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.

16. Traditions and Tales

Traditions and tales.

Rose knocked gently on the first year boys dormitory door. Her heart torn between finally being able to speak to Ron and stopping Edward from leaving.

Before Rose really had a chance to dwell, Ron opened the door. His surprised eyes did nothing to help Rose's unease as he silently held the door open for her.

Loud snores could be heard from the surrounding beds, allowing Rose to subtly observe that their conversation would be indeed private. Making her way over to Ron's bed, Rose nervously indicated for Ron to sit beside her.

She took a deep breath in, looking at Ron curiously before releasing the information she had longed to tell him for over a month.

Ron patiently listened, his eyebrows rising the more he heard. Eventually after explaining everything, she breathed heavily out, her eyes observing Ron in detail.

"I don't believe this." Ron responded, his mouth open in awe. "I mean, bloody hell, I'm gonna kill Fred and George for hiding this from me!"

Rose smiled bitterly, rubbing Ron's arm soothingly.

"They were bound from the same secrets we are now knowledgeable of." Rose sighed. "You can't be truly angry with them?"

"No." Ron reluctantly agreed. "But I can pretend to be."

Rose relaxed a little more into Ron's pillow. She had been conscious that unless Edward had left already, he would be able to hear them both as well as what Ron was truly thinking.

"And Edward can hear my thoughts.. right now?" Ron gulped nervously.

Rose looked over to observe Ron, a small smile tugging on her lips.

"Does that make you nervous?"

"Yes." Ron admitted. "For some of my past thoughts especially."

"I'm sure he is used to it, and would probably prefer the honesty." Rose replied knowingly.

"Does it frustrate you that he can't read yours?"

"Absolutely not." Rose replied promptly. "I would have been mortified to learn that he could hear how a felt about him. I know its an unbeknownst reason, but i'm grateful for it."

She looked at Rons face, the shock still present in his features. She understood it was a lot to take in, in one go and she was prepared for the waves of surpirse and questions that would naturally follow.

"How do you feel.. you know.. about dating a Vampire?" Ron asked quietly, his words uncertain.

"Do you think I would have kept his secret for so long if I did have a problem?" Rose replied honestly. "You also seem to have forgotten the small bit of minor information I told you when I said we weren't dating."

"Not forgotten." Ron grinned sympathetically. "I just choose not to believe the information I have been given. I've seen the way he looks at you and you him, this isn't over."

"I'll keep your optimism." Rose smiled weakly. "And prey you are correct."

"He is a good guy." Ron replied confidently. "And if he reads my mind now he can see my opinion of him stands beside you and Fred and George."

"Thank you." Rose sighed.

"What for?" Ron asked in confusion.

"For forgiving me so quickly and for being so understanding." Rose gulped. "I have been so worried that I had lost your friendship."

"Rose, it would take a lot more than a name to make me hate you." Ron sighed.

Rose gulped, a tear falling down her relived face. Looking over to her closest friend, she lunged at him and engulfing him into a suffocating hug. Ron chuckled, returning her hug with a visual sigh.

"You better go." Ron whispered knowingly. "Seamus's alarm is about to go off and I doubt you want to explain why your here."

"Not really." Rose admitted. "I'll tell Harry and Hermione later."

After another long hug, Rose quietly returned to her own dormitory, resisting the urge to dive straight into her eagerly awaiting bed, she headed straight for the shower in the hopes that it would refresh her foggy mind.

The warm heat didn't help distract Rose from her worried thoughts, her conversation with Edward replaying through her tired head. Instead of the shower refreshing her, it seemed to drain her of energy further, making getting dressed an impossible task.

The thought of breakfast seemed too overwhelming as Rose's anxiousty rose. She began to worry about bumping into the rest of the Quidditch team and their questions over the night before.

Thinking it wise to head straight down to the dungeons instead, she was grateful for the cool atmosphere and silence. As she leant against the damp dungeon wall, she wondered curiously whether the uncomfortable position would keep her awake.

It was with irony shortly later that Rose realised that sleep would be the last thing she would need to worry about, for the Slytherin's had concocted a plan.

The idea was simple though vicious and conniving in approach with the aim to get under the skin of tonights Gryffindor performers. With only one point between Flint and Rose, it was imperative that they got some of Rose's dancers in detention.

The Slytherin's preformed everything from physical attacks to trying to get house points removed, but it was the First Year Slytherin's task that was deemed the main focus. To bring Rose down.

It was during First period Potions when it became clear something was being concocted. Ushered over into a single corner, the Slytherin's whispered amongst themselves as the Gryffindor's silently worked behind separate cauldrons.

The offcuts of flesh eating slugs that were meant to be slowly boiled down to a jelly like consistency, were handed out, as Rose and the other painstakingly chopped them into quarter inch slices. As Rose reached for the final one she felt as sharp *thwack* on the back of her head.

Turning with a glare, Rose saw Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy smirk obnoxiously as they flung another slugs tail directly at her head. Refusing to give them the benefit of a reaction Rose returned to her own potion, trying her best to ignore the slugs slimy heads and tails clinging to her robes.

"Rose, watch your back!" Hermione shouted.

Rose snapped her head away from her own cauldron, jumping up from her stool just in time to see a jar smashing against the wooden seat where she had been moments before. The wood eroding quickly from the acidic mixture.

"Oops."

Turning to the owner of the voice, Rose watched Pansy Parkinson shrug innocently, before walking back to her own desk. A quick look to Hermione confirmed her own suspicions, but nothing was more damning then Snape, who had been watching the whole time with a sneer.

By Lunchtime, Rose was beyond exhausted, the thick layer of slug slim now starting to smell.

"Before I even contemplate food, I need to burn these clothes and wash my hair." Rose grumbled to the others.

"We will follow you up." Ron said carefully, nodding subtly over to the corner.

"Marietta is over there isn't she." Rose whispered knowingly.

"Yep." Ron replied stiffly. "Just keep walking like you don't know she is there."

Her spine tingling from Marietta's attention, Rose followed Ron's advice, grateful that she had her friends for protection this time round.

Dumping her schoolbag hastily on her bed, Rose once again showered, this time the hot mist rejuvenating her aches. With the afternoon free from lessons and the holiday technically started, the first years had to now wait for the other years to finish their afternoon sessions before practicing tonights performance.

Refreshed and in clean clothes, Rose met up with Ron, Hermione and Harry as they set off for some lunch. Sitting down and plating up a few sandwiches, Rose felt a slight nudge under the table, from Ron's foot. Looking up he indicated to Harry and Hermione nudging his head towards them a couple more times to really insinuate what he was trying to indicate.

Rose subtly shook her head before taking another bite out of her sandwich. There was no rush to tell them everything.

There was another, harder kick this time. Rose looked up frowning at Ron this time.

"So Rose." Ron began, his casualness unconvincing. "Have you seen Oliver today?"

"Why would Rose have seen Oliver?" Harry enquired. "She literally went straight to potions."

"Exactly Harry." Rose replied quickly.

"And everyone knows you two aren't talking." Harry continued. "Especially after what happened last night."

"What happened last night?" Hermione asked with keen interested. She looked from Harry to Rose, her eagerness clear. "Rose, what happened last night?"

"Nothing happened last night." Rose replied quickly.

"Well, I wouldn't say nothing." Harry replied abashed. "Oliver full on shouted at Rose in front of the whole team."

"And then he full on snogged her." Ron added casually looking from Harry to Hermione.

"No he didn't do that" Harry replied seriously. "He full on shout…. Hang on did you say snogged?"

Harry looked from Ron to Rose like he was observing a ping pong match.

"Thanks Ronald." Rose muttered unenthusiastically, kicking him hard this time under the table.

"Just trying to help!" Ron answered innocently.

"Don't you think that this could have waited until tonights performance was over? There is a lot of information to talk about."

"Oh right. Sorry." Ron replied guiltily.

Rose sighed, turning to Hermione and Harry who were both looking at her with intrigue.

"So, Oliver kissed you?" Hermione asked, insinuating with her hands for Rose to continue.

"Yes, he kissed me." Rose nodded, looking down at the floor.

"I thought you would have wanted him to kiss you?" Hermione frowned in confusion. "Why isn't this good news?"

"Because it doesn't mean anything." Rose muttered sadly. "He doesn't want us to be together."

Rose looked briefly around, grateful that they couldn't be overheard. The lack of sleep and adrenaline over what had happened the previous night had finally caught up with her and alongside the reality of the situation she now found herself in, she didn't want to make a stupid mistake.

"He doesn't want us to be together because…..because Edward is a Vampire." Rose paused to gauge their reactions. Like Ron, Harry looked surprised and Hermione curious.

