becoming more and more pronounced. As the troll stooped to the floor, Harry managing to jump from the trolls back beside Ron. Realising that the troll could potentially land on them both, Rose grabbed Hermione's hand, rushing out the cubical and past the troll. The troll collapsing into the the two end cubicles, exactly where the girls had been moments before, the noise making them jump as they ran. Shocked and relieved, Rose embraced Ron in a grateful deep hug, which he returned still in shock.

The relief lasted moments as fast hastened footsteps could be heard from outside the bathroom door.

Professor McGonagall, Snape and Quirrell rushed into the bathroom, their eyes taking in the scene before them. From the unconscious troll which still had Harry's wand up its nose, to the half destroyed girls toilets, their eyes eventually landed on the four nervous looking first years waiting to the left of the doorway.

"You have exactly thirty seconds to explain what has happened here, and my goodness it better be good." McGonagall whispered angrily, her words aimed at Ron and Rose. "You could have all been killed."

"It's not what it.." Rose began.

Her mouth went dry instantly as she saw him enter the room alongside Professor Dumbledore.

*What was he doing here?*

Edward walked alongside Dumbledore, his shoulders hunched, and his fists clenched. Rose's stomach squirmed as the last words he had pleaded to her replayed in her head. She had promised to keep herself safe.

Dumbledore approached the troll, gently prodding its cheek. Turning to McGonagall, he muttered;

"Its unconscious."

Rose was still looking at Edward, her eyes pleading for him to at least look at her. Whether it was done intentionally or not she didn't know, but he was purposely looking anywhere but at the four of them. Edward looked angry, his eyes locked on the troll with distain.

"Please Professor, it's not their fault." Hermione pleaded. "They were looking for me."

"What on earth do you mean Miss Granger?" McGonagall barked, turning her glare on Hermione.

McGonagall wasn't the only teacher now looking at Hermione, the poor girl now having a captive audience. Only Edward's eyes remained on the troll, his ears pricked to hear Hermione's excuses.

"I heard about the troll and thought I could tackle it all by myself. I thought since I have read about them in books that it would be easy.." Hermione blushed, whilst talking to the floor. "These three must have noticed that I wasn't with the rest of the Gryffindors. Because all I know is that they came to my rescue and it's lucky that they came when they did, because if they hadn't…"

She shuddered, looking at Professor McGonagall with a knowing look who nodded her understanding. Ron had turned to face Hermione, his mouth slightly hanging open by her white lie.

"We didn't have time to fetch anybody." Rose continued, prodding Ron in the back to make him shut his mouth. "When we found Hermione, the troll was peering over her."

The two boys nodded in agreement. At least this bit was true.

"I had to shove my wand up its nose to distract it." Harry explained, pointing to the wand that was still there. "And Ron managed to knock it out with the levitating spell."

McGonagall nodded, reading their body language whilst listening to their explanations. She continued to breath heavily through her nose, anger still evident in her worried eyes.

"I am taking five points from Gryffindor for your arrogance and stupidity Miss Granger, I suggest you head straight back to Gryffindor tower, the feast is continuing there."

McGonagall sighed in frustration, her lips retracted further into her mouth.

Nodding weakly, Hermione looked at the others with a grateful stare before departing. Once she had left, McGonagall turned on them, a slight fire still to her eyes.

"I don't think the three of you realise how lucky you are to not be the slightest bit injured. Not many adults could have handled this situation, let alone three first years. You will all be awarded five house points each." She clipped. "Potter I suggest that you remove your wand from it's nose now, it's not doing much use up there anymore."

Nodding Harry hastily grabbed his wand, wiping the oily grey boogies on the trolls shirt. Looking slightly disgusted, he put the wand back in his pocket.

"May I suggest that Mr Wood takes the three of you back upstairs. I presume there are no more adventures this evening?" Professor Dumbledore gently addressed to them all.

When they all timidly nodded in return, Dumbledore turned to Edward;

"I believe we have spoken enough for this evening, yes?" He asked curiously.

Edward nodded, his eyes dark and tired looking. When he finally looked at Rose, the hurt and pain was evident on his angelic face. The relief Rose felt when he finally acknowledging her, was over swept with the guilt of knowing he was indeed disappointed. Gulping guiltily, she walked forward with the other two, trying to ignore all the teachers and their stares.

"Oh Miss Ward?" Professor Dumbledore said carefully. "I believe this is your wand?"

He bent over the remains of the cubicle, her honey coloured wand handle sticking out proudly.

"Thank you Sir." She muttered, he voice cracking.

She walked a little behind the others, exhausted and not caring for the company. They could all feel the tension in the air, all of them walking in complete silence, the anger and disappointment clear. After five minutes of muffled footsteps, it was Edward that spoke up.

"Ron, Harry, are you okay walking on ahead and leaving me to talk to Rose?"

The tone to the way he asked made it quite clear that there was no leeway for Ron to argue. Though he was confused by the request, Ron nodded, continuing to walk alongside Harry quickly off into darkness, and without checking with Rose first.

"Edward.." Rose started, feeling the tightness in her chest.

"I know why you did it." He whispered sadly, looking at a portrait on the wall instead of at her. "But the outcome of this situation could have so easily been different. I guess it just shows your immaturity, which you hide so well most of the time."

His comment stung, and Rose didn't agree with his reasonings for it. He sniffed sarcastically before shaking his head in frustration, walking back towards the common room without her. Disheartened and upset, Rose watched him leave her alone, her exhausted body staying routed to the spot.

The confusion clear on her face she thought through what little options she had earlier. What would he have done in her shoes? Was he really suggesting that her safety was more important than saving Hermione? She needed the answers to her questions, Unable to move her feet forward without confronting her feeling she spoke aloud frightened he might not hear her.

"I'm sorry you feel that way." Rose answered clearly, trying to hide the hurt in her voice. "But I stand by what I did, we didn't have another choice."

Turning on the spot and walking back to face her, Edward stood so close to Rose, that they could both feel the others heavy heartfelt breaths.

"You could have been safe in Gryffindor tower where I thought you were." He answered passionately.

"Hermione would have died." Rose answered bluntly.

"But you would have been safe." He whispered, the pain clear in his voice.

Edward glanced to the floor, suddenly unsure whether to look at her.

"You don't mean that." Rose answered, shaking her head and frowning.

She cautiously reached out, her fingers gripping his shirt covered arms. Though there was no buzz from her contact this time, the touch did the trick. As she held him tightly in an embrace she made him look into her eyes.

"I'm sorry I broke my promise to you earlier, and I hate that you now see me as this immature girl. But I would do it over and over again if I knew that I had saved someone. I didn't do this for glory or for the sense of adventure. I did it because if I didn't an innocent girl would have died and my brother would have lived the rest of his life, with the guilt of thinking it was because of a stupid comment he made in the heat of anger."

Hearing Rose call Ron her brother deeply moved Edward and it took him by surprise. He knew from the others thoughts, what had happened and didn't need to inquire further to what Rose was implying. He looked into her passionate eyes, all his hurt and pain removed. She still had her hands gently touching his arms, such a simple human interaction that she wasn't even thinking about, but Edwards body yearned for more touches. His hand automatically clenched to stop himself from physically reaching out to hold hers, he didn't however pull away.

"I don't really think your immature, it was the wrong thing to say. I just wanted to say something spiteful and I'm sorry." He apologised.

Nodding with a small grateful smile, Rose noticed once again how pitch black his eyes were.

"Your eyes are black again." Rose whispered, knowing instinctively that he would tell a white lie.

"It must be the light of the corridor." Edward sighed, scrunching his eyes up.

"Is that the best answer you could come up with?" Rose answered with a small smile. "I will work out the real reason eventually."

"Work what out?" Edward asked curiously, his eyes snapping back to Rose.

Rose chewed her lip, unsure on whether to answer.

"There is a lot of mystery that surrounds you Edward. You are an intriguing person."

"You flatter me." Edward replied sarcastically. "There is nothing to work out."

"Okay." Rose replied thoughtfully. "Will you tell me then what you went to discuss with Professor Dumbledore whilst there was a troll pandemic going on?"

"No." He replied with smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh I see, you can't trust me." Rose nodded, with a playful shrug. "I get it."

Letting go to his arms instantly, Rose started to walk away, mock hurt placed on her face.

"Its not that!" Edward replied defensively reaching out and grabbing her hand, stopping her in her place.

The shock of him holding her hand made Rose instantly forget to pretend to be upset. As they froze, both shocked by the contact, Edward started to grin. He shook his head, smirking as he released her hold, pushing his hand into his hair to cover his tracks.

'You know you are too good at manipulating my mood swings. I'm meant to be in a mood with you remember." Edward replied smoothly.

