My hearts seen things I wish it didn't Somewhere I lost some of my innocence and I miss it, Stay up all night thinking it's twisted, my life has been survival of the fittest, But I did it. - Older than I am - Lennon Stella.
8th May 1998
Heaven - The Burrow.
I have only experienced my Dad being angry at me once in the past, and even then he wasn't angry at me so to speak, he was angry at the world for taking my Mum from him. So this is new, he looks at me with so much anger I can barely stand it. "What the fuck are you doing here? You aren't supposed to be here. Not for a long time, you can't just pop in and say hey."
I rolled my eyes at myself, it's ironic because that was exactly what he said when he was reunited with Mum again in this time. "Hey…" I watched her beating him with a backpack and honestly, he deserved it. Maybe I deserved the same.
"Don't roll your eyes at me, Rosie, I want an explanation."
I can't stand to look him in the eyes as he approaches me. I have waited for this moment for so long and now, I stare at the floor, my hands behind my back.
"I had to do it for Romi…"
He pushes my chin up with his hand, "Do what for Romi?" He looks down, "Where is she?"
I look down following his eyes and my heart sinks, I grab my stomach, I'm empty. It's flat and lifeless. My breathing rattles as I look at my Dad, I want to cry… she can't be gone.
"Dad…" I let out a sob and his arms wrapped around me, his hand in my hair pulling me to his chest I can feel him sobbing.
I hear a chair slide from its place, the scrape along the tiled floor. Mum wraps her arms around us both. I don't need to open my eyes to confirm, I know her smell is the most comforting scent I know.
"We will find her," she whispers.
"Can I hug Rosie too?" I hear Lily whisper.
"Not just now." Uncle Harry says softly. "Wait your turn"
"Mummy" A voice like a breeze floats into my mind, not one I have ever heard but I would know it anywhere. Dad's sobs stop, he hears it too. I break free from the safety of the moment
My reason is somewhere nearby
"Mummy" she calls louder, she's looking for me. I follow her voice flinging the door open and running into the daylight. There's clouds in the sky, light grey but I see the light peaking through.
"Mummy, where are you?" Her voice is like the sunshine.
"There you are mummy." my heart soars as I catch sight of her out of the corner of my eye. She's the most beautiful soul I've ever seen.
I've seen her most days via a blurry spell that shows the basics but truly seeing her is something very different. Her little pink lips smile so widely showing her white teeth and bright grey eyes sparkle in the sunshine.
Suddenly I'm running, and she's running straight towards me. She runs as fast as her legs will carry her. I'm sobbing, my heart is heavy. I can feel it weighing me down. She is laughing with beautiful melodic notes that break through the cloud above.
She wears a white summer dress that floats around her, her hair tied back in a bow. Her curls are dark and thick, shining so healthily in the daylight.
As she reaches me, I hold my breath. I stoop down, throwing out my arms. She envelopes me in love so vivid I feel as though I have only seen in black and white my whole life. She throws herself at me with so much force I feel as though we may topple to the ground but I grip her instead. Her legs either side of my body gripping me as though I might disappear. I sink to my knees and feel the weight of life leaving my sore tired body. She is safe. No one will ever hurt her, she is here, in my arms and she will never know the horrors of the world. My chest heaves, I grip her head to my neck, my hand in her hair and sob. She doesn't pull away, she doesn't wiggle like Lily would have, instead I feel her tiny hand rubbing my back. She is so small, so new but already so wise and so wonderful. She knows I need this and I know I've done the right thing.
I sob twenty years of tears, gripping her tight to me because everything has led me to this moment.
"Mummy, I was looking for you" she giggles. She wipes my tears with her hands, her hands then wiped them on her dress "Why are you sad?"
Her voice is a glimpse of heaven. Angelic and pure. She doesn't understand sadness and that brings me so much joy.
"I'm not sad, baby," I whisper. And for the first time in the longest time, it's the truth. I'm so happy it bursts from me. Holding my joy in my arms. I know I will see my star soon. I couldn't possibly ask for more.
I smell cinnamon before a warming hand touches my back. I turn to see his life-worn face.
"Mummy is so happy to see you, that it's bursting from her face," Dad says before putting his arms around us. "Hey Pup, I wasn't expecting to meet you so soon" Romi laughs manically as his beard tickles her face.
"Papa tickles."
She wiggles a little, resting her head on my chest away from his beard. I can almost hear her cheeky little nature as she giggles softly. I enjoy the silence of the moment, before looking at my Dad again.
"Why do you keep calling her pup?"
Dad watches her with sad eyes. "Sirius nicknamed her and it's kind of stuck."
I look at my Dad, meeting his blue eyes this time, "Sirius knows about her," my heart flutters as I say his name.
"Of course, Sirius knows about her…" Dad scoffs a little. His hand feels so comforting on my back.
In the distance I see Mum watching us from inside the house. She doesn't approach us, just watches smiling kindly.
"How would he know about Romi?" my heart drops, "Did you tell him about her?"
"Rose…" Dad holds my arm a little too tightly, his brow is wrinkled now, "He's her Dad of course, he knows about her."
Romi plays with my hair, her lips puffing out and in again I stare at her beautiful face. She has every feature I have traced in my nights in the Manor. Her lips move ever so slightly as she sing songs a word over and over.
It takes a moment to register what my Dad has just said, "He's her Dad"...
I look back at him for a moment, confusion must be written on my face because realisation filters into his face, that this is new information to me, he nods and whispers, "Sirius is her father Rosie"
It's impossible.
I shake my head as I try to pull her closer to me but she pushes her arms against my chest forcing herself to have distance from me, she smiles so beautifully and then it registers what she is saying, "Daddy daddy daddy daddy"
My heart falls. As though I am really seeing her for the very first time, she has his smile. Romi has Sirius' smile…
Sirius…
Died two years ago… my heart beats so fast I can feel my pulse stabbing in my neck.
My head hurts and I try to rationalise my feelings.
I'm fishing, I shake my head again, I'm looking for things that aren't there. I've seen the diagnostic charm myself, the similarities are just the Black family genes… after all… Draco looks like Sirius sometimes.
Two years … Sirius has been dead for two years.
If she was Sirius's daughter she would have been born by now…
She looks at me, wrinkles her nose as she continues to giggle.
Like he did … when he found something unbearablely funny.
I feel bile rising in my throat.
But it doesn't matter, it's not possible and she's safe now anyway… The question burns in my throat. "Dad, where is Sirius?"
Dad's brows furrow. "Sirius isn't here Rosie, Sirius came back for you."
Suddenly everyone was screaming.
Hermione screamed his name. Ron swore loudly, shouting her name. They moved together. Hermione grabbing her feet Ron's arms snaked under her shoulders.