"You okay Harry?" Rose murmured.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Harry nodded innocently. "I just didn't realise I would ever meet a 'real' Vampire."

"Right" Rose nodded back seriously. "I guess it is bizarre isn't it? Hermione, how about you? Any questions so far?"

"The books?" Hermione responded in thought. "You worked it out didn't you? That's why he has been avoiding you."

"Yes." Rose agreed. "He was very angry and frightened that I had worked out what he was."

"And how do you feel about him being a Vampire Rose?" Hermione asked, leaning over to stroke her arm.

"I frankly don't care." Rose answered honestly. "I think we all know how I feel about him and I fell for him a long time before knowing all this. The strange thing is, when I realised what he was, I didn't freak out, I just wanted to tell him that I knew, that I knew and it was okay."

"Then why doesn't he see it that way?" Harry pondered.

"Because it's Edward." Rose weakly smiled. "He is the biggest worry wort out there. I'm not foolish, I know he has the potential to be dangerous but so are we… Witches and Wizards have killed more Muggles and each other over the years, and all because we couldn't keep our wands in our pockets."

Rose paused again, drinking in her friends facial expressions.

"But there is more. The way I told him that I knew he he was a Vampire - It wasn't the most sympathetic approach.

I needed to clarify something else about Edward too. There has been a reason why Ron has also been angry with me for the past month. I got Ron to mentally say Edward's adoptive Father's name to see if it provoked a reaction from Edward - which it did. For reasons unknown to all of us, Edward can read everyone's mind apart from mine and through Ron he knew that I had figured it all out."

"I was angry because I didn't know who the bloody hell Carlisle Cullen was and Rose was adamant not to explain." Ron chipped in.

"And because of all this it was only yesterday that I got to tell Edward how I really felt about him." Rose sighed.

"I have so many questions." Hermione gulped "I honestly don't know where to start.. So Edward-Oliver is a mind reading Vampire who can read everyone's thoughts apart from yours."

"Yes." Rose nodded.

"So he knows that we didn't know about him…. But what about now?"

"Last night when he explained why we couldn't be together, he told me to tell you all. He thinks that you will talk some sense into me and tell me that he is dangerous."

"But I don't think he is dangerous" Harry replied honestly. "I think you would be good for one another."

"That's what I said" Ron continued, his ears going slightly red.

"What about the fact that he wouldn't age Rose?" Hermione asked. "You would have to become a vampire to stay with him."

"No." Rose managed to reply, the bafflement clear in her voice. "I'm not even with him and even if I was... that would be a bold thing to even consider."

"But would you consider it?" Ron asked humbly.

"No." Rose replied honestly. "I've seen how his new life has tormented him, and I can see why. I couldn't watch my family and friends die around me, even if it meant spending eternity with my soulmate."

The last word was said nervously, her lip curling as her thoughts sidetracked to another thought of the night before.

"He suggested that I let my hair down and hang around with other boys this Christmas." Rose muttered awkwardly. "So I guess he doesn't really take my feelings seriously."

"You know I read in a book somewhere that Vampires mate for life, like parrots and seahorses." Hermione stated matter of factly.

"Hermione how is that relevant seriously?" Ron muttered bitterly. "The guy has told Rose to move on."

"Because I think Rose shouldn't give up just yet. Sometimes things are worth waiting for."

Rose weakly nodded, lying her head on the table.

"Thanks guys." She replied guiltily. "He has gone home for Christmas, so your thoughts are safe for now at least.

The knowledge about Alice could wait for another time. A lot had been shared in a short space of time and Rose knew they all needed time to digest the information that had already been given. The same wave of emotions that had happened in the shower that morning overcame her again, her heavy tired head quickly sinking in an unconscious state.

Instantly she was back under the tree from last night, the rain tapping against the branches above them, the taste of Edward as he kissed her slowly, his tongue stroking the roof her mouth as his sweet breath caught as he groaned…

"Rose?! ROSE!"

The voice was shrill, almost hysterical.

"Mmmmm?" Rose replied groggily, not wanting to open her eyes.

"Rose its the costumes… they are barbaric! Its already three thirty and we need to head to Professor McGonagall's classroom. We don't have long to practice AND we need to get our costumes sorted! NOW!"

"Kay." Rose agreed sleepily, opening one eye and finding Angelina staring back at her. "I'm coming."

Ron stroked her back sympathetically.

"We will be supporting you from here okay?" He announced seriously. "All you will need to do is look out to the crowd and you'll see us."

"Not with the amount of lights that Lee has put in place Ron." Angelina barked. "But the thought is a nice concept and gratefully appreciated I'm sure, now lets go!"

Harry and Rose reluctantly rose, all to aware of Angelina's mood swings. Grateful for Harry's company (Angelina was less likely to pry on the evening before with him around.) They walked at a quick pace in silence through the entrance hall and up the flight of stairs. Though the silence started as a relief whilst Rose adjusted to being awake, the mood edged towards awkwardness as Angelina continued at a near sprint, without uttering a word.

"Is everything okay Angelina?" Rose enquired nervously.

"Me? I'm fine." She replied bluntly. "Glad that i'm not the one singing tonight, if I can be perfectly frank."

"Its a good job I like singing then" Rose replied jokingly.

"Exactly." Angelina clipped." Now. We need to talk about the costumes. The dress makers have either gone completely mad or have been paid by another house to make us all look like fools, either way a lot of people are talking about walking out if it isn't fixed."

Rose briefly looked at Harry, nervous to see if it was just her who was seeing Angelina as bossy.

"They can't be that bad, Parvati was brilliant with our first set of outfits." Rose delicately replied, she had after all heard from Alicia that Angelina could be like this.

"Parvati hasn't been able to get a word in edgeways." Angelina hissed. "You know what, I'll wait. You'll soon see how much this is an absolute disaster."

Frowning at Angelina's retort, Rose knocked on the door to Professor McGonagall's classroom.

They entered the room, the classroom already cleared to make room for a temporary stage. Noticing Parvati over to the right talking to Professor McGonagall, Rose and Angelina made their way over waving to fellow students in passing.

"Hey." Rose smiled broadly to Parvati. "You summoned us?"

"Yes." Parvati agreed. "Me and Violet both wanted you all to get changed into your costumes now as some of them have floaty bits that you might need to get used to whilst dancing."

"Oh, sure!" Rose replied diplomatically.

"You hear that Rose, FLOATY BITS!" Angelina replied over eagerly.

"Yes, I heard." Rose replied, her sarcasm clear.

Giving Angelina a warning glance, Rose turned to observe some of the dancers, who were now wearing white satin floaty gowns with intricate ribbons and tassels.

"Very… futuristic." Rose commented, looking at Fred's which seemed to have wings.

"We wanted everyone to have a different costume that would float and fall as you moved and danced." Violet announced smugly.

"I think it will work really well." McGonagall nodded politely.

"Yes me too." Angelina agreed.

Rose turned her head sharply to silently scold Angelina - What an absolute suck up. With an all too innocent shrug Angelina continued;

"Where is my costume Violet?"

"Right here." Violet answered holding out a small neat pile of clothes.

Angelina retrieved the pile and unfolded the first item. Holding it out and then turning it around for Rose to see, it was a white full length satin robe with buckskins that covered her chest and arms. It was then fully laced at the front all the way down to a thigh split.

"Oh wow!" Angelina replied in hoax happiness, purposely looking at Rose and then violet.

Rose could tell that it wasn't only Angelina that was underwhelmed by the costumes. As much as her reactions were irritating at least they were subtle compared to others. Only Fred and George seemed confident in their costumes, gallivanting around the room making floaty bits move violently.

"And this one is yours Rose." Violet smiled confidently, handing her a much smaller costume.

Ready to embrace her own whacky costume and take one for the team, Rose briefly smiled and excepted the pile from Violet.

The first item was a black laced, satin dressing gown. It had a wrap over front with a sewn-in tie belt at the waist. The hems had the same lace trim as did the three quarter length sleeves. A little surprised to see such a skimpy item compared to everyone else costume, Rose presumed that this was the over piece to a dress or trouser suit. Underneath was simply a black bra and briefs.

"We wanted this project to be about self confidence and loving your own body." Violet stated boldly. "And we thought you were the perfect advocate for that. If your singing about it, you might as well flaunt your assets too."

Rose looked at her costume, slight panic rising in her chest. The thin material light in her hands.

"Rose?" Parvati squeaked. "Don't you like it Rose?"

Rose looked at Parvati unable to remove the stunned look from her face. Even Angelina wasn't expecting her costume to be so 'out there'.

"Just so I can understand the situation a little more." Rose began calmly. "You want me to walk out on stage tonight in MY UNDERWEAR?" She said in alarm, causing the whole room to instantly go silent.