"I'm not sorry." Rose grinned cockily, nudging into his side as she did so. "Especially when your trying to divert away from our conversation. I know your hiding something from me, but it's fine, like I said I will figure it out."

"Let me know when you have some theories?" He answered smugly.

"Of course." Rose nodded seriously. "Your the number one person I need to ask to find out if it's true or not."

"I could always lie you know." Edward stated, stepping closer to Rose his breath hitting her face.

"You could. But your not very good at it." Rose answered knowingly. "I know when you haven't been truthful Mr Wood."

Edward read her eyes, knowing full well that she was telling the truth. He smirked nudging her arm to indicate that they should carry on walking, not knowing how to respond.

As he walked alongside her, Edward couldn't resist grinning at how easy it was to be in love with her. Though the rest of the short walk was held in silence, their hands kept anciently brushing against each others, neither one complaining at the surprise touches.

"So are we all good?" Rose asked nervously, as they hovered outside the portrait hole.

"We are all good yes." Edward replied reassuringly "Apart from you thinking I'm a mysterious man."

"Good." Rose sighed in relief.

She chewed her lip once again, debating on whether to say what she was indeed thinking.

"What?" Edward chuckled curiously.

"I was just intrigued to know why you are so caught up on me thinking that your mysterious." Rose answered truthfully. "Surely you have noticed that every girl in Hogwarts sees you as a mysterious man? Thats why we all love you."

Grinning at the stunned look on his face to her reply. Rose quickly left, softly chuckling as she walked through the portrait hole, leaving Edward with his thoughts in the corridor.

Hermione was already sat with Ron and Harry on one of the comfy sofas looking more relaxed and physically smiling. Walking over to join them all, Rose balanced on the edge of the sofas arm, happy to see everyone getting along. After the challenges and sacrifices that happened that evening, Hermione had truly become one of their friends. Something that made Rose very content.

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Jolting up in bed quickly Rose quickly smacked her alarm, cautious not to wake the other girls up. Rubbing her eyes and stretching her reluctant muscles she moved smoothly out of bed, paranoid that she would fall back to sleep if she didn't move.

It was Saturday morning and Rose knew that if she didn't get up quickly she would miss her opportunity to sneak out to the music room unnoticed. She was frustrated that she hadn't had time to think about her song choice since the troll attack, and she really needed to provide Ruth with some music.

Jumping into the shower and throwing on a comfy outfit, Rose quickly scribbled a note for Hermione making an excuse for her disappearance and that she would meet them all for lunch. Grabbing her bag and Smutz's lead, Rose tapped her leg to alert Smutz.

She headed to breakfast slightly shocked to see that she was the only student awake and down.
Getting her notebook out whilst she ate her eggs and bacon, she started to nit pick on the notes she had made the week before. Rereading the noted one last time, she packed her things away, before making sure that Smutz had finished his food and had had a decent drink.

Quickly making their way up to the seventh floor, Rose checked her watch. The time read seven-thirty, leaving plenty of time to get a music practice in. Grateful for Smutz's company, Rose slowly walked down the corridor, relieved when she found the music room entrance with the door unlocked.

The room was a warm secluded space, offering the privacy that Rose wanted and needed. Locking herself and Smutz in, so there wouldn't be any interruptions in their session, Rose walked over to the piano, placing her rucksack beside her. She sat down on the hard wooden stool, feeling the old keys she stroked them individually. It was clear that they had been used a thousand times before but not recently, a thick amount of dust lying on top of each key. Slightly hesitant to start playing, Rose struck a random bunch of chords to fill the silence, surprised to hear that the piano was in tune.

Rose reached into her bag retrieving the notebook and placed it onto the piano stand. Cracking her fingers, she dove into the song, repeating the tune over and over for the next three hours until it sounded perfect. Rose wanted the song to have a resemblance to the Bob Dylan sound, but unlike Dylan's clumpy piano playing, she wanted the song to flow swiftly.

Once she was satisfied with the sound, Rose retrieved a violin off the far wall. Flicking through her notebook to the relevant page, Rose started to play the melody on the strings. With a couple of tweaks, which she edited, Rose was starting to feel more confident, the song was going better than planned. She again reached into her bag, this time grabbing the voice recorder.

The recorder looked like old fashioned muggle bell alarm clock. If the left bell was tapped, it would record any sound until it was tapped again, the right bell could be used in the exact same way but to record a second sound on top to interlink the two sounds together. In the centre of the recorder was a pin button, this was to use the metronome which was central to the clock face.

Placing the voice recorder on top of the piano, Rose pressed the metronome, watching the needle tic in time. Tapping the left hand bell with her wand, Rose paused, counting three beats before beginning to play the piano from the beginning of the song all the way through to the end before tapping the left hand bell. Pressing a large play button on the back of the recorder eagerly, Rose heard the recorder amplify her original recording of the song in perfect clarity. She twisted the clock face back to twelve, this time pausing the song once the chorus had finished and the second verse had began. She tapped the recorder with her wand again, but this time on the right hand side. Picking up the violin she began to play the melody until the song ended. Tapping the right bell to end the recording, Rose rewound the clock back to twelve again. Nervously pressing the play button on the back of the recorder Rose waited eagerly in the three beats of silence. The piano loudly played out of the device, the music fluid and elegant, Rose listening intricately, waiting cautiously for the second verse to start. The violin subtly began to be heard, its beautiful notes floating carefully in a beautiful partnership to the piano. Rose sighed in relief, the two pieces of music had not only synced perfectly, but they had actually sounded fantastic together too.

Waiting until the end of the song had finished, Rose carefully ripped her violin score from her notebook.

"Geminio" She uttered at the pages.

Replicating the scores a further two times ready to hand into Ruth.

Placing the crisp new copies safely back in her bag, Rose returned to the recorder, rewinding the clock once again to twelve.

Tapping the righthand bell again, Rose listened to the song from the beginning, recording the backing vocal harmonies that she wanted in the second half of the song. It was an odd sensation singing so passionately and with such confidence, the shyness that she once held for her voice gone. Knowing that is was all down to her lakeside conversation with Edward, she smiled warmly at the thought of that wonderful afternoon.

Clicking the central button one last time to get the metronome in sink, Rose tapped the left hand bell one last time. Not needing to play the piano as it was already recorded, Rose sang the entire song from the start, her voice coming through strong but beautifully, filling her heart and head with warm pride. As the song ended, she sank slightly on the stool, her body feeling like it had been on an emotional rollercoaster.

This song meant more to her than just lyrics and composition. This was the first song that she had deconstructed and then reconstructed back together. Rose was nervous but extremely intrigued to hear it all play out as one. Holding down the button on the recorder she pressed it once, taking a nervous intake of breath. Three long moments of silence filled the small room before the clarity of the sound played loudly before her. It was like she was standing next to herself witnessing herself play and sing the song. The power of the song, grew continently with the impact of the backing vocals and instruments delicately adding to the song.

The song ended with Rose staring at the voice recorder in relieved surprise. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she comprehended what she had just successfully created. She had done that, without help and without much time. What on earth would she be able to create with as much time as she fancied? The joyous distraction that the last couple of hours had given her had wiped any stress that she had felt from the last week.

Cautiously retrieving the recorder off the top of the piano, Rose carefully turned the device over onto the back. There were four separate illuminated lines indicating the four recordings she had recorded separately.

Tapping her wand carefully towards the violin recording she uttered the word;

"Tergeo"

Wiping the line from the recorders memory.

She repeated the process a further two times, so that she was left with only her backing vocals.

Her tummy made a moaning grumble, the sound the first reminder that she must have been in the room for longer than she had anticipated. Rose carefully looked at her watch, taken aback that it was already lunchtime. Looking down at Smutz who was relaxed asleep on the floor, she gently awoke him.

Double checking that she had left nothing behind her, Rose sprinted down seven separate flights of stairs, even remembering to jump the two trick stairs. Smutz copying her exact moves she was grateful that when she eventually arrived in the Great Hall the others didn't ask where she had been. Half way through a game of wizards chess, with Ron brutally winning against Harry, Hermione was torn between amusement and disgust as she watched the two boys play in silence.

For the rest of the weekend, Rose kept a keen look out for Ruth eager to discuss the next steps for their performance, but she was nowhere to be seen. Getting increasingly more worried that her five gallons had been wasted on her naive pipe dream, Rose only gained relief at Tuesday mornings breakfast when Ruth made herself known to Rose.

"Ward can I have a moment?" Ruth asked in a harsh tone.

Surprised by Ruth's abrupt presence, Rose tried to ignore Ron, Harry and Hermione's intrigued stares.

"Oh yeah… sure." Rose muttered, smiling awkwardly at her friends. "Give me a one moment guys." she whispered as she got up from the table.

