Okay so I actually uploaded 7 as 6 please re read these chapters. This is six.
Following the recent attack on another student teachers had started accompanying students to and from classes. To Rose this felt a little pointless since no one seemed to be able to work out who or what was attacking students.
Another level of defence the school had decided to employ was teaching students duelling techniques so several sign up sheets had appeared in the common rooms. Rose, knowing that Professor Flitwick had been an accomplished Dueller, signed up right away assuming that the lessons would be taught by him.
When Rose walked into the great hall it looked like most of the school were attending the extra lesson. Working her way through the crowd to get to Harry was kind of hard now a long stage took up the entire centre of the hall. Arriving at Harry's side Rose said hello to Harry, Hermione and Ron
Hermione greeted Rose politely where Ron flat out ignored her, not that this bothered Rose.
Capella joined Rose and Harry a few moments later and they waited together for the lesson to start.
The news that Harry could talk to snakes spread like wildfire with such a large percent of the school now thinking Harry was related to Salazar Slytherin Rose's popularity in her house grew exponentially. People were convinced that she was the founder's heir and was working with Harry to clean the school. They seemed to forget that Rose was against this kind of nonsense.
A few days had passed since the duelling club event and Harry had asked Rose to come to one of the classrooms on the fourth floor; he apparently needed help convincing Ron and Hermione that Malfoy was not the current heir. Apparently they were now convinced it was Malfoy opening the chamber. Harry was not convinced and was sure that Rose or Capella would have heard if that was the case.
Rose, not wanting to deal with Harry's friends alone, brought Daphne, Blaize and Capella to the specified room. For once Ron didn't complain about the presence of the Slytherins. The group sat down in a circle and Rose looked expectantly at Harry.
"We have been trying to work out who the heir is so we can prove that I am not the heir of Slytherin. Ron and Hermione here seem to think that Malfoy is behind it since he had a grandfather here at the same time the last event happened."
Harry offered to the group in way of an explanation Ron and Hemione agreeing where they felt it was needed.
"If Draco was the one doing these things he wouldn't be so vocal about it" Blaize tried to offer to the group.
Rose turned toward Daphne.
"Daphne you notice everything that goes on what's your take on it?"
"I don't think anyone in Slytherin is behind this in all honesty. I haven't seen anyone acting suspicious or hiding away more than anyone else." Daphne said after thinking for a moment. This caused Ron to let out a cry of disapproval.
"Who else would attack muggle born students if not a Slytherin" Ron asked.
"May I remind you that Peter Pettigrew was a Gryffindor and he murdered 13 people and tried to frame my Dad." Capella said speaking for the first time.
The room fell silent for a moment before Ron let out a yell and a rat started trying to run from the room. The appearance of the rat made the four Slytherins jump but the Gryffindor's were trying to grab the rat.
The rat was quick and was near the door when Daphne tried to summon the rat. To Daphne's surprise the Rat resisted the summoning.
"I've never seen you mess up the summoning charm Daph." Rose commented while Idly watching the rat run around the room but offering no help.
"I didn't mess it up. It just didn't work." Daphne stated
The rat fled the room with the Gryffindor's in toe. Deciding to be nice Rose too went after the rat, inadvertently making her friends help too.
By the time that Rose caught up with the Gryffindor's Ron had the rat in his hands though it was fighting hard to get free. Rose, who saw Professor McGonagall passing, called her over.
"Professor Ron seems to be struggling to control his rat. Are you able to conjure a cage for us?"
The professor in question came over and looked at the rat for a moment before conjuring a cage for them.
"That rat seems to be exceedingly distressed. I recommend you take it to see Professor Kettleburn. His office is in room 112"
Ron quickly left without thanking the professor who muttered under her breath about rude students. Rose made sure to thank her before heading back to the classroom they had previously vacated.
"That was particularly odd behaviour" Blaize said once the group sat down once more.
Before anyone could say anything else Daphne summoned a random rat that was scuttling around in the corner of the room. She gave it a questioning look before letting it run away a little and summoning it again distressing it slightly.