Heaving her from the bath his mind registering the burning heat of the water on his arms. It didn't matter.
Rose flopped lifelessly in his arms as they lowered her to the floor.
There was too much noise all around him."I'll call for the healers." "How long has she been there?""What is happening?" "Is she breathing?" There were so many voices Ron couldn't think.
Ron looked at her, her face so pale each of her freckles was visible, her lips tinged with blue and purple. He held her face as he whispered her name. She felt so small.
"Rose" She didn't move, "Rose" Ron shouted in her ear, rubbed her.
"What do we do?" He pleaded with Hermione. She stared at Rose. "What do we do?" Ron shouted, breaking her trance. His body and mind numb.
Hermione checked her mouth, moved her limbs in some odd fashion, before leaning over her and… kissing her?
"What are you doing?" Ron asked.
"It's called mouth to mouth, it's a Muggle medical procedure." Hermione felt Rose's throat. "I can't feel a pulse."
Smudge stood on all fours at the side of the room. He met Ron's eyes, their fear mirrored.
"Don't give up on her." Ron pleads.
Hermione knelt beside her and pushed her palms but into Rose's chest.
"Come on," Hermione said with tears in her eyes. "Breathe"
Ron watched as Romi moved frantically inside her mother. The orange material clung tight to her stomach, each movement strong and alien.
"The healers are on their way" someone, possibly Ron's mother, said behind them.
Hermione's brow dripped with sweat as she pushed, breathed, pushed, repeated. It had been minutes, and there was no change.
She began to slow, tears running down her cheeks. She slowed her efforts sitting beside her.
"I can't feel a pulse…" Hermione's voice broke, she wasn't telling him that she couldn't feel a pulse, there was an underlying tone in the statement.
She was giving up
"Tell me how to do it …" Ron snapped at Hermione. It had been a long time since he had spoken to her in that tone and she appeared shocked by it, but she showed him quietly.
Grief and defeat were painted on her face.
He put his mouth to Rose's tilting her head and blew air into her. He would be her lungs if he needed to.
Three breathes just like Hermione had said.
His fists on her chest, the cannon's logo directly where he needed to push.
1, 2, 3.
She never gave up on them. Even in her darkest moments, when life was beating her down, she was there for him. Now it was his turn.
He felt a bone crunch sickeningly under his fists.
Hermione grabbed at his hands "Ron you are breaking her ribcage." He pushed her a little too hard, sending her flying backwards into the sink.
"It's not going to matter if shes fucking dead is it." As he pushed he imagined he was slamming Lucius Malfoy's head into the ground.
"Come…"
Push
"On…"
Push
"Rosie…"
He breathed for her again.
"Mum, what's happening?" Ginny whispered.
"She's gone." was whispered and Ginny let out a sob.
Someone was touching his shoulder, Harry's voice crooked."Ron, she's gone mate."
Ron pulled away from Rose, his hands on his knees. Staring at her face she looked so peaceful. But there was no peace in a senseless death. She had so much to live for.
It was the ultimate failure as a father. He couldn't keep her safe from death eaters. Couldn't protect her from a scumbag like Malfoy, couldn't even keep her safe from herself.
Ron watched the movement in her stomach slowing, the desperate kicks had failed them both.
"No"
He threw the arms from his shoulders.
Breathing for her once more.
Push
"Rose…"
Someone tried to pull him back.
"Ron, please."
"No"
Air.
"She doesn't have a pulse Ron."
Her lips were turning blue.
Her eyes were rolled back in her head. She wasn't showing him the worst moments of a life she stopped.
After everything she had been through, why now? What had he missed?
"You are not allowed to fucking die." A shout so primal it silenced the commotion. He grabbed her face.
He pushed air into her lungs, every drop he had.
He would give his life for her.
He pulled away.
Staring down at her unmoving face, he felt pain stabbing his chest. He pressed his forehead to hers, and let himself cry.
I stare at my Dad "Sirius what?"
"He came back for you… Mum pushed him through the veil during the battle of Hogwarts." He watches me the same way he did the night he died. There is an unspeakable desperation in his tone, like I had missed the most important detail. "Didn't he come find you?"
I felt my heart cracking in two, a pain so visceral it took my breath away. Dad put his hands on my shoulders. "Rosie… what's wrong?"
The light around me crackles and the little house in the distance shudders before being engulfed by the tar-like darkness. I can't breathe, Dad wraps his arms around me and Romi tighter and I feel my heart breaking again, over and over. Like a troll is standing on me and putting pressure on my chest. The moment I release my grip on her slightly, Romi is dragged from my arms by shadowed figures. She screams my name as they wrap their hands around her, consuming her the way the house had been consumed moments before.
I can't move, I'm rooted to the ground by the darkness that spreads out before me over the horizon.
"Dad!" I scream as he is dragged into the darkness his hand outstretched to me.
In the silence of the room, a sound in the distance caught Ron's attention. Another screaming cry.
"I'll go get her." Ginny said sadly.
Rose.
She changed entire timelines to be here now
She had said in her letter it wasn't a rash or rushed decision… but for once Ron knew she was wrong. Both versions of his Rose had a place in this world.
If she never gave up on them he couldn't give up on her.
As he watched her he could see her lips were turning pink again. His heart began to race once more, Roses scream was distinctive, she needed her Dad… but what if it wasn't herself she was crying on behalf of.
What if…
To groans and choruses of "Ron stop." "Mate, I know it's hard" "She's gone" "...wasting time…" he breathed what felt like his final breath into her, Ron was met with his own wide-staring eyes and water filled his mouth.
Gasps and chokes and sighs of relief filled the room.
Ron grabbed Rose pulling her up from lying on the floor, he knew he was holding her too tightly and too close but as she coughed desperately, expelling a copious amount of water and blood all over his shoulder his mind flashed to the moment he held Hermione after Rose's birth when death had been so close to taking her from him.
His fingers tangled in her hair, kissing the top of her head.
"I'm here…"
She coughed and choked, her eyes wide staring around her taking in her surroundings.
"The healers are here now, Ron, you need to move out of the way."
But he clung to her tighter, Rose pushed against him clutching her chest and grimacing, there was blood in her mouth.
"I …home…" she croaked. Her breathing was laboured and shallow.
"You're ok, Rosie…" Ron whispered.
"No" she gasped, shaking her head.
"You will be…"
"I was home…" She had anger painted on her face. "Why would you bring me back."
The momentary joy Ron had felt was gone. Why wouldn't he bring her back? "Rosie I…"
"Stop calling me that…" she shouted.
"I thought…"
"You thought wrong" She pushed him from her while trying to stand up Hermione offered to help her but was also pushed away, the medihealers moved Ron back to try to intervene.