"I thought it was a good metaphor." Violet spoke out hurt.

"Would you be comfortable walking out in front of the entire school in this?"

"I don't have your figure." Violet retaliated.

"Regardless of my body shape, I don't particular want my teachers to see me in my bra and pants?!" Rose cried out astounded. "Please tell me you have a plan B here?"

Angelina looked like Christmas had come early, making a forced attempt to keep her feelings internal. Violet looked flabbergasted and insulted, her bottom lip instantly protruding. Parvati however didn't look shocked by Rose's reaction, she was staring at Violet in a 'I told you so' manor.

"No we don't. But I do have these for you." Violet snapped, handing Rose a pair of black velvet sling back heels.

Rose looked at the shoes, automatically accepting them without saying a word. Her face must have shown how mortified she was however as her Grandmother stepped in instantly.

"Rose a word in private. Now." McGonagall muttered curtly, her expression stone faced but calm.

Gulping, Rose followed her Grandmother over to the corner of the room, where their conversation wouldn't be overheard. Her heart and stomach doing panicked summersaults.

"Rose breath in deeply please." She said calmly. "And again."

Doing as her Grandmother said she continued her breathing until it became steady.

"Right. I need you to listen to me and stay calm." McGonagall began. "The costumes have been made now, and we don't have time to change them and get your group practices in. Which is more important?"

Rose paused, carefully thinking through her options. They needed to practice, especially as she had missed out on the previous evenings session.

"We need to get as many practice sessions in as we can." Rose sighed, breathing heavily to try and keep calm. "What time is the run-through with Flitwick and the other houses?"

"Professor Snape has already asked that, that be cancelled tonight as Mr Flints costume fitting hasn't gone to plan. So you have up until six fifteen."

Rose glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already four thirty.

"What should I do Grandma." Rose urged. "This is humiliating. I am going to look like a street corner hooker in these heels."

Dangling the stilettos in front of her to demonstrate how bad they were, McGonagall looked at Rose with gentle eyes, subtly stoking her arm as a sign of reassurance.

"This whole competition is created to test the competitors strength. You have already created history by getting to this point and now all eyes are on you no matter what you do. There will be some people out there tonight who are waiting for you to slip up or humiliate yourself. As your Grandmother but more importantly your Head of House I am here to say that your costume tonight will only become an issue if you let it become one. Hold your head up high and everyone will see a confident, beautiful young lady who doesn't give a damn that she is only wearing her undergarments."

Rose swallowed bitterly, nodding at the floor, her mind digesting the sensible words. McGonagall subtly tapped her arm again, prompting Rose to look up at her again.

"Go put your costume on. The longer you are in it, the less of a shock it will be."

Numb, Rose moved to behind a make shift changing screen. Removing her clothes and putting on the plain lingerie, she instantly felt all of her dignity leaving her.

As she stood there looking at her own reflection in the mirror, she tried to image what the whole school was going to think in a very short amount of time. Glad that at least she wasn't going to humiliate herself in front of Edward, she sighed heavily, tying her hair into a high ponytail.

*Right.* She thought to herself. *If I'm going to do this, I'm going to at least be comfortable.*

Throwing the sling back heels and itchy robe in the corner, Rose sighed again as she looked at her simple costume in the mirror.

"Everything okay in there?" Violet called out nervously. "You've been in there an awfully long time."

"Give her a little more time." Parvati hissed loudly. "Its been a bit of a shock."

"One moment."

Rose replied quickly looking once again in the mirror. She finally turned her gaze away with a sad deflated breath. Closing her eyes for a moment, she breathed a deep breath in, arched her shoulders up and made herself tall. She opened her eyes as she walked bare foot out into the room which instantly went quiet as she made her way into the mingling crowd.

"Rose you are only wearing half of your outfit!?" Violet shouted from behind her. "What about my vision?"

"Rose!?" George stuttered in shock.

"I'm sorry Violet." Rose replied confidently, ignoring George's outburst. "I think the simplicity of just the plain black underwear without the frills and lace works better with the song. Just like the lyrics: 'Don't hide yourself in regret, Just love yourself and you're set.' This is me and I'm not ashamed to hide it."

Rose looked at McGonagall as she said the final bit, her Grandmother beaming in response.

"Then I will follow suit." Angelina responded moving forward to stand next to Rose. "I don't want to speak on behalf of everyone as some might not agree with me, but I feel like if your not out there in your underwear alone it becomes less shocking."

"Angelina!" Rose whispered to her. "I'm not asking.."

"I know." She smiled kindly. "But you are my teammate and I will do this to support you." ("Its also way better than these awful outfits!") She whispered smugly.

"Me too." Alicia smiled.

"And me." Katie agreed. "Quidditch team reunion!"

"What about us boys?" Fred asked cheekily. "You don't have any spare bras do you?"

"But you were given white boxers right?" Parvati asked wearily.

"Yes?" Fred replied.

"You are all wearing plain white underwear so that it wouldn't show up under the lighting." Parvati explained. "If you all were to undress you would all be in unison apart from Rose who would be in black."

"This could work!" Angelina agreed. "Parvati is there anything we could do make up wise to help blend us in even more?"

"Well…" Parvati paused. "Who has the costume with the Venetian lace mask?"

"That would be me." Lucy, the sixth year answered near the back.

"Professor, would you be able to duplicate this?"

"Its a simple doubling charm yes." McGonagall answered. "Miss Podmoore? Your mask please."

Lucy handed the mask over gingerly.

"Erm Professor." She whispered awkwardly.

"Miss Podmoore, no one will judge you if you don't want to do this." McGonagall answered bluntly.

"Lucy, I honestly would understand." Rose softly smiled. "And that applies to anyone else who doesn't feel comfortable continuing. I completely understand how vulnerable it feels." Gesturing to her entire body as she spoke.

Lucy chewed her lip, really considering her options.

"Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied, or teased" Lucy spoke out, quoting some of the song.

"Rejoice and love yourself today." Katie answered for her, reaching out and holding her hand. "We are all stronger together Lucy."

Lucy nodded.

"Ok, I'll do it." Lucy gulped.

McGonagall took the mask and flicked her wand, recreating twenty two identical laced, white masks. She then created one more turning it black with a simple tap.

"Right everyone, as strange as this sounds… undress!" Angelina laughed, undoing her own laced front as she spoke.

Within a minute every single Gryffindor was in their underwear and wearing a mask and all the girls proceeded to tie their hair in high ponytails to replica Rose's hair. Though they were all different sizes, heights and skin colours they had all come together as one.

It was Lee Jordan's reaction that cemented their confidence. Unbeknownst to the commotions of the costume designs as he had been in the Great Hall sorting out the lights, he walked in and double took in shock.

"Woooah." He said in awe. "I was not expecting this! It's actually quite hard to tell who is who!"

"Shall we go through a run-through of the dance routine?" McGonagall asked bemused.

"Sure." Rose agreed, moving into the middle of the group.

It was a strange thing to admit, but as soon as she wasn't the only one isolated in her underwear her confidence skyrocketed. She even on a really strange note felt that these were the best costumes Parvati and Violet could have come up with, the simplicity of them now let the words of the song own them.

"Its nearly time." McGonagall murmured. "Is everyone ready?"

Though there was a slight nervous buzz in the air, everyone looked surprisingly confident.

"Can I make one suggestion to the outfit?" Violet asked sulkily.

"You may." Rose responded nervously.

"I think you need the cherry red lipstick that you have worn every other time you have preformed."

"Oh!" Rose replied surprised.

"Oh yes, most defiantly." Parvati agreed.

"Can we have it too?" Katie asked.

With the quick make over complete, the Gryffindor's all looked like supermodels ready to walk the catwalk. They all left McGonagall's classroom barefooted, draped in their school robes to hide the unsuspected costumes underneath and to keep them warm. Rose who had changed earlier in the day, borrowed Lee's robe, which she was very grateful for.

The Entrance Hall was buzzing with excited students as the Gryffindor's entered in unison. Even some of the Hogwarts ghosts had come to show support and could be seen glowing in the darkness of the Great Hall, where all the students were ready and waiting for tonight show to start. Rose caught sight of Marietta, wearing a neat silk over the shoulder silver gown laughing with her peers. She was staring right at Rose and the other Gryffindor's sniggering at their robes and masks.

"Is that all you Gryffindor's could afford, a thin laced mask?" Marietta scoffed. "You aren't even wearing any shoes."

"Oh you haven't seen anything yet." Angelina smirked as she passed, wishing that she could somehow record Marietta's face when she saw Rose standing there in her underwear.

Approaching Professor Flitwick the same time as Flint and Cedric, Rose waited whilst Flint retrieved his performance number from the velvet bag.