"Daphne?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Sorry It's just weird I use this spell all the time to summon books and things I was confused why it didn't work" Saying this she let the rat go, it fled the room fast hoping not to be summoned again.
"Maybe it was some kind of magical rat" Blaize offered.
"I guess it is possible" Daphne replied though it didn't seem right to her.
"Have you noticed anyone acting odd in your house?" Rose asked Harry, trying to bring the topic back to the original point.
"Well now you mention it Ginny, Ron's sister, has been somewhat skittish. I mentioned it to Ron but he didn't seem to think anything was wrong.
"I don't think you would have noticed if it was nothing. What can you tell me about her behaviour" Daphne asked.
"Well she's always been jumpy around me. She drops stuff and flees the room so It is kind of hard to really see a change. But she has been distant with people. I rarely see her with others and I tried to make sure she knew she could come to me but she shouted she didn't need help and fled. It was weird because she hadn't said more than a simple hello before that."
Daphne was clearly processing what she had been told and analysing the behaviour.
"I think Ginny may be hiding something but a member of the Weasley family being the heir to Slytherin seems a little bit too out there. Their family can be traced back generations."
"Capella try befriending Ginny for us. I don't like Ron but If something is wrong with his sister we should look after her if he won't." Rose said to Capella. This statement made Hermione look completely shocked. She chose to say nothing and couldn't help wondering if Ron was wrong about Rose.
"I can try, sure. We have some classes together and she often sits alone. I will just take those seats." Her agreement made Rose smile happily and pull Capella to her, who happily leant into Rose accepting the free hugs.
"We should try to reach out to the other houses if we can. See if anyone else has noticed odd behaviour." Rose mentioned the room at large. After some agreement from the others in the room they started to disperse and head in separate directions.
Just before the school was set to break for Christmas the heir struck again this time a ghost and a boy named Justin had been attacked. After the incident with the snake people were even more convinced that Harry was the attacker.
With the most recent attack fresh on the students' minds, sign up sheets for students leaving were quickly filled with nearly all the students choosing to leave. Rose and Harry had been asked to come home with Capella to spend Christmas with their family.
Getting on the train to London seemed counterintuitive since Sirius and Marlene live in Carlisle closer to Scotland but hop on the train they did. Harry who had opened his compartment to Rose and Capella was surprised when a timid Ginny entered the compartment too.
"Why are you here Ginny?" Ron asked rather rudely.
"I asked her to sit with me, Ronald. I've been helping her with her charms." Capella replied a little angrily.
"I don't mind her staying here." Harry added, making Ginny smile. Before Ron could argue further Capella sat down and pulled Ginny next to her. Feeling a little awkward, Rose took the other side of Capella.
"Nice to meet you Ginny." Rose offered hoping the girl didn't share the same prejudices as her brother. Ginny looked surprised to be spoken to, looked at Rose and tried a smile that didn't quite reach fullness.
"H..hello. You're Rose right? Harry's sister?"
"Mhm that is me" Rose replied smiling happily. Her smile seemed to be infectious and Ginny was soon smiling a bit more too seeing that she had been welcomed.
Ron seemed a little bit miffed that his sister was sharing a compartment with them and getting the attention but he didn't comment on it and instead sat in the corner grumpily. Harry, seeing his friend's mood, decided to engage him in a game of wizard chess.
Hermione, who wasn't great in social situations, retreated into her book. It seemed to be a big book on potions. Rose decided to play Exploding snap with Ginny and Capella.
Half way through the journey Harry, Rose and Capella bought a huge amount of snacks and refused to take no for an answer when offering them around. Ginny accepted them humbly seeing them as the gift they were, Hermione had accepted but only a few and Ron had to argue before Harry told him to shut up and eat the sweets, which he did.
After consuming sweets and pumpkin juice Capella learnt right up against Rose and fell asleep. Rose couldn't help but find the situation cute and amusing and held her close stroking her arm. Ginny who was watching the interaction closely looked surprised by the action.
"She's like a big kid sometimes but I find it endearing, I like her close" Rose offered even though Ginny had not asked.