"What's your name, sweetheart," the first healer asked. "I'm Joan " The woman placed a gentle hand on Rose's arm. Her eyes rolled back in union with Rose.
As she dragged her hand away Rose hissed "Stop touching me…"
"We are trying to help you pathetic little girl…" the second healer said with an annoyed tone. Ron shot her a dirty look before returning to Rose. Ron's heart hurt, Rose looked so fragile.
"Rosie let them check you, I think I broke your rib when I was trying to bring you back." Ron tried to reason with her.
"Stop calling me Rosie…" She hissed.
"But…"
Rose slipped and slid on the tile, clutching her chest as she moved, blood pooled in her mouth and she spat it into the sink.
Ron motioned to help her once more but she stared at him with a look of utter hatred, its physically hurt.
"You…" she shoved her finger in his chest, "... are not MY Dad…" She punched him with a force that made him see stars for a second. She cried out in pain and gasps echoed in the room as the second of the healers stepped in the way.
"Stupid, stupid girl" the healer tried to grab her but Rose evaded her grasp.
"Can you stop calling her stupid?" Ron said angrily.
"Stop fucking acting like you are him." Rose shouted pushing past the healer between them. Once again squaring up to Ron. "I was with him…"
Molly pulled the healer from the bathroom and could be heard berating her for her lack of professionalism.
Rose punched Ron in the chest. She looked positively demonic, with blood on her chin and her eyes bloodshot dripping wet. Anger coursed through her and he was her target, so Ron stood tall and took it. "I was happy dead…" Years of built-up anger seeped from her as she slapped him over and over again. Ron took it all. She was sobbing now, her punches weakening, each breath becoming more raspy and painful. "I was with my family… my Dad, my Romi"
Rose stopped for a moment, clutched her chest, crying in pain. Ron took his opportunity. He wrapped his arms around her again. He was at least a foot taller than her and rested his chin on her head. Rose fought back, wiggling and screaming as loud as her lungs would allow. "She was safe" "Get the fuck off me…" she was fighting to get away but Ron held her tight to him.
Rose kicked out, her feet slipping and sliding on the tile, her fists trying to cause pain as they punched his hips.
There was a crowd of people in the bathroom now. His mother watched from the doorway her hand over her face, her eyes streaming. Harry watched them with sympathetic eyes. Hermione stood close by. She mouthed something to him, but he couldn't make it out.
"... you took that from me… Romi was safe… she was safe in my arms." Rose slowed down, her strength leaving punching again with a weak fist before accepting her defeat and sinking into his embrace.
Her legs gave way but Ron held her close. Her arms wrapped around him and his heart rate slowed, as the adrenaline that had been coursing through his veins turned to sadness.
Ron watched as Joan filled a syringe behind Rose, she motioned for Ron not to say anything.
"How do I protect her from them now… Romi is going to have my life!" Ron felt Romi moving against his stomach jumping as Rose sobbed and winced with each minor movement and breath.
"They won't get her… I won't let them" he said sternly.
It took a moment for Ron to recognise he was rocking back and forth. Soothing her the way he did Rosie.
"You can't watch me 24 hours a day…" She heaved gasping. "I'll just try again…"
Ron kissed the top of her head as Joan moved towards them. "I know Smudge…" he whispered. "And I'll be there to stop you every time."
The healer stabbed the injection in Rose's arm causing her to jump.
She stared into his eyes with a glimmer of betrayal as she slipped into sleep once more.
She flopped against him
He handed her to the healer who produced a stretcher taking her to St Mungo's.
He felt another pair of arms immediately snaking around his waistband; another crying form embraced him. Hermione, this time. "I'm so sorry I should have listened."
Ron shushed her. Kissing the top of her head trying to remain strong but he shook as he watched them taking Rose's once again lifeless body from the room.
"I'm going to find a change of clothes and some pyjamas for her and stay with her until she's a bit more settled." Ron's mother bustled over. She pulled him down and shared a cuddle with him and Hermione. "You two stay here. Try and get some rest." She kissed them both on the cheeks, "I'm so proud of you both"
Ron couldn't think of anything he needed less than rest but he nodded all the same. As she left the room he said "We have to make sure Malfoy can't touch Romi."
Hermione pulled away and looked up at him. "Ron…"
A loud chirp interrupted her thought, Smudge watched them carefully.
As Hermione moved from Ron he jumped scaling Ron's body and coming to rest on Ron's shoulder. His back legs on the left his front on the right he wrapped himself around Ron like a scarf. The sudden weight was surprisingly comforting
Ron scratched his ginger chin and they shared a moment of understanding, a moment of gratitude for the others part in the rescue of their shared loved one.
"… she did this for Romi, Hermione. There has to be a way to stop him taking her."
"But, what?"
He glanced around at the bathroom, blood and water everywhere the place looked like a bomb had hit it. With a wave of his wand he cleaned it all.
"I don't know yet but I'm not stopping until I find it."
A hand found his back, Harry had found his way to them, wrapping his arms around the two of them. "We're in this together…"
St Mungo's Hospital
8th May 1998
In the dark of the night, Molly watched as Rose slept, the dreamless draught taking the desired effect.
It always surprised Molly how different children looked at night.
Rose looked like her mother, there was no doubt about it, and Molly had recently found herself wondering how she didn't register the resemblance sooner. Still, there were times that Rose was her father's double, her little Ronnie and for a moment Molly could have been forgiven for forgetting that it was her Granddaughter lying in the hospital bed in front of her.
She had been in this position with him once before, a burst appendix had rendered him hospitalised at 7 years old. He had been in so much pain he too had been given the draught. She had stayed by his bedside for 3 days before his fever broke and infection had wained. She would never forget the smile he gave her as he woke. His hand in hers had been so tiny.
Rose's stomach jumped as the babe inside moved restlessly. The movements and kicks had been Molly's favourite part of pregnancy. In the dead of night when the rest of the world was asleep it was just her and the unknown little being.
It had been a common misconception that Molly had desired a girl so much, that after the twins Molly had been done they had agreed no more children. Five beautiful healthy boys were more than enough, pureblood pregnancies took a toll and Molly had defied the odds to have five live children.
When she had fallen pregnant three months later, however, Molly had known that she was playing with fire. The nights had been different with this one, the voice in her head told her that pain was coming and when the tiny girl had been born sleeping Molly's world had collapsed.
Rosaline. She had been perfect, ten little fingers, ten little toes, but, there was no explanation. Except that she was too perfect for this world. Molly held on to her angel for what felt like both seconds and a lifetime, taking in every curl of flaming red hair, the pout of her lips and her father's nose. That was until Arthur had been forced by the healer to pry their daughter from her arms.
