Sorry it has taken time to get this update out I have been particularly ill of late and struggling to concentrate on writing i will try to get out chapters faster but i will admit i have fallen behind a little please be patient I thank you for the Fav and Follows.
Although things in Slytherin house were still causing high tension, life calmed down for Rose. Ignoring the house rivalry was a tough thing to do. Rose and her friends often found themselves ignoring many of the other Slytherins at this time.
Now that she was talking to less people, Rose found herself focusing harder on her studies. She had noticed that she was doing better in most core subjects. That was until she noticed Harry and his friends acting more than a little bizarre.
After trying and failing to get answers from Harry via Owl mail, Rose started trying to catch him for a conversation. It was then that she realised Harry had an amazing talent to seemingly disappear at will and it drove Rose mad.
It was a good week before Rose managed to corner Harry. He was in the Library and for once alone. Rose,as quietly as she could snuck over to Harry and grabbed his shoulders lightly. Sensing a killer moment she whispered "boo" in his ears causing him to drop the book he was reading and cuss rather rudely. Madam Pince gave him a piercing stare causing him to apologise and scold Rose.
"You scared the hell outta me! Why would you do that?" Harry though trying to sound mad was failing to hide a smile creeping on his face. This caused Rose to laugh harder. Madam Pince who now decided they were being too loud, shooed them out of the library. At this Rose broke out in even more peals of laughter.
When Rose finally stopped laughing she noticed Harry looking at her. When Harry realised he had been caught, he blushed and looked away. This Rose thought was odd but chose to ignore it.
"Well we cannot talk in the library. Let's go down to the grounds." Harry who was still embarrassed he got caught staring nodded.
Once out of the castle, Rose decided she could start to talk. She looked around as they walked making sure they would not be easily overheard.
"So want to tell me just what you have been hiding this past week?" As Rose said this she saw Harry's eyes wander to Hagrid's hut. When Harry saw Rose follow his gaze he pulled her towards a large Oak and sat down.
"This can go no further than us okay? Well other than Ron and Hermione who already know. We found out Hagrid won a Dragon egg and now he has hopes of hatching it and raising it. We have been trying to get him to see reason but he is stubborn as a mule."
"He is aware he lives in a wooden cabin right?" Was Rose's only response. Whatever she had been expecting, this had not been it.
"That is actually something Hermione said the first time we saw the egg." Harry laughed as he told Rose this.
"So any plans on how you are going to handle this? Maybe if he will not listen we need to tell Professor Dumbledore?"
"None whatsoever. We have been trying to get Hagrid to part with the egg but he flat out refuses. He thinks it will not be long before it hatches. I'm not sure we should tell Dumbledore, I really don't want Hagrid getting into any trouble."
"Harry, he is trying to hatch a Dragon for Merlin's sake! Dumbledore really should know about it. What if he cannot control it and it ends up hurting himself or one of the students?"
"Rose, I know and I would hate for that to happen. Look it hasn't even hatched yet. Give us some more time to persuade him before we tell Dumbledore and get Hagrid in trouble. Please?"
Rose looked at Harry thoroughly confused at the new found knowledge.
"How does he intend to even keep a Dragon hidden? I mean they grow at quite a fast pace from what I hear."
"I have no idea it does seem like it would be a problem. While I have got you here, what's going on in your house? Any more attacks?"
Rose and Harry spent the next hour or so enjoying talking in person instead of via Owl. By the time conversation slowed, the sun was setting and dinner was fast approaching. Without saying anything both stood ready to return to the castle. When they realised they stood at the same time, they both laughed and blushed lightly.
It was Tuesday morning before Rose heard anything more about the Dragon. They were in double Potions and Harry was quite clearly trying to catch Rose's eye. As they left the classroom sometime later, Rose pulled Harry aside. He handed her a small sheet of parchment that had only three words written.
It is Hatching.
Rose gave Harry a look that said she was thinking of going to Dumbledore. Harry must have known her thoughts as he shook his head and pulled her along the corridor to catch up with his friends.
