(p.s. this is a reminder that draco isn't cowardly in this story because i say so ;)
and yes this has a part from ignite me by our queen Taherh Mafi—credit to my fav woman
lastly loves: you can translate the French by highlighting text)

༉‧₊˚✧

third person pov

' i don't want the world to see me,
cause i don't think they'd understand '

Exams were finally done and not only did everyone feel as if they could breathe again, but the boys felt like relaxing. All had been so busy trying to ace every test and take care of Rose who refused to sleep or eat until she finished her exams. Needless to say she had been drugged many times with a sleeping potion and forced into the kitchens.

Today was a full moon and Rose had just been pulled away from Whitman and Theo by Hermione, Ron, and Harry. The latter shifting uncomfortably from the double death glares he received from both boys.

"Where are you all taking me? I have things to do tonight!"

Ron gawked, "Buckbeak is getting executed today!"

A pang went through her chest as she looked over at Hermione, receiving a solemn nod in response, Harry attempting to soothe Rose by touching her shoulder but was quickly shoved away.

"I haven't forgiven you Harry"

Ron's mood instantly flipped to gleeful, and it reminded Rose she was indeed doomed to have a soft spot for the Weasley. He always felt like he was in second place to everyone in his life, struggling with hand me downs and constantly scolded by Hermione for his intelligence. Well, Rose just understood him and saw pieces of someone she really loved in his persona. It had always irked her how the boys looked down at Ron for being poor, no one got to choose what family they were born into and she thought it was important to know there always more to someone's story.

"She's calling you Harry again though!"

"That's the most he's getting from me" Rose rolled her eyes, looping her arm into the ginger's forcefully to the point he stumbled. "Couldn't be mad at my favorite Weaselbee though"

Ron only smiled briefly before it fell at the nickname Draco Malfoy had given him, "Oi! I hate that!"

Harry sighed as Hermione nudged him, he really did miss her. He missed her dramatics, her sitting beside him in class despite getting in trouble for doing so, the way Rose always defeneded him even if he was in the wrong. Simply put, he yearned to have one one of his closest friends by his side. Plus although he adored Hermione and Ron, they couldn't ever get how he felt to have the weight of a entire world on his shoulders from being named the 'chosen one'.

As the four walked the bridge that led to Hagrid's Harry began to step beside her, speaking quietly so Ron who she was tugging along wouldn't hear. "I miss you Rose"

"I'd miss me too"

He shook his head, letting out a laugh as Hermione took the hint and started talking on the other side of Ron, "I didn't realize how much I would miss your arrogance as well"

A small smile appeared on Rose's lips as she looked over at the messy haired boy before turning up her nose, peering ahead, "I guess I missed you somewhat"

Harry nudged her shoulder with a goofy grin, "I won't ever hurt you again"

Rose nodded, not believing him in the slightest but she wouldn't tell him that. Hurt people hurt people, it was an endless cycle humanity was doomed to repeat until someone broke the cycle.

Stepping off the bridge and onto plush green grass, Rose spotted Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle all standing by one of the massive towering rocks on the hill, looking out to Hagrid's hut.

Ron pulled her to a stop with a sour look, "The day just got worse"

The sound of their laughter angered everyone, but as Hermione recalled the way Rose cried to her two nights ago over the Malfoy heir doing this—she snapped and started marching over with the others in tow.

All three boys turned around as Draco spoke with his usual arrogance, determined to self-sabotage his life some more. "Ah! Come to see the show?"

Immediately upon reaching them Hermione yanked her wand up, spitting out her words with nostrils flaring. "You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!"

Ron had worry fill him up as Rose let go of him, "Hermione no! He's not worth it"

Rose was silent.

Draco eyes moved over to Rose with a smirk forming as the wand touched his chin, not flinching in the slightest. "Can't control your mutt Rosie?"

She was sure the words had to cut like a knife Hermione but they hurt her too. In the few weeks where everything was good Draco was still Draco, clearly bullying people and making fun of them but she hadn't heard any derogatory things fall off his tongue during it all.

The only thing she could do in that moment was look at him like a stranger.

Hermione huffed, turning around with the thought that maybe it wasn't truthfully worth it.  

But then Draco started laughing, and in an instant Hermione flipped back around, punching him straight in the nose.

Rose gasped, usually she would be cheering her best friend on for doing such but she couldn't. Even if he deserved to be hit in the face, all Rose wanted to do was throw up. Hermione could've hexed him, kicked him down the hill, or anything for that matter. But physically hitting him like he experienced with Lucius constantly made her eyes glass over.

Draco clutched his bleeding nose as Crabbe latched onto his shoulder and spoke, "Malfoy, are you okay?"

The blonde grunted, shoving by Harry and walking away. Rose darted after him on instinct, leaving Crabbe and Goyle in a staring constant with the three Gryffindors.

Draco was moving so fast that she struggled to reach him, doing so just as he made it to the entrance of the bridge.

"Draco please stop!" She wrapped her fingers around his arm, his head snapping back at her with blood smeared across it.

He got right up in her face, sneering as if disgusted. "Don't you ever fucking touch me again"

Rose felt him tug his arm away harshly, a lump forming in her throat as she stumbled over words. "I didn't know...I wouldn't have let her if I knew—"

"Stop!" He spat, wiping his nose off as Crabbe and Goyle neared them. "Stay away from me Rose"

She recoiled back slightly, unable to think of a time he had called her that name. Draco soothed a hand over his chest as he looked away from her glassy eyes that felt worse to see than being hit did, turning on his heel and going up the steps into the bridge with both Slytherin boys trailing away, Goyle giving her a sympathetic look.

"Goyle,"

He paused on the first cobblestone step, shoving Crabbe forward to go after Draco. "Yeah?"

"Will you find Theo and Whitman? Tell them what happened and that I'll be up before dark?"

"Do you want to get payback on the mudbl—"

"Goyle! Leave Hermione alone!" She scolded with a crack to her voice, wiping her eyes before the tears could fall. "Just tell them, okay? They'll understand"

He nodded slowly, "Okay Rose"

"Thanks," she began to leave but paused, "Get Draco one of the potions in the bottom drawer of our bathroom too for me"

"You got it"

With a heavy sigh Rose headed back over to her other friends who were waiting at the clearing between all the rocks, Hermione grasping her wrist upon arrival.

"Why are you upset?! He deserved that!"

Rose pulled away slightly with a firm voice, "I'm not upset Hermione—you did what you thought was best"

That was the truth, Hermione didn't know about Draco's home life and never would. It wasn't her fault in any shape nor form so Rose couldn't blame the girl.

"Good!" Hermione's cheers, tossing her arm over Rose's shoulders and pulling her down the hill, making sure to go ahead of the boys. "You know Harry was right! That boy is always going to take your heart because he knows he can and leave you bleeding! I'm over it"

Rose didn't have words, only another lump in her throat.

"You deserve better," Hermione's trails on with eyes turned up to the beautifully clear sky, "He's a bad guy and you should be with a good one"

"Can we not do this right now?" Rose snapped out harshly.