Molly had gone home with empty wanting arms. The boys had been briefed beforehand, had not asked about their sister, instead just clambered onto her lap trying so desperately to fill the space that the little angel had left.
There had been a small funeral, Molly didn't remember the details, she barely remembered waking up each day during that time. Arthur had arranged it with the help of Fabien and Gideon and from the fuzzy memories they had done well. But a silent agreement had fallen between husband and wife that they would not speak of her again. Thinking of it now made a bubble of guilt explode in Molly's chest. She was never forgotten, or hidden but her absence was too painful to discuss. Molly went through the motions, the threat of evil impending, like a cloud over everything. Her sons and her brothers kept Molly busy enough to keep the thoughts at bay. It wasn't until Arthur had lovingly taken her hand a few days before the end of February 1980 that she allowed herself to acknowledge their predicament.
"We can't ignore them any longer darling…" When he placed his hand on her stomach it had been like being dragged from a dream. Molly had crashed to consciousness once more and panic and fear had set in. "... they are going to come soon and we need to be ready."
When you give birth to a child there is pain, pain so strong you feel as though you will never survive it, but the moment your child gives their first cry you cease to see your own pain, they are so tiny and small and the world is so big and they need you. As soon as they are placed on your chest, warm and safe the pain is forgotten, forgiven in a way. But the pain of Rosaline had never ended, there was no cry of fear and need to drag Molly from her own pain, no warm little body that needed her and Molly had no idea how she was going to survive it a second time.
Exactly one year to the day that her daughter had been born silent, new pains had started, Molly had taken it as a sign, she had been convinced that she would hear nothing but silence once again. More pain and more heartache were coming for her. She laboured at home this time, deemed too stubborn to go to the hospital, silencing the room so the boys would not hear. But instead of silence, her pain was broken by his cry.
In the aftermath, Molly had watched him the same way she had Rosaline, only, his limbs and features moved almost too much as though trying to reassure her he was alive. He had healed part of her broken heart that night and over the course of his short life and because of him colour returned to Molly's grey world. She had never suspected those 18 years ago that he would have such an impact on the rest of the world.
"Hello little one," Molly whispered, placing her hand on Rose's stomach in an attempt to soothe the child inside. A foot kicked her palm, followed by a second kick, an elbow and a shin. "You are an active little one, no wonder your mummy doesn't get any sleep, my goodness.."
As another unseen appendage hit her hand, as it did a memory came to Molly's mind. So sharp and sudden it was like a bolt of lightning, her own scream as she interrupted a private moment, a sheepish Rose coming to find her a little while later with red ears and a coy smile. "There are worse people to love than Sirius Black." Molly had assured Rose that her love for Sirius was acceptable, encouraged even. Almost like giving Rose her blessing…
Molly took a sharp breath. The babe within was trying to tell her something. There was the smallest moment where Molly considered that this may be an invasion of privacy. A piece of information that was not hers to learn but the glint of the bands on Rose's wrists it was clear she would never be able to do this herself.
The torment that she was being put through, the worry about who the father of her child was. What if the little one inside was trying so desperately to show her mother something she was unable to see.
With her left hand never leaving Rose's stomach, Molly found her wand within her shawl. It took a second but on muttering the incantation, she gasped as the gold writing appeared before her giving her the answer she had so desired, 8 months 2 weeks… Father: Sirius Black II
Grandmother's intuition was right and as the face of the sleeping babe appeared before her Molly was sure she saw the hint of her father's triumphant smirk.
The Burrow
9th May 1998 4:00am
The night had been long, Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron had congregated in the living room after it was silently decided that sleep was something that would no doubt elude them all. Ron had been sitting in the same position on the couch, Rose dosing on his chest, Hermione sat next to him hunched over the coffee table reading Dumbledore's book, Harry and Ginny had cuddled up together on the sofa. After sitting in near silence for the last few hours Ginny was the one to break it. "You never told us what Kingsley wanted?" Ginny asked Harry.
"Oh shit, I forgot about that…" He looked genuinely annoyed at himself, "Sirius is alive."
"What?!" Ron shouted startling baby Rose and caused her to cry loudly.
"But … he…" Hermione sat straighter, cracking her back as she moved.
"He didn't die, apparently he just fell through the veil and was stuck in some kind of purgatory, Kingsley said he was found in the Department of Mysteries the day of the battle of Hogwarts," Harry explained.
"That was almost a week ago… why would he not come back for Rose?" Ron furrowed his brow in anger.
"He was arrested initially because he was a formerly convicted murderer," Harry added with a hint of sarcasm, "then when he was about to be freed, he was charged with another charge,"
"What other charge and why hasn't he tried to contact Rose?" Ron demanded. Hermione placed her hand on Ron's shoulder and shushed him.
"Do you remember how Rose had said she had seen Lucius Malfoy leaving St Mungos and it looked like he had gotten a kicking from someone? Well, Sirius was the one who gave Malfoy that kicking, in the holding cells. While he was officially pardoned for the murder of those muggles the day Pettigrew was arrested, when Malfoy chose to press charges, Sirius couldn't be released until he was tried. But because all of the pre-trials of the death eaters have been going on, anything considered a petty crime has been put to the back burner and they are only just getting round to them now."
"When is his trial?" Hermione asked.
"Tomorrow, he could get 3 years but they might take the time he's owed back. I'm going to go see him tomorrow morning."
Harry glanced at his watch, "Scratch that I'm going to see him today in four hours." He rubbed his temple and sighed.
The sound of apparition echoed the room, and in the middle stood both Dobbie and Kreacher.
"Harry Potter sir, so nice to see you again. Dobbie knews he is to be finding Harry Potter here with his Weezies."
Kreacher stood jittering, folding his hands over and over themselves impatiently muttering something under his breath.
"Dobbie went to Grimmauld Place as Kreacher send messages… Kreacher is worried about the Mistress Weezie…"
"Me?" Ginny asked.
"No, not the blood traitor. The half-blood Weasley." Kreacher grumbled.
"You mean Rose," Ron asked.
"Yes, Master Sirius's mistress." Kreacher drawled
"Mistress Weezie was a… friend of Sirius Black before his death." Dobbie chuckled to himself.
"Friend?" asked Harry.
"They have marital relations outside of marital bond Mr Harry Potter sir…" Dobbie answered very matter-of-factly
"Ah" Harry grimaced slightly. "I walked into that"
"The heir… Mistress Weasley carries the heir to the house of Black." Kreacher interrupted.
Suddenly the room was silent, Kreacher looked between their faces "Miss Granger you must help you must understand." he approached Hermione with a desperate look on his face.
Hermione looked to Ron for assistance.