Meeting Ruth in the Entrance Hall, Rose could tell that Ruth wanted the conversation to be over quickly. Her darting glances making it quite clear she didn't want to be seen in Rose's company.

"I have found some fellow colleagues who are willing to give up some of their very valuable time. Please meet me at quarter past seven this evening on the seventh floor. They have also agreed to meet us early before our rehearsal starts."

"Oh that's brilliant!-" Rose began to answer.

"Don't be late." Ruth clipped.

Swivelling on the spot, Ruth turned on her heel around a corner and out of sight.

At fourteen minutes past seven and not a minute later, Rose appeared on the seventh floor corridor patiently waiting for Ruth to show up. The music room door unbolted with a subtle click, revealing Ruth with two people beside her. As Rose walked towards them all, Ruth introduced the girl closest to her as Judith Sneed an Auburn haired Gryffindor who was in her sixth year. The boy to the right was Will Pudge a baby faced fifth year who smiled briefly at Rose, before returning back to business mode.

"Will is a fellow Violin player and Judith plays the Cello, I decided that I would take the position of the third violin player."

Nodding her understanding, Rose briefly smiled at the two other Gryffindors, before replying to them all confidently;

"These are the pieces of music I would like you all to play in conjunction with my piano piece. Is this suffice?"

Handing them each her handwritten copies of the parchment, they all quickly skim read the music scores in their hands.

"Is this it?" Judith, the sixth year asked in surprise.

"What do you mean?" Rose asked in concern.

"You are paying us all a lot of money for a musical piece that is less than two minutes in length." Judith replied honestly.

"Oh I see." Rose acknowledged with a relived smile. "I'm playing solo piano for the first bit of composed music. You guys will come in after the first chorus has finished."

"And you have written this yourself?" Will asked impressed.

"Revamped is the more accurate word I would use." Rose replied with a smile. "Do you think this can be learnt by Friday evening?"

"Yes." Judith answered for them all.

"Would we all be able to meet for a practice session together beforehand?" Rose asked eagerly.

"Not unless you want to pay us all again for our time." Ruth quipped with a sarcastic sneer.

"Not particularly." Rose answered honestly."But how will I know that you guys are as good as you say you are?"

"Because we are the ones who are in the school Orchestra and not you." Ruth retorted rudely. "It's our reputations that are being put on the line here."

"In that case, I will have to work with blind faith" Rose responded in a muttered tone, all the friendliness gone out of her voice.

"Is there anything else?" Ruth asked briskly.

"Yes there is." Rose acknowledged. "Please can you all wear full black attire for the performance on Friday. I don't know what time the performance will be just yet but Flitwick said he would send me a letter on the day. Just be ready by dinnertime."

The three musicians nodded in agreements, so Rose hastily departed, leaving them to discuss the music amongst themselves.

The next three days dragged by in a nervous whirlwind of emotions with Ron keeping on observing Rose's nervous twitches, curious to the course to her tetchiness. By Friday morning, Rose's butterfly's were pinging around her stomach in uncontrolled spasms, the thought of breakfast making her feel nauseous. Reluctantly following the others down to breakfast, she subtly helped herself to the minimum amount of cereal, pretending to eat mouthfuls every time Ron turned to talk to her.

The owl post arrived in its usual flurry of organised chaos. Watching the bird intently, Rose sighed subtly in relief when a beautiful grey owl landed elegantly in front of her. Carefully untying the neat bow that was holding the envelope in place, she patted its head in thanks before waiting patiently for the bird to fly off. Unfolding the Royal blue envelope carefully from the others view, Rose read the letter she had been waiting so eagerly for.

'Dear Miss Ward,

Please could yourself and any musicians you have hired meet me at my charms classroom at five forty-five this evening, with your costumes discreetly packed and hidden from view.

Professor Flitwick'

Placing the letter subtly in her right pocket, Rose tried to ignore the curious stare she was now getting from the others.

"I'm going to have to miss dinner tonight." Rose announced in what she hoped was a casual tone.

"How the devil have you managed to get out of singalong Friday?" Ron grumbled with a frown.

"Granny wants me to do something." Rose answered quickly, not pausing to think of another excuse.

"What has she asked you to do exactly?" Ron asked in a dejected tone, the hurt clear in his voice.

"I can't exactly say." Rose replied, the guilt clear on her face. "But I can promise that by this evening, I can tell you everything you want to know."

"Fine." Ron sighed in disappointment. "I'm going to hold you to that though."

Shovelling bacon in his mouth, he looked at her once again, a jealous look still present.

Swallowing guiltily Rose placed her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for understanding." She whispered.

"Your welcome." He grumbled.

She lifted her head to look into his eyes, the guilty feeling returning.

"Ron?" She pleaded.

"Humph"

Though the noise was abrupt, she could tell that he was listening.

"I need to ask another favour from you." Rose replied. "I have to go and round some people up now, but I haven't got time to do that and check up on Smutz. Can you go and see him for me?"

"Rose, we only have twenty minutes until Snape's four hours of torture!" Ron responded in surprise.

"Ohh don't" Harry muttered with a shudder. "Ever since that troll episode last week I've been dreading being alone with him."

"Please Ron?" Rose begged. "I wouldn't ask unless it was urgent."

"Fine." Ron agreed. "Just make sure you get to Snape's classroom in plenty of time. After Harry you make a close second to who he hates the most."

"I promise." Rose grinned.

Patting Harry's shoulder in sympathetic encouragement as she passed, Rose headed down the long table of Gryffindors until she she noticed Ruth. Indicating with her head towards the Entrance Hall, Ruth nodded her understanding by immediately following.

"Flitwick's Office at five forty- five, we will have dinner and get ready there." Rose said crisply. "Can you pass the message onto the other two?"

"Of course." Ruth replied with a blank nod. "See you later."

Nodding in agreement Rose quickly left, not knowing what to do now. Finding Ruth had been a lot quicker than she had anticipated and if she went back to Ron now he would only ask more questions. Deciding a moment to collect her thoughts would be a good idea, Rose made her way to the oak front door, and quietly made her way outside into the peaceful fresh air. Sitting on the cool stone steps, she listened to her quiet surroundings. Her nervous butterflies were still fluttering away but she had now also gained a twinge of excitement. No matter what happened tonight whether she came forth, third, second or heavens above first, she knew she had at least made herself proud. She had worked damn hard on that song and even last night, once the other girls were asleep she stayed awake working on her own costume. When she thought of what was in store for her tonight Rose felt surprisingly ready.

Knocking on Flitwick's office a little after the suggested time, the door burst open to the adrenaline filled charms teacher ushering her eagerly in. As Flitwick stepped out of Rose's way she could admire the handiwork that had gone into changing his room so quickly. What was usually Flitwick's classroom had been transformed into a backstage greenroom. In the left corner, a room divider had been positioned to accommodate make shift changing rooms, and a small stage was now at the centre back of the room for anyone who wanted to do a last minute dance rehearsal. To the right of the room was the food table filled with party snacks and drinks, but the beautifully presented spread had been surprisingly left untouched.

Instead of socially chatting, the three representatives were clearly divided into three distinct areas. As Rose walked cautiously into the middle of the three of them she hoped that at least one of the fellow students would welcome her over and start a conversation. Smiling to each student in passing, but gaining no response, it was quite clear that everyone took this competition competitively far too seriously. Unenthused by their reactions of unfriendliness, Rose made her way over to the food table helping herself to the party food. Even if the other students had seemed to have lost their appetite she certainly hadn't after missing breakfast. Observing the room whilst she made her way through the platter of small quiches and finger sandwiches, she acknowledged for the first time that tonights contestants were all girls.

Slytherin's competitor was a girl called Liz Tuttle, who was one of the two already in her costume. From the look of her wig and outfit, Rose concluded that she must be impersonating Cher, her heavy makeup the spit of Cher's. Recognising the girl from Hufflepuff as Sandra Dent, a friendly girl she had spoken briefly to in the library, Rose couldn't help but grin at her flaming orange hair and a tight black dress. Sandra was unmistakably Tina Turner. Catching Rose's eye, Sandra gave Rose a small curious smile as she observed Rose helping herself to some more sandwiches and crisps, making Rose grin cheekily in return. Unperturbed by looking greedy, Rose was just leaning over to get another cheddar and bacon quiche when she caught eyes with the girl from Ravenclaw. Instantly recognising her as the girl she saw outside Flitwick's classroom the week before, Rose was slightly startled by the look she was casting her way. The look was of pure loathing, her eyes piercing Rose's in an intimidating hold.

Marietta Edgecombe was a plain girl, her ice blue eyes a very unusual shade of blue. What could have been her only good asset was sadly overshadowed by her casting judgement in every direction she gazed, making them instantly unlikeable. With shoulder length waved blonde hair, that had been styled to look very similar to Rose's, Marietta's other features were unfortunate at best. With a long beaky nose, it overpowered her long thin face and weak chin. Her mouth was both large and wide, which hide her set of big impeccably neat teeth.