"Ward." Cedric smiled bashfully.

"Diggory." Rose nodded seriously back. "Can I ask why the change to last names all of a sudden?"

"Well." Diggory answered thoughtfully. "We are competitors remember." He winked.

"Oh I see." Rose nodded in mock understanding. "Very wise indeed."

Leaning closer to Cedric, Rose whispered playfully;

"And your worried saying my first name will do what exactly?"

Cedric visibly gulped before grinning broadly;

"Good point" Cedric chuckled. "Speaking to you is dangerous enough."

Rose waited for Cedric to retrieve his number, her spine warning her of Marietta's attention. Her eyes staring at her cautiously from the side, Rose hadn't noticed Cedric return to her other side.

"Nice pinkies by the way." Cedric smirked.

Rose followed his eyes down to her bare feet.

"Ah. Wardrobe has made it an interesting evening so far." Rose admitted with a slight blush. "I'm just glad I painted my toenails."

"Now I am intrigued." Cedric queried.

Reshuffling Lee's cloak to make it even tighter around her waste, Rose bitterly smiled, unsure on how to respond.

"And Miss Ward." Flitwick squeaked enthusiastically. "Mr Flint has already drawn going first today, so at least you don't have to do that twice in a row!"

"What did Cedric just draw?"

"Third position." Flitwick responded.

"Alright." Rose nodded whilst gently fondling around the velvet bag and pulling out a large number four.

"That settles that then." Rose replied to Professor Flitwick before returning to the Gryffindor's to tell them the news.

"I'm curious to see what was so wrong with Marcus Flints costume that they had to cancel the run through." George whispered to Fred and Rose.

They were now all huddled together at the back of the Great Hall waiting for Flint to start his performance.

"Didn't you see him earlier?" Rose asked confused.

"No, why was it horrendous? Baring in mind that I'm currently wearing boxer shorts and a cloak for modesty sake." Fred replied with a broad grin.

"Well…" Rose paused trying to be diplomatic. "Snakeskin faux leather is certainly brave on a guy that size."

"Let hope he doesn't bend over." George laughed.

"He is probably going to say exactly the same thing about you." Fred muttered jokingly.

"How dare you." George retaliated in mock upset. "My buttocks are a sight to behold."

"I know they are." Fred agreed comfortingly. "After all, mine match perfectly."

Rose smirked at their banter, amused by the image of Flint wincing at the sight of George's derriere. She was quickly brought back to reality by Fred's catcall.

"Oh here he comes." George jeered, wolf whistling as Flint appeared on the stage.

"George!" Rose scorned, slapping his arm. "Don't do things like that when we are about to look ten times more shocking!"

"Couldn't resist" He grinned cheekily.

"I can't watch anymore of it, my eyes are burning." Fred muttered in disgust.

Moving closer to Rose he leaned in;

"How did last night go?" Fred asked casually. "We haven't seen Oliver since the Quidditch fiasco."

"Oh!" Rose gulped, pulling her eyes away from the performance to look at Fred's shadowy face.

She couldn't quite explain her apprehension in telling the twins the whole truth. She presumed it stemmed from them being family but also Edwards closest friends. But in the end she decided it was really his decision to tell them. After an elongated pause Fred had obviously become more anxious.

"He did apologise?" Fred asked in a serious whisper.

"Yes." Rose nodded defensively. "For everything."

"Good." George muttered stiffly. "But why has he gone back into hiding then Fred?"

"I don't know." Fred frowned in confusion.

"He did mention possibly heading home early for Christmas." Rose explained. "I guess if nobody has seen him since yesterday that explains his absence."

"But he hasn't packed." George muttered. "Or said good-bye. Even in his most vile moods he wouldn't just literally disappear."

"If he wasn't nearly invincible I could be convinced you murdered him." Fred joked. "Is there anything that you are not sharing with us?"

"Nothing relevant." Rose gulped. "We have parted as friends."

"As friends?" George replied confused. "Oh."

"What?"

It was now Rose who was confused.

"Oh nothing." George quickly responded, giving Fred a confused glance.

"We just thought that there would be more to mention about last night."

Rose look at both twins and then faced the front again a little blushed by the interrogation.

It was now Marietta's performance (a very breathless monotone version of "Hit me baby on more time".) Throughout the underwhelming performance Rose could see the glances that the twins were sending each other. As Cedric entered the stage Rose had had enough.

"Stop it!" She hissed grumpily. "You two are driving me insane.

If you are wanting to have a conversation about Edward and his mysterious ways, i'll move out of your way and you can both have a private conversation."

"We weren't.." George started to defend.

"Yes you were." Rose replied flatly. "So either switch places with me so that you can chat to Fred without distracting me or turn to the front and watch Diggory do his thing."

Mouth bopping like a goldfish for a few seconds they both nodded individually before facing the front once more. Rose sighed, sinking into the bench. She needed to get into the zone otherwise her own performance might fall apart. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the dance moves that she was about to administer. As the music started and Cedric began to sing 'I'm loving Angels instead.' The Hufflepuff's at the house table started to arm wave along to the tune. A wonderfully calm song, it along with Cedric's beautiful soft husky voice helped calm Rose's nerves. There was a short sharp tap on Rose's shoulder, as she turned she saw Flitwick beckon with his hand before leaving promptly through the large oak door. Ushering the others to leave, they all stood and left the Great Hall and followed the Professor silently.

"When are we removing the cloaks?" Angelina whispered to Rose as they walked.

"I haven't thought that far ahead, what does everyone else think?" Rose replied "Its pretty nippy now that we aren't in the classroom with its fire."

"I say leave it to the last minute." Fred butted in, "My nipples will stick out otherwise."

"Oh Lord save us." Rose half joked as they stopped abruptly in the side room by the stage door. "Ok. We will walk onto the stage in our cloaks and then once I have spoken the introduction we will whip them all off and throw them to either the right or left hand side of the stage, depending on which side is closest to you. How does that sound?"

"It will have to be a fast whip and throw but manageable."

"I can collect them from the stage subtlety for you" Professor Flitwick nodded as he listened to the last minute change.

"Thank you Professor, I was worried we might trip over them." Katie added.

"Not a problem." Flitwick smiled. "Get ready Gryffindor's, you have moments until you are going to be called."

Rose looked at the others, a returning buzz of butterflies filling her stomach. In silence they got into their first positions and gracefully walked onto the stage at the announcement Flitwick made.

The bright lights Lee had set up and angled at them blinded the view of the crowd more than usual. It was if a warm fog had risen from the floor hiding them from sight. Rose was in the middle of the group, boxed in conspicuously. The light suddenly drastically switched so that the room become dark but the strong light remained, highlighting the dancers.

"It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital "H-I-M" (M, M, M)

Just put your paws up 'Cause you were born this way, baby"

With a quick flick of her robe it was removed and cast over to the right hand side. In unison everyone crouched down on the floor and Rose walked forward alone.

Though silent, you could sense the slight shock in the air of seeing them all baring all. It was a strange surreal feeling, fully aware that your peers and Professors could see you in such a vulnerable way, but Rose was no longer anxious. The complicated moves that they were were producing worked with their simplistic costumes and bare feet. The attention become on how their bodies created shapes and lines instead of who they were individually. They all flowed organically in sync with one another, the performance immaculately preformed in a professional manor.

The lighting buzzed excitedly, flashing in rhythm to the music and spotlighting the dancers at random. Rose made a mental note to herself that she needed to compliment Lee on what he had done.

"Same D.N.A.

But born this way"

Rose held her arms either side of her torso indicating inward with her hands to emphasise what the lyrics were saying. She slowly turned around and walked into the middle of the group just like at the start.

"Same D.N.A.

But born this way"

The light slowly lowered away from them as they dispersed out towards the crowd. Within seconds the Gryffindor's were in complete darkness, the absence of light making Rose feel instantly exposed again, goosebumps covering her entire body.

The crowd roared in support and celebration, as the dancers turned to exit the stage. Following the others into the warm light of the side room, Rose's head jerked to the direction of Angelina's shriek.

"OH Oliver!"

A vibrant blush flooding her dark cheeks and neck as she grabbed the nearest cloak to conceal her exposed skin. The action was completely unnecessary as Edward's eyes didn't falter from Rose. Wearing a warm, proud smile, he was holding up his own school cloak ready to wrap Rose in the protective layer she needed.

After the initial shock of seeing him, Rose cautiously approached him, all too aware of the lack of clothing she was exposing. As Rose approached him with a confused smile, he leant forward and carefully covered her shoulders with the cloak. She breathed in inwardly, her eyes closing in satisfaction. She was home.