"You has always been kind to Kreacher, even when Kreacher is not kind to you… Miss you must believe. Your daughter's daughter is in danger."
"What are you saying Kreacher?" Ron asked.
"Miss Weezies child is not of Malfoy' blood" Dobbie added.
"Miss Weasley's child is the daughter of Master Sirius" Kreacher said with desperation
The room suddenly felt very cold, Hermione struggled to find the words, "It's impossible Kreacher, Sirius has been gone for two years …"
"Miss, Dobbie begs your pardon for the insolence Miss, but it is true… House-elves of the ancient houses knows these things, we has secrets we cannot share but we is always know when the news of a new descendant is coming. Dobbie was sent on more than one occasion to find the bastards of former Master Malfoy… even as free elf Dobbie still knows"
"But…" Harry tried to speak
"There is no new Malfoy heir due to be born Mr Harry Potter sir."
Kreacher who had begun to pace the floor by this point was so distressed he began to wail loudly. "The heir, she must not sign over the heir"
Ron felt his stomach jump as a flash of one of the memories they had watched came to mind. "That's why you were saying she will damage the heir, in her memories after Sirius died."
"Yes, blood traitor Weasley. Your daughter of a time since changed carried on with alcohol and table dancing while carrying the Black heir. Then when Kreacher is trying to tell her she must protect the heir she is crying and disappearing in time so Kreacher cannot find her. Kreacher was most upset as it is Mistress Walburga's wish that Kreacher protect the child. Mistress Walburga knows the child will do great things with the noble Black name but she must not be born outside of wedlock or stolen by the disgraced name of Malfoy. Kreacher has heard rumours of Master Sirius alivement and if this true we must legitise the union to ensure the noble house of Black continues even when sullied by half blood."
"Getting a bit offensive Kreacher" Harry warned.
"Dobbie will apologise for kreacher he is learning the new way of kindness"
Rons mind spun, "Say we believe this, say the baby is Sirius's, What do you mean the baby will be stolen by the malfoys?"
"There is a plot, a wicked plot, Kreacher is speaking with Mopsy who is elf of Mistress Malfoy. She is knowing that the child is not of the Malfoy name, it was confirmed by Professors Dumbledore and Professor Snape."
Harry made a a strangled sound. "How would Dumbledore know about the baby, he was dead before…"
The elves spoke together, slotting the pieces of the jigsaw together, "Professor Dumbledore uses Elf magic. He uses the ancient magic but Mopsy knows that he is knowing about the heir…"
"... Professor Snape has given the truth to Mistress Malfoy… There has been plot from before the wedding of Mistress Wheezy and the Dark Lord, now they use the heir as a pawn…"
"... A pawn to protect the name of Malfoy, to save the circles of evil."
"What are the circles of evil." Hermione asked.
"An evil place owned by the Malfoys of ancient times, light that goes in does not leave."
"The compound?" Ron asked.
"Some call it that, Dobbie has attended it on too many occasions, the evils he has seen," Dobbies eyes widened for a moment as though lost in thought. But he shook his head. "Dobbie should not speak of these things …"
"Where is Mistress Weasley? Kreacher must speak with her."
"She is at St Mungos Kreacher I don't think they will let you see her."
Kreacher shook his head and left without further comment. Dobbie on the other hand said brief goodbyes before disappearing into oblivion.
As Kreacher and Dobbie left, Ginny spoke "We need to tell Rose,".
"She isn't going to believe us, she is going to think we are making it up to stop her from trying again." Hermione said sadly.
Ron's mind was blank. If it was true, all of this had been senseless, all of the pain she had experienced had been for nothing.
"Is there anything in that book of her's?" Ron asked, watching Hermione flipping through the pages once again.
"Funny you should ask that, I have a feeling the book is wrong or at least wrong on purpose." Hermione answered.
"Why?" Ron asked
"It might be nothing, but I have a feeling this page in particular has been tampered with." Hermione moved over to the table, Harry and Ginny moved to join her. Ron stood behind her bouncing Rose. She opened the page to the "Potter" family tree. "When I first opened the book there were the names of your potential future children at the bottom here, but it faded into these three stars."
Ginny pulled a face before turning to Harry, "On that note we are going to have to discuss the name Albus… I'm not sure what I was on to agree to that…"
Hermione continued pointedly turning the page. "When I look at me and you, Ron," She pointed to the two stars to the right of the two Rose's. "We had Rose and then it fractured into Rose and … well Rose." She gestured to the baby in Ron's arms who now watched her mother. "And we have two other stars now..." she rubbed them gently, Ron watched as Hermione lost herself in the thought before returning just as quickly. "What I don't understand is how the book knows Romi's name, her date of birth, her father's name but doesn't show that with any of ours… It's like it's been put there by someone for her to find, to back up that Draco is her father."
"Is this the only version or is it like the invisibility cloak where there's two now" Ginny asked.
Hermione's eyes widened, "Where is her bag?" She grabbed Rons shirt. Looking into his eyes with desperation.
"On her bed."
Hermione took off up the stairs, and returned with Rose's bag and an envelope. "It's addressed to me…" Ron felt his heart dropping, he had forgotten about the other letters.
"Don't open it…" Ron said sharply as she began to open the envelope. "Not now…" Rose had began to squirm on his chest as he paced the room bouncing and rocking her.
"I think she's getting hungry…"
Hermione nodded. "Two minutes," Quickly rummaged in Rose's bag to find the book. She pulled out two vials, inspecting them before putting them on the table.
"What are they?" Ginny asked, taking the vial in her hand. Smudge jumped onto the table and walked in front of Hermione running his tail under her chin.
"Ptt…" she brushed the fluffy tail from her face. "They are memories but I'm not sure what they are. All of the ones Rose had before were organised and labelled."
After finding the book she was looking for Hermione opened it next to the first and began her analysis. "Look, these books are different…" pointed to two pages. On the left Romi's name and parentage. On the right, a small star instead. She screamed, everyone jumped. "There's a line, there's a line on this one that connects Rose and Sirius"
Ron, who was trying to calm a now very distressed baby, leaned over to glance at what she pointed at. Hermione was right, a silver almost invisible line drawn across the page connected to "Sirius Black II" who appeared on the Weasley family tree under Ron's great-grandmother by marriage.
"It's barely there but it's there, right?" Hermione pressed, their conversation was interrupted by clinking of glass on wood, Smudge batted the memory vial between his paws. Ron and Hermione shared a look, before Hermione began rummaging through Rose's bag again. Pulling the pensive from the depths of the bag she poured the contents in before plunging her head into it.
Baby Rose had reached a stage of hysteria by this point. Ron had tried to feed her with a bottle, she had screamed, batting it away, he had changed her, winded and soothed her but nothing seemed to be working.