"Fine" huffs Hermione, "I'm just saying nobody wants a villain—it's a sickening archetype glorified in books and movies! I personally think we should be glorifying the ones who push good into the world! The whole women being like 'I can change him' is so freaking gross and sets horrible stereotypes for young girls who take that narrative in. If I had to a change a woman to be with her I wouldn't do it and anyone who says different about me is lying!"

Rose remained silent, slipping an arm around her best friend's waist to provide some semblance of comfort after what Hermione had endured being called.

"And people like him don't really change, do they? They still hurt who they hurt, did what they did! Can't take back all the slurs he's said or the things he's done"

"People can change Mione" muttered Rose.

"Yeah but that doesn't mean we should forgive them—no matter how good they turn out. Even if you married that idiot I wouldn't forgive him for being a blood supremacist"

So with that they all kept tracking down the hill full of ankle-high grass, breathing in the warm air of summer as colorful butterflies flew by and the boys behind them laughed cheerfully.

When arriving to Hagrid's hut they passed by a laid down Buckbeak, Rose's head turning away in refusal to look the creature in the eyes and stayed focused until reaching the hut door.

As soon as her hand balled into a fist and hit the wood Hagrid slung open the door and smiled down at her, "Oh Rose!"

Rose wrapped her arms around the giant while her words became muffled against his stomach, "I'm so sorry Hagrid"

He patted her back as they pulled away, "It's not ye fault deary—" pausing, he realized the golden trio of Gryffindor was present. "Didn't see you guys!"

All said their hello's, filing into the small makeshift home. Rose dropped onto the padded bench by the fire, relieved for an animals presence when Fang hopped up onto her lap.

Hagrid stood by the window to watch Buckbeak with Harry, "Oh look at him...loves the smell of the trees as the wind blows through em'"

Harry smiled sadly at the peaceful creature, "Why can't we just set him free?"

"They'd know I did it. And tha' would only get Dumbledore in trouble. Gonna come down, yeh know. Says he wants ter be with me when it...when it happens. Great he is, Dumbledore"

Sighing, Hagrid turned away from the window as Hermione stood with a purpose.

"We'll stay with you too"

Rose sounded hoarse as she added on upon the realization the sun was setting, "I'll stay while I can...I have to get back to the castle soon"

Whitman.

She couldn't miss a full moon.

"You'll do no such thing! You think I want you all seeing something like that? No....no you guys will be gone be it happens" Hagrid gazed around before continuing, "Before you do Ron—"

He opened up a canister and pulled out Scabbers the rat, "Best keep a better eye on ye' pets"

Ron was practically gleaming with joy as he reached out to grab his long lost friend, "Scabbers!"

Hermione huffed loudly, "I think that means you owe someone an apology"

Ron gave her a sarcastic look laced with fake seriousness, "Right! I'll be sure to apologize to Crookshanks next time I see him"

Rose gently pushed Fang off and stood, "Oi! You watch how you talk to her Ronald!"

Hermione crosses her arms, "I meant me you ignorant boy!"

By the window a blue vase sat on a wobbly wooden table, smashing as a rock smacked into the glass. "Blimey!" gasps Hagrid, "What was that?!"

Another rock flew through the hut, hitting Harry on the back of the head, he spoke nervously as he peered out, "Hagrid, they're here"

Hagrid follows his eye-line, "Oh crikey....It's nearly dark! If anyone sees you outside the castle you'll be in big trouble...especially Harry and Rose!"

Hermione grabbed Rose's hand, starting to pull her toward the back door, "Come on!"

The two others followed suit, Harry stopping to mutter a 'It'll be okay' to Hagrid before joining his three friends waiting at the back door.

One by one Dumbledore then the Minister, and lastly the Executioner entered the hut—all four of the students running to hide behind a pile a pumpkins by the forest line.

After assuring they were in the clear, Rose tugged up Hermione and began to walk up the long hill, coming to a stop at the top.

In the distance everyone could see a large, ominous blade being raised up, a slicing sound ringing through the air as Buckbeak's head came off. Hermione arms flung around Rose, burying her head into the girls chest desperately. In a twisted sense Rose watched it happen, needing to be able to stay made at Draco, blame him for it all.

She wished to cry for the loving creature, but Hermione was the one doing that and she knew she had to be strong for her. So Rose kept her head firmly lifted, rubbing Hermione's back. This is what she was good at, holding it together for the people who meant most to her.

Suddenly Ron jumped away with a squeal, "Scabbers..he...he bit me!"

Hermione tore herself from Rose and looked around, failing to grab Ron as he took off in a sprint toward the whomping willow.

Idiotically, they all followed in pursuit.

"You blubbering idiot!" yelled Rose, aware of how likely being caught would be now that they were all running across the school grounds.

Upon finally catching up to Ron, the group of three witnessed him jump and grab Scabbers, landing right under the whomping willow.

"You guys realize what tree this is, right?" says Hermione cautiously.

Harry's eyes grew wide with worry, "That's not good"

Rose cupped her hands around her mouth, "Ron! Run!"

Ron gasped at them, shaking his head like a maddened man as he slowly raised a hand up, pointing behind his friends. "Run!"

Turning, Rose was met with a black shaggy dog she knew all too well. "Snuffles?" she asked in shock.

Harry and Hermione looked at her like she was the crazy one, the latter speaking, "You know this dog?"

"I tried to keep him but Walburga wouldn't let me" Rose began to walk up to 'Snuffles' but just before she could reach him, the animal reared back, jumping over her and running at Ron.

The shaggy dog snapped his jaws in a feral way, teeth sinking into the redhead's leg, tugging him to the ground and pulling away.

Harry and Hermione ran quickly, but not Rose.

Life or death situation, you still would not find her running.

Ron screamed as the dog started dragging him through the hole at the bottom of the whomping willow, Harry jumping down to grab his hand but missing by a second as Ron disappeared.

"Fucking fuck" Rose muttered to herself, knowing fully she would regret her actions. For a split moment she looked up at the sky, "Hecate—don't let me die just yet"

Famous last words, right? Rose thought as she dived into the hole blindly.

She tumbled down, grunting at the force before landing on dirt covered ground, unable to see a thing from how dark everything was inside the makeshift tunnel.

Forehead cut open, leg most definitely sliced, Rose tried to sit up only to scream out in pain—quickly realizing her leg was broken as well.

Well, I didn't die.

Her fingers dug around the path until she felt a tree limb, to hold onto some sanity Rose reminded herself she had been through worse. Eventually her hand wrapped around the limb, taking five deep breaths to prepare before using the wood as a crutch to stand.

Rose could hear Hermione and Harry yelling above her, probably needing help with the limbs of the willow but no—Rose was on a mission to murder Ron Weasley.

Of course she had to bite her tongue while limping, surprisingly not disturbed by the sound of her blood squelching.

Just when she thought a break from moving was near, an old rickety staircase came into view.

Groaning, Rose began to slowly make her way up, from afar she could see a room with a light on and remembered Dumbledore offering this place to Whitman during first year.