As she continued to look at Rose like there was the smell of shit underneath her nose, Rose became conscious of the fact her upper lip had started to slightly sweat and her mouth had gone dry.

"There you are."

The noise from another person made Rose instantly break the horrendous eye contact.

"Ruth!" Rose replied in relief.

"God this is an embarrassment to music." Ruth muttered whilst shaking her head. "I wonder who is doing it this week for us? I hope they realise its social suicide."

"I'm sure they do." Rose answered with a twang of nervousness.

Her mouth still dry from Marietta's stare and now the guilt of not being honest with the three other Gryffindor's, Rose quickly walked over to the drink section, grateful that she had to turn her back on their curious stares. When was she going to be able to tell the three of them that they were indeed in the competition themselves? Taking a large gulp of the cool liquid, it instantly soothed her throat.

"Are we going on before this shit show?" Will muttered from being her.

"No. We are on last." Rose responded honestly. "They wanted to do the recorded music first as its smoother for the radio. After the last recorded act has finished, they will cast the "Sonorus" charm on the stage, so the radio will be able to pick up our instruments. It does however mean we have to be careful what we say, and even how loudly we walk onto the stage as of course everything will be picked up."

"Fabulous." Judith whispered. "It's exciting that we will be the first to play live music for the Wizarding world live on air!"

"And if it works it might become the new normal instead of this" Rose whispered, nodding her head into the direction of the other participants.

"Wouldn't that be wonderful." Judith grinned maniacally. "But shouldn't you be going to get changed Rose? Your the only one left in school uniform."

Looking around, Rose noticed that Judith was right. Quickly finishing her third round of sandwiches and quiches, she walked over to the changing area, waiting for a changing room to become free. As she waited the nervous butterflies slowly started to appear once more, nothing nearby able to distract her. Not wanting to feel nervous, Rose shut her eyes, concentrating her thoughts on just her breathing. She took a deep breath in, holding it for a few seconds before releasing it again through her mouth. After a few more continuous breaths she once again found herself calm. Her eyes slowly opened, surprised that the cubicles were still fully occupied. Checking her watch, Rose started to tap her feet impatiently. After what felt like a lifetime, finally the cubical in front of her had its curtain thrust open, revealing Marietta standing in its entranceway. She smirked at Rose, her expression oddly confident. It wasn't Marietta's curious look however that had caught Rose's attention, as she became instantly distracted by Marietta's appearance.

Promptly lowering her surprised eyebrows, Rose gave Marietta a small smile as she took in the outfit that Marietta was now wearing. A leather top hat had been plonked lazily on top of her head, a frizzy black curly wig placed underneath it to hide her usual blonde locks. Her face had been crudely applied with makeup, her cheeks and chin still red from where it had been rubbed to make it appear like she had stubble. Her outfit was an old flannel shirt and and baggy chord jeans hung over the top of large army boots.

Walking past Rose with an air of entitlement, Rose couldn't help but turn and stare as Marietta paraded around the room cockily. Realising that she was being rude, Rose quickly entered the changing room, still left puzzled at what on earth Marietta's artist impersonation was meant to represent.

Rose paused before the floor length mirror, slowly undressing out of her school uniform. She hung up her dress bag on the rail, carefully unzipping the dress to reveal the newly altered ballgown dress that her Mother had given her.

Rose slipped the white dress on, glad to see that it now hugged at her hips and torso, showing off her voluptuous figure from the front and the back. Though the front was plain with an a-line bodice, the newly created cowl back with strings of small perl beads, draped across her bare back elegantly. Carefully applying the cherry red lipstick and neat flicks of black liquid eyeliner, Rose tied her long curly blonde hair into a high neat bun. The final touch was the six inch glittery strapped sandals, that along with her red painted toe nails completed the outfit. She looked like a 1950's movie star but there was one more thing she needed to do.

"subtraxerim utilium" Rose muttered, holding her wand to her heels.

The spell worked. The heels fell flat to the floor so that Rose felt like she was wearing flat shoes and her height remained the same. In the mirror however and to anyone looking at her, it looked like she was still wearing high stiletto heels. Taking one last look at her finished look, she smiled to herself nervously, retrieving her uniform from off the floor.

Walking confidently out of the changing room, Rose made her way over to Ruth, Will and Judith, unaware of the mutters of intrigue and jealousy that followed with the stares off the other students. Marietta face in particular was a picture, her mouth completely open. Her eyes bulging as she saw the back of Rose's dress, her mouth quickly closed with a snap.

"You look really smart." Judith acknowledged politely.

"Thank you Judith." Rose beamed. "Have I missed anything?"

"Only that Flitwick announced that we will be heading down in a couple of minutes" Ruth muttered. "And to leave anything not needed."

"Its already time?!" Rose replied surprised,

"I know." Judith agreed with a grin.

"How are you all feeling?" Rose asked.

"We are all used to performing in front of the school. How are you feeling?" Ruth shrugged.

"Me? I haven't preformed in front of a crowd like this before, but I'm feeling okay." Rose replied with determination.

"Good." Ruth nodded. "The last thing we need right now is for you to embarrass us."

Rose opened her mouth to argue back, but was saved by Professor Flitwick walking into the centre of the room.

"Okay boys and girls!" Flitwick squeaked. "It is time to head down!"

There was a couple of cheers and claps from the other performers in anticipation. Turning to glance at the three orchestra players, Rose couldn't help share their grin of amusement.

Leaving the safety of Flitwick's office, they all headed down the corridor and down the first flight of stairs. Instead of going towards the Entrance Hall, Flitwick guided them along another corridor and through a tight passage that lead to a box room with tall long pillars. It had a very similar feeling to a cellar, the slight smell of damp in the air.

"The other side of this door is the Great Hall!" Flitwick whispered excitedly. "Normally I would have to announce you on stage and then come and fetch you, but because of the school radio we have attached a radio in here so when you hear your name live, you can just come out! It's going to run a lot more smoothly which will make it that little more professional.

Now Miss Dent or should I say Tina Turner." Flitwick giggled; "You are on first this week, so I'll just go out and do my introduction, and once you hear you name, come out and 'DO YOUR THING!'"

Sandra gulped nervously, but nodded her understanding, Following Flitwick over to the doorway that led to the Hall.

"Are you ready?" He warmly asked her.

"Yes." She agreed timidly.

Flitwick beamed, producing little dance of excitement. Turning to the radio next to him, he retrieved his wand and aimed it straight at the speaker. Instantly the commentary from a chatty male came through the airwaves, the room so quiet that you could hear him clearly.

"Still no sign of Gryffindor's entry." Will announced casually, as he peered around the room.

"Flitwick doesn't seem too concerned, maybe he knows they are running late or something." Judith agreed.

Rose glanced at the others, her expression blank and nervous. She hadn't got the heart to confront them, they were after all going to find out soon enough anyway. Walking away from her peers she went to stand by the radio, the smooth voice helping distract her from her guilt. Rose looked around observing the other contestants, curious to see if they too looked nervous. Liz was fidgeting with her Cher wig anxiously, stroking it like it was a pet cat, whilst Marietta looked at the opposite wall completely bored. Sandra who was still close to the stage door was carefully going through a random sequence of dance moves, getting herself mentally prepared.

The atmosphere in the green room intensified when they heard Flitwick's squeaky voice through the airwaves. Hyping the crowd ready for entertainment, they all waited in bated breath for Flitwick to start the competition.

"So may I welcome our Hufflepuff contestant to the stage please." Flitwick roared with excitement. "Normally you know her as Miss Sandra Dent but for tonight only she is Miss -Tina - Turner!"

Sandra exhaled a large breath, opening the oak door and walking through it without looking behind her.

They all waited in silence, curious to know what song Sandra had decided to mime. As a single guitar started to strum through the room, Rose recognised the song instantly.

"A what a tune!" Rose whispered in approval.

"Proud Mary right?" Judith confirmed.

"Yes!" Rose grinned. "Its never played enough."

"Very true." Judith agreed. "But I'm not complaining that we can just stand and listen to it without having to see the performance."

"I know what you mean." Rose chuckled. "But she might be doing really well."

Judith snorted, tapping her leg along to the beat of the music. A short while later Sandra came prancing through the door, beaming from ear to ear.

"That was exhilarating!" Sandra shouted enthusiastically whilst punching the air as she did so.

Walking up to Liz confidently, Sandra tapped her shoulder comfortingly. But Sandra's reaction seemed to make Liz Tuttle even more pale and nervous than she had been moments before. Her legs slightly wobbly as she walked towards the door, Liz struggled to open the door when her name got called out loud by Flitwick.