"Want me to try? She's probably feeling your stress." Ginny offered. Ron was reluctant but handed her over. Maybe it was true that she was feeling the tension in the air because moments later Rose had calmed, her eyes drooping as sleep approached quickly. Or perhaps it was something more, Ron had just enough time to run his fingers through his hair before Hermione pulled her head from the pensive with a gasp.
"Kreacher is right. The baby is Sirius's. They were right about everything, Dumbledore knew about the baby, both Dumbledore and Snape knew about the baby."
Rose giggled looking Ron directly in the eyes before shuffling her head to hide in her aunt's hair.
"The memory was Snapes, Dumbledore was telling him that Rose was pregnant with Sirius's baby. The plot, everything Dobbie and Kreacher told us was true, Snape was the one to convince You Know Who to marry Rose. It was on Dumbledore's orders but it was him that did it, it was all part of their plan, I don't understand why he would do that"
Ron felt anger burning in his chest like he had never felt. "How is it possible though Hermione, he has been dead for two years."
"He hasn't been dead for two years for her, with the time turner, Dumbledore said he would keep her busy. If she was using the time turner continuously then her and Romi are only aging for the time they are actually alive. She barely slept, it explains a lot, like how she is only in her very early twenties but she has been in this timeline for almost 17 years"
"Why would he do that? Why would Dumbledore use her like that? That's just evil." Ron spat.
"We need to tell Rose." Hermione said.
"We need to tell Sirius…" Harry added.
"I think you should go to the trial, even if he is charged you could see if it would be possible to visit him before or after and tell him about Rose and Romi." Ginny said. "If you and Hermione go to St Mungo's, Ron, you can tell Rose and hopefully if Sirius gets off you can take him to St Mungos's Harry straight after."
St Mungo's Hospital
May 9th 1998 8:15am
Granny hadn't left my side the whole night, when I woke it was her gentle face that I saw first of all.
She had been crying, her eyes red and raw and she looked at me as though I would break into a million pieces. With so much sadness and sympathy I couldn't help but cry. She put her hand on top of the covers over where mine would be. I felt it intermittently tightening around mine and I wasn't given the choice to release her grip.
The question that the healer had posed was a simple one. "Why did you feel driven to suicide?"
I wanted to disappear, the effects of the sleeping potions I had been given coupled with the entire bottle of dreamless draught had my head spinning and every muscle in my body aching. I don't answer, it feels almost offensive for her to ask the question. I'm tired. It would be both the answer and the symptom if I had the strength to say it.
"Mrs Riddle, you are legally required to answer our questions or we will have no choice but to section you." The blonde-haired mind healer named Lisa demanded.
"It's Miss Weasley," Granny chastised. "My granddaughter did not choose to marry that brute, she will not respond to that name."
"I wasn't trying to kill myself. I was trying to kill Romi," I say bluntly, making Granny gasp.
"Oh petal," I hear her whisper with a sob.
"You are admitting to trying to murder a child." Lisa lays her pen on her parchment, she rubs her temples as though entirely exhausted by the conversation already. "Do you have any idea the amount of paperwork this is going to cause?"
"I'm not murdering a child, I'm protecting my child, from the people who want to take her away and sell her into slavery" Lisa scribbles notes on her page, shaking her head subtly. I can feel her judgement, I can almost hear it. "Death is a mercy I've always known. I can't let them have her, I also can't let him get away with everything he has done but I suppose I don't have much of a choice, I was raised by them, in that hellhole they call a manor. I know what Lucius Malfoy likes… it wouldn't stop him knowing that he was related to her, no one deserves that life. She is innocent. I have a duty as her mother to protect her. I was trying to do that the only way I knew how. "
"Why didn't you speak to anyone?" My Granny asks. And I look into her eyes.
"Because you would have stopped me…" I can see her threatening to cry again so I stare at my blanket "I don't have a choice what to do now, I have to submit, and hundreds of people are not going to get justice, or if they do by some miracle, they are going to look to me to ask why I denied their existence. Tell me what I am meant to do,"
She pats my leg through the covers. "We won't let anyone take your baby from you."
I smile, I know what she is trying to say … but it's not enough, nothing will ever stop the Malfoys'. "I'm going to jail. They have already gotten off with everything. I just wanted to make my own decision for once. Do something right for my daughter. But Ron found me… and now here I am… I'm already wandless, magicless, I'm trapped like an animal, I'm powerless and I have no choices."
"You always have a choice, Rose, you never have to do anything you don't want to do."
I can feel the anger rising again, I don't want to be angry at her because she has no idea of the truth. So I stay silent. I dissociate for a moment and hope she disappears soon so I can get this over with before I change my mind. As the healer leaves the room, I feel my chest tighten. I keep thinking about what Dad said, or what I think my Dad said.
"Granny," I feel the lump building in my throat.
"Yes petal," She says softly, she is knitting something now, it's white and small and I can just imagine who it is for. It breaks my heart to think she may never get the chance to see her.
"Do you think there is a chance that Sirius is alive?"
She takes a sharp breath and looks at me with so much sympathy that I want to curl up and die. "Oh, petal…" She puts down her knitting, and squeezes my hand through the blanket "What makes you ask that?"
I don't want to tell her the truth, she'll bring the healer back in and I'll be shipped off to the proper looneybin before I can sneeze. I don't feel like I am mad… it felt so real, I held my daughter, I saw my Mum, I hugged my Dad and he hugged me back. It was his voice… he wouldn't lie to me.
"I don't know, I just…" I feel my breath hitching, the stabbing of pain in my chest. "If there was any chance, even the tiniest possibility… He just fell, Bellatrix…" I can feel my voice leaving me, "... she didn't hurt him… he just tripped…" I am trying to rationalise my thoughts as I picture Romi's little nose wrinkle but Granny stops me, stops me from imagining and hurting myself by shaking her head, I can see tears threatening to spill from her closed eyes.
"Sweetheart…" She eventually pulls herself together enough to comfort me. "You are tormenting yourself," She pats my hand and I feel my "You would be the first person to know if Sirius was alive…"
She takes a deep breath, "There is something you should know though…"
Wizengamot, 9th May 1998 8 am.
There was an odd sense of Déjà vu as Sirius entered the rounded room that morning, it was the same chair, the same chains, almost seventeen years later. Only this time, it was a real trial, not some provisional hearing that would never officially lead to a false conviction.
Evidence would be heard, his fate would be decided and today Sirius would either walk free or be sent back to the depths of hell.
His boots felt like lead, each step was one step closer to his fate, Bert grunted for him to sit down, and Sirius followed the instruction. His stomach was in knots, he had expected the chains to pin him in place roughly nipping at his skin like last time, but nothing happened. The cuffs he wore on his wrist would suffice apparently.