As soon as her feet landed on the top step she peered into the room, finding Ron sitting on a worn out bed in the corner with trembling limbs.

Ron whipped to her as she started wobbling in, going to open his mouth but she immediately started to yell, grunting out each word as she made her way to him.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley! I'm going to fucking murder you! How dumb can you be? Going under the forsaken whomping willow?! You have feet—kick the dog next time!"

Ron shook his head, attempting to speak again as the girl stood over him but Rose held up her hand that wasn't holding onto the tree limb as blood ran down from her forehead to her lips.

"I'm not done! I dove head first into a hole for you to be sitting on a fucking bed?!"

Rose took a deep breathe while closing her eyes in pure aggravation, finally giving Ron the chance to speak.

"Rose...your father...he...he's the dog!"

Her eyes snapped open, turning around so fast she would've fell over if Ron didn't reach up to place a hand on her back.

A gasp left her lips as a mixture of shock and pain washed over.

Sirius Orion Black stood in the flesh, smiling like a maniac with matted hair and recognizable robes covered in black and white from Azkaban.

Ron tried to stand up and steady the girl more, only getting pushed back down as she held onto his shoulder, unable to tear her eyes away from the man who helped bring her into this world.

Sirius began stepping closer and kept his grin in place, "My dear Rosalie...you have your father's temper"

Rose spit at him before speaking, "You are no fucking father of mine"

Sirius took another step, making Ron shakily yell, "Stay away from her!"

The man angrily looked down at the boy, "I am her father! Do you seriously think I would hurt my own daughter?"

Rose started to tremble with emotion and anger, holding out her hand, making Sirius fly back against the wall. "You have already hurt me!"

Grunting, Sirius stood from the ground, smiling once more. "I knew you would be a great witch—wandless and wordless magic at sixteen?"

Rose tasted the blood in her mouth but couldn't be bothered by it as she looked at the man who betrayed her, broke her heart, and never gave a single shit about what happened to her.

Harry and Hermione entered, both running over to their two injured friends, the latter forcing Rose's arm around her shoulders, "We have to sit you down!"

Rose only found herself capable of staring at the man, pale as ghost besides the crimson painting her skin. "Fuck you"

Firstly Harry followed her gaze, then Hermione—the boy going stiff.

Hermione gasped and held onto Rose tighter as Ron stood and yelled, "If you want to touch either of them you'll have to kill me!"

Sirius laughed manically, "No dear boy....only one shall die tonight"

Rose freaked them all out when she laughed the same as him, "Give it your best shot! I may be injured but I will gladly murder you myself"

Without warning Harry jumps onto Sirius, tackling him to ground, pinning a wand to his neck.

"Are you going to kill me Harry? Or will you let my daughter do the honors?"

Before Harry could retaliate the door swung back open, Professor Lupin entering and disarming Harry in the process.

"Move away Harry" says Lupin, his tone stern.

The boy immediately walks over to Rose and Hermione, slipping Rose's other arm around himself, the tree limb falling to the ground loudly.

The Professor steps over Sirius, "Well..well..well Sirius, it would seem the flesh finally reflects the madness within"

He greeted him like an old friend and Rose wondered how she could've been so blind to the signs.

Sirius took the hand Lupin outstretched with a smile, "You'd know all about the madness within...wouldn't you Remus?"

They stared at each other with such tenderness before Lupin smiled just as fondly at him, pulling Sirius all the way up, tightly embracing one another.

All four teenagers were in shock, a Professor they trusted had clearly been helping Sirius.

After the pair pulled away from the hug, Sirius grasps Lupin's face with a whisper, "I found him! We have to kill him!"

Hermione tugs the three of them that were attached to each other forward, Rose wincing in pain, "I trusted you! You've been his friend all along!" Hermione glanced at her friends before continuing, "He's a werewolf! That's why he's been missing classes!"

Rose rolled her eyes with blood dripping into the left one still, "No shit Hermione"

Remus takes Sirius's hands off his face and began to walk towards them, "How long have you known?"

Hermione's cheeks were flushed red with anger, "Since Professor Snape set the essay!"

"You are truly one of the brightest witches of your age Hermione"

Rose seemed to have forgotten her situation as she raised the hand off Harry's shoulder, "Oh yeah it's fine—I didn't just say I knew from the first month or anything"

Sirius blinked at her attitude before interrupting the conversation, "Enough talk Remus! Let's kill him!"

Lupin looked at Sirius pointedly, "Wait"

Sirius yelled, making Rose jerk back, "I did my waiting! Fifteen years of it...in Azkaban!"

"Very well" says Lupin, handing his wand to the man, "But first you must explain yourself...both children deserve to know the truth!"

Rose scoffed as more blood fell into her mouth, "The truth is he's a psychopath who only cares for himself"

Harry tightened his hold on Rose with worry, pointing Ron's wand up shortly after. "I know the truth! He betrayed my parents and he left Rose to do it!"

Lupin sighs, "No Harry...someone did betray your parents but it was not Sirius"

"Who was it then? The fucking tooth fairy?"

Hermione glanced over Rose, there was no way she just used a muggle reference in this situation.

Sirius threw his hands up exasperated, "Peter Pettigrew! He's in this room right now! Come out Peter! Come out!"

Well, she thinks, I see where I get the craziness from.

A new body enters the room and Rose genuinely smiled at the man that is Severus Snape, more than grateful to see him.

"Expelliarmus!" shouts Snape.

The wand flew out of Sirius's hand and clattered to the ground, Snape sneering at the dirty man before him. "Oh vengeance is sweet! How I hoped I'd be the one to catch you"

Lupin steps forward only to step right back as Snape pointed the wand at him,

"I told Dumbledore you were helping a old friend into the castle...Now here lies the proof"

Without fear, Sirius moved to Snape until his chin is under the wand, and if Rose wasn't burning with hatred for him she would've realized how much they were alike in that moment. "Brillant Snape! And as usual dead wrong! Now excuse us as Remus and I have a bit of unfinished business to tend to"

Snape dug the wand deep into his throat, "Give me a reason! I beg you"

Lupin pleaded, "Don't be a fool Severus"

Sirius laughs without moving away, "He can't help it! It's habit by now!"

"Quiet Sirius" Lupin snaps.

Snape tutts, "Listen yourselves! Arguing like a old married couple! Nothing has changed"

Sirius snarled, "Piss off"

"Witty as ever I see. Tell me, will you be so irreverent when I turn you over to the Dementors?" hearing Snape's words made Sirius recoil back, the Potions Professor following after to keep his wand trained. "Do I detect a flicker of fear? One can only imagine what it must be like to endure the Dementor's Kiss. It's said to be unbearable to witness, but I'll do my best"

Harry raises his wand at Snape, "Expelliarmus!"

Rose groans as Snape goes soaring into the wall and drops to the floor unconscious, "Why would you do that?!"

Harry moved them forward while still keeping a arm around Rose, leaving her to grunt the whole way. "Peter is dead!"

