A Chaser or a Keeper
Chapter one: King Charles I
In some respects when Rose awoke early on that warm September morning it felt like any other day. Stretching slightly as she gazed at the ceiling, she rolled onto her side surprised to see that Ron's bed was already vacant.
Concerned for her cousin and knowing it was probably his nerves, Rose got out of bed hastily wanting to check on him as soon as possible. She glanced at the clock on the wall, the time making her stop in her tracks. She gulped guiltily, she had indeed overslept.
Today was the 1st September, the day that Ron and herself would begin a new chapter at a new school. Though Ron's elder brothers and parents had all attended Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, it was to be Rose who would be first in her own family.
Rose's Mother Matilda was the younger of a set of twins, Ron's own Mother Molly the elder of the two. The two girls were inseparable growing up, the place they called home Hogwarts due to their Mother being a teacher there. They both grew up with only each other to play with and learnt to not need anything but each others company. It was only when Matilda was seven years old that she started to notice differences between Molly and herself. Molly had started to be able to produce magic, willingly and accidently whilst Matilda no matter how hard she tried couldn't conjure the simplest of commotion. Diagnosed as a Squib the summer she was meant to get her Hogwarts letter, Matilda left the place she knew as home and started a new chapter of her life at the only school designed for squibs. Here Matilda met Rose's Dad, the two falling in love in their seventh year. After graduating, they decided to move to the country for a fresh start building a new life together running their own business.
It was only when Rose was born that they pondered whether they had produced a witch or a squib. With flaming red hair and violet blue eyes, their daughter looked exactly like Matilda had looked as a baby. Months went by and the couple watched their daughter hit her milestones, their curiosity always present waiting to see if their daughter would produce magic. It was on Rose's first birthday that she showed her first sign of witchcraft. Matilda opened the nursery door to greet Rose when she stopped in her tracks. Though there was a baby in the crib, it wasn't the baby Matilda had left. Rose had somehow changed her appearance to a brunette, her eyes now a dark brown in colour. Throughout Rose's early years her appearance continued to change, the photographs on the wall a collection of different versions of their beloved daughter. At the age of six, Rose was diagnosed as a Metamorphosis, the rare ability to be able to transform your appearance to any living creature. It was then decided with the probability that she was indeed magically gifted that it was best that Rose moved in with the Weasley's who would homeschool Rose alongside her cousins.
Rose sighed as she looked at her Hogwarts letter on her bedside table, pondering what her parents must be feeling at this moment. Tucked under her vanity mirror she could just make out the Hogwarts emblem, the image of the Gryffindor lion making her feel instantly sick. She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror, relived that at least on the outside she looked calm. Her current form hadn't changed since her ninth birthday, her appearance a touchy subject. She knew she was what most would class as attractive, her golden locks cascading down her back in perfect loose curls. Her eyes at least had gone back to their original violet blue, something Rose held onto as her one few connections to her own Mother. Her only other indication showing she came from the same family as her cousins was her dominant height compared to most females. As Ron always put it, she looked more like a supermodel then your average teenage girl.
There was a knock on the door, a gentle rhythm that showed the concern behind the person responsible for the sound. Looking away from the mirror, Rose sighed nervously, she had forgot she was meant to be consoling Ron not feeling sorry for herself.
"Come in." Rose responded quietly.
A tall man came into the room, silvery grey hair spiked his head, and a neatly trimmed beard adorned his face. There was an excited sparkle to his eyes as he viewed Rose on her bed.
"Still in your pyjamas? I would have thought you would have been showered and dressed already."
"I needed a moment to collect my thoughts." Rose replied guilty. "I'm not sure I'm as ready for this as I thought."
"Rose?" The man said firmly.
"Yes… Dad?" She answered apprehensively.
He sighed, almost cautiously as he looked down upon her.
"Don't let your Grandmother get into your head."