As he settled on his seat, Sirius took a moment to survey the faces before him. He didn't recognise any of the members of the Wizenagamot before him, which surprised him slightly. It also surprised him that there were only five people, not forty-five like last time.
The piling dread in his stomach had his breakfast threatening to reappear.
In front of him, a slim woman with shoulder-length brown hair and round glasses stood. She spoke with a warm tone and looked over her glasses gently at him. "My name is Julia Kinslow, I am the acting Chief Warlock overseeing this trial today. Please confirm your name and date of birth for the court,"
He cleared his throat "Sirius Black ma'am, 3rd November 1959."
The woman nodded gently "Mr Black, you have been charged with the aggravated assault of Lucius Abraxas Malfoy. How do you plead?"
"Guilty."
She raised her eyebrows and nodded. "Is there anything else you would like to add before we consider your sentence?"
Kingsley had told him he should choose to be quiet but as Sirius watched the scribe in the front row magically controlling three quills and taking a variety of notes he knew he needed to say something. From his mind, a stream of consciousness came, "I think I was very reserved given what I wanted to do to him, ma'am."
Julia furrowed her brow, "I'm sorry, I don't understand Mr Black." her tone disappointed.
Sirius's hands shook as he spoke, "Lucius Malfoy defiled the person I love, ma'am. He has done it many times over her life, in many degrading ways, the first time I believe she was thirteen years old; she was a child. I knew about it only because she told me… she described her feelings towards it and because of those feelings I felt intense anger towards Mr Malfoy that there are not enough words to express. I had to see him hurt her, for months and I couldn't do anything. Every one of the twenty or so times it happened over the last 8 and a half months. I saw him make her beg and cry only to use the emotions he made her feel to torment her more."
"It was my right." A voice from the stands echoed
Sirius saw from the corner of his eye the arrogant figure of Lucius Malfoy. His arrogant smirk radiated from him but Sirius didn't make eye contact. If he looked at him, he would want to rip the smirk from his face… Instead, Sirius focused on the chief warlock. She too focused only on Sirius, her eyes inspected him, as the tapping of his leg intensified. He tried to contain the anger that just fizzed below the surface. He thought of Rose, of Romi, of knowing that the longer he went away the less he would know his daughter.
"Elaborate please Mr Malfoy' Julia's voice buzzed with something Sirius couldn't put his finger on.
"I own Rose Weasley," Lucius smirked. "She is mine to do with as I wish."
Sirius felt his jaw shaking his entire body rattling.
"Mr Black, can you confirm the name of the person you refer to?"Julia asked softly.
He could barely croak the words, his throat suddenly so dry he had to clear it with a cough."Rose Weasley ma'am, she is pregnant with my child." Julia's face wove a confused picture, "That is not my story to tell ma'am, but when he hurt her he hurt my daughter, my only regret in this is that I have made Lucius Malfoy the victim in this by causing him injury, he doesn't deserve to be the victim, he deserves to be tried for his crimes and face justice as I expect to face today."
Julia smiled at him, shuffled her papers on her desk, "Well Mr Black you have made this very easy for us. I appreciate your cooperation in this matter. We will take a five-minute recess to consider the case."
Five minutes that wasn't long, Sirius looked at Bert who grunted but didn't speak, he made no motion for Sirius to move so remained in his seat.
"You should probably know that my son visited our little Thorn yesterday…" Lucius taunted with a smirk.
Sirius focused on the tapping of his chair, his leg bouncing erratically as he shook with anger.
"Should by some miracle you get out you will find he left her nice and wet for you."
The chair flew backwards as Sirius stood, he stared at the blonde man with so much anger coursing through his veins that he was sure he would combust. Lucius's eyebrow raised in taunting jest, Sirius could hear the goading in his mind, "Come on then, defend her." He would have said.
But Sirius thought of Rose's face, she had pushed the Malfoy boy away, and she had told him no. She would not have submitted to him again… willingly, a horrifying thought entered Sirius's mind. He couldn't protect her from them if he was locked up… if he had listened to her and stayed in the house all those months ago he would have protected her from every time Lucius had laid his hands on her since.
As Bert grabbed the front of Sirius's shirt, Sirius held up his hands. The chair was replaced in its original spot Sirius apologised quietly and sat back down.
As Sirius focused his attention on the podium he was surprised to see Julia standing before him. She smiled a small smile and nodded a very pointed nod in his direction.
"Mr Malfoy, I would like it to be known that all comments made in this courtroom are recorded and can and will be used in a court of law. Should it be found that any harm came to Ms Weasley from your son's visit to her I will ensure that he is charged to the fullest extent of the law."
Lucius scoffed, "All comments made today are made in jest, I can assure you my son is nothing less than a gentleman…"
Julia continued over the top of his words, "I would also like you to note that Slavery or as you put it ownership of a human person is entirely illegal in our society so choose your jest wisely in future. Mr Black…" Julia returned her attention to Sirius whose stomach dropped. "In these circumstances, we would normally impose a sentence of three years imprisonment in Azkaban…"
Sirius let out a tearless sob, three years was a long time to miss out on, "...but given your behaviour today and the comments made by the person I loath to call victim I believe this sentencing to be far too harsh," Sirius's stomach soared, his heart racing. "I believe you were goaded into committing the assault and while I will still need to find you guilty I do not believe you are a danger to anyone other than Mr Malfoy. Today despite some very worrisome comments being made, in a clear attempt to provoke further reaction from you, you have remained mostly calm and I thank you for that."
Sirius could barely hear her over the sound of his heartbeat.
"You will be aware that your original charge of fourteen counts of murder was overturned and the inquiry into how you were charged with no evidence and no trial has begun. I would like to make the first moves in our department to attempt to recompense for your ordeal, you served twelve years under a false charge, I believe this occurred days after your friends were murdered and your godson left orphaned is this correct?"
Sirius nodded.
"No compassion was shown to you in those days, and for that, we will consider your time served. The sentencing will in no way make up for the years you have lost, but if your comments are to be believed it will allow you to be with your partner and child in their time of need"
"What?" Sirius could barely dare to believe what he was hearing.
"You are free to go Mr Black." She smiled and reassured him. The other members of the court nodded along with her and began to clear away their notes.
As she banged her gavel on the desk, Sirius felt his legs buckle underneath him, had he not been sat down he would have collapsed.
"Absolutely not, this is an outrage" echoed from behind him. Lucius Malfoy stood, affronted. "Are you so stupid that you would allow a previously convicted murderer the right to walk the streets and attack innocent people on the streets?"
Sirius laughed, his head suddenly light.