Lupin shook his head, "I thought so as well until you mentioned seeing him on the map"

"The map was lying then!"

Sirius yells, "The map never lies! Pettigrew is alive and he's right here in this very room!" he points at Ron, making the boy turn still.

"Me? Are you mental?"

"Not you, you idiot! Your rat!"

"No! Scabbers has been in my family for—"

"Fifteen years! Curiously long life for a garden rat! He's missing a toe isn't he? All they could find was his—"

Harry lowered his wand, "His finger"

Sirius angrily steps to Ron, "Dirty coward cut it off so everyone would think he was dead...then he transformed into a rat"

Rose looks at the battered man before her, she hoped he was telling the truth. She could have a father, a real one, a good one.

Rose croaks out her words, "Show me"

"Oh I'm going to dear Rosalie" Sirius nods and tries to grab the rat but Ron pulls Scabbers away with fear.

"I won't let you touch Scabbers!"

Harry peaked down at Ron, "Give him the rat Ron"

Lupin reaches down to pick the two wands off the floor, tossing one to Sirius. "Together?"

Sirius instantly points his wand at the rat, wordlessly flinging it into the center of the room, "Together"

In unison a jet of white light emitts from the tip of their wands. When the light disappears a plump man covered in bumps with stringy hair lays on the ground, oddly enough looking as a rat still.

Rose couldn't even gasp like the rest of them did, she was in so much pain and blood was slowly dropping into her right eye now.

No one dared to speak as Peter blinks around the room before trying to go to the door, only to be shoved back down by Sirius.

Peter looks up at the two adults, "S—Sirius and Remus...my old friends" when neither respond he turns to Harry, "Harry! Look at you! Y—you look just like your father. Like James. We were the best of friends, he and I"

Sirius went to yank Peter Pettigrew away when Lupin held him back, the rat—now man, turned his attention to Rose. "Oh Rosalie! So much like your father but you were blessed with your mothers eyes....she would be proud of you—"

His words sent Sirius into a fit of anger, kicking the man before glaring down at him. "Don't you dare speak to my child!"

Never in her life had anyone mentioned her mother, it made her heart drop. All she ever knew was her mother was an Avery that died during child birth. Her friends never mentioned it knowing how much of a sore subject it was.

How does one live knowing they killed their own mother?

She wasn't the person to ask, that much was certain.

Rose scoffs, "I can't hear the words of fucking scum"

Sirius grins at the girl, she was full of fire like her mother once was.

Emilia Avery was indeed a spectacular woman.

Peter crawled around to face Lupin and Sirius, "You must understand...the Dark lord..h—he possesses power you can't even begin to think of! Ask yourselves what you would've done"

"Died! I would have died before I betrayed my friends! And you should've realized if Voldemort didn't kill you we would!" yells Sirius, all the anger returning to his body.

The plump man began to shake uncontrollably, "No...please...you can't!" he crawled over to Ron, "I've been a good pet, haven't I? You won't let them kill me"

Ron moved further back on the bed in disgust, he had grew up with this man, changed in front of this man for Merlin's sake.

It was so purely disturbing.

Lupin and Sirius raise their wands after nodding at each other when Harry speaks up,

"No"

They don't lower their wands but make no move to cast a spell, "Harry this man—"

He cuts Remus off, "I know what he is, we'll take him back to the castle"

Peter reachs out and tugged on Harry's blue jeans, "Bless you boy! Bless you!"

Harry yanks his leg away, sassiness laced in his voice. "I said we'd take you to the castle, after that the Dementors can have you"

After tying up Peter and floating Snape out of the shrieking shack, the group all stood outside the whomping willow tree which had stopped moving.

Rose expected Sirius to engulf her in a hug that she would act like she didn't want but desperately craved.

Instead though the man flung his arms around Harry tightly, when they stopped Sirius barely looked at her and pulled Harry away to talk.

Now Rose sat against a rock with Hermione and Ron beside her, leaning all of her body weight on the girl still. It was a confusing night, not to mention the amount of blood in her eyes and running down her face was getting to her.

She realized that her father might be back in her life but he didn't care for her, something she should've expected. She always despised the man for abandoning her and leaving her with his mother and father. A piece of her soul returned thinking she might truly have a real chance at having a man in her life who could love her unconditionally, only to be ripped away in minutes.

It didn't matter if Harry was the son of his best friend, she was his daughter and there was no way he didn't know what his family put her through.

Rose should have been number one to him.

Why does he not want to hug me? Tell me he's sorry? Say he loves me?

Walburga taught me better than this, you should never trust the idea of love.

Those were the only thoughts that played in her head as she watched Harry and Sirius smile brightly at each other before hugging again.

Hermione looks over to see Lupin's body twitching and with fur starting to form, voice trembling, "Harry..."

Sirius and Harry both turn, the man quickly realizing what was happening and rushing over to Lupin. "Remus, old friend...did you take your potion tonight?"

"Hermione—" Rose gasps and attempts to get off the rock, "I need to get to the castle"

"But your injured!" Hermione pushes her back down.

Lupin shakes his head as Sirius points at his heart while speaking, "You know the man you truly are! The flesh is only the flesh" he starts to pound on his chest, "The heart is where you truly live...this heart! Here!"

When Lupin's bone start to break Rose felt nothing, she should be bothered by it but maybe because she had heard those sounds since Whitman was a child it didn't phase her or maybe it because her mind was reeling at how Whitman must feel without her being there.

Sirius turns to the group of teenagers, "Run! Now! Do not look back!"

Hermione yanks up Rose harshly, making her bite her tongue like before to hold in the scream of pain wanting to bust out.

Then there's Peter, waving at them before transforming back into a rat and scurrying away, no one is even able to react as a deep howl sounds around them.

Snape wakes up from Ron bumping into him and his eyes immediately open, looking to see the werewolf taking form. He steps infront of the four and puts his arms out around them, "Stay behind me!"

One more howl comes from Lupin before he's fully transformed in a werewolf, Sirius immediately turns back into an animagus and they begin fighting with skin ripping.

The sounds of flesh bites and whimpers fill the air as they tumble down the hill, "Sirius!" yells Harry before running.

Hermione wanted to follow him but as much as she loved Harry, her only priority was getting her best friend to the hospital before she bled out.

*

Rose groaned as Madam Pomprey forcefully opened her mouth to give her a calming draught, after swallowing she scowled at the woman for the first time since arriving at Hogwarts. "I am fine Poppy! Let me go! I have things to do!"

Ron looked at her with wide eyes from the bed over, "Like hell you are! You're worse off than me!"

"I'm fucking fine—"

Madam Pomprey scolded her, "Language Ro—Miss Black!"

Hermione sighs by the foot of her bed, "She's sorry Madam...Rose gets irritable accepting help"

Rose grumbled to herself as the mediwitch pinned the wrap around her leg securely, "I have no problem accepting help"

Ron laughed incrediously, "Sure you don't"

"Watch yourself Ronald, I jumped into that hole without thinking for you—I wouldn't do that for anyone"

Madam Pomprey shook her head and wagged a finger at Rose, "That was extremely reckless!"