"Easier for you to say." Rose muffled a reply as she lifted her legs up to tuck them under her chin. "I can feel the whole weight of the family on my shoulders."
"Your Grandma got one daughter into Gryffindor." He hissed quietly, his eyes showing the motive behind his words.
"Yes Aunt Molly did her proud." Rose agreed, turning away from his strong stare. "And every Weasley since. But I'm not a Weasley."
"No, your a Ward." He said boldly. "And me and your Mum are proud of you, whatever House you get into, understand?"
Rose nodded sincerely, not quite looking at her Dad. He came to sit next to her on the bed, placing his warm hand on her knee.
"We have always tried to give you the life you deserve Rose, maybe leaving you in the care of your Aunt and Uncle wasn't the right.…"
"Don't say that." A single tear fell from her face. "Being homeschooled here was the best decision you could have both made, it just meant sacrificing seeing you."
"I'm sorry we can't go to the station with you." Her Dad muttered sombrely. "Flu networks aren't designed for our capabilities."
"Your with me up here." Rose weakly smiled, placing her hand to her head.
"And in here." He gestured to her heart. "Now go jump in the shower, before your Aunt Molly has a heart attack."
Rushing her shower to make up for lost time, Rose quickly changed into a pair of skinny jeans and fitted t shirt, flicking her long curls to cover her shoulders.
Rushing down the spiral staircase that led to the ground floor, Rose could hear the rest of the family gathered around the large kitchen table.
Aunt Molly seemed a little more stressed than she usually did, her eyes focused on spreading sandwiches like her life depended on it. Noticing Rose enter the kitchen she hastily shoving a wrapped sandwich into Rose's hand as she passed, muttering that there was bacon still in the pan if she was hungry. Nodding, Rose helped herself to the breakfast, her tummy protesting at the sight of the unappetising dish. Sitting down in the vacant seat opposite Ron, she winced internally, it would seem Ron looked how she felt, his face a light shade of a grey.
"Ron" Rose whispered, her eyes focused purely on him. "Have you been up a while?"
"A couple of hours." He croaked.
Reaching out to hold his hand she gave it a slight squeeze.
"Everything is going to be okay." She murmured.
He didn't answer but looked repulsively at the Sandwich that was left in front of him by his Mother. Rose chuckled darkly indicating with her eyes to her own unappetising lump of bread.
"Ron, no-one is going to forcibly make you eat that corned beef sandwich." Rose smiled sympathetically. Leaning closer to him across the table she whispered. "We could always find the trolly lady on the train?"
"Okay." He nodded slowly, pushing the sandwich towards her. "I cant look at it."
Ron promptly left the table without another word, his face still pale and nervous. Retrieving Ron's unwanted sandwich, Rose reluctantly finished her own breakfast. Placing the empty plate in the sink, the dishcloth jumped to life to start cleaning. There was an impatient sigh from beside her, Aunt Molly and her Mum had come back into the kitchen, amusement clear on only her Mums face. Though the conversation was meant to be private, Rose couldn't help overhearing Fred, George, the cat and something about knitted trousers all being mentioned. Thinking it was wise to keep out of Aunt Molly's way, Rose quickly made her way to the door, the action catching the attention of her Aunt.
"Oh Rose dear, please get ready to leave in ten minutes okay?" Aunt Molly nodded, gently patting her arm as she passed.
"And make sure you have a spare change of clothes in your school bag for when you get to the pub, you know how dirty the flu network is."Her Mum added.
"Sure." Rose nodded, her weak smile feeling more like a grimace.
Giving the ladies what she hoped was a convincing smile, Rose quickly left the kitchen wanting to make as much of the ten minutes as possible. Halting abruptly at the bottom of the stairs, Rose patiently waited for the twins to vacate the landing, the only way upstairs currently blocked by Fred and George and their luggage.
"I heard you were finally successful in putting your knitted trousers on the cat." Rose said with a crooked grin."Congratulations."