When she finally opened her eyes, she was relieved to see Edward still smiling, his gentle eyes looking at her affectionately.

"You're still here." Rose whispered, the relief obvious.

"I couldn't leave and not see you preform." He replied proudly. "I would have instantly regretted it."

Moving closer to her still, he delicately removed her black mask, a crooked smile appearing as he saw her face.

"Though I have to admit even I was surprised by tonights performance."

"Weren't we all." Rose muttered, her blush now matching Angelina's.

Edward chuckled softly, before turning to the twins. The other twenty two dancers were looking at them both curiously, as they unsubtly gauged their interaction. Though Harry acted unsurprised by their closeness it was Fred and George's suspicious eyes that made Edward take a step back. They weren't alone, Angelina who was more composed now she was covered, was looking at them both with a worried glare - connecting dots that weren't worth her connecting.

Edward looked smug as he looked from Fred, to George to back to Rose.

"They both seem annoyed that you said nothing relative happened." Edward explained.

Rose returned a quizzical look whilst shrugging innocently.

"Well in my defence what was I meant to say?" Rose muttered.

"The truth?" Edward replied warmly.

"Well." Rose paused. "I didn't know if you wanted me to bring it up or not."

Edward frowned, his concern and disapproval clear. He opened his mouth to reply to Rose when Fred and George marched over to his side.

"Oh hi Oliver." George announced, the sarcasm heavily laced in his voice.

"George." Edward nodded. "Fred."

"Nice of you to show up." Fred replied, his tone just as sarcastic. "We missed you today."

"Likewise. Though I like that you appreciate my support." Edward replied cooly.

"Yes, its always nice to know your bestie is there to have your back."

"Or have a cloak to cover your back...oh wait." Fred continued.

"I have been your roommate long enough to know you have no problem walking around in just your undergarments." Edward replied smugly. "Nice boxer shorts by the way."

"I knew you were always envious of our physique!" Fred replied in feigned seriousness.

"Its true." Edward agreed."How could I not be?"

"We get it." George nodded with sympathetic understanding. "But look on the bright side, with hard work and determination you too can look like us."

Rose laughed out loud, but she was the only girl to do so. Every other female was now standing awkwardly with their arms folded challengingly. It would seem that they hadn't picked up on the twins humour at all.

Edwards lips curled in the corner of his mouth as his mind filled with everyone else's thoughts, giving Rose a brief look of longing, he sighed externally.

"Well on that note, I think I should leave, I am after all not meant to be here.I'll meet up with you all after the votes." Edward sighed. "Good luck everyone."

Rose went to open her mouth to protest, but Edward subtly shook his head. His eyes indicating that everything was okay, he gave her a small nod before leaving the room.

Feeling the frown still visible on her face as her eyes stayed fixated on the door that Edward had recently left from, Rose became all too aware of the quietness of the room. Pulling her eyes away from the door, she realised that everyone was staring at her once again.

"What?" She spoke out defensively.

"Nothing." Fred replied innocently, but there was a snigger clearly evident on his face.

"Then wipe that smirk off your face Fred." Rose muttered, her blush returning.

"Sure." He shrugged, his grin broadening. "I do have one qu-"

Luckily Fred's interrogation was cut short by the door reopening as the other contestants squeezed into the small space. Quickly moving out of the centre of the room and behind the rest of the Gryffindor's to make room for the others, she observed Marietta scout the room angrily for her. Rose leant against the brick wall nervously, watching as more people filled the space. Slightly relived to see that it was Cedric who was one of the last to enter, she noticed his bright eager eyes scan the Gryffindor bubble, grinning when he made eye contact with her. Pushing his way through the crowd to stand next to Rose, he said breathlessly;

"Well thats a performance none of us are going to forget in a while."

His breathing still heavy, his eyes made their way slowly down to Rose's chest, his gaze lingering there for far too long. Following his gaze, Rose's heart sunk as she realised her cleavage had accidentally become exposed. Raising her eyebrows, she shifted Edward's cloak subtly so that it was held tighter around her torso.

"My eyes are up here Cedric." Rose prompted, her voice curt.

Managing to produce a small forced smile, Cedric laughed awkwardly as he shrugged off his move.

"What can I say." He smirked. "I liked what I saw?"

Rose scowled, her eyes now sending a warning.

"Did you listen to any of the song?" Rose muttered.

"Are you kidding?" Cedric chuckled. "I think me and the rest of the school were a bit distracted."

Rose was starting to become more and more awkward by Cedric's conversation. Realising by the way he was standing that he was blocking Rose from the rest of the room, Rose subtly moved to stand more openly into the room, the action regrettable instantly.

Several pairs of eyes sort Rose out as she accidentally made eye contact. Though unsubtle with their insinuations, nothing was as uncomfortable as Marcus Flint's gaze which was enough to make her vomit. Flint was slowly moving his tongue over his crooked teeth, his perverse grin looking threatening as his malicious eyes stared directly at her chest. Rose's nose instantly wrinkled, he was continuing to look at her like she was a piece of meat.

Her eyes snapped away as her stomach plummeted. Cedric too was looking at her curiously.

"Told you." He said smugly.

"That doesn't mean its right." Rose tutted. "Especially as I never asked for such attention."

"I think you did." Cedric defended. "You did decide to take your clothes off."

"Would you excuse me." Rose replied bitterly. "I'm going to join my peers, remember them? The ones that also aren't wearing clothes."

Not waiting for a response Rose walked away, beelining towards the twins. In the safety of a Weasley twin sandwich, Rose turned to Fred and whispered in his ear.

"Is Flint still looking over here?"

"I thought you were angry with us." Fred chuckled. Turning to look at Rose's face, his own response quickly changed to concern. "Rose?"

"I"m feeling very vulnerable right now." Rose explained. "I feel like everyone is watching me."

"Thats because everyone basically is." George replied.

"Flint especially looks like he has been hypnotised." Fred continued.

"What a mess." Rose sighed bitterly.

The twins moved automatically closer to her, as George put his arm around Rose defensively.

"I was expecting mockery." Rose continued, her tone disappointed. "But what I'm seeing so far is making me so uncomfortable, even Cedric just made my skin crawl."

"I wonder if the other girls feel the same?" Fred replied as he sighed in disappointment. "I have to say, I am disappointed. Why do they act so openly with their emotions. Its so disrespectful."

"I guess it shows that you have been brought up alongside women." Rose whispered.

"No. We were just brought up to treat everyone with respect and to acknowledge the others feelings." Fred smiled bitterly.

"Even if on the odd occasion we choose to ignore it, especially in regards to Percy." George winked.

Rose laughed darkly as she turned to observe the other Gryffindor dancers.

"Let me just gather the others up." George replied carefully. "I would hate to think they feel the same way."

George let go of Rose carefully as he went to search for the others. Luckily they were all a short distance away and before too long they were all huddled together.

"You guys okay?" Fred asked seriously.

"Yes fine." Angelina giggled as she clocked a wink from a fifth year Ravenclaw. "I wasn't expecting this sort of reaction!"

"Yes Rose was just saying the same thing." Fred responded with a bitter tone, his lip curling as Angelina giggled once again.

At long last Flitwick entered the room, pushing his way through the crowd to the centre of the room, he shouted for silence.

"The votes are in!" He announced proudly. "But regretfully there are too many of you to fit on the stage all at once so I will have to ask for just the four finalists only please."

Rose's stomach sank slightly as she thought of who she would rather be stood in close proximity to on the stage. The choices weren't great.

Knowing she didn't want to stand next to a jealous psychopath or a creepy pervert, she was left with Cedric, her own disappointment visually clear.

The twins didn't need to physically speak for Rose to understand what they were silently communicating. With a glum small smile, she gripped their hands before walking towards the stage alongside the others.

The slow walk out onto the stage was more nerve racking then the performance itself, the power of light now illuminating the eagerly anticipating crowd. Quickly finding her friends near the front of the stage, Rose smiled wearily at them.

"Keep the faith." Ron mouthed.

Subtly nodding Rose moved her attention to the rest of the Gryffindor table. Like a beacon in the storm, Rose quickly found Edward, her eyes looking at him longingly. She knew he knew what had happened, the only indication that he wasn't as cool as he looked were his hands that were in tight fists on the table.

"Good luck Rose." Cedric whispered quietly, his eyes still looking out at the crowd.

Turning her attention away from Edward briefly, Rose looked disapprovingly at Cedric.

"Thank you." Rose replied curtly. "You too."

As her eyes landed back on Edward, Rose remembered Edwards words from the night before;

"You will see that there are so many boys interested in you, who are desperate for you to know them."