Rose winks, "I was in Gryffindor for a reason Poppy"

"You just wait until I tell Mcgongall!"

The Black gasped with horror, "No! Please!"

The mediwitch pursed her lips with victory, "I'll be back when your potion kicks in to work on your face"

"No rush, I quite like the feeling of my dried blood all over my cheeks"

Hermione swats at Rose while smiling apologetically at Madam Pomprey as she walked away.

"Do you have to be so sarcastic at a time like this?"

Rose closes her eyes, "Who cares? My father is back...it changed nothing"

"It changes everything!"

"Not really, I mean he is about to get the dementors kiss which sounds amazing—do you think I can join?"

Rose leaned over to high-five Ron, reluctantly he joined their hands while looking at Hermione, trying to communicate that he thought she was going mad.

Hermione reaches out and grabs her best friend's hand, "This has to affect you"

"You should know me well enough to know it doesn't"

Ron quickly interrupted, not when wanting to hear the girls argue. "I think Harry's waking up"

Sure enough Harry shot up instantly from his bed across the room, "I saw my father!"

Rose laughs and closed her eyes again, "Yeah and I saw Orion—he told me a little bedtime story during his visit"

Harry made his way over to her bed and scanned her face, "I'm serious Rose...I did"

She peaked open one eye, "That's ludicrous—"

"Sirius is about to receive the Dementors kiss and you two are talking about this!"

Harry stiffened at Hermione's words, "What do you mean?!"

Dumbledore swung open the doors to the hospital wing, Hermione rushing over to him with Harry and Rose swears if one more person speaks she's going to off herself.

"Headmaster you've got to stop them, they've got the wrong man!" says Hermione.

Harry nods frantically, "It's true sir!"

"Kill me" mutters Rose.

Dumbledore glanced around and looked at Rose who had her eyes closed, "Miss Black I know you are awake"

Rose opened up her eyes and mustered up a smile for the man, "Dumbles...where are my flowers? I was gravely injured you know!"

He chuckled and moved to stand beside her bed, "Are you okay dear?"

Her throat closed at his words.

No, she was not even close to okay.

Dumbledore seemed to understand as he grabbed her hand and squeezed it, "Do be warned Miss black, I did alert Mister Malfoy to your condition...he had some words for me"

Rose groaned extremely loud, "Merlin...You're going to give the boy a heart attack—make me cane, hm?"

"Coming right up!" Dumbledore balls his hands into fists and places them together before slowly parting, a glimmering silver cane forming. He sets it by her leg, "Here you go sweetheart"

After, Dumbledore turns away, "I believe you Miss Granger, but it pains me to say the word of four sixteen year old wizards will convince few others"

He began to pat Ron's hurt leg as he spoke, making the boy whimper in pain. "A child's voice however honest and true, is meaningless to those who have forgotten how to listen"

Harry went to speak when Dumbledore held up a hand and starting walking to the exit, "Mysterious thing time...powerful...and when meddled with it is dangerous! Sirius Black is in the topmost cell of the dark tower" he looked Hermione in the eyes before rambling on, "You know the laws, Miss Granger. You must not be seen. And you would, I feel, do well to return before the last chime. If not...well, the consequences are really too ghastly to discuss. Three turns should do it, I think...If you succeed, more than one innocent life may be spared tonight"

Dumbledore turned to leave without another word but stopped by the doors, "When in doubt, I find retracing my steps to be a wise place to begin"

As soon as the doors closed Hermione wasted no time taking out her time turner necklace and looping it around Harry's neck. "No time to explain...and seeing how you both can't walk...well you'll stay here"

Hermione began twisting the small golden knob, Ron attempting to sit up as he spoke confused.

"What the bloody hell is going on?!"

They disappeared and within seconds rushed back into the wing through the doors, Ron appearing as if he was about to fall out of his bed while pointing. "But you were just here! Now you're there?!"

"What's he talking about Harry?"

"I don't know Hermione, honestly, how can someone be two places at once?"

Ron just went slacked jaw as Rose looked at them expectantly while sitting up, Harry smiling at her. "We did it Rose, he's free"

She nods emotionlessly and takes ahold of the cane Dumbledore crafted, sliding out of bed with a wince.

"What are you doing?!" Hermione yelps, getting her ankles swatted at with the metal object as she attempts to touch Rose. "Ow!"

"Don't be a ninny" Rose huffs and started to limp away from the bed, "I have things to do"

Hermione freezes along with Harry, both too stunned to move as she hobbles out of the hospital wing with a broken leg and blood on her face.

Pomprey rushed out of her private room, "Where has she gone to?!"

"We should—"

"Yes Harry we should!" Hermione yells, tugging the boy out of the double doors with Pomprey following to see Rose paused, her head hung in the warmly lit corridor, none taking notice of the tall blonde heading straight for them.

The two Gryffindors and the mediwitch stop short a foot behind Rose upon realizing. Pomprey almost cannot believe her eyes despite what Mcgongall had told her many times, there was the boy who claimed to be the devout enemy of Rose Black looking as if he was about to have a heart attack at her injuries.

"Are you okay?" Draco asks breathlessly as he reaches Rose before grasping her face in his palms like glass, lifting her head up. "Gods—are you okay? What happened? Are you alright?"

He's here.

He wraps her up in his arms, not caring about the three sets of eyes watching them.

Rose snakes a hand over his back, swearing to feel his rapidly beating heart against her own as he tucks his chin down, letting out the deepest breath of relief she ever heard leave him.

"What happened love?"

His presence, his words, the way he shudders as he holds her tighter—they make her eyes well up and the facade break down.

"Sirius," she whispers into his chest, "He's back"

His fingers trail up into the raven hair he adored so much, keeping her close as he whispers back. "I'm going to take of you"

Rose nods because she doesn't know what else to say without bursting into tears, she felt safe and seen with him—like everything was okay and the world stopped spinning for just a moment.

Harry stammers in shock behind them, causing Draco's head to snap up with eyes turning to stone and face becoming sharp with a menacing glare.

"You've got a death wish Potter and so do you Granger" Draco spat with venom as Rose fisted the back of his coat in between her fingers, "Stop dragging her into whatever self-sacrificing shit you two do or I'll get rid of you both"

Harry gawks in disbelief, "I didn't do nothing! She did it to herself!"

"I dived into a tree" Rose whispers so small he almost doesn't hear.

"A tree?" asks Draco before shaking his head, looking directly at the open mouthed mediwitch. "She's coming with me Pomprey"

"I think not Mister Malfoy!" Pomprey rushed out.

Draco leans back down into Rose's ear, taking away the edge to his voice. "Do you want me to carry you?"

"No"

"I'm carrying you"

All of the sudden she's being scooped up with ease and the cane is clattering to the ground, Rose doesn't protest like she usually would, only covering her face up against his chest as the blonde turns away from the watchers and walks down the corridor.