"I have an idea that is going to solve the problem. I just need Hagrid to agree. I need a little more time." Rose let out a sigh and was just about to separate herself and head back to her dorm. She was not looking happy and Harry felt a little guilty asking her to protect someone she hardly knew.
"Why don't you come down with us and see if you can help persuade Hagrid to see sense."
Rose looked taken aback she had not expected this. Ron nudged Harry and Rose heard something that sounded like "she is a snake" hearing this, she readily agreed just to smite him. Ron's face dropped when she agreed and he huffed and walked faster complaining under his breath about being friends with the enemy.
Once outside Hagrid's hut, Rose was beginning to feel a bit nervous.
"Are you sure it is okay for me to be here with you?"
Harry just smiled and knocked on the door and gave Ron a look that dared him to open his mouth. Ron knew better not to speak but he did scowl and refused to look in Rose's direction. Hermione seemed not to care either way; she and Rose were not best buds but they liked each other well enough. Rose who was still hoping for a lasting friendship with Hermione was glad she was not acting the same way as Ron.
Hagrid quickly ushered the four inside barely noticing Rose at first. Once they took seats around Hagrid's table he looked at the four. When Hagrids eyes saw Rose all thoughts of his Dragon were temporarily forgotten. Hagrid looked like he had seen a ghost and his skin was paling fast.
Hermione helped him into one of the seats, this was a very hard task and Hagrid fell heavier than Hermione would have wanted. Once he was seated, he shook his head a little, returning from whatever thoughts he had just been lost in.
Harry was looking between Rose and Hagrid. The confusion was clear on his face. Rose herself was just as confused by Hagrid's reaction. She was also feeling quite self conscious having someone she did not know staring at her and then acting truly bizarre.
Before anyone could ask Hagrid about his strange behaviour a loud rattling sound startled the group. The sound was coming from a pot on the fire Rose had a suspicion that the egg was currently in the pot.
Hagrid quickly stood and removed a jet black egg from the pot before bringing it to the table. He set the egg down and sat back down in his seat. For a few moments nothing happened and the hut was silent.
Once the baby Dragon started breaking the egg shell the four students pushed their chair back slightly. Hagrid, however, lent in closer and looked thoroughly excited. The Dragon took a good look around the room before it's dark pearly looking eyes stopped on Hagrid. Hagrid of course was over the moon about this and started petting the Dragon's neck.
"Oh look! He knows his Mommy".
This action caused the Dragon to sneeze and sent a jet of sparks flying into Hagrid's beard. His beard caught light and it took Hagrid a few moments to put it out. During this moment Rose gave Harry a "I told you" kind of look.
"Hagrid I know you would love to keep the Dragon but I really don't think keeping a Dragon in your hut, or the school is a wise idea. I do have a suggestion though. One that I think is a good plan."
As Harry said this he looked to Rose knowing that if they left here today and the plan had not been agreed on she would more than likely go to Dumbledore. Hagrid looked like he wanted nothing more than to shut down Harry's request without even considering it but he didn't and waited to hear more first.
"I think we should have Ron send an owl to his brother Charlie and see if he can take the Dragon to the reserve he works at."
Ron's face lit up at this and he instantly agreed it was a great plan. Hagrid took some convincing before he went along with the plan and Harry suspected he may have taken longer to persuade if Rose had not mentioned going to the Headmaster if he did not agree.
Harry looked at Rose a little hurt when she threatened to tell Dumbledore but he knew he had made her wait much longer than she had wanted to and therefore he couldn't hold it against her. The four friends were much happier that they had a plan in place. That was until Draco Malfoy was seen looking through the window.
The four friends ran as fast as they could back to their dorms so they would not get caught outside when they should have been at dinner. Once in the Slytherin common room she saw Malfoy sitting in an armchair clearly waiting for her to appear.
"I wondered how long it would take you to get back up here once you saw me looking. Worried I am going to tell on you are we?"