"Oh dear, she did look nervous didn't she!" Ruth sniggered. "All they have to do is mouth the word 'rhubarb' over and over again and prance around the stage. It's hardly mind blowing."

"But they like taking it 'seriously;" Will muttered back dryly, using quotation marks with his hands, getting another snort out of Judith.

"I guess if they can't actually sing, this is their only opportunity to feel like a performer." Rose replied diplomatically. "Its easy to make fun of others when you have a talent yourself."

"You don't feel sorry for them do you Rose? Ruth asked amused.

"I think if they sign themselves up for this then they can't necessary expect it to go well." Rose answered. "But I also don't think we should always make fun of them, when they are trying to have fun."

She looked over to Sandra who was still visibly happy from her recent performance, exchanging a smile in return. Her eyes then hovered on Marietta's who was already looking directly at her.

"She does like to give you the death stare doesn't she?" Ruth whispered to Rose in amusement.

"So I have started to notice yes." Rose agreed. "I've only seen her once in the corridor before, yet she makes it look like I have poisoned her cat."

"Her problem is you look the way you do." Ruth replied in her matter of fact tone. "She has been jealous of you ever since you got to Hogwarts, she is very vocal about it actually."

Rose turned to Ruth with a quizzical look, her face frowning at Ruth's nonchalant look. As Ruth exchanged a glance at Rose, her own face turned to surprise.

"Oh, you mean you didn't know?" Ruth continued, reading Rose's face as she spoke. "Marietta is completely obsessed with Edward-Oliver and rumour has it you two are good friends."

"Yes we are friends." Rose confirmed defensively. "But that's not a crime."

"To most girls it is yes. But Marietta is in a separate league altogether. She is seriously obsessed with him, like stalker kind of obsessed."

"Does Edward know?" Rose replied with raised eyebrows.

"When do you think I have ever had an opportunity to speak to Edward-Oliver?" Ruth snorted. "Like I said, you are unique in that department. He actually comes and sits next to you. Do you know how many girls would pay to have that happen to them?"

"Would you?" Rose asked curiously.

"I am a realist." Ruth snapped. "At least I know I would never have the opportunity to be graced with his company. Marietta on the other hand… I would keep one eye open if I were you, rumour has it she wants to take you down."

Ruth grinned so widely now that her large teeth protruded out of her mouth. Tactlessly looking back over at Marietta, and then back at Rose, she shook with silent amused laughter.

Rose felt uncomfortable and apprehensive, not knowing whether to continue to stand next to Ruth or walk closer to an apparent psychopath. Knowing she needed to keep Ruth onside, she was grateful when Ruth started a conversation with Will and Judith.

Glad that they were momentarily distracted, Rose darted her eyes back over to Marietta. Relieved to see that she was not staring, Rose was surprised to see that she was in fact talking to Sandra their conversation easily heard.

"…It's your first time being a male though?" Sandra asked amused.

"What can I say, I thought it would make a change." Marietta answered, her voice low and sickly sweet.

"Who exactly are you interpreting Marietta?." Sandra questioned curiously.

"Why Bob Dylan of course!" Marietta replied as if it was obvious before looking at Rose with a scary smile.

Rose's stomach slightly dropped as she kept her poker face with Marietta. It was clear that Marietta wanted this news to upset her, and deep down it really did. Marietta was going on stage first, so even though their song choice had to be different, they would be competing in a very tight field. The only thing that comforted Rose was at least they weren't both dressed the same. Making the first move and breaking eye contact, Rose nodded at Marietta and turned to the three Gryffindors relieved to see that they were still happily chatting amongst themselves.

Moments later, Liz Tuttle came dramatically back into the room, throwing her wig violently in the corner of the room. She shrank against the wall with her head in her hands, shaking her head slowly in disappointment. Rose's body moved instinctively to comfort her, but Flitwick's announcement halted her movements.

"Next, representing Ravenclaw is the one and only Marietta Edgecombe!" Flitwick pronounced proudly. "But tonight you will see her as Bob Dylan singing "Just Like A Women.""

With one last grin directed just at Rose, Marietta strutted out of the room, like a gladiator entering an arena. You could hear the roar of cheers from the crowd above the airwaves. It seemed that Marietta had a large following of dedicated Ravenclaw fans.

Flitwick bounced into the room giggling, amused by the crowds reaction. Noticing Liz on the floor, he went over and sympathetically patted her head, speaking calming words to her. Trying to give Liz as much privacy as possible, the remaining contestants listened and waited for the nasally voice of Bob Dylan to commence. The radio silence continued, the awkwardness building as the silence grew further apart.

"Sir?" Sandra asked quietly. "Sir the radio has stopped."

Flitwick looked up from Liz, turning towards the radio, his face lined with concern. As soon as he stood to intervene, the guitar started to play a slow tune filling the silence. The notes and the melody made Rose's hair stand on end, Marietta Edgecombe was playing "Make you feel my love."

Rose's stomach churned as the nausea started to quickly sink in, her brain stuttering as she mentally tried to absorb what was going on.

*How could she know? How could she have possibly known Rose's song choice? Has this really got something to do with Edward, that she be that obsessed that she would try and humiliate Rose in this way?"*

Rose could hear muffled noises in the distance of her panicked thoughts. As she raised her eyes from the floor, her blurred eyes slowly focused on professor Flitwick, who was now standing before her.

"Miss Ward? Flitwick announced in frowned confusion. "Can you hear me Miss Ward? I thought it was you who was singing this song this evening?"

"It is Sir." Rose spluttered, she hadn't realised she had stopped breathing.

"Then why is Miss Edgecombe using it?" Flitwick responded, speaking more to himself than to her.

"I don't know." Rose whispered in confusion, her word only just auditable.

Looking directly into her eyes, he nodded apologetically before turning away. She followed his leave, breathing heavily, trying to get her breathing back to normal, her body and brain overwhelmed with all her thoughts and anxiousness.

"What do you mean that you are singing this song this evening?" Ruth hissed. "You said we were just going to play it."

Rose shut her eyes and sighed heavily, before slowly turned around to face the other three Gryffindors, her body still numb from Marietta's surprise.

"The three of you are only playing instruments " Rose replied "I am going to sing live and play the piano."

"And when were you going to tell us that we were going to be part of this shit show?" Ruth seethed.

"I didn't know how to." Rose begged. "But it also doesn't matter. I know my song is going to be a success and you're being paid for your time. For you three, it's a win-win situation."

"You can forget our deal." Ruth spat, whilst shaking her head at Rose. "Keep your gold. If you want to make a fool of yourself, you go on ahead but we aren't going down with you."

Rose calmly looked from Ruth to Will and Judith. Though the other two looked less angry, it was clear that they were in agreement with Ruth. Slowly nodding her understanding Rose smiled grimly at them all before turning away from them.

In their moment of heated discussion, Rose hadn't noticed the return of Marietta. Walking past the three other contestants in slight embarrassment, Rose was relieved to see that they had luckily not been paying attention.

She knew she didn't have enough time to try and convince the three of them that she was worth having faith in. The childish confidence getting stuck in her throat. She would just have to make do with her backing vocals and piano and except that it would be half the performance she thought she was going to produce. This was not how she expected the evening to work out.

Lowering her tight shoulders as she sighed, Rose walked up to the door ready for her name to be called, placing her hand on the doorknob ready.

"And now our final contender this evening!" Flitwick announced in excitement. "She is our first, first year to enter the competition this year and is also making her debut performance singing Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love." Ladies and Gentleman put your hands together for Rose Ward preforming for Gryffindor!"

Rose placed her hand on the cool metal doorknob, gently twisting the handle in her hand cautious not to make a noise.

"Good luck" Marietta mocked, with a clear snigger.

Rose ignored the comment, pushing open the heavy oak door, and carefully shutting it behind her. She was instantly absorbed into darkness, the Great Hall and its audience a masked silhouette. A single spotlight focused on the piano in the centre of the stage. Taking gracious steps towards the lonely piano, Rose was surprised to hear that it wasn't in silence.

There were encouraging, polite claps coming for the Gryffindors table, the noise growingly steadily louder to try and mask the boos and heckles coming from the Ravenclaw table. Grateful that her own face was hidden from her audience, as she passed Flitwick in the darkness he patted her arm in sympathetic silent encouragement.

Now only two strides away from the bright halo of light and the school piano Rose let a confident deep breath out, walking into the limelight confidently, the bright light highlighting her in warmth.

The piano had been placed into position incorrectly so that instead of facing the house tables side on, she was now facing the crowd. Sitting down at the grand piano gracefully, she looked out at the sea of silhouetted heads, the action instantly creating silence in the room. She carefully placed the recording device to the right of the keys, pressing the top button once. She waited for the metronome to strike three beats, her fingers placed on the piano keys in preparation. When the count made it to one, she struck the first chord.