Neither of them speak until he reaches a widened windowsill covered by stained glass, reflecting different colors into the hall as he sets her down against the stone backing of the alcove.

"Can I?" asks Draco, gesturing to her legs as he lays them across the sill.

It's the little things.

She nods before tipping her head back and the roughest boy she knew gently lifts up her legs, sitting himself underneath them and so close to her she's almost in his lap.

"Your leg—" he swallows as his warm fingers graze over the wrapping, "Is it broke?"

"Was" Rose screws her eyes shut, "Pomprey gave me a potion"

Draco breathes out, opening up his coat and pulling the wand from a pocket along with a small handkerchief, a murmur of 'Aguamenti' rolling off his tongue before the cloth becomes wet.

"Look at me Rosie,"

And she does, her watery eyes meet his which are swimming with worry and guilt. His hand sliding onto the side of her neck, cold rings pressing against her skin in great contrast to the warmth he radiates. 

Draco's face inches closer, carefully starting to wipe the blood from her forehead, Rose focusing on the way his brows always seem to pinch when he concentrated fully and then she steals a stolen glance at his cupid's bow as it moves into a frown for just a moment.

He's upset, really upset.

She reads him like a book with no lock.

"We always seem to find ourselves in this situation," Rose mutters quietly, a crack to her voice as the tears welled up further. "You cleaning me up or me cleaning you up"

Draco drags the cloth down her temple before stopping it under her eye, taking a shallow breath as his stormy gaze meets her own, faces inches apart. "No matter how much you hate me and you're valid to feel such a way," his voice comes out gruff, distressed almost. "I'm always going to come for you"

It's so honest that's it almost too much.

Shakily, her fingers reach for his cheek, lips rubbing together with a pang deep inside. "I could never hate you Draco"

A lump forms in his throat, one he has to swallow down before shuddering as Rose guides his forehead to her own. The sentence is simple but not to him, agonized over the years he spent tormenting his self, letting his brain convince him he would never be worthy of someone who shined so brightly.

When people looked at her they saw the Black family name, all the gothic clothing, probably thought about how deeply involved she was in dark magic—probably assumed she was a replica of her grandmother. But they didn't know what Draco did, Rose was the girl who adored summer nights and the feeling of the sun hitting her skin after an icy winter, the girl who would weep if she saw a bug die because she claimed they held too much innocence, the girl who would always warn him about invisible beings with wacky names after a friend simply told her they existed once, the girl who had a heart so big he knew it would be her downfall, the girl who ultimately had been by his side through every step of his life, the girl who was determined to get through all the bad shit the world had to offer her so she could simply have a family and live by water and be nothing like her grandmother—the list goes on because Draco could name a million reasons why he would never deserve someone like Rose, a million reasons why he knew there would never be another human being capable of capturing his entire soul to keep.

He tries to formulate words back to her as they exchange a breath, noses brushing with the cloth in between his fingers moving down her cheek but he can't think of anything to measure up to what she is deserving of because when Draco fell for Rose as a child, he fell for her mind first and then he spent everyday for the rest of his life falling in love over and over again as she evolved.

How would he ever put all of that into a sentence?

His hand slids from her neck, fingers hooking under her chin as his thumb presses down upon her bottom lip.

"You're the whole book"

She struggles to think clearly from how he is holding her, heart racing inside her chest. "What do you mean?" she manages quietly, scared if she speaks too much she'll loose his touch.

"You were never a page or a chapter in my life," Draco's voice shakes as his thumb moves across her lip, "You're the whole book—I've always knew that. I just never wanted to admit it to myself"

Her breath catches.

"I always knew that too" she murmurs, so many more words being said through her eyes. "Mon bout"

Then, his breath catches.

He whispers back after letting the French seep in, "Ma seule fin"

Her heart pounds like a beating drum.

Draco almost kisses her, almost just. His lips brush over her own, both their mouths burning and tingling where they touched but never pressed in.

Suddenly he thinks what kind of man would he be if he kissed her after finding out her father was back? It would be wrong of him to take advantage of her in such an emotional state.

So he uses every piece of strength he has, Draco pulls back with dilated pupils and a parted mouth, his lips moving up to her forehead and pressing down.

"Mon sauveur" he mumbles against her skin as she shudders from the loss of almost kissing him again and the phrase he calls her.

Draco stays there for a moment and when he moves away it feels like he's tattooed her skin, their eyes met again as he takes a moment to put himself back together before swiping the cloth over her chin, wiping the blood away.

"Tell me what happened love,"

The words are quiet and she knows it's safe to be honest.

"Do you remember how I told you a long time ago about that boy, Peter Pettigrew, the one my father killed?"

"Mhm"

"He's alive" Rose breathes out, head tipping back against the stone as the wet cloth moves onto her other cheek and suddenly tears are springing back up. "Sirius is innocent"

Draco freezes for only a second, using the stoic composure he learned from a young age to make himself continue getting rid of the blood from her face as he respondes, "Well that's....good? Did you talk to Sirius?"

"No," says Rose simply, hating the way water runs down her face. "I believe he's more interested in Harry than me—hugged all over him and was smiling like a fool to be by the boys side as I stayed busy bleeding out"

"That can't be right," Draco murmurs, sliding the cloth onto her temple. "You're his kid"

"He doesn't care Draco" she scoffs, voice cracking as her eyes avert to the side. "Clearly doesn't want anything to do with me"

The Malfoy drops the cloth, fingers cupping her face up in his hands with the same gentleness he used before as his rugged voice comes out and he forces her eyes to his own, thumbs brushing the tears back. "Who is he to not want you?"

Rose sniffles, "I don't know but it hurts"

Anger flashes in his gaze, jaw tightening with his head shaking before bringing her into his chest, wrapping her up tightly and letting himself be her tether to reality as his lips pressed atop of her head.

And she's cries, cries for so long that it doesn't feel like there's a moment she hadn't been doing so.

And he holds her the whole time, murmuring comforting words with fingers soothing down her spine and hair. Draco made a decision there, it didn't matter if Sirius didn't want to give her the world, he would.

Because she wasn't just deserving of that, she was the entire universe to Draco Malfoy.

The amount of time spent with him giving her a safe space to feel mournful and let everything seep in became unbeknownst to them both. Eventually though, when Rose had no more tears to give, he guided her down to the basement of Hogwarts.

She managed to walk slightly normal due to the potion working through her bloodstream, but kept the wrap around her leg for extra support, having to fight Draco to not carry her again.

When they reached the narrow, stone hallway of where Theo and Blaise sat slumped by a door with only a few sparse candles providing light, the two jumped up.

"I tried going to look for you but someone had to stay with Whit. He was losing his mind about where you were" Theo rambles with worry as she nears holding a slight limp in her walk, "What happened to you?!"

"Explain later" Rose muttered, avoiding Theo's gaze so he didn't have to stare at her bloodshot eyes. She pressed a hand against the door, "Do you think it's over?"

"Ro" Theo goes to grab her but is stopped by Draco putting an arm between them, shaking his head as signal to not push it as her forehead rest against the freezing stone.