"You look like sisters led like that" Ginny said smiling at Rose.
"Must suck only having brothers" Rose said purposely looking at Ron.
"You don't like him do you?" Ginny asked looking at her brother who was watching the conversation with mild interest as he waited for Harry to make a move.
"He has some belief that all Slytherin are evil so he never liked me much. I tried to be nice at the start but he doesn't want to try so I am not bothering. But you seem nice Ginny" This comment made Ron huff and look away but Ginny smiled taking the compliment.
At some point Rose fell asleep and was woken up by Ginny when the train entered Kings Cross. Rose flashed Ginny a smile and started to wake Capella who slept like a long whenever she was in Rose's arms. When Capella woke Ginny looked surprised.
"I tried to wake her first but she didn't want to get up"
"She is hard to wake but if you pinch right here" Rose left the statement hanging and pinched Capella's side lightly making the girl yelp and pout. This caused everyone in the compartment to laugh.
On the platform the members of the compartment were greeted by Sirius and Marlene who were talking to the Weasley's. Mrs Weasley made a big show of welcoming her children off the train and welcoming Harry too. She added Rose too as an afterthought that did not go missed by Sirius.
"Molly, allow me to introduce my daughter Capella." Molly smiled and greeted the future lady Black with a curtsy.
With greetings out of the way Molly led her family out of the station. Hermione had been standing with Harry waiting to be formally introduced to Sirius. When her parents came over that seemed like the perfect time and introductions had been made.
After a small conversation with the Grangers Sirius motioned for his family to start leaving. They would be apparating out. Harry help onto Sirius' arm as did Capella and Rose took Marlene's.
When they appeared Rose was surprised to see that they had appeared outside the house not inside. The reason why was made clear a few moments later when the house was lit up with fairy lights.
"Welcome home," Sirius shouted happily, proud of his handy work.
"Sirius the house looks fantastic but it is freezing out here" Marlene announced as she started to lead Rose into the house.
Sirius seemed to realise just how cold it was, led Harry and Capella indoors too. If they thought the outside had been decorated well the inside looked like something out of a Christmas movie. There were lights and decorations covering the walls, a large tree stood in the corner of the room decked out with baubles, lights and tinsel. On the fireplace hung five stockings that looked like they were handcrafted.
"Wow it looks crazy in here" Harry commented looking around.
Upon further inspection of the tree Rose saw a bauble she had made with Kingsley some many years before. Seeing it on the tree made her smile. Sirius saw where she was looking smiled and put his arm around her.
"Kingsley made sure I got this safely, he told me it had to have a prime place on the tree as it had every year since you made it."
"I will be sure to thank him. Thank you for putting it on display." Sirius smiled at her once more before calling Duggy to take their luggage to the respective bedrooms.
The elf in question was sporting a Christmas hat and seemed all too happy to serve. He bowed low to the students and popped away with their luggage.
The Christmas holiday turned out to be a lot of fun. Sirius seemed to have researched just what families do at Christmas and wanted to do everything. They made snow angels and huge snowmen that Marlene animated for Sirius to chase in his dog form.
At nights they would share hot coco with marshmallows by the fire. They even attempt to assemble a gingerbread house but they couldn't get the icing right and the house constantly feel down. In the end they used a sticking charm to make it work.
On Christmas morning Sirius started bounding around the house waking up the children of the house in his canine form. It didn't take too long for him to have the entire house awake and sat in the living room.
With everyone gathered Sirius started handing out the presents making sure that the person receiving the gift opened it before he would give the next ones out. This meant that the present giving took some time to get finished but it was an enjoyable time for all involved. Harry felt completely uncomfortable receiving so many gifts but Sirius kept piling more and more into his lap.
The day was spent enjoying each others company and trying out the presents that were received. All in all it was the best Christmas any of them could remember. The great day was followed by an amazing Christmas Dinner. Duggy had prepared the best meal he had ever prepared. He had been working on it the entire day and was exceedingly proud of it as he served the family. Sirius made sure Duggy ate with them too, wanting to thank him for the meal.