The silence was instantly broken by the power of the piano, everyone in the room now fully engaged. Rose felt the intensity of the music flowing out of her fingertips, the music coming naturally from within her. As she opened her mouth to begin singing, her voice came out strong and powerful, as if the song had been created just for her voice. Knowing that Edward would appreciate the little nod towards their conversation the week before, Rose hoped that he would prefer her rendition to the one played minuets before.

As the chorus came to an end and the second chorus began, Rose prayed that she had in fact timed the second verse backing vocals to play correctly. Taking a deep breath in to continue singing, she began the next line, relieved to hear her own voice harmonise in the background. A small smile now present, she knew there was nothing else she could do now but enjoy the rest of the song.

"I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue…."

The sound of a Cello and Violins started to play in the background, the symphony starting exactly where it should have began. Knowing it wasn't her recorder, her brain screamed at her to keep playing and to not look surprised by their appearance.

A small smile danced on Rose's lips, as she saw out the corner of her eye that Ruth, Will and Judith had joined her on stage. As Ruth subtly nodded at her, the four of them continued to play in synchronised harmony, the four instruments complimenting each other.

As the song slowed and the instruments faded, Rose's voice was left alone accompanied only by the piano.

"I could make you happy Make your dreams come true, Nothing that I wouldn't do, Go to the ends Of the Earth for you, To make you feel my love, To- make- you- feel -my- love."

As she held her fingers on the keys for the final time, Rose once again felt exhausted by the power of the lyrics in that moment. The room stayed in stunned silence, no-one making a noise as the piano chords eventually turned to silence. Looking out at the crowd, trying to gauge their reaction, Rose stared back at the black emptiness of the silent crowd. Mummers started to distinctively be heard around the room, with the occasional quiet, polite clap. The room was so stunned at hearing live music, that they seemed to have a delayed reaction to what they had just seen and heard. Out of nowhere a volcanic eruption of applause and cheering came from around the room, igniting the room in joyous support. Grinning to the crowd Rose rose from the piano stool and glided towards the others on the stage. They all joined hands in a line and took a neat elegant synchronised bow for the crowd. The room carried on in a symphony of cheered applause for the four Gryffindors, the four off them grinning from ear to ear with the contagious joy.

Flitwick couldn't be heard over the noise of the crowd even with his voice amplified. After his fourth attempt at getting the crowd calm, he elegantly walked around Rose and the others, standing in front of them all centre stage.

"Well that was certainly a different type of performance for singalong Friday! Thank you again for our final contestant Rose Ward!"

The Gryffindor table started cheering again with some members (though Rose had a feeling the Weasley's were behind it) stamping their feet and wolf whistling. The spotlight slowly disappeared and the candlelight in the room became brighter allowing Rose for the first time to make out everyone faces in the crowd as well as the judges. Meeting Professor McGonagall's eyes, Rose noticed that she was actually smiling at her with a twisted look of amusement. In fact most of the teachers looked pretty nonchalant with Dumbledores eyes twinkling under his half moon spectacles. It was Professor Snape's face that made Rose physical smile though, he was looking both annoyed and somewhat repulsed by the reaction of the room.

The other contestants came out of the door and they all lined up next to Rose and the other Gryffindor's.

"You can all go back to your House tables." Flitwick stage whispered to them all before shouting; "Thank you to all our volunteer contestants this week! For our radio listeners, Samantha Turner from Slytherin will take it from here with rock along Friday, thank you all for tuning in and listening! For our students here however it is dessert time whilst the judges make their decisions."

Following the other contestants off the stage, and down the steps closets to the judges table, Rose grabbed Ruth by the arm, stopping her, Judith and Will in their tracks.

"What made you change your mind? I thought you were all angry with me?" Rose asked perplexed and confused.

"We started to hear you play and it was… beautiful." Ruth replied truthfully, with an apologetic smile. "There was something compelling, that made us all know instinctively that we wanted to be part of it. We don't even want to be payed anymore. We did it for the respect for another artist and the music you created. You Miss Ward are very talented."

"Now go! Enjoy your moment, they are all eager to greet you, look." Judith nodded in encouragement towards the Gryffindor table.

Turning around to follow Judith's gaze, Rose looked stunned at the sight of Gryffindor table. No-one was seated, with every single student standing and grinning broadly, their eyes full of excitement, leaving their desserts untouched.

Rose walked slowly towards the waiting crowd, greeted by back slaps, high fives and hand shakes from every students that she passed. Everyone wanted to talk to her, or physically touch her, like she was the shiny new toy that they had only just discovered. Politely smiling and socialising with everyone she encountered, she couldn't help but break out into a radiant grin at the sight of Edward. Her eyes warmly looking at him, she desperately wanted to walk past the remaining students to get to him.

Stood there beaming elegantly, Edward's eyes were twinkling with a proud, mysterious expression that Rose had never seen before. Her body guided her towards him subconsciously her mind desperate to be beside him. Her legs walked past the students without her aware of what she was doing.

Before Rose got any closer she was swivelled around by Fred and George, who grabbed her from behind, before picking her up and spinning her around.

"Oh no you don't." George gleefully announced. "We have waited in line like commoners here! We want our thirty seconds of fame with the new star."

Rose laughed at their response, grateful when her two feet were finally back on the floor. Slightly more dizzy than before she looked up to see that they had landed her in front of Ron. Shaking his head in disbelief he broke out into a grin and hugged her proudly.

"Only you could bloody well pull something like that off." He whispered in her ear.

Smiling her appreciation back at him, Rose touched his cheek warmly before placing a simple kiss in her hands place. The excitement carried on for ten more minutes with the Gryffindors still wanting to come and meet and talk to Rose, the queue pushing Edward further away.

Her eyes kept darting towards him, her heart thudding every time he didn't look back. Her hand starting to throb from all the handshakes, she was relieved when the next in line was Angelina, at least she wasn't going to need a handshake.

Halfway through replying to Angelina, the lights started to dime down, the results ready to be announced. With a genuine smile Angelina nodded her understanding, walking away and finally allowing Rose the first opportunity to sit down. She glanced around quickly finding Ron, Harry and Hermione who were all eagerly waving at her. Nodding back she was surprised but grateful to see Edward sitting to Ron's left. It was only however when the spare space in the bench came closer into view that it dawned on Rose that she wouldn't be able to lift her leg high enough to sit down in such a tight floor length dress. As she hesitantly lingered, Ron raised his eyebrow in confusion.

"Rose? Your not that wide." Ron acknowledged.

"Thanks Ron." Rose tutted. "It's not that."

"Well what is it then?" Ron asked bluntly.

As if reading her mind, Edward chuckled in slight amusement, raising his eyebrow slightly.

"Allow me?" He asked amused.

"Why? what do you plan on doing?" Rose replied curiously.

Edward didn't answer, instead producing his wonderful crooked smile. Standing swiftly from the table he effortlessly scooped Rose up into a bridal hold, making her cling to his neck in surprised shock. Chuckling at her reaction, he placed her legs under the table smoothly, gently releasing her hold from his neck.

"There, much better." He whispered in her ear seductively as he sat beside her.

The space between them was very intimate, their thighs touching, and their feet placed beside each others. It was strange that on the one side of her, Ron's thigh touched hers and all she felt was warmth. Yet her left thigh throbbed from Edward's, a different sensation from her bare back which was still tingling from his touch.

Carefully turning to him, conscious of how close their faces were, Rose gave him a quick curt thank you cautious of not looking too pleased with their embrace. Her eyes now focused on the stage, she attempted to hide her blush but he noticed regardless. Her reaction only seemed to make him chuckle more deeply, he clearly had enjoyed the moment too.

"Thank you all for your patience this evening." Flitwick announced in a serious manor. "We have all had to debate an awful lot more than we usually do this evening. Especially under the circumstances of whether certain contest rules have been broken. Because of the serious of the matter, this is going to affect the scores."

The were some angry mutters and moans coming from the Gryffindors, the noise sounding like a swarm of angry bees. Her peers clearly not liking the sound of where this was heading, Ron too turned around with a sad worried smile.

"It's okay Ron, we all know I technically have broken the rules." She whispered to him, rubbing his arm.

"Its still not fair." Ron replied in a hushed voice.

"We will know who the real winner is Ron." Edward replied calmly.

Weakly smiling at the two boys, Rose briefly looked round the Gryffindor table. Everyone had their arms folded in quiet aggression, their unannounced thoughts clear in their body language.