"Did he....have a panic attack? I've never missed a moon"

"Yeah but that's not your fault" Theo breaths raggedly, voice turning to something dark. "Ro—did someone hurt you?"

"I'm fine Teddy" her fingers wrap around the door handle, paying no mind to the four locks above keeping Whitman sealed inside, "Just trust me"

She felt something small land on her, jerking slightly as her eyes directed to the left, finding Bowie standing on her shoulder with wide eyes and hands on his hips.

"He's okay baby" Rose whispered to the creature before focusing her attention on the locks, eyes closing as she forced magic out to unlock the door as Theo handed her a knitted blanket.

Blaise was never usually present for full moons, it wasn't because he didn't love Whitman like the rest. Simply put, it was too traumatizing, hearing screams and bones breaking. So when he spoke, he had no idea if Rose knew what she was doing.

"Rose he might not be back in human form"

"It's fine, he took the potion" the heavy stone door creaked open, "Let me go first"

No one protested as Rose instantly shut the door behind her, getting a glimpse at Whitman in wolf form as he grasped the wall in pain and slowly started to turn back human.

She closed her eyes quickly, respectfully refusing to see his naked body. Bowie mimicked her actions, closing his eyes and placing his two fingers across his face as Whitman slumped down against the wall.

Rose moved forward slowly, holding the blanket out blindly with an unsteady voice. "I'm here Whit"

He doesn't speak because he can't.

Her shoes hit his feet and she tosses the blanket over him without looking before opening her eyes, taking in a sharp breath. He always had gashes and scars but they were worse than normal this time, face and chest profusely bleeding.

Rose crouched down by his side, adjusting the blanket fully over his hips with carefulness as his eyes stayed closed.

"Where.....?" He trails off, sounding raspy and incoherent while painfully blinking.

"Something happen but I'm here now" Her voice cracks as she wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him into her without any care about the blood running from him to her. She cradled his head as a tear fell, hating herself for not being there for him and blaming herself for the extra marks over his skin that were no doubt caused by anxiety.

Whitman tried to move an arm around her but failed. Too weakened, too tired, and too much pain.

"I love you," she whispers into his hair, repeatedly pressing kisses down upon him as his own tears hit her bruised collarbones.

The door opens quietly, only Theo and Draco trailing inside the room as Blaise shut back the entrance from outside. They pause at the sight as Rose had, guts dropping at Whitman's state as she holds him tightly.

Slowly, Draco drops down by his other side and Theo's goes in front of the bleeding boy.

"We're here" Draco mutters, placing a comforting hand on Whitman's shoulder despite the blood he gains on his fingers from the action.

Even if it most likely Whitman couldn't fully hear them, Theo spoke directly to him with a thick swallow. "We'll get you dressed and start healing you down here—too many people are up in the hospital wing"

Rose looks over at them through her tears, "Do you have his clothes?"

"Yeah" Theo mumbles, "Look away Ro"

She pulls Whitman from her chest, laying him back against the wall and goes to stand when he weakly grabs her hand.

"Don't..." he coughs up blood, "—go"

"I won't"

Instead, Rose intertwines their fingers and stays by his side, closing her eyes as Theo tosses the pants at Draco and they being the routine of putting clothes back onto their best friend.

"You can look now Ro" says Draco as soon as they finished.

With a breath of relief, Rose looks at Whitman, brushing her free hand over his scarred cheek. "Do you guys have the potions? A rag?"

Theo reaches back into the bag, handing over a golden vial and spotless cloth, uncorking the potion for her so she could keep one hand connected to the boy.

She pours the golden liquid down onto the rag, grateful as Theo takes the vial back. Her eyes run over Whitman's chest and she contemplates where to start, there's so much blood—too much.

When the potion touched his chest, Whitman winces and he pushes up in pain. Draco sits down fully against the cold stone floor, wrapping an arm over his shoulders to keep him down.

"We got you Whit" Draco promises gruffly, pulling the boys head onto his shoulder.

"I'm sorry" Rose whispers brokenly before pushing the rag back against a gash, Theo's head turning away at the sound of pain Whitman lets out.

*

Over the next few days Rose stayed close by the boys and Luna as usual, but a blockage being put between her and Hermione. The Granger girl wanted Rose to be happy about Sirius, but she couldn't.

During that time Rose filled in all of the boys, along with Luna in on every single detail that occurred the night Sirius returned. Walburga had came to the school, losing her mind on Dumbledore and all the professors—proclaiming they were ignorant to have put her granddaughter at risk. When Rose told Walburga how Sirius acted it came as no shock that the grandmother smiled and began recalling how she knew Sirius could never love Rose how she deserved.

Now though, Rose stood out in the courtyard with her back pressed firmly against Theo's chest as they lazily rested against a cobblestone wall while sharing a cigarette, all the others were talking animatedly until Harry and a ton of Gryffindors ran out into the courtyard.

Draco gazed at the crowd with disgust from beside Theo and Rose, "What the fuck?"

Hermione came running up to Rose with a smile, lowly whispering. "You know who sent Harry a fire bolt!"

"Voldemort?" Rose deadpanned before scoffing, "How exactly did the escapee afford that?"

Hermione tenses, looking around at all the boys listening, she was aware Theo had to have been told but not the entire group.

Rose lifts her hand up to grab the cigarette back from Theo as Blaise rolled his eyes and speaks in annoyance, "We have been informed on the matter Granger"

Draco sneers, "Some of us have been around a lot longer than you"

Hermione glared furiously in offense, "I'll have you know Draco that just because you've known her longer doesn't mean anything!"

Draco watched Rose take a long drag as he spat his words out, "It means everything"

Rose felt a pang at his words, regardless of their never ending battle of back and forth, it did mean everything.

"Enough, I want to know how he afforded to buy that"

Everyone followed Rose's gaze up to see Harry flying above the school, Hermione lowering her voice. "I'm assuming the Black family vaults"

Theo was annoyed to say the least, tightening his arm around Rose's waist. "We'll make sure he never gets another galleon from them then"

Rose nodded and flicked the ash of the cigarette down, "Who does he think he is? He was disowned"

Hermione stared at Rose like she was crazy, "He is your father! And Harry doesn't have anyone! This is good news for the both of you, he gets father figure and you get one back!"

Draco swiped the cigarette from Rose's fingers, "Tell him to go be that to Harry since he's so interested in the kid"

Rose smiles up at him, "You took the words right out of me"

He gave her a lazy smile as the cigarette hangs from between his lips, crossing his arms as he leans against the wall beside Theo.

But then reality hits Rose, eyes turning to Hermione. "What do you mean by that? Should I be clapping for Harry? I don't have anyone either"

"You have—" Hermione pauses, "All of these boys and Walburga! Not to mention their families!"

"Leave me alone" scoffs Rose, baffled by her friends words.

"You can't be serious Rose!"