Malfoy had a very smug grin on his face and it was clear he was loving having this power over Hagrid.
"Look Malfoy what you saw had nothing to do with you please just let it go."
"HA! Why would I listen to a Blood traitor like you? I think you will be in a lot of trouble if I tell the Professors you're helping to illegally raise a Dragon. I find myself wondering just how far you will go to keep your secret. "
The leer on Malfoy's face made her feel sick as his eyes bore into her. She knew this would need to be handled with care but she could not see a way to stop him without him holding something else over her.
"I don't really care what you want Malfoy I have no intention of giving you anything. You think any Professor will trust your word over three Gryffindors Hagrid and myself?"
Rose knew she was playing a dangerous game but she refused to let Malfoy get a win on this one. Malfoy to Rose's surprise rose and smirked at her menacingly.
"Oh I intend to get proof first and when I do you're going to be in so much trouble. I have been looking for a way to get even. I didn't expect you to make it so easy."
Malfoy left laughing and Rose had a feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach; she could only hope that Ron had a fast owl.
Rose rushed into her dorm and penned a letter to Harry informing him of Malfoys intentions and told them to be extra cautious.
Rose was of course furious when she found out two days later that Ron was in the Hospital Wing because that Dragon had bit him. She had scolded Harry about being careful once more and not spoken to him for the rest of the day. The longer it took for this dragon to be gone the more she had started to worry about getting caught. She really regretted getting involved in this Dragon business.
That night her usual letter from Harry arrived with his apologies for getting her caught up in this. The letter thankfully said that Norbert would be taken that Saturday at midnight.
When Saturday night came, Rose as quietly as she could snuck out of her bed. She has a sinking feeling in her gut this would be the day Malfoy acted. She had been informed Malfoy had found out the day and time. Once more she cursed Ron. "First he got bitten then he left his letter in a book he was carrying round how stupid was this boy!"
The common room was deserted by the time Rose arrived. She waited until twenty minutes had past eleven and still had not seen Malfoy leave. Thinking he must have left sooner she headed out and as quiet as she could she headed to the astronomy tower to try and warn Harry.
By the time she had gotten up there it was now ten minutes to midnight. She had somehow made it uncaught and Harry and Hermione had still to arrive. Hoping to God they had not been caught Rose made herself as small as possible.
When Harry and Hermione finally arrived they were both surprised to see Rose there. Rose passed on her worries that Malfoy was out and about and ready to try and catch them. Harry and Hermione promised to be careful and the three waited to hand off the dragon.
So happy that they had got rid of the dragon Harry and Hermione left thanking Rose for her warning. Rose had said she would wait a few minutes and head out once they had left. She felt association with them tonight would definitely be an admission of guilt on her part.
Rose was just about to leave when she spotted a sliverly looking cloak on the floor. Assuming Harry must have dropped it she picked it up and looked over it. She was quite surprised to see the symbol of the Deathly Hallows sewn into the neck line. Knowing now was not the time to ponder this she pocketed the cloak and headed down the long and windy staircase.
Rose made it all the way down to the first floor without seeing anyone. It was times like this she was in another house. The Slytherin common room could not be further from the Astronomy tower.
As Rose passed by McGonagall's office the door opened and out came a smug looking Filch. When he saw Rose he jumped out of his skin and cussed loudly. He got over his shock in less than five seconds and grabbed Rose by the scuff of her neck leading her into the room he just left.
"You won't believe this Professor. I found another one." Filch's glee was very clear. He seemed to be very happy with himself.
"Well I never! Five students out of bed in one night and Three from my own house! This is not acceptable. Now I think I know why you four were out but Miss Shacklebolt I would not have expected this from you not after our last talk."
"Well I" Rose began but she was cut off by McGonagall. She had a look of disappointment in her eyes.
"It is bad enough these two tricked Malfoy into coming out with talk of a Dragon, then I find Neville has been brought into this mess. I will tell you now nothing gives a student reason to be out of bed and prowling the castle. Not even to warn your friends Mr Longbottom. If you suspected they were luring Mr Malfoy you should have told me. All of you will lose 50 house points and serve a detention."