"First of all we had to decide, what makes a singing completion or even karaoke exactly that. Is it the sound of music that we are listening out for? Yes, yes we are. Has everyone this evening preformed in one way or another pretended or physical sung? Yes, they have. The rules of singalong Friday are quite clear, the participant needs to sing along and we can all agree that all four houses have done just this! It is therefore with great pleasure that moving forward on Friday's if you are wanting to physically sing, then you should do so! Music is an important relaxant and who am I to stop the talents of our students!"

The Hall erupted into a loud murmur of excitement.

"You have cooked up change this evening." Edward whispered in intrigue, his eyes dancing in amusement.

"Im glad to hear there is so much excitement in the room!" Flitwick beamed. "I do however need to briefly mention the sad affair of some rule breaking that occurred this evening. The same song was sung from the same artist though granted extremely differently-"

"Yeah! Because the Gryffindor cheated!" A Ravenclaw heckled.

Rose was sitting so close to Edward that she felt his intake of breath on her bare back, his whole body tensing. Subtle murmurs started to become louder across the room, a clear divide over who they thought had cheated. Rose's shoulders slouched in awkwardness, her body tensing at the accusations she could overhear. Unable to look anywhere else Rose kept her eyes on Flitwick, praying he would back her up.

"It is with great regret therefore that I am going to have to disqualify Miss Edgecombe, as the song she was meant to sing tonight was in fact 'Just Like A Woman.' I would like to think that all of this has been an unfortunate coincidence, but as Miss Ward was the first contestant to hand her song into me, this case in my eyes is closed.

Mr Pike, I think at some point you should apologise to Miss Ward for your rude slander, and may ten points from Ravenclaw remind you to always be polite to others."

The Ravenclaw table instantly stopped grumbling as the embarrassment of being disqualified instantly set in. Flitwick paused his announcement, waiting for his House to do the honourable thing. The Ravenclaw's quickly sent guilty apologetic looks down the Gryffindor table in some sort of silent remorse, the Gryffindor's in turn removing their harsh stares.

Flitwick nodded, glad that the room was now calm once again and had now got his full attention.

"So in fourth place with no points we have Miss Edgecombe."

A couple of people if that, clapped in support of Marietta. Awkwardly in the centre of the Ravenclaw table and therefore surrounded by the tension of her peers, Rose could see out the corner of her eye, Marietta sending her a murderous glance. Though the look didn't particular bother Rose anymore, it was still hard to ignore and keep her focus on Flitwick.

"In third place this evening with eighty-five points for Slytherin we have Miss Tuttle!"

A proud cheer came from the other end of the room as the Slytherins clapped for their contestant.

"And then there were two." Flitwick beamed. "In second place we have Miss Dent for Hufflepuff, congratulations you have earned ninety house points."

The room roared to life in applause, with students jumping up from their seats in response to Flitwick's words. Taken aback at the response of the room, Rose was delayed in joining in the celebrations with Ron, Harry and Hermione, her feet glued to the floor.

"Come on Rose, they are celebrating for you." Edward whispered gently, scooping her up by the waist and helping her stand.

"AND THAT LEAVES…" Flitwick bellowed in amusement, getting the room to quieten down slightly. "That tonights winners with one hundred and ninety five points for Gryffindor are Miss Ward with Miss Fields, Miss Snead and Mr Pudge. Before you all settle down and enjoy your evening, I want to thank all who have made tonight a wonderful success and I look forward to seeing the changes it will bring."

The Weasley twins had jumped onto the bench with Lee, chanting and waving their arms around like mad men. Whilst Dean, Seamus and Neville had shook some butter beer bottles making a fountain of spray fill the air in celebration. Instead of scolding the boys, Flitwick alternatively giggled, enjoying the enthusiasm of the students.

Slowly turning around the room, drinking in the atmosphere that she had hand in creating, Rose grinned in pride and euphoria. She paused, looking at Edward as they shared a deep gaze, the world around them going silent as they entered into each others worlds.

"Well done Miss Ward." He grinned proudly.

The candlelights came back up, presenting the room with a warm atmosphere, their intimate moment cut short once more. Sighing in subtle frustration, Rose pulled her eyes away from Edward just in time to be bombarded by Fred, George and Percy.

"Well done Wardy baby, who knew you would want to break yet another school rule in one week." Fred grinned proudly. "We knew we had to be related to you somehow."

"What can I say, I learnt from the best." Rose replied with a laugh.

"Marietta is looking murderous!" George roared. "You know she has won every competition to date? And you've just wiped her off the board!"

"She shouldn't have cheated then should she." Edward muttered, slight disgust in his voice. "She thought she was going to embarrass and humiliate Rose and now the shoe is quite rightly on the other foot. Paying Kevin Charles to deliberately play the wrong song was just plain stupid."

"Is that what she really did?" Hermione asked shocked.

"I'm more than sure." Edward replied bitterly.

"Another hunch?" Rose asked Edward subtly, her face serious.

"You know it is." Edward agreed with a knowing smile.

As he turned to send Marietta a harsh stare, Rose instinctively reached out and grabbed his arm. She couldn't help but feel that Edward knew that he was the main cause for Marietta's crazy antics this evening and she wanted to try and keep him safe from what she had recently heard.

Though the notion did the trick in distracting Edward - his curious eyes and grin wondering why Rose was still clinging to him. The action however also caught the attention of Marietta, her eyes staring at Rose's hands like she was a charlatan. Dropping Edward's arms instantly, Rose apologised with a blush, cautious of how the boldness would of looked to an outsider.

"Rose?" Edward asked in intrigue.

"I was just being silly." Rose muttered, her blush forming deeper.

Quickly turning to talk with Hermione and Percy, eager to get a distraction, Rose was interrupted abruptly by Ron coming over with a slight smirk on his face.

"Granny wants to see you." Ron announced, answering Rose's questioning stare.

"Oh shit." Rose murmured to Percy with a sigh. "I knew this was too good to be true."

"Well that dress of yours is pretty tight." Percy replied thoughtfully.

"Percy it's hardly revealing." She tutted at his prudishness, making Ron and Hermione chuckle.

"Come on, I'll go with you." Ron responded, guiding Rose through the mass of congregated students.

Grateful for the company, Rose couldn't help but feel nervous as to what her Grandmother would be so desperate to scold her about. As she finally stepped in front of her Grandmother who was beside Dumbledore, Rose was surprised to see she seemed to be in a good mood.

"I'll leave you all to have a private discussion." Dumbledore nodded knowingly. "But may I just say, well done! Your voice is as good as I remember it."

"Thank you Sir." Rose replied with a smile. "Your memory is very good, it has been a while."

"I'm glad to see you have decided to reconnect with you gift." Dumbledore agreed. "It would be a shame to waste such a talent."

Rose nodded, a slight blush forming at the sincere compliment. Bowing his head, his eyes twinkling in acknowledgement, Dumbledore gracefully left, leaving the three of them alone.

"Well?" Rose inquired a little impatiently.

"Well what?" McGonagall replied slightly amused.

"Honestly Granny." Rose whispered. "You know full well you are a harsh critic."

"I am." She nodded in agreement, catching Ron's eye as she did so. "But on this occasion I must admit that the shock of having your name called out, and for you to stride out with such confidence even with Miss Edgecombe's interference, was quite frankly mesmerising. The style of the song suited your voice perfectly and it was an absolute joy to watch. The fact that not only am I your Head of house but your Grandmother filled me with utter pride and joy. I even secretly approve of the slight rule bending, though I will deny it if you ever bring it up again."

"Gosh." Rose replied, so shocked that she wasn't too sure of what else to say. "Thank you."

"Enjoy this moment Rose, it's your time to sparkle." She smiled, patting Rose's arm in subtle comfort. "And please make it a regular thing too. I've missed hearing your voice."

Rose smiled sincerely at her Grandmother, relieved that she had indeed understood the handwork that had gone into the production of the song.

As they turned to leave, Ron and Rose glanced at one another, silently communicating their surprise and relief. The relaxed atmosphere only lasted a few seconds before Ron gently placed his hand in front of Rose stopping her moving, his face suddenly serious. Rose turned to face the direction they were heading, quickly understanding why Ron had made such a move - Snape was blocking their path intentionally.

Snape was standing tall, his eyes looking at them in utter distain. Confident that he done this so that they had no choice but to hear his insults, Rose spoke before he had chance to begin.

"I just wanted to say thank you Sir for your fabulous advice a couple of weeks back." Rose paused to fully gage his attention. "if it wasn't for your thoughtful suggestion of me doing singalong Friday I wouldn't have had the inclination to follow it through. And to think that I managed to get myself onto the radio anyhow, I guess it has all worked out for the better after all."

Smiling at him carefully as they passed, she half pushed half dragged Ron quickly away before Snape could comprehend a reaction. Waiting until they were defiantly out of earshot they both roared with laughter, clutching at each other unable to breath.