"Why thank you." Fred grinned, taking an overeager bow. "My only regret is Mother noticing so soon, I was hoping that the cat would keep it on longer then it did."
"How long did it last?" Rose asked intrigued.
"A minute tops." George replied. "After all that hard work too."
"You will have plenty of time to make another pair in time for Christmas." Rose joked.
"That's not a bad idea." George grinned.
"Anyway are you wanting to get past?" Fred indicated up the stairs.
"I'll wait for you to come down." Rose smiled. "The pair of you are taking up the whole staircase."
"Are you saying I'm fat?" Fred asked deviously.
"No." Rose chuckled. "If anything, I'm trying to say you're both fat.".
"How rude! George replied in mock hurt.
Rose chuckled, offering with her hand to help him down the stairs with his luggage.
"Thanks" he grinned, observing her curiously "You don't seem nervous."
"Are you kidding?" Rose sighed. "I feel awful. I'm surprised I even slept."
"We've got your back Rose." Fred replied the care clear in his voice, smacking her back as he spoke.
"Thank you Fred." Rose smiled weakly. "But even in my fragile state I know when you're up to no good."
Retrieving Percy's prefect badge off her back she looked at them both with bemusement.
"Must be getting sloppy." Fred muttered to George.
"You are both just too easy to read." Rose replied, her hand gripping the badge tightly. "And for this you owe me an unquestionable favour in the future."
"One favour seems just." George agreed with a smirk.
"One each." Rose grinned triumphantly.
"What!?" Fred moaned.
"is it a deal Weasley?" Rose smirked.
"Fine." Fred nodded."But can we at least have the badge back?"
Rose considered her options, quickly concluding that it would be best for the twins to deal with Percy on this occasion. Handing over the badge, she smiled cheekily as she departed up the familiar staircase. Quickly arriving at her room she looked at all the things she had taken advantage of over the years, realising in that moment that the small comfy bedroom that she shared with Ron was going to be missed. The aged dark green walls were covered in peeling quidditch team posters and Rose's artwork, the two twin beds on opposite side of the room separating their space.
There was a whack on the ceiling, the family ghoul making his presence known.
"He's not normally up this early." Rose pondered. "Do you think he has come to say goodbye?"
"I think he might be." Ron agreed."He is going to miss us."
"Who else is he going to bother, everyone else sleeps on the floor bellow."Rose replied.
"it's going to be strange not sharing a space together isn't it." Ron wondered aloud.
"Yes." Rose admitted. "Especially in a room with strangers."
"They won't be strangers for too long." Ron replied, the reassurance meant for himself as well as Rose.
Rose wondered when she was next going to see it all again, a nervous ripple of excitement leaving her as it finally starting to sink in - she was really going to school today. Looking up to meet Ron's curious stare, she was relived to see he was now looking more himself. Rose's dog Smutz, a black and white Miniature Schnauzer was lying perfectly still beside Ron on his bed, his steady breathing indicating that he was fast asleep.
"Do you think it is wise for you to still bring Smutz to school?" Ron asked carefully."Everyone I have spoken to seems to be under the impression that you have been granted permission to bring him to school."
"Well." Rose paused. "I did send an owl to Professor Dumbledore to ask permission."
"And we both know he hasn't replied." Ron retorted with raised eyebrows.
"Ron." Rose grumbled. "I have made the point multiple times that I won't be the first person who isn't taking a cat, toad or owl. You yourself are taking a pet not on the list."
"I hardly think you can count Scabbers." Ron scowled.
"Yes I can." Rose replied stubbornly. "I wanted a dog, and I'm not going to hand over the responsibility to either of our parents to have to look after him."
"Okay." Ron protested, holding his hands up in defeat. "Just remember it's going to be you that has to answer to Granny."
Rose nodded, her heart beating quickly as she contemplated his final words. She would handle that when it came to it. Luckily Rose didn't need to respond, their conversation broke short by the gathering crowd downstairs.