Christmas had been the very best time Harry had ever had and being part of a real family made Harry quite emotional. Rose who had had Christmas with King also felt like she had had the best holiday ever.
Sirius was feeling mighty pleased when he saw the children back onto the Hogwarts express he had agonised for months prior to the holiday wanting to make it the very best for Rose and Harry who had not known their family. Capella too but he knew how important it was for the Potters to see what a Christmas James would have thrown looks like.
On the train Ginny tried to slip away from the group but was stopped by Capella who expressed her desire for Ginny to sit with them. If Ron did not want this he smartly held his tongue and did not say so.
"How was your Christmas Ginny?" Capella asked as she got comfortable practically sitting in Rose's lap.
"It was nice Bill came home and gave me a gift." From inside her jumper she pulled a leather rope with an ankh hanging from it.
"Oohh that looks cool" Rose said looking at it.
"I agree it's a great gift, '' Capella added.
Ginny seemed happy that people liked her gift and left it hanging on the outside instead of hiding it again. For a moment there was quiet as the train continued to fill and Hermione joined them in the compartment. Greetings were shared and the group settled in for the ride to Hogwarts.
Capella didn't wait long before falling asleep in Rose's lap.
"How does she sleep like that? Is it really comfy?" Ginny commented.
"I will let you try sometime if you like." Rose joked, making Ginny go bright red.
"That would be way too embarrassing!" Ginny exclaimed, making Rose laugh happily and hold Capella tighter.
"If you change your mind you know where to find me" Rose added watching Ginny's reactions and finding them adorable.
The other members of the compartment were watching with amused looks on their faces and Harry looked at Rose.
"What would you have done if she took you up on the offer"
Rose smiled at Harry before looking at Ginny.
"Well I wouldn't really mind doing it. I don't know you well yet Ginny but you seem nice. It would certainly have made it funnier if she layed on me though"
That was all it needed to have the compartment fall into pearls of laughter and Rose was greeted by the sight of Ginny laughing. Rose leaned over and whispered in Ginny's ear.
"Want to lay in Harry's lap instead?"
This comment made Ginny squeal and look at Rose shocked.
"Wh..why would you say that?"
"Call it a hunch. But i'm only joking I just wanted to see you blush"
This comment gave Rose her wish as Ginny turned red.
"Will you stop moving? I am trying to sleep." Capella complained quietly.
"This is my lap," She added as an afterthought.
"I believe it is my lap" Rose said to Capella but she ignored the comment and snuggled closer to Rose.
"So clingy" Rose joked, making Harry laugh. Ron and Hermione looked surprised that Rose was letting Capella lay with her so intimately but the way they did it so naturally they had to wonder if this was normal for them.
Seeing the reactions on the faces opposite her, Rose wondered if what she was allowing was really okay. It felt okay so she decided to continue allowing it. The banter now finished and the awake members of the compartment started playing a muggle card game Hermione had introduced to them. The goal was to get 21, apparently it was a super popular game in the muggle world.
Everyone was having fun playing the game and Ron in particular was becoming more interested in the muggle games. Hermione seemed to know a few card games and so they played a few of them. When it got to poke Rose and Ginny struggled to get it so they opted to play chess together, which was admittedly hard with a girl in your lap.
A few chess games later and all losses Rose refused to play more games.
"Urgh I need to get better before we play again your scary good"
Hearing this Ron saw this as a challenge and started to play chess against his sister. Rose who was not particularly invested in watching decided to sleep, in honesty seeing Capella sleeping so soundly had made her feel sleepy too.
When Rose woke up sometime later Ginny was led on her arm and the other occupants had decided to sleep too. Deciding to let Ginny sleep, Rose put her arm around the girl and went back to sleep.
When Rose woke up next Ginny was looking up at her embarrassment on her face.
"Will you let me go now you're awake?" Ginny was smiling so Rose let her go and winked at her.
"Comfy right? And that's just my arm" this caused Ginny to laugh before standing up and grabbing her things.
"I will leave you to wake up that one" Ginny said before leaving. Little did Rose know that she wouldn't see Ginny again for a while.