The trigger made her eyes widen as she instantly realised what tonight had showcased. She looked back at Cedric who was now beaming at her and back to Edward who was looking at her curiously. With her shocked eyes fixated on Edward alone, she managed to mutter softly;

"You were implying Cedric?" The disgust clear.

Edward coughed a snort before returning his gaze back to Rose. A twinkle in his eye now clearly present, the smirk on his face said it all - That answer was music to his ears.

"Okay everybody, so sorry for the delay!" Flitwick shouted, running quickly onto the stage. "There was some slight disagreement about tonights positions."

Opening the envelope with a shaky hand, Flitwick turned to the crowd.

"In fourth place and our first elimination of the year is sadly - Mr Cedric Diggory."

There was an intake of breath from the room including Rose who was genuinely shocked, his performance after all had been flawless. Turning to him to show her surprise, he shrugged lightly and shook his head to show that he wasn't upset.

"In third place tonight and safe for now - Miss Marietta Edgecombe."

Marietta again showcased her dismay, aghast to how she had come so low down in the competition. Physically stamping her foot and hugging herself, she pouted as she cast a dirty glance at both Marcus and Rose.

"Oh dear!" Flitwick remarked slightly bemused. "Now, now Miss Edgecombe, a little bit of dignity please! In second place tonight and I have to say there was a lot of arguments between the judging panel over this decision - Rose Ward"

The disappointment clear as her shoulders dropped slightly, Rose didn't know where to look, her heart yearning for her to stay connected to Edward. His warm eyes and smile alone allowed Rose to have the strength to stand back tall and smile. Edward giving her the confidence she had lost back in the green room.

She wasn't alone in her disappointment as the whole of Gryffindor house roared in anger, the shock and hurt evident on a lot of faces. The other houses too were shaking their heads in disappointment, no one quite comprehending how Flint had won.

"Which of course means that Mr Marcus Flint is in first place." Flitwick said quickly and with some disbelief. "Moving forward, you all have until January 24th to produce your dance for a place in the final, one is a showcase dance so therefore must be spectacular in every sense of the word, the other is a solo act meaning you are to be by yourself on stage."

Rose forced her eyes away from Edward's trance to nod her understanding to Flitwick. Giving a small, formal smile to Cedric she turned to leave the stage. As she passed Flint, he blocked her path, glaring creepily at her. Without uttering a sound, Rose stepped around him ignoring the fact that he was licking his lips. Her facial expressions alone indicating her disgust, she quickly made it to the door. Promptly shutting the door behind her she physically shuddered.

"Oliver said you would need us." Hermione whispered calmly.

Rose spun around to see her three friends waiting for her. Walking quickly over to them all she was instantly engulfed in a communal hug.

"You okay?" Ron whispered seriously.

"I'll be fine." Rose nodded bitterly. "I think I just need sleep."

"You were so brave out there tonight." Hermione gushed, rubbing Rose's arm. "The whole performance was truly beautiful, it's really a shame that the poetic point was missed."

Rose looked at them all, her body shaking slightly now that the adrenaline was starting to wear off.

"Lets get you back to the common room." Ron muttered indicating to stage door with his head. "We wont be alone for long."

Ron was indeed correct. Though they had a head start, as they started to walk down the corridor they could already hear the other contestants, their steps echoing as they walked in the shadows.

Quickening their own pace, the four of them entered the Entrance Hall where huge bodies of students were still vacating the Great Hall. Merging effortlessly in with the mass of other students, they managed to make their way up the stairs and back to Gryffindor tower uninterrupted.

As they entered the common room, it was clear that the room was still empty.

"We will wait for you down here whilst you get changed." Ron smiled encouragingly.

"Okay." Rose agreed, looking down at Edward's cloak.

Stiffly making her way to the dormitory door, she picked up the first items she found. Now in a thick white jumper and skinny blue jeans, Rose rummaged under her bed struggling to find a matching pair of shoes. Finally finding her mustard yellow suede vans, Rose left the room, quickly returning downstairs where Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting, waiting for her.

Neatly folding Edward's cloak, she patted it fondly as she thought of how he had come to her rescue earlier.

"Shall we go and get a bite to eat?" Ron asked warmly.

"I'm not hungry." She muttered, her stomach betraying her with a instant rumble.

"Really?" He replied sarcastically, his eyebrows raised. "Your belly seems to be contradicting you."

"You don't want to go back down to the Great Hall. I know you guys have already ate." Rose justified "Let's just sit here and eat some chocolate frogs instead."

"I haven't ate yet if you would like to join me for dinner?" Edward asked innocently from behind them all.

There was a few seconds of silence where Edward looked amused by something, looking directly at Ron he continued;

"But no Ron that wasn't a play on words."

Ron scratched his head before gulping nervously. He had just realised what had happened. Looking apologetically at Edward, Ron then caught sight of Rose's disapproving gaze.

"Sorry." Ron muttered.

"It's not me who you should be apologising to." Rose urged.

"It's okay Rose." Edward replied warmly. "But I must insist that you have something to eat."

"He is right Rose." Hermione agreed. "Go with Oliver, get something to eat."

It was clear from Hermione's body language alone that she wanted Rose to go with Edward, her eyes pleaded with Rose to listen.

Edward carefully looked at Rose, as he confidently offered her his large ebony hand.

"Well?" He asked Rose gently.

"You want to have dinner - with me?" Rose asked curiously.

"I do." Edward admitted.

Looking at him even more questioningly, Rose nodded silently, accepting his strong embrace.

The spark of electricity that shot up her arm gave her instant comfort. With a brief wave of goodbyes to her friends, Rose was guided confidently through the portrait hole by Edward.

Once they were alone in the silent corridor, Edward gently lead her to the nearest window. Elegantly turning to face her, his face was affectionate yet questioning.

"Are you okay?" He asked her carefully.

Rose puffed out a deep breath of air she hadn't realised she had been holding in, her shoulders deflating as she did so. Eventually after a few moments of pause, she looked carefully into his caring eyes answering honestly;

"What a question." She replied weakly.

Pulling her closer to him, Edward embraced her into a deep caring hug which she instantly excepted. Taking a deep breath in as she engulfed Edward's smell, her shoulders instantly relaxed as she clung to his neck for the reassurance she needed.

"Words alone will never be able to show you how very proud I was of you this evening." Edward whispered affectionately in her ear.

Rose's grib hardened as he rubbed soothing circles on her back.

"Thank you." Rose mumbled. "I really needed to hear that from you."

Gently releasing her from his protective embrace, Edward cupped her face with his large hand.

Rose couldn't help but smile bitterly by the notion, understanding that if this was a normal relationship that Edward would have most probably kissed her instead. Shutting her eyes, and still able to feel his touch, she imagined their long kiss from the night before.

She felt Edward's head lightly lean against her own, his soft breath hitting her face. Slowly opening her own eyes once more, Rose weakly smiled as she took in Edward's features, the task easier to do this time round in the candlelight.

"You have very long eyelashes." Rose whispered.

Edward smiled in return, his eyes looking at her longingly.

"All the better to dazzle you with." He murmured.

The corner to Rose's mouth twitched into a smile, there was something about the way that Edward was looking at her that was defiantly seductive.

"Surely you know you don't have to dazzle me Edward." Rose smirked.

"I know Ray." Edward admitted. "But it is so much fun seeing you blush when I do."

Winking, he chuckled as Rose's face slightly faltered.

"Come on, we real should get you some dinner."

Releasing his hand from her face, Edward gently pulled Rose down the corridor, his hand gripping hers tightly.

"So if your in control of how and when you dazzle people, why do you do it so often?" Rose asked curiously.

"Well it can be used to my advantage most of the time." Edward justified. "But with you, I had become addicted to the idea that you had actually become swayed by my affection towards you."

"Your affection is one thing, your dazzling on the other hand is intense."

"How so?"

"When you locked eyes with me whilst dancing with Angelina." Rose admitted. "I forgot to breath."

Edward smirked, the news of his dazzling skills clearly amusing him .

"I wouldn't look so cocky Edward." Rose grumbled. "Last time I promised to wipe a smirk of your face, you didn't speak to me for over a month because of the repercussions."

"And we both don't want that." Edward smiled, squeezing her hand even tighter.

"Exactly." Rose agreed, turning to look at him briefly.

Edward smiled back, his smile quickly turning into a frown.

"What's the matter?" Rose asked instantly

"Angelina is coming." Edward replied bitterly.

"Why say it like -"

"There you are!" Angelina exclaimed loudly. "I was wondering where I would find you both."

"You were looking for us..together?" Rose asked curiously.

"As a mater of fact yes." Angelina agreed.

"What is it Ange?" Edward asked politely.

"There is talks of a party tonight." Angelina replied, her tone desperate to sound casual. "And I was wondering if you would be there? If you would both be there." Angelina gulped.