"Rose, Ron are you coming down any time soon?" Percy shouted from bellow.
Looking at Ron for confirmation, Rose quickly rolled up her spare clothes shoving them hastily into her red rucksack. Grabbing the dog lead from behind the door she tapped her leg for Smutz to follow her, leaving the room without looking back.
The living room was now packed with everyone's luggage, nine people, one rat, one owl and one dog, the family piano having been pushed into the corner to make as much room as possible. Rose's parents were huddled next to Aunt Molly, their faces showing their excitement as they saw Rose appear at the top of the stairs. Shuffling to stand next to them, they quickly gave Rose a squeeze the notion giving her nerves a slight boost.
"Now Remember to pronounce the pub name properly before throwing the flu powder in the fireplace" Aunt Molly announced to the room at large. "Especially you Ron, this is not the day to get lost in the middle of London."
Rose gave him a small nod of encouragement, mentally scolding her Aunt for bringing it up. She knew what was about to happen, the twins eager to bring the event up for the umpteenth time.
"Why I had forgotten all about that Mother." "George exclaimed dramatically "Ron, no sneezing do you hear? We don't want you meeting King Snarls again in the lion enclosure."
"Serious point Bro." Fred continued. "None of us have time to bribe the zoo keeper today."
"Or find an escaped snake as a distraction." Ginny added.
"Well that was a fortunate coincidence yes." Molly gushed. "But I am only bringing it up because I care."
"Oh we're just bringing it up because it was funny." Fred replied honestly, his smirk clear.
"You wouldn't be smiling either if it had happened to you" Ron responded, his ears now matching the fiery shade of his hair.
Sighing Rose stared at the twins, the harshness of her eyes making their mischievous grins flicker. She knew Ron too well, knowing it was going to be a miracle to get him out of this mood now. Rose's Mother seemed to think similarly as she replied;
"You're right Ron." Matilda agreed. "And I've always wondered why there was a fireplace there in the first place."
"it's from when it was built in the 1800s." Rose explained. "I looked it up after the incident as I was intrigued. At the time they felt that the exotic animals wouldn't be able to acclimatise themselves to English weather so the fireplaces were built."
Everyone was now looking at Rose their bemusement clear. Only Ron didn't falter his face, the anger still present.
"Well that explains that then." Aunt Molly smiled. "Now let's get you on that train. Percy you first." She ordered, handing him the plant pot.
"Of course Mother." Percy said smugly. Without hesitation he announced confidently. "King Charles I."
His hand dropped the sand into the fireplace, the fire illuminating green before engorged Percy into the space.
Watching each of her family members in turn go into the fire, Rose observed Ron announce the words with perfect clarity, relived that he was going to be in the correct location. Now the only one left, Rose looked at everyone in turn, trying to show some sort of confidence.
"Would it be easier if I took your luggage for you?" Aunt Molly suggested, looking down at the now nervous Smutz.
Rose grinned her thanks, handing her luggage to her Aunt who took hold of Ginny with her other hand. Within moments Rose was left alone with her parents.
"it's time." Rose's Mum announced proudly. "We can't wait to hear of all the adventures you will get up to."
"And what you learn at school." Her Father grinned enthusiastically.
"I'll miss you." Rose sighed. "I wish we weren't taking the flu network. Then you could at least see me onto the train."
"you know the flu network is practically free." Her Mother cooed. "It makes sense."
"We will make sure we will be there at the end of the school year instead." Her Dad promised."Nobody wants their parents there at the start of the year I promise."
Rose looked doubtfully at her Dad before giving him a huge hug, moving over to her Mum she repeated the process breathing in her familiar comforting smell.
Turning to walk to the fireplace, Rose took a pinch of the soft, cool sand. Scooping Smutz of the floor she balanced him on her right hip. Stepping into the fire she turned to see her parents one more time before announcing clearly.
"King Charles I Pub, Kings Cross."