"Mr Malfoy if you continue to disrupt my court I will hold you in contempt, the decision is unanimous and final." She spat at him. The cuffs around Sirius's wrists vanished. "Mr Black your wand will be returned to you by my colleague Mr Deyes on your exit and you are free to return home, have a good day."
The room cleared until it was only Bert, Sirius and Lucius present, that was it… he was free.. six days in solitude and he was a free man. It felt like almost an anti-climax. But now, he was free… He laughed running his hand through his hair, he would get to see Rose… he would get to be there when Romi was born. It was more than he could have ever wished for, more than he deserved some might say. He stood from the chair, Bert huffed angrily pointing to the door.
Sirius walked to the doorway, as advised Mr Deyes held out his wand. Sirius signed a piece of paper to confirm he had received his wand and was waved through the door.
As he stepped into the hallway of the ministry "Well I would say that's perfect timing isn't it Harry?" Kingsley said.
"Sirius" A pair of arms flew around his shoulders dark hair obscured his vision as they crashed to the floor.
"Harry, you have no idea how glad I am to see you I've missed you." Sirius patted Harry's back, clinging to him. Harry pulled away quickly before standing up and dragging Sirius with him.
"Sirius, Rose is in hospital…"
The happiness that had overwhelmed him vanished. "Why?"
Harry remained silent as he appeared to seek guidance from Kingsley.
"What happened?"
"She tried to kill herself, Sirius…" Kingsley said his tone cutting
A cold chill ran down Sirius's spine, "When, why didn't you tell me?"
"It only happened last night after our conversation. I had just arrived at the Weasleys' home to deliver your letter when she was discovered."
"She doesn't know the baby is yours." Harry almost burst as he said the words. "She said she was trying to protect the baby from the Malfoy's…"
Lucius's taunts rang in his mind and the piling feeling of dread surfaced. The Malfoy boy had been to see her yesterday… "Take me to her."
The door bursts open as Granny finishes her sentence.
There is an explosion of noise as both Mum and Dad barrel into the room. They speak at the same time, too loud and too eager for me to hear or understand a single word.
My head bursts and my chest feels tight and numb."You cannot just burst in here and say that…" I hear Granny hiss as she jumps from her seat.
"But she needs to know about Sirius…"
"Its the truth… we have proof mum"
It could be my still broken sternum but it feels like I've been stabbed in the heart. Sirius… why would they mention Sirius, why would they remind me of him today.
A flash of his floating lifeless body, and I'm reminded while I was catatonic I one full day of being allowed to grieve before it was "back to the plan" I got one day of grief a year later where I was so ill I felt like I was going to bring up a kidney, before it was "chin up, back to normal."
Sirius was the only person who I've allowed myself to grow close to, gave myself willingly to in something that wasn't a misdirected adrenaline-fueled moment of passion, the only one who loved me loudly, emphatically and truly while simultaneously being my heart and soul and every single breath.
"He's alive mum…"
Since becoming pregnant, I have spent so much time imagining what it would have been like to have him as a partner. Before this, I had never wanted children, in truth, I still don't want children, the world is a cruel and unforgiving place, and children should not be brought into this world to suffer. We never spoke about a future, we barely spoke of the present, just enjoyed the moments we had together, of love and connection.
But in the darkest nights, after Romi became a reality, I've thought about how it would have felt to find out I was pregnant with him. My special form of mental torture to imagine a life so vivid and real, to suspect and wonder, to nervously tell him my fears, to have him kiss my forehead and tell me no matter what happens he will be there by my side every step of the way, to do the charm together and see a little face made by him and me, to be so happy, and scared, and nervous, and in love that none of the bad matters because it's ours, she was ours.
To watch her growing together, a little being created in a loving moment, accidentally or on purpose it wouldn't matter, she would have been loved and wanted and welcomed in our world, and she would never doubt the existence of kindness, the power of love, always adored unreservedly.
But it's not real.
It was a dream.
"Making up lies is not going to help her."
"He's her Dad, Molly"
Ron might be my Dad but it's a pipe dream. Granny is right I watched Sirius die, there is no coming back from beyond the veil.
He has been gone for two years… two whole years …
My dream was wrong, my Dad he wasn't my Dad… Romi was a figment of my dreams, they weren't real.
"She has to know the truth, Molly. She can be happy" Mum is the one to hiss it now but happiness is an illusion meant for people who aren't me.
"She is fragile for Merlin's sake."
They argue about me as though I don't exist.
"JUST STOP…" I shout. They turn to look at me silently. "Please… stop… get out… get out all of you right now…" I clutch my chest, swing my legs from the bed and try to stand. Granny raises her hand and begins to escort them from the room.
As the door swings shut, I grab my clothes and quickly change. Now is my chance, if I wait too long they won't let me go, but I need to save my daughter the only way I have left.
"Mum, you have to listen… We have proof." Ron began before his mother placed a hand over his mouth.
She hissed, turning to look over her shoulder. "Look I believe you." Removing her hand from his face and placing a finger to her mouth "I know that Sirius is the baby's father"
"How do you know?" Hermione asked with furrowed confused brows.
"Last night I performed the diagnostic charm, I saw it with my own eyes," Molly huffed.
Ron scowled at her. "Then why didn't you tell her…"
"Don't you dare take that tone with me, I was about to tell her when you came flying into the room shouting and bawling like banshees. For goodness sake Rose is fragile, we cannot just expect her to accept what we have to say."
"Then we do the charm in front of her, show her the proof." Ron said.
"You can't just pull the wool from her eyes and say oh look here you go you have to be more gentle than that. It takes away the problem of the Malfoys but it creates more questions and a considerable amount of grief. You didn't see how much Rose and Sirius loved each other, you didn't see how she was after his death. Got goodness sake that poor little girl is going to grow up without a father. She will be a permanent reminder of what Rose has lost. Just this morning she was practically begging for a possibility he was alive. Do you know how hard it was to tell her no?"
"About as hard as dragging her lifeless body from the bath eh Mum?" Ron said sharply before receiving a slap around the ear.
"Watch your tone with me, I'm still your bloody mother."
"Sirius isn't dead." Hermione said angrily.
Molly scoffed in her face, and Ron felt annoyance rising. "He got arrested for kicking seven shades out of Lucius Malfoy because of what he did to Rose. He's at the ministry being held until his trial. His trial was this morning. Harry is there with Kingsley now."
There was commotion in the hallway, as Harry rounded the corner, closely followed by Sirius. Molly's face paled, and she looked as though she had seen a ghost.
"Where is she?" Sirius practically begged "Is she in there?" Sirius's eyes glistened. Ron nodded. Sirius took a deep breath, pushed the door open and surveyed the room.
Her bed was empty, Rose was gone.