Exchanging a nervous glance, it was Edward that spoke first.

"That's a very kind thought." He replied diplomatically. "But I have already agreed to take Rose to dinner."

"To take Rose - to dinner?" Angelina processed.

"Yes." Edward nodded.

"Oh." Angelina whispered.

Angelina's eyes faltered from Edward as they caught sight of something else. Her eyebrows rising curiously, she looked at Rose now with a look of curiosity.

"Well then...enjoy your dinner." She continued, her eyes not leaving Rose.

Gulping nervously as she smiled weakly, Rose waited for Angelina to be out of earshot before she turned to Edward curiously. Surprised to see that his own facial expressions were rather smug, she couldn't help but ask her own question.

"What was that all about? and why was Angelina looking at me like that?" She quickly asked.

"Angelina was under the impression that we have started to date." Edward replied knowingly.

"Oh dear, Lets hope she doesn't talk to Fred and George." Rose muttered. "Otherwise we might have another rumour before we know it.."

"Who said anything about a rumour? She couldn't help but notice our body language together." Edward smirked. "We looked rather comfortable in each others company."

"By standing next to one another?" Rose asked with a frown.

"More by the fact that we are still holding hands Rose." Edward admitted.

Rose looked down at their entwined hands, it would seem that they hadn't released one another's grip since the common room.

"Oh!" Rose exclaimed, her hand gripping his more tightly. "What are we going to do?"

"Do?" Edward questioned calmly.

"We can't have Angelina go around thinking we are together!" Rose explained.

"There is no crime in me holding your hand Rose." Edward justified. "And I have no shame in doing it."

Rose looked down at their still entwined hands, would it be so bad to be able to hold his hand any time she needed or wanted him to?

"Your thoughts?" Edward whispered patiently.

"Are simply occupied on the satisfying feeling I get from your embraces, no matter how big or small." Rose whispered bitterly. "Which when spoken out loud sound so pathetic."

"No, they don't." Edward muttered truthfully. "If you want something that sounds pathetic, how about the fact that in my head, I would like to imagine this as our first official date, and that I am taking you out to dinner." Edward admitted.

With a slight blush, Rose silently nodded. Lifting their entangled hands up, she kissed his hand delicately.

"I think I can easily imagine that too." Rose sighed.

Allowing Edward to take the lead, Rose followed him into the empty hall, the only source of light emitting of the Christmas trees and starred ceiling - it was instantly romantic.

Helping Rose over the bench, Edward sat closely beside her, their legs touching.

"So where does the food come from out of dining hours?" Rose asked curiously.

"Well, that depends." Edward smiled. "If you're Fred and George, you just march right up to the school kitchens and help yourself. But if you are wanting to come across as more polite you wait-"

POP!

A loud noise erupted next to them, the sound likening to a bubble bursting. After the initial shock to the noise had worn off, Rose was made aware of the elderly house house now standing next to them. Wearing a toga with the Hogwarts emblem on, the house elf waited patiently for the two of them to respond.

"For a house elf to arrive." Edward continued casually.

Turning to the house elf himself Edward addressed the creature politely;

"Good evening, would it be possible to get myself and Miss Ward some supper please."

"Certainly Sir. Is there anything in particular Miss Ward and yourself would like?"

Turning to look at Rose questioningly, Edward nodded his understanding as he gazed upon Rose's bewildered face.

"Could we get spaghetti bolognese and a sticky toffee pudding to share." Edward replied knowingly.

"One moment please." The house elf replied confidently, before disappearing with another loud POP.

"My favourite comfort food." Rose acknowledged.

"I thought it might be what your're craving." Edward asked hopefully.

"Even with my lack of appetite, i'm looking forward to it." Rose grinned. "Though spaghetti tends to be a no no on a first date."

"If you don't end up with sauce around your mouth, i'm going to be gravely disappointed." Edward admitted with a devious grin.

"Good." Rose chuckled. "Because I don't think I have ever managed to eat it in a dignified way."

There was subtle clunk on the table, as two bowls of spaghetti bolognese appeared alongside a large sticky toffee pudding. Two goblets appeared as well as a chandelier, the table suddenly feeling more intimate.

"Perfect." Edward grinned, passing Rose one of the two bowls.

"You don't have to eat the food if you don't want to." Rose replied guiltily, excepting the bowl from his hand.

"I know." Edward smiled warmly "But I want to."

Twirling the spaghetti neatly onto his fork, Edward elegantly ate the first mouthful, his eyes never faltering from Rose.

"Nice?" Rose asked curiously.

"It always does." Edward admitted. "It just doesn't form a purpose."

Rose smiled, gracefully eating her first mouthful, the warm tangy sauce a welcoming, comforting taste.

"Gosh it is good." Rose confessed. "I haven't had an appetite in a while."

"I know." Edward replied, his eyes observing her carefully.

Rose gulped guiltily, looking down at her dinner awkwardly.

"How long can you last without feeding?" She whispered.

"If I'm lucky... a week possibly maybe a week and a half." Edward replied truthfully.

"But your eyes seem to change so quickly." Rose answered thoughtfully.

"They do." Edward admitted. "When I am around you, I drain a lot more quickly."

"And therefore you have to hunt more." Rose thought out loud.

Her thoughts quickly turned to a frown as she looked at her spaghetti bitterly.

"Its not your fault Rose." Edward acknowledged softly. "We both know your blood smells so tempting to me because you are my soulmate. If we were the same species I wouldn't be tempted and therefore wouldn't be weakened so easily, but we are not. But that's not your fault.

"But it is still something to do with me." Rose replied, finally looking up at him.

"Only as in your are still alive." Edward replied, stroking her cheek. "Soulmates are unusual in our kind, to have a Vampire find one with a human is unheard of."

"Vampires are more common then Metamorphmagi's." Rose replied cooly.

"True." Edward admitted. "But that doesn't mean I want you to become one."

Rose looked at him curiously.

"Why would you think I would want to become a vampire?" She asked.

"Don't you?" Edward replied, his voice intrigued.

"No." Rose replied honestly. "But your not the first to ask."

"Hermione?" Edward asked knowingly.

"Yes, she asked this morning." Rose admitted.

Edward nodded thoughtfully.

"My sister Rosalie put the idea in my head a while back." Edward explained. "But It was a route I was worried you might have contemplated after last night."

He paused, looking at her seductively. The look took Rose by surprise as her heart skipped a beat. Inwardly cursed at her heart for giving her away and she looked down at her now empty bowl, a deep blush forming.

"Please don't look at me like that." Rose whispered weakly. "I've already warned you once this evening the affects it has on people."

"I know." Edward replied smugly. "But as I explained earlier, I enjoy the affect it has on you the most."

As if he knew, he had put her in a mood, Edward silently pulled the pudding towards them. Taking the singular spoon from the steaming pudding, he carefully fed Rose. his eyes subtly showing their relief as she accepted the dessert.

"You don't mind us sharing the spoon do you?" Edward asked quietly.

"I thought that was the whole point in sharing the pudding?" Rose replied questioningly.

"That was my intention yes." Edward admitted. "But I wanted to make sure you were comfortable with the notion.

Feeding her another mouthful, Rose looked at him with mild amusement.

"You worry about the most simple of things sometimes Edward." Rose grinned. "Surely you should have been confident that I would be okay with you of all people sharing a dessert with?"

"I was mildly confident." Edward grinned. "But I didn't want to presume that I was the only one you would share a dessert with."

Rose's smile faltered, her expression displaying her dismay.

"That came out wrong." Edward urged.

"Did it?" Rose replied adamantly. "Or was it just what you were thinking anyway?"

Edward looked at her seriously, his expression harsh and hard.

"I understand you feel like you are in love with me, but-"

"If you seriously think I am going to listen to you when you start a sentence like that and then continue with the word but, you must be mistaken." Rose hissed. "You are simply continuing your rude presumptions from last night and I don't want to continue with them."

"I simply want to explain that my love for you is unbreakable." Edward justified. "That I am tied to you even if I didn't want to be."

"And you seem to think that because I am mortal that that means my love is breakable. It hasn't crossed your mind once that maybe we should both be listening to my heart, the one that is still beating and full of life instead of yours which hasn't worked in some time. You are so patronising with you fickle idea of love."

"Fickle?" Edward replied with raised eyebrows.

"Yes." Rose nodded adamantly. "It is the only reason why I can rationalise why you would think that I would like that sort of attention from others.

"Rose, you have got to understand that I don't know how deeply you care for me as you are the one person on the planet I can't hear the truth from." Edward justified.

"Then you will have to go by faith alone." Rose argued. "Like I have to with you."

"But you know how much I care." Edward urged.