"You - were - so -pushing - your - luck - there." Ron managed to splutter out.

"I- couldn't- resist." Rose managed to responded in-between breaths and giggles.

They were still laughing so hard, that Rose accidentally walked into the back of a boy from Hufflepuff. The bump took Rose completely off guard and slightly mortified she covered her face to hide the fact that she was still giggling.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" Rose acknowledged instantly.

Turning around to look at her, she recognised him as the boy who had done Bon Jovi the month before. Well built and surprisingly tall, he overshadowed Rose and Ron slightly, his bright grey eyes observing Rose.

"No harm done." He replied with a charming smile. "I'm Cedric, Cedric Diggory."

Holding out his hand for Rose to shake, he smiled at her curiously.

Rose gingerly excepted the embrace, her eyes looking at him politely.

"Rose." She replied with a warm smile. "And this is my cousin Ron."

"Weasley yes?" Cedric asked with a grin.

"Yes." Ron agreed.

"Thought so." Cedric replied. " I always have a challenge avoiding your brothers on the Quidditch pitch… Can I just say you were amazing up there. We all thought so."

He turned to point to his table to imply that he wasn't the only one, his friends waving eagerly.

"Your very kind to say so." Rose answered sincerely. "May I have my hand back?"

"Oops sorry!" Cedric laughed.

"Its okay." Rose smiled politely. "At least you didn't have a crushing grip."

"I wouldn't want to hurt you now would I." Cedric replied charmingly. "It wouldn't be a very good first impression."

"Yes a handshake or lack of one certainly says a lot about ones character." Ron muttered.

Rose quickly gave Ron a smirk, the comment not lost on her. Cedric however seemed to have not heard Ron whatsoever.

"Do you think that we could do a duet sometime?" Cedric asked with a cheeky smile.

"A duet?" Rose replied amused. "The rules have only just been changed and your already thinking of not just singing, but to do it with someone from another house?"

"Your voice was very mesmerising." Cedric replied smoothly. "It was if you speaking to me face to face. Please make me a promise that you will at least consider singing with me."

Rose looked at him, unsure by his confidence. Quickly glancing at his friends and then at Ron to make sure this wasn't a big joke Rose nodded briefly at him.

"You can sing right?" She joked.

"I can, yes." He laughed. "Thats brilliant! I'll put my thinking cap on and think of what we could sing together. That is - if your boyfriend is okay with it?"

"My boyfriend?" Rose replied confused.

She again looked at Ron, who was also frowning in Confusion. At their reaction, Cedric nodded smugly, cheekily waving rhetorically at someone. Aghast at his cockiness Rose turned to follow his eyes, her heart plummeting when saw it was directed to Edward.

"So he isn't your boyfriend?" Cedric grinned.

Edward was staring at Cedric with a cold passionate stare.

"He is a boy and he is my friend." Rose replied carefully.

"His loss." Cedric responded confidently, subtly looking at Rose up and down. "Some people don't know what's in front of them."

Ron coughed unsubtly, his ears going a dark shade of magenta.

"Your very kind to say so." Rose replied, blushing slightly. "We should however head back to the others, we have been gone far too long. Please think about a song, I would genuinely be interested to sing with you."

Before Cedric had a chance to reply, Rose subtly grabbed hold of Ron, walking away as fast as they could. Once she knew they were safe from prying ears she turned to Ron, who's jaw was still clenched.

"Ron?" Rose asked in concern

"I'm fine." Ron replied carefully. "The boys around here are just doing my head in at the moment. You put a dress on and the room goes crazy with steroids."

"We've heard two comments Ron." Rose replied diplomatically. "And really Percy shouldn't even count as he was being a prude."

"To your face, yes. But every boy has looked at some point this evening."

"Shall I wear a bin-bag from now on?" Rose sighed awkwardly. "I show more flesh in my school uniform."

"You could be wearing the most grotesque thing created on this earth and you would still be you." Ron replied honestly. "Tonight everyone saw you, how I see you every day."

"Ron" Rose replied astounded, truly touched by his comment. "I don't know what to say."

Ron paused his stride, turning with his hands out for Rose to accept.

"I am always going to want to protect you, you know that." Ron said seriously.

"It is your duty to do so." Rose replied with a sheepish grin. "Even if I'm four months older."

Returning with his own broad smile, Ron nodded in agreement.

"Come on, let's get back to the common room" Ron muttered. "Fred and George mentioned a party and since we missed out on dessert earlier I'm starving."

The Gryffindor table was starting to empty, with most of the older students already headed upstairs. As they approached Harry and Hermione they confirmed that there was indeed a Weasley party being organised upstairs.

The conversation with Cedric was starting to play on Rose's mind, the way he had waved at Edward rankling her slightly. Looking down the table to where she was sat earlier, Rose noticed that Edward was still there his face a blank mask as he seemed to be writing something.

"Rose, you coming?" Hermione asked gently.

"Are you okay if I meet you up there?" Rose replied distantly, her eyes still directed at Edward.

"Sure." Hermione replied with a knowing smile, "See you in a bit."

Smiling her thanks, Rose slowly walked over to Edward, sitting outward so her back was leaning against the table so that she didn't need any help to sit.

"Hey." Rose announced gently looking at Edward thoughtfully.

"Hi." Edward replied quietly, pausing his writing so he could look at Rose carefully.

His eyes look tired and strained, all the youthfulness he held only an hour before drained from his face.

"Is everything okay?" Rose asked with a slight inkling of concern in her voice.

"I'm fine Rose." Edward replied bluntly. "I am just writing a letter to my sister Alice."

"That's nice of you." Rose acknowledged.

Edward looked at her again, his eyes a little more curious than before.

"Rose why are you still down here with boring old me, when you should be upstairs at your own celebration."

"I wanted to check up on you." Rose replied truthfully. "And to see why 'boring old you' isn't at my party."

"I don't think I'm in the right mood for a Fred and George party." Edward sighed honestly. "But I think you already knew that."

"I did." Rose replied with a small confident smile. "But I think you also know that I want you there."

Edward leant closer to her, his eyes now intensely reading her.

"And why do you want me there?" He asked her seductively.

"Because your a boy and my friend." Rose answered skilfully, she had a sneaking suspicion he had lipread her earlier.

Edward smirked, his eyes dancing with amusement.

"You are ridiculously clever, you know that." He sighed in admiration.

"Thank you." Rose smiled acknowledgedly. "But I'm not going to force you to attend if your not in the right mood. I just wanted to make it aberrantly clear that I want you there."

"Stay with me?" Edward smiled warmly, his face once again youthful. "I just need to finish this letter."

"Of course." Rose agreed.

She people watched as Edward continued to write at speed, the Hall vacating quickly.

"All done." He sighed satisfied.

Placing the letter in an envelope, he walked over to a slot in the wall, posting the letter down the shoot that went to the owlery.

"Thank you for letting me finish the letter. It was at much importance that I sent it tonight." Edward smiled gratefully. "Alice kept a secret from me, which under normal circumstances would bother me but on this occasion came as a wonderful surprise."

Rose didn't reply, but looked at him carefully.

"You miss her." She said cautiously.

"I do." Edward admitted. "But most of the time I am wonderfully distracted."

"I bet she misses you too Edward," Rose replied knowingly.

"Would you?" Edward asked curiously.

"Would I miss you if you were my brother?" Rose replied diplomatically. "Of course I would. I would miss our conversations terribly."

"I would miss them too." Edward answered honestly.

Rose beamed, glad to hear he enjoyed her company.

"So what would you like to do now?" Rose asked gently.

"What do you mean?" Edward asked curiously.

"Well. You don't want to go to the party and I don't want to leave you alone." Rose replied smoothly. "So what would you like to do now?"

"As long as I'm in your company, I honestly don't mind." Edward grinned seductively.

He looked so mesmerising, that Rose nearly forgot to breath.

"Come on then Wardy baby." He continued with a wicked grin. "Let's go celebrate your night of wonderfulness."

Edward leant over Rose, her whole body hit with his powerful aftershave. Offering Rose his hands to get her up, she gracefully accepted them receiving a tingling buzz up both her arms one again.

They stood staring at each other for a moment, her heart beating loudly in her chest. As they started to walk through the Entrance Hall, Rose turned to Edward, his smile still present on his face.

"I won't respond to you if you keep calling me Wardy baby" Rose chuckled. "I'm not going to let Fred and George call me it and I'm certainly not allowing you."

"Oh really?" He grinned. "But your the only one around here to call me Edward. I really should think of a nickname for you, its only fair."

"I look forward to hearing your suggestions." Rose responded with a smirk quoting Edward's words once again.

"Touché again." Edward grinned "But don't worry it won't be anything embarrassing like smoochy poo."

They both roared with laughter, Edward's mood now completely vanished.