Rose looked appalled and she thought about arguing. McGonagall must have seen this because she gave Rose a penetrative stare that knocked any fight Rose had out of her. Harry was trying to apologise silently to Rose and Neville. Neville looked away hurt and Rose looked like she was about to burst into tears.
The second McGonagall let them go, Rose all but sprinted to her dorm without even looking at Harry or Hermione.
In her dorm Rose quickly changed and got into bed. For the first time in a long time she cried herself to sleep furious at herself and her friends for ending up in this position.
For the first time since the start of the year the entire Slytherin house was united as one. All of them were furious at the amount of points lost by Rose and Malfoy. The Slytherins avoided Rose for the next week all with the exception of Blaise and Daphne. They too were annoyed but they knew Rose needed her friends right now.
Harry's letters had been less frequent since the Dragon incident so when she saw a letter off him one night in early January she was quite surprised. In his letter he apologised, many times, he told her he missed their talks and that he already lost one of his most treasured possessions; he couldn't lose her too.
It took Rose some time to figure out what possession he had lost but upon thinking about the night she remembered the cloak she had picked up. She opened her chest and ran the cloak through her fingers; she had completely forgotten that she had it. As her fingers ran through the material she couldn't help but notice it was almost weightless and had an almost water like texture.
Deciding to forgive him she pocketed the cloak and headed to the great hall for breakfast. Harry was utterly shocked when Rose sat down next to him going so far as to push Ron further up the table.
"We should have a chat, eat quickly?"
Harry who had completely lost his ability to speak nodded and started to eat a little faster. Rose had opted to eat a small bowl of porridge and was done about the same time as Harry. Once done she led him into an unused classroom.
When they entered Rose sat on a table looking at Harry. There was a moment's silence before Rose pulled out the cloak and set it in her lap. Harry looked at it with the shock and emotion clear in his eyes. He didn't speak or move fore well over a minute.
"This is the possession you lost right? I saw it on the floor of the Astronomy tower. I pocketed it and was going to give it back but with all that happened I completely forgot. I am sorry I didn't mean to steal it or anything..."
Before Rose could ramble on, Harry did something completely un-characteristic and hugged Rose rather tight. Rose was sure she could feel a tear fall onto her neck and run down her back. Feeling slightly awkward she returned the hug and smiled lightly.
When Harry felt he had his composure back he released Rose, he looked thoroughly embarrassed and hid his face in his hands. Rose just smiled and pulled his hands away.
"It is an interesting cloak. Why is it so important to you?"
Harry smiled and threw the cloak around his body. Rose almost jumped when she saw his body disappear.
"It was my dad's. It was returned to me this Christmas and is one of the only things I have that was my parents'."
"They didn't leave you anything in your family vaults?" Rose asked confused.
"My Family vault?" Harry's confusion was rising to new levels now as he looked at Rose.
"Yeah you should have been shown it on your eleventh birthday it's like a tradition. I know your parents are not here but I expected Dumbledore or even Hagrid, who showed you your trust vault to show you."
"I had no idea a family vault existed." Harry said his tone was kind of melancholy.
"You're a Potter, one of the wealthiest and oldest wizarding families. If they do not have a family vault I will give you everything in my trust vault." Rose laughed at this knowing her parents had left her a healthy amount of Galleons to get through her years at Hogwarts.
Harry looked at her shocked and then his shock turned to slight annoyance.
"I wonder why I was never told."
"Maybe there is something in there they do not want you to see? Or maybe it slipped their minds?" Seeing Harry's sad look Rose hugged him lightly and apologised for bringing his mood down.
It did not take long for Harry's mood to lighten and when it had Rose begged to have a walk around under his cloak. Harry pulled Rose into the cloak and they went for a walk unnoticed by anyone.
Beta Read by Dr4cu14 who has helped quite a lot so be sure to thank them.