"And yet I could turn things on its head and argue you don't love me, you just desire the taste of my blood."

"Thats not fair." Edward sulked.

"And from your upset reaction I know my point has been proven." Rose sighed.

Looking across to Edward, with slight criticism in her eyes, Rose continued;

"Why didn't you warn me?"

"Warn you?" Edward asked in confusion.

"About how tonights contest was going to turn out." Rose whispered." It was the way you phrased it earlier backstage, about even you being surprised. Something tells me you had a little heads up on what was going to happen."

Edward paused, not knowing quite how to answer the question.

"The truth. Please." Rose urged.

Edward turned to face her, grabbing both of her hands that were currently curled tightly in a ball in her lap.

"I felt that if you saw how most of the boys felt about you it might help persuade your affections." He whispered.

Rose scoffed, a look between amused and insulted.

"That was not your decision to give." She replied bitterly. "I had one person in particular looking at me like I was a piece of meat tonight."

"Marcus genuinely thought that was an attractive look he was giving you." Edward explained.

"He licked his lips at me." Rose snapped. "Which isn't even normal behaviour, and the fact you knew who I was on about proves my point further."

"Cedric's thoughts were clean and complementary." Edward muttered flatly.

"Yet his actions weren't." Rose responded. "And he certainly wasn't acting like a gentleman in my company earlier.

Edward scoffed bitterly, like he didn't quite believe Rose's words.

"How can you not see that I have not and will continue to not see Cedric in that way?" Rose pleaded, her hands gripping his more tightly "That the only person I wanted to see me as attractive this evening was you."

Her passionate words had flown so quickly out her mouth that she had accidentally said the one thing she had hoped to keep to herself. Shocked, she dropped his hands instantly covering her mouth with her hands, her face blushing in embarrassment.

Edwards eye's had fractionally widened at her words before quickly bestowing their usual casualness. Slowly reaching out to stroke her face with his index finger, the mad rush of electricity that hit her skin made her gingerly look up.

"You want to know what I was thinking?" He purred, pausing to purposely look deeply into her eyes.

"No I don't." Rose muttered, her blush deepening.

"Good." Edward agreed, his crooked smile evident. "After all, they might have been extremely complementary, but they certainly weren't clean."

Scowling at him briefly through her fingers, Rose turned away from him, still feeling the heat radiating from her skin.

"You're in a mood with me aren't you?" Edward murmured, moving her head gently with his hand so that she faced him once again.

"Fuming." Rose whispered. "I'm so angry with you right now."

"Because I find you sexually attractive?" Edward asked curiously.

"Because you see me as so weak willed." Rose replied.

Edward sighed, a slight smile playing in the corner of his mouth. Looking at Rose adoringly he whispered;

"I don't" Edward urged. "Remember, I had a front row seat beside you throughout today. If anything, I can now see more clearly how much you love me."

Rose looked at him carefully, her eyes scrutinising his every move.

"Do you mean that?" She whispered.

"Every word." Edward nodded, leaning foreward to gently kiss her forehead.

Slowly moving away from her, Edward looked her passionately.

"I wish you would come home with me for Christmas." He purred.

"Where has this come from?" Rose asked curiously.

"I just don't want to say goodbye again." Edward explained. "And we don't need to, if you say yes."

"As much as I want to say yes." Rose sighed. "I have never spent a Christmas away from Ron."

"And I have no way to change your mind?" Edward replied longingly.

"We're not together." Rose justified.

"But we could carry on doing what we are doing now." Edward urged.

Rose sighed, the sound clearly sad and deflated.

"And what woud we do after Christmas? Continue the lie?"

"Would that be wrong?" Edward asked. "Angelina already thinks we are going out."

Rose looked at Edward questioningly, surprised to see that he was speaking honestly. Pausing, she chewed her lip thoughtfully, nervous to speak the words she dreaded to think.

"I can't believe I am suggesting this, but I think it will do us some good to be apart from each other." Rose whispered with some difficulty.

"But why?" Edward pleaded.

"Because we aren't an item." Rose muttered stiffly. "And some time away from each other now that we know how each other feels might help with our joint decisions moving foreward."

Rose shuffled herself so that she took Edward's hands gingerly in hers.

"I'm asking for you to consider taking things slowly, so that you wouldn't need to be anxious about being intimate with me...I'm asking you to take a chance on me." She breathed nervously. "Could you mull over that idea over the Christmas break? Could you do that for me?"

"Sure." Edward agreed, rubbing her hands with his thumbs.

"Thank you." She whispered nervously.

Rose began to nibble her bottom lip, her mouth not wanting her to say the next bit.

"You are asking this because the other option is to not be friends isn't it." Edward asked quietly.

She shrunk in her seat, refusing to look at his face, she already hated the tone of hurt and disappointment in his voice.

"Yes." She eventually replied, her voice defeated.

He held her hands in a tight grip, not knowing what to say or do. They sat in silence, neither willing to release their hold on the other, their eyes silently communicating to one another.

"We better get upstairs." Edward eventually murmured.

"I don't want to go to bed." Rose whispered. "I don't want us to leave one another with those words as the final things we said."

"Its Snape's turn to patrol the corridors." Edward explained, smiling sadly. "And we are cutting curfew close."

"We could get Smutz." Rose began. "Then we have a legitimate reason to be out."

"I'll take him out later." Edward replied. "I can see how exhausted you are Ray, you really need your bed."

Rose wanted to protest, to fight the decision that he had decided for her, but she inevitably knew he was right. The stress quickly clung to her chest as she realised that this might actually be the last time she spent anymore time with Edward alone. Her hand gripping his knuckles nervously.

Understanding her hesitation through his own anxiousness, Edward squeezed her hand encouragingly, before leading her back towards Gryffindor tower.

They both hovered outside the portrait hole, neither wanting to take the first step.

"Has the party started?" Rose asked nervously.

"No." Edward replied knowingly. "They we are all too tired in the end. The common room is empty apart from Smutz."

"Okay." Rose nodded, sighing heavily.

Edward was right, asleep on the comfiest sofa was the black and white Schnauzer, curled up into a warm ball. The fire was still cackling vigorously, casting dark shadows on Edward's serious face.

Holding Rose's two hands in his own, he kept his distance as he he looked passionately at her in the firelight.

"I will seriously consider my options over Christmas." Edward announced, his tone making it clear that he meant every word.

Rose looked at him gravely, her mind swirling with panicking thoughts.

All she could concentrate on was Edward's thumbs which were rubbing soothing circles on the back of her hands, the notion meant to help his own anxious thoughts as well as hers.

Eventually Rose nervously released her left hand from his strong hold, carefully cupping his face in her hand.

"Whatever happens." Rose replied, her voice dry. "I just want you to know that you made my first kiss a remarkable one."

Edward smiled sadly, his face leaning into her touch.

"Yeah." He agreed. "And you have been the most wonderful companion the past few months."

Rose smiled back bitterly, her head nodding in agreement.

"So goodbye for now?" Rose whispered gingerly.

"Only for now Ray." Edward agreed. "I could never say goodbye forever."

Releasing her hold on his face she slowly turned away, her spine telling her that Edward's gaze was still on her. Walking hesitantly toward the dormitory door, she slowly opened it, a bunch of mistletoe appearing above the doorframe. Mistletoe that wasn't there moments before.

She stood momentarily looking at the branch, curious to how it should appear at such a moment. Gently retrieving the branch, it surprised her how easily it came away from the doorframe. Feeling the soft berries in her hand, Rose turned, looking at Edward with just a curious a look that he was giving her.

Reaching Edward again in seconds, and still clutching the mistletoe in her hand she looked at him passionately.

"It is said that a young lady caught under the mistletoe can not refuse to give a kiss." Rose explained.

"This is true." Edward agreed. "A tradition dating past even before my time."

"Then.." Rose paused curiously. "I blame this on the mistletoe."

Without any more hesitation, Rose dropped the mistletoe as she grabbed Edward's shirt, pulling him closer to her. Kissing him passionately on the lips, she was relieved when she felt him kiss her back. As his mouth opened, the warmth of his tongue made her lips spasm, their tongues keenly finding each other.

With all her strength, Rose slowly pulled away, relieved to see his eyes sparkling in pure delight. Edwards face though surprised was adorning in suppressed joy, he had afterall not gone too far.

"That might help persuade your decision." Rose whispered seductively, planting another long kiss on his plump lips.

Smirking slightly at Edward's stunned face, Rose turned slowly on the spot, her own body radiating with euphoria.

Glad that her blush only made itself known once she was in the comfort of her own dormitory. Rose leant against the door for support, still able to taste Edward.

She had kissed him three times in twenty four hours and yet that might have been the last time she would ever kiss him again.