Draco spoke with sheer annoyance, wondering if Hermione realized she was pushing Rose over the edge. "I think she has every damn right to be"

Blaise slung an arm around Draco that was immediately pushed off, "Yeah plus I'm getting 'Fuck Sirius Black' tattooed on my arse cheek"

Rose smiles happily at their defensiveness, "Everyone seems to agree my behavior is justified"

Hermione opened her mouth only to be silenced by the person she least expected to scold her,

"Drop it Hermione—there's no way for you to understand it"

Whitman hadn't been rude to her in most cases, he understood what it was like to be opressed and looked down upon in some way. After all, he was classified as a monster—not even considered a human in the eyes of the ministry.

But he was right.

Hermione couldn't understand, she wasn't there growing up to realize how bad things were. The boys always stepped up for Rose in every way Sirius didn't. Rose needed a father more than anything and all she ever got was a drunken fool named Orion. Then, after all this time he comes back to barely spare her a second glance while hugging all over his god-child.

"I'm done" Hermione huffed, turning away on the heel of her sneakers and heading back over to Ron who was clapping for Harry.

"Fuck sake—can everyone give me a week to process what's happened?" Rose grumbled before looking up at Theo, "Can we all go smoke?"

"I happen to have a jar full on me" Blaise pipes in, tugging her away from Theo's chest. "Let's go forget about the world little Rose"

"Oi!" Whitman yelled quickly, "I'm not rolling this time!"

That is how the group of five landed themselves in a empty field full of tall weeds, far off from Hogwarts, spending two hours going through way too much pot.

Somehow, they began laying down and pointing out shapes above them. Draco layed with a hand behind his head and brows furrowed at the sky as Rose had her head laying on his stomach, giggling as Theo crashed onto her own belly. Whitman was propped up on his side as he peered around confusedly, and then Blaise was laying on his own stomach against the grass, both elbows holding him up as he choked on smoke before handing the burning paper to Draco.

"I think that one's a dog" Rose giggles, tilting her head as she pointed at a fluffy cloud above. "It's definitely a dog"

"No—a dragon" Theo affirmed with certainty.

"I don't know Theo...." Whitman trailed on with a squint, "I'm thinking a cat—you see the whiskers?"

"You're all idiots" Draco hummed as he blew out smoke, fingers lazily toying with Rose's hair. "It's most definitely a flower"

"Can I ask you guys something and not ruin the high?" Rose questions suddenly.

"Hit us with it Rose...I'm up for some emotional talk" Blaise grins cheekily, going to pat her head roughy but getting smacked away by Draco without the boy having to look.

"It's not emotional but I just have to get it off my chest"

"Go on already!"

"Am I being cruel about Hermione? It's just—well she doesn't get it"

A chorus of 'no' rung out at once.

"Of course she doesn't," Theo scoffs as he takes the blunt Draco outstretched overtop of Rose, "She's doesn't know what it was like for people like us growing up...I don't know why you ever started a friendship"

Rose sighs as Draco's fingers resume their movement in her hair, "But I've told her a lot about it—she's seen me upset and knows some stories"

"If I went back in time and brought someone that fought in the Trojan war to you, let them explain every detail and how it felt for them to experience that, would you be able to understand what they went through then?" asks Draco.

"No" she answers quickly, and he stirs up a profound realization in her. She could tell her story a million times over but that wouldn't make anyone get it but that okay.

"Exactly Rosie" He sighs some more, "You are not cruel for standing up for yourself in the face of ridicule"

"Definitely not" Theo turns his head on her stomach to look over with a hazy smile, "Besides, you have us"

"And we happen to be the most amazing human beings" Whitman joins in, tapping her nose.

"Oh lucky me" she teases in a flat voice.

"Watch it!" Blaise yelps, "You are lucky"

"I know" Rose genuinely laughs before pointing back up at the sky, "I think Theo might be onto something—looks like a dragon"

"What's going on?" The voice of Luna Lovegood cut in, standing above them all with a basket in hand.

"You don't want to know" Theo blows out a cloud of smoke and furrows his brows as he looks up at the girl, letting Rose snatch the blunt from his hand. "Do you have water by any chance?"

Blaise's bloodshot eyes grow wide, "Luna—"

"I'm not here to talk to you Blaise, Rose wanted me to join you all. We communicated in our heads about it" Luna cuts him off begins sitting down, placing Rose's feet in her crossed legs. "I brought some water Theo if you'd like some"

"Thank Merlin" Draco mutters, propping himself up but not the point where Rose has to move off his stomach. Luna reaches into the basket, tossing him a metal bottle of water which he gratefully catches.

Draco unscrews the cap before chugging the liquid, getting it snatched away by Whitman.

"Thanks Loony"

"Draco!" Rose scolds, head turning to look over at him as he lays back down.

"What?" He shrugs, fingers pushing back through her hair. "I personally think the nickname is cool—you two can be Loony number one and two. Gotta reclaim the power back from something they use against Luna"

Luna giggles, "I like that idea! Who wants to be sane anyways?!"

"Me" Theo mutters with a deep laugh.

"Me three" Whitman adds on as he finishes taking a long sip of water.

"Well too bad none of us are so just accept fate" Draco laughs in his drugged state.

Rose sits up slightly with more laughter, holding the blunt to Luna, collapsing down after she took it happily. "I think high Draco is onto something"

Draco smiles proudly, moving his free hand out from under his head and holding it out for her to grab. "I'm a bloody genius"

Rose takes his fingers, messing with his rings as his hand lays by her collarbones with the sound of everyone laughing filling her ears.

Suddenly Sirius didn't matter, Rose was surrounded by people who loved her without judgement and she was happy—really happy.

________________________________
end of book one

HAPPY LATE VDAY!

A/N: omfg this chapter when draco and rose had their moment had to be one of my favorites...they are so passionately in love and so stubborn it makes me want to pull my hair out and squeal all at once UGH

—no one is allowed to tell me I'm ruining the slow burn because this book is already at like almost 200k words!! THIS IS THE SLOWEST OF BURNS OKAY? OKAY.
^thats me talking to myself for reassurance lolol

—don't be mad at hermione...i try to keep each character realistic and make things feel natural and let's be real—she definitely can't understand what any of their lives are like no matter how much explaining Rose does

—on the other hand Luna & Rose are my BABIES

—NOW ITS SUMMER TIMEEEEEE WOOHOOO...if there's any little things you want me to add in i will do so<3

—if you see little markers saying book one it's because i want to bind this when I finish and I have to keep track of how I'm separating it

MEMES FOR MY LOVES:

me every time Rose and Draco fight:

Rose preparing to sacrifice herself for a Gryffindor for the millionth time:

Rose when she landed in the hole:

Rose seeing Sirius for the first time:

When Sirius hugged Harry:

Pomprey watching Draco lose his mind over his "enemy":

When Draco showed up without hesitation:

Draco preparing to kill everyone every time Rose gets injured:

Rose:

Hermione when Rose doesn't blindly listen to her:

Thinking about how this was the first moon Whitman had to deal with without Rose:

me when Draco called Rose "mon sauveur":

xx bri