third person pov

(am i the only one who imagines graham montague as Hayden Christian? anyways xx)

After slipping to her dorm and brushing her teeth furiously, Rose ended up at the entrance of the great hall where study hall was occurring.

Her sharp eyes scanned the large space, meeting Theo's gaze at the Slytherin table. She wasted no time in rushing over, throwing her arms around his neck.

The conversation ceased upon her arrival, Draco sat in front of Theo and Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle on either side of himself as he studied her face carefully.

Theo swiveled around, a look of relief taking him over. "I looked everywhere for you Ro"

"Poor bloke was on the verge of a heart attack" Blaise added in, scooting over to give her room inbetween them. Rose gave Theo a pained smile as she dropped her bag down before sitting, "Sorry love, Dumbles fancied a chat"

As Rose reached down to pull her potions notebook she created, the one filled with correct versions of the potions shown in the standard textbooks, Pansy sat herself next to Crabbe who went wide-eyed at the unwelcome presence.

Rose didn't need to look up to become aware of the girl, Pansy's mind was like a open field-her thoughts clear as day. Deciding to take the option of ignoring a pestering human, Rose spoke without looking up as she opened the journal. "Where's Whit? I need to talk to him"

Theo slid a comforting arm around her waist, tucking his chin towards her head so he could read the pages too. "Still looking for you, after a while he told me to station myself here incase you came while he kept looking around the school"

Rose nodded slightly, thankful for Theo holding onto her as she tried to ignore the burning holes everyone was making into her skin by staring.

But failed, her head snapping up. "Why are you all gawking at me? Shouldn't you be studying?"

Theo shot them all an annoyed glare, "Because you're just so beautiful"

Rose scoffed, "No one likes a arse kissing liar Teddy"

A playboy smirk worked onto his lips, speaking against her temple. "Oh sorry-I thought you asked why I was staring at you"

Rose rolled her eyes, a small annoyed smile taking her over until Pansy spoke up.

"Who was that Slytherin guy? Your boggart?"

Blaise and Rose both snapped at her in sync, "None of your fucking business Parkinson"

Blaise nudged Rose as she casted her eyes back down to the notes, but Pansy spoke again.

"Apparently no one's ever seen him before but he was wearing Slytherin robes"

Theo contemplated murder, "What the fuck are you even sitting here for? There is no room for someone pathetically dim-witted as yourself"

His angry and demeaning voice made Rose make a small sound of agreement as she didn't bother looking up once again, Pansy continuing on with meaningless words.

"I can sit here if I want-I just wonder if maybe Rose really is deranged and has been imagining some guy"

This pulled zero reaction from Rose herself, but Draco couldn't take it-uncaring if he broke his usual attitude as he slammed his down and made Rose jump.

"Enough Parkinson-leave" Draco spat.

Rose's eyebrows raised, wanting to say thank you but it didn't feel right being directed at him.

Pansy was shocked, but truly shouldn't have been. Draco never let anyone else disrespect Rose but himself, "Are you insane Draco, why would you take her side?"

Draco scoffed loudly, "I'm not taking her side. I'm just sick of your voice in my ear"

Rose threw a hand over her mouth, trying to hide the sudden laughter coming out as Pansy stood-grabbing her bag and marching off like a toddler who didn't get their way.

The Black heir couldn't help but give Draco a side smile, him simply giving her a curt nod in response while fighting his own smile off his face.

I'll always defend you, Rosie.

Theo grunted, "Why does she believe herself above anyone else at this school? We've made it very clear we don't want outsiders around us"

"Careful Teddy-you're sounding like a elitist"

"That's because we all are" Blaise clapped Rose on the back with force, making her almost fall forward. "I love a good Parkinson freak out, shitty entertainment but still entertainment"

Rose looked up at Blaise with a laugh as Theo spoke in warning, "Trying to knock her off the bench, are you?"

"I wouldn't harm a hair on her pretty little head"

Luna stopped behind Draco, no one noticing her presence until she tapped him on the shoulder-making him jerk in surprise before turning around.

Draco grimaced as he looked at her, "Gods Looney, no one ever teach you not to sneak up on people?"

Rose smiled up at the blonde Ravenclaw, harshly kicking Draco's right knee under the table. "Hello Luna"

"Sneaking up is only accounted if one isn't paying attention" Luna said to Draco before grinning at Rose, "Hi Rose....oh! And hello Blaise!"

Blaise smiled widely, straightening himself up with a silky voice. "Hello love, you look beautiful as ever"

Luna smiled back at him before focusing back on Rose, "I wanted to see if you wished to go with me to Hogsmeade tomorrow?"

Rose clapped her hands together, pushing down the depressing weight in her chest that being around her boys took away. "Yes! We must make a trip to the three broomsticks!"

Blaise's smile turned into a smirk, "We could join you guys if you'd like"

Luna nodded at him, "That sounds lovely to me Blaise"

"No way" Draco grumbled, making Rose kick him again, pulling a grunt out the Malfoy.

Theo looked at Luna with his usual dead stare, "Don't worry about Draco-the rest of us will be there"

"I'll be off then!"

"Bye Luna!" Rose called after her friend as she turned on her heel, beginning to resume skipping down between the tables.

Blaise stared after her longingly, Rose speaking in a sing-song voice by his ear.

"Ask her out loverboyyy!"

He shoved her face away with his smirk remaining, "I don't fancy Luna"

Draco scoffed, "Oh yeah sure mister 'we can all come' "

Rose pointed at Draco, "As I would usually never agree blondie, I'm going to have make a exception this time"

Blaise switched his tone with a condescending laugh, "Oh you know I'm playing you all-I'm obsessed with Luna" he reached into his pocket, pulling out binoculars on a skinny metal pole.

"What the fuck are you using those for?" Theo asked with a blink as he placed his chin on Rose's head.

Blaise nodded at the Gryffindor for table, everyone except for Crabbe and Goyle followed his eyeline to where Fred Weasley sat running a hand through his shoulder length red-locks while flirting with Angelia Johnson. "You see that cunt Johnson flirting with my future boyfriend?"

"For Salazar sake Blaise-get over that sickening crush on a Weasley" Draco said with a shiver of disgust, "What happened to hating poor people?"

"I'll have you know I still despise poor people, I just simply plan to make Fred rich by marrying me" Blaise said proudly before putting the binoculars up to his eyes, "Now if you'll all excuse me-I have some spying to do"

Rose busted out in a laugh, attempting to push down his binoculars with no avail as he swatted her away. "Leave me be! Resume your nerdy studying!"

"You are not supposed to be telling the others about our way of spying on them" Rose said while resuming her studying as instructed, her brain soaking in every word written in cursive.

Theo hummed softly as he read along with her, his quill making mindless scribbles on the edges of the page that made Rose smile every so often.

Whitman appeared behind Draco a little while later, relief flooding him to see Rose with small peaks of happiness on her lips.

He tossed his bag down beside Draco, the blonde clearing his throat as Crabbe slid over to give Whitman room to sit down.

Theo looked up at the sound, nudging Rose to signal Whitman was there as Blaise pulled the binoculars down.

"What?" Rose groaned loudly before lifting her head to make direct eye contact with a solemn Rosier.

"Crabbe, Goyle-leave" Draco demanded.

"Huh"

"Why?"

Draco looked at them as of stupid for even daring to question him, "Because I fucking said so"

They both scrambled up before leaving, Rose rolling her eyes after. "You didn't have to be a dick you know"

Draco smirked in a way that made her infuriated, "I happen to enjoy it"

"Clearly" Rose scoffed, eyeing him up and down.

Whitman reached across, grabbing Rose suddenly. She jumped back in surprise, him quickly retracting his hand with a regretful look.

"I'm sorry I know I'm probably not who you want to-"

"Whit" Rose reached back over, taking hold of his hand. "I could never be scared, I'm just a bit jumpy from today"

Whitman took a unsteady breath, "Ro you have no idea how bad I feel...It's all my fault"

She could see his eyes start to well up, making them all give him a concerned face. "Nothing is your fault Whit, I chose to step in front of you"

In response, Whitman shook his head and slammed his free fist down on the table-each of his friends eyes growing wide.

A common trait they all had was slamming hands down on wooden surfaces, almost happening too often.

Whitman noticed their looks of worry, "Sorry...I'm just so fucking mad at myself. You had to see Walburga here and Tom it-it just wasn't right" He started to run a hand through his unruly hair, "I'm so fucking dumb for not paying attention-"

Rose cut him off, squeezing his hand. "Hey hey hey...it's fine, I swear I'm not upset or anything. It was just a lot to take in, that's why I left"

"If I payed attention I would've known it was my turn and to not go"

She shot him the best smile possible, "Nonsense love"

A single frustrated tear ran down his face, Draco awkwardly patting his shoulder in the best form of emotional support he could provide. "I-I just couldn't handle seeing you there, dead, all mangled up. It was just like my nightmares"

Rose took her head out of his, leaning up and out of Theo's hold to wipe his tear before sitting back down. "It's never going to happen Whit"

He shook his head again, "I just think it's better if you don't join me this full moon"

Rose fake gasped, grabbing her heart as she looked up at Theo. "Did he just say what I think he said?"

Theo lazily smirked at her, winding his arm back around her waist. "I think so Ro....the audacity is insulting, isn't it?"

With such dramatics, Rose turned back to Whitman while pointing a finger at her heart. "That hit me Whit, that hit me right here"

Theo leaned his ear down, wrapping his free hand around the one Rose the pointed with. "Oh no I think...I think I can hear her heart slowing down Whit"

Whitman chuckled slightly, coming out of his awful state. "You both are the most obnoxious people ever"

Theo spoke, "Don't hate us for being epic"

Rose pointed her thumb up at Theo as she laid her head against him, "What he said"

Draco rolled his eyes, "Glad that's over. If I had to listen to any more of the emotional blubber I was going to pitch myself off the astronomy tower"

Rose began speaking sympathetically, "Please Draco, anywhere else. You know how much I love the astronomy tower, they would definitely close it down if you did that"

"You're such a bitch" Draco retorted.

"Please, I'm just rather honest"

Draco goes to speak, being silenced by the hand Whitman slaps over his mouth-speaking instead of the blonde. "Are you alright though, honestly Ro?"

Her eyes seemed to drain, "Yeah, I just need to tell grandfather about-" she paused and rubbed hand down her face in confusion, forgetting he was no longer alive.

Whitman leaned in closer on the table, lowering his voice to where only their group could hear. "You take your medicine today?"

"What if I don't want the voices and delusion's to stop?" Rose attempted to crack a joke, avoiding the question completely.

She rolled her eyes as Theo, Whitman, and even Blaise all gave her sharp looks. "Oh fuck off"

Whitman reached into his bag by Draco on the bench, pulling out a rattling pill bottle. "I figured you forgot"

Rose muttered under her breath as she took the pill bottle away from Whitman, twisting the top off with ease.

Draco furrowed his brows in confusion, the edge to his voice leaving. "Since when did you start taking medicine?"

"Since I found my grandfathers dead body" Rose said without a trace of pain, plopping a white circular pill into her mouth. "Had to go St Mungos and be put in one of those straight jackets"

Blaise choked on air at the casualness, Draco's mask slipping again as he spoke.

"Excuse me?"

Rose shrugged, "I was just being a little too silly"

No one said anything, Theo just tightening his arm around her as Whitman took a deep breath with the flashbacks hitting him.

"Wrong crowd" Rose laughed as she laid her head back against Theo.

"Rosie....you found his body?" Draco asked, and Rose could see the sympathy in his eyes.

"Don't you dare" Rose warned, "Can we please talk about something else before I murder you all?"

Draco went to protest, getting Whitman's hand smacked back over his mouth. "So what's our plans for Hogsmeade tomorrow?"

Despite it taking everything in him, Draco hardened his gaze and pushed Whitman's hand off his mouth.

They all looked at Draco as he went to open his mouth, repeatedly closing it while trying to garner the strength to not force Rose into hugging him with guilt eating him alive for not knowing.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "It would seem Rosie and Blaise have signed us up for a day with Loony Lovegood"

Rose pointed at him, "Liar! I had plans with Luna! Blaise invited all of you!"

"Blaise and Luna, you say?" Whitman asked, a smile taking over his previously solemn face.

Rose smirked, "Oh Blaise totally has the hots for her"

"You have terrible taste Blaise" Draco grumbled.

"Really Draco? What is good taste? Pansy Parkinson?" Rose taunted, mirth laced in her tone. "At least Luna doesn't hate other women"

Draco scoffed, "That's horrific to even say Black...I have plenty of girls throwing themselves at me that are not Pansy Parkinson"

Rose raised a challenging brow, "Yes, yes you do Draco but tell me when have you ever settled down with one? Given them the attention asked of you?"

He leaned on his elbows towards her, "I don't believe in stupid relationship's. The emotional aspect is terribly sickening"

"Or are you just a soon to be whore?"

Draco is the one who raised a brow this time, "Where's your relationship Black? From where I'm sitting I've never seen you emotionally invest into one pathetic boy"

Stupid arse. I've invested into two boys, very much so.

Rose stayed silent, Whitman speaking in her place firmly. "Ro you're not allowed to have a boyfriend until your fifty, you understand me?"

"Well" Rose began with a smirk, eyes fluttering in exhaustion as she stayed on Theo's shoulder. "I can agree to those terms as long as you don't force me to be a virgin until I'm fifty"

Theo stiffened against her, Whitman appearing horrified as he responded.

"You will be a virgin until your sixty! Or so help me Salazar, I will commit murder!"

Rose gasped dramatically, lifting her head up off Theo. "Teddy! Tell him he cannot prevent me from having sex!"

He shrugged, "No no...I'm going to agree with Whit on this"

"Absolutely ridiculous Whit" Blaise began, "You need to stop having so much sex before you tell anyone they can't and you three-" he paused to nod at Draco, Theo, and Rose. "Need to stop being virgins. Sex is perfectly normal when practiced safely"

Draco scoffed with an eye roll, "Please-I have no interest in such filth with random women"

Theo dug his fingers into Rose side, enticing a yelp from her. "I'm going to be like those muggle Christian girls-save myself for marriage"

Truthfully, the simple fact was neither had any interest in sleeping with anyone but Rose. It didn't feel right to imagine someone else, and they didn't think it ever would.

No one in the group could hold back their laughter at Theo's remark, Blaise having to collect him self before he could talk. "Don't you and Rose plan on getting married?"

This made Rose smile widely as she reached up to grasp Theo's chin, "Exactly-I'm the only woman Theo's allowed to have sex with"

"She's right, you know?" Theo taunted, looking over at Blaise. "Other women don't exist to me"

Rose giggled before patting Theo's cheek, "Good boy"

Blaise groaned, lifting his binoculars back up. "I'm so lonely"

Whitman started grumbling, roughly pulling out his transfiguration book. Rose snapped her head to him with a narrowed gaze, "What are you grumbling about?"

When he didn't answer Rose leaned over the table, flicking his head. "What is your issue?"

His head snapped up, "Thinking about you having sex is upsetting"

"Oh let her grow up Whit" Blaise said distantly, Draco blinking as he continued staring at Fred.

Shortly after, Draco reached over to knock the binoculars down with more irritation than needed, pissed off at having to watch Rose and Theo. "Blaise put down the damn binoculars-this is borderline insanity"

Rose slowly realized what Blaise had said, her gaze narrowing at Whitman as her gut dropped. "Who have you been having sex with? We've only just returned back!"

Whitman shrugged, "Well as of recently-a random Ravenclaw"

Rose scowled, "Some Ravenclaw? Give me a name!"

Whitman looked to the other three boys, only getting smirks as they enjoyed his pain. "Cho Chang"

The Black stood up abruptly, "Then stop!"

"Why?" Whitman questioned.

"Because I-well I said so!"

Whitman smiled up at her, "Give me a real reason"

Rose glared at him, reaching down to yank her bag off the floor before looking between the three boys clearly getting more and more excited by Whitman being fussed at. "Wipe those smug looks off your faces!" They all immediately listened, "And you! We've only just arrived two nights ago! I'm going to go find me a hot Slytherin bloke and see how you like it!"

Whitman stood up immediately, his face tense. "Sit down! You will do no such thing"

"No-if I have to watch you do it then you can do the same!"

"Rosalie Aries-"

Rose cut him off with a smirk, recalling the lingering gaze she had on Adrian since first year. "Adrian Pucey is proper fit, wouldn't you say?"

Whitman and Rose just stared intensely at eachother before she turned on her heel, Blaise becoming highly amused as all three of his friends held their breath until realizing she was joking-stopping by the Gryffindor table to whisper with Hermione.

"You almost drove her to Pucey" Draco spat, rolling his eyes for the millionth time.

"As if Pucey would speak-the boy is practically mute" Whitman butted in.

"Yeah well I don't speak unless I'm with you all" Theo spoke as if they were stupid, "Doesn't mean anything"

"I'm disappointed she didn't go" Blaise said matter of factly, "I think his silence adds to the whole mysterious thing-quite sexy" he paused for a moment, "What was that even all about? I'm confused"

"Are you daft? Rosie doesn't want Whit having sex" Draco said plainly, "They have a weird friendship"

Whitman smiled with a laugh, "Why does she care who I have sex with?"

Theo matched his smile lazily, closing the notebook Rose left behind. "You know how Ro is-just protective over you"

"Yeah" Whitman's smile fell as he focused back on the Transfiguration homework, "I'd say so"

"Oui!" Blaise cheered happily, making all three of the boys heads snap up to follow his eyeline. "She's doing it!"

Rose was headed straight for the end of the Slytherin table where Adrian Pucey sat with Graham Montague, Marcus Flint, Cassius Warrington, Miles Bletchley, and a few other older students.

Adrian was pushing his ashy brown hair out of his face while studying a charms book when suddenly Marcus Flint's agitating voice fell silent along with the rest of the table.

Adrian lifted his head up as he felt a presence settle behind him, and then Graham Montague smirked before speaking.

"Hello Black"

Rose scoffed, "Excuse me boys-I need to speak with Pucey"

Adrian slowly turned, his face blank as he settled both legs over the bench to face her. Rose on the other hand was too busy hearing Marcus beginning to talk a mile a minute about quidditch to notice he had turned to her.

"Marcus-now is not the time"

"But-"

Rose shot the quidditch captain a warning look that made him grumble and close his mouth before she turned her gaze down to Adrian.

His eyes were sharp, scrutinizing, seeming to study every inch of her in a matter of seconds all while appearing dead in every sense and the shadows under the boys eyes only made his stare more intimidating.

He appeared as the word 'dark beauty' from each sharp angle of his face to the aura he radiated.

Adrian's friends began to look at Rose oddly as they only stared each other before she placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned into his ear.

"I'm using you in a plot against Whitman so just play along"

Adrian had no response until she stood up straight, brushing a strand of his hair back with a smile. When she started to pull away he latched his hand around her wrist, making Rose freeze with a raised brow.

His eyes fell down to her feet before slowly trailing up, letting go of her wrist as their gazes met again.

Rose smirked at him curiously before hearing her name be called, looking to the left to find Theo and Draco's mouth open as Whitman stood with a glare. She simply shot them a wink before clearing her throat and speaking to the group of older students, "Mission accomplished boys"

She turned on her heel after, not looking at Adrian again in fear of how long their stare would last this time. Rose almost made it to the double door exit of the great hall until Graham called after her.

"Oi! Let me take you to Hogsmeade!"

She glanced over her shoulder to find the cocky blonde standing, "In your wildest dreams Montague!"

Adrian watched her leave without wasting a second, speaking in his gruff voice to graham. "Sit down"

Graham dropped back onto the bench with a dreamy sigh, "I think I love her"

"Shut the fuck up for once Graham" Adrian snapped.

*

That night, the shared dorm between Blaise, Whitman, Draco, Theo, and Rose was peaceful-in some ways.

Blaise was off to smoke with Luna, somehow catching her after study hall and making plans-this meant the main cause of sound was gone.

On a record player by one of the floor to ceiling windows, Whitman had put on a record from the Pixies, very adamant on always being the one in charge of music. The song was slow and turned down more than normal as he scribbled his homework on the desk in the far corner, tapping his quill against the wood every so often.

Theo was off in the shower, his persistent humming muted by the music echoing through the room. And then there was Rose, laying on her side as she stared at the thick emerald curtains surrounding her bed with an emotionless face as she thought of Orion with the silky comforter tucked under her arm and Nyx curled up to her chest.

The side of the curtains she stared at moved slightly, Draco slipping through with his wand in hand as he turned to close the material back before whispering a silencing spell.

Rose flipped before he could catch a glimpse of her face. While Draco kept a clenched jaw as he sat himself on the edge of her bed, both their backs facing eachother as he draped his arms over his knees.

She felt her heart drop as she sneaked a slight glance to see their positions, saddened by what had become of them.

Draco waited a few moments before he spoke without a detectable edge to his voice, "I didn't know"

Rose stayed silent, shuffling the comforter higher on her body.

He ran a hand through his hair, sounding frustrated. "I should've known"

"How could you?" Rose murmured.

He knew she was right, they might still share best friends and spend almost every hour together but there was a big wall between them at all times. Rose would never share a detail so intimate with anyone but Theo or Whitman unless she made it into something casual.

"Rosie"

"Don't" Rose said, pulling Nyx closer to her chest for comfort. "Don't try to feel bad for me"

Draco sighed heavily, dropping his face down into one hand.

"Things might be shit with us but I can always tell when your drowning"

"I don't need you anymore" Rose whispered firmly.

Draco closed his eyes slowly to push it all down, the words feeling like a knife. "Okay"

She waited, suspecting him to leave but he didn't. Draco stayed, listening to her swallow breaths as they both stared into opposite sides of the curtains.

"But you can...stay until Theo gets back" Rose said casually, shrugging slightly. "If you want"

Draco's lips twitched, "Yeah. I'll stay"

Rose flipped back over towards him, his gaze casting down to the side Rose inched toward him and let go of Nyx.

His eyes transfixed on her empty gaze as Nyx started to move between them, nudging himself and then nudging Rose.

*

The next morning Rose woke in Theo and Whitman's arms, thankful for the two people making her head go quiet. They spent the night being filled in on what really happened after she ran from class, learning that she saw Tom and telling her exactly what she needed to hear.

To stay the hell away from that Chamber.

Rose knew they were right.

She felt safe with them, able to tell them every detail without judgement or a biased opinion. The thing is, Rose wasn't very mentally stable or rational. She needed to be checked sometimes, to be told the hard truth.

And then as if both could read her mind, they began to recall peaceful stories of Orion-knowing she wouldn't be ready to face the depressing side of his death just yet. So instesd, Theo and Whitman helped her fall alseep with a smile at moments of the man now gone.

It was now Hogsmeade day, meaning Rose had pushed all the boys out of the dorm so she could get ready for the outting. Plus Rose knew if she didn't spend somewhat of her day with Hermione, she would never get to use all of Hogsmeade with the boys.

That is how Rose ended up being followed into the black tiled bathroom with a hyper active Hermione Granger.

"You avoided me yesterday! Where did you even go off to?!"

Rose ignored her, making Hermione roll her eyes and jump onto the counter.

"Answer my question!"

Rose groaned loudly as she rubbed her eyes in exhaustion, "I left study hall after Whit pissed me off and went to hangout with Peeves until I realized how late it was and came back here to sleep"

Hermione huffed, crossing her legs as she sat. "How come you can spend hours with a literal deranged ghost?!"

"First Peeves is a poltergeist, thank you very much! He would not be happy to hear you call him anything else! And I quite enjoy my time with him!" Rose scolded while walking to the wide shower, kicking off her slippers.

She began to ramble but stopped as Rose reached past the curtain to turn the water on, "I wanted to ask-Wait! I cannot stay in here while you shower! My hair will be huge from your ridiculous heat!"

Rose half laughed, half yawned. Beginning to toss her clothes off after, "I wrote you and said I made you my own version of sleekeazy's"

"Hmp..Well thank you, you did not need to do that. Nevertheless your going to tell me why you disappeared yesterday!" Hermione began with gratefulness before ending her statement firmly as Rose slipped past the curtain.

"I don't quite understand what you mean Mione" Rose's voice became muffled as she moved her head under the scolding hot water.

Suddenly the shower curtain was thrown back, Rose shrieking at the cold blast of wind. "Mione! I am naked and freezing!"

Hermione narrowed her eyes, "You avoided me because you knew I'd make you talk about it!"

Rose yanked the curtain back into place harshly, "Salazar lady! You are trying to freeze me to death! And no, I simply just decided to not seek you out?!"

"We are going to discuss this tonight! I will not ruin your day by making you speak about it right now but you will be talking about your feelings because it's what?"

Rose grumbled, making Hermione yell again.

"Sorry Rose, couldn't hear you. We talk about our feelings because it's what?!"

Rose rolled her eyes while turning off the water, going to step out of the shower when Hermione yanked the curtain back again and threw a towel over.

"Because it is what?!"

With exasperation Rose wrapped the towel around herself, "Fine! Because it is healthy!"

Hermione made a 'hmph' sound before going to look in the counter drawers for the potion Rose had made her.

On the other hand, Rose muttered a quick drying spell to make her hair fall in loose waves as she roughly pushed last Hermione to exit. "Sometimes Mione, you make me glad I didn't have healthy parental relationships. Merlin, I can't imagine how much your family talks about their feelings"

Hermione inspected the silvery potion under the pale light of the bathroom, "You are lucky to have me! Now, are you sure this is better than the one Harry's grandfather made?"

"Obviously Mione it's almost all the same ingredients just a few tweaks, I am top of the class you know!"

Shortly after, Rose returned to the bathroom fully clothed, looking over to find Hermione smiling with flushed cheeks.

"What Mione?"

Rose walked further into the bathroom, Hermione giving a twirl to show her hair now smooth and shinning.

"Your hair looks so beautiful!"

"I shouldn't have doubted you for a minute! You need to get a job involving potions! I'm at a loss for words!"

Rose shook her head with a smile as she walked past Hermione to the counter, "I want to be a alchemist, you know that Mione"

Hermione sighed happily, leaning on the marble as she watched Rose lazily grab deep wine colored lipstick before humming as she put on mascara.

Rose glanced over as she was about to finish, noticing Hermione's curiosity. "Want me to put some on you?"

She cleared her throat, taking a step back. "I don't think that's a good idea Rose"

"Nonsense! Every girl should atleast give makeup a try at least once. Sit on the counter"

Reluctantly, Hermione sat on the counter and waited patiently as Rose bent down to fish around a top drawer before pulling out a lip tint she knew wouldn't overwhelm her best friend.

Rose gave her a encouraging nod as she grasped Hermione's chin, beginning to apply the pinkish color.

"I don't think I have the guts to wear makeup in public" Hermione mumbled. Rose grasped her chin tighter to keep her in place, "If you can face off with Voldermort, you can wear makeup in public"

Hermione's brows pinched together as Rose reached around her to grab the mascara. "How do you do it without care of what someone might say?"

"Mione love," Rose began to twist the cap off, "Life is about confidence and the best part is no one knows if it's real or not"

"Yeah?" Hermione asked hopefully, grunting as Rose forcefully shut her eyes. "Do you fake it a lot?"

"Everyday" Rose answered simply, "You'd never know though, would you?"

"No-not at all"

"Exactly" Rose smiled, "Now keep still or I'll jab your eye out"

With a small laugh Hermione stuck her chin up before getting wrangled by Rose who started to apply the mascara and had to continually hassle her to keep still the whole time. Once finished Rose pulled back and grabbed a hand-held mirror, passing it to Hermione.

"What do you think?"

Hermione smiled nervously before giggling, "I look...beautiful"

Rose smiled with laughter as she grasped onto the sides of Hermione's head, "You are the most beautiful girl in whole universe, with or without makeup. But...it is pretty cool how it makes you feel, right?"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically, dropping the mirror in her lap and placing her hands over Rose's momentarily before forcing the Black into a tight hug. "I love you so much"

Rose grimaced at the emotional aspect of it all as she patted Hermione's back awkwardly, "I love you more. Now come on and let me go"

At that Hermione let go with a annoyed sound, the girls beginning to rush out of the bathroom.

Rose stopped by her bed, quickly pecking Nyx before swiping up her little velvet pouch for the essentials.

Rose Black needed two things in life, galleons and cigarettes.

Once finishing the long hike down the staircase, they climbed through the portrait hole with interlocked arms. "I saw you flirting with Adrian Pucey yesterday-I will need a explanation!"

"I totally did no such thing. I just faked it and asked Pucey to go along with it" Rose affirmed, "That's not even what we should be worrying about. Did you know Whit has been having sex with Cho Chang?"

Hermione grimaced at the image, "Whitman is a man whore who is completely emotionally unavailable. What did you suspect?"

"Maybe a little bit of decency? We've only just returned to school"

Hermione studied Rose as they walked up the staircase that led from the dungeons to the first floor corridor, "You're planning something"

"Am not" Rose scoffed, jerking on Hermione's arm to make her walk faster.

"You are!"

Rose lifted her chin, neither paying attention to the few Slytherin students walking ahead on the slick steps. "I am simply rectifying a situaiton"

Hermione hit her with a free hand as they stepped into the corridor, "You cannot prevent him from holding up with anyone!"

"Really?" Rose asked smugly, Hermione's eyes rolling at the demeaning look she gave to Seamus Finngan passing by before continuing. "Watch me"

"Why does it matter?!"

"I-" Rose paused, not having a reply as they neared the great hall doors. "It just does Mione"

"Rosalie Aries Black! Don't you dare do what I'm thinking!"

A few students walking through the corridor gave them weird looks as Hermione shouted.

Rose unlooped her arm from Hermione's, beginning to back into the crowded great hall. "People shouldn't be so easily manipulated if they don't wish me to do such"

"Don't you do it!" Hermione called after her.

Rose's smirk returned, this time way more devilishly than before. And Hermione sighed heavily as she received a middle finger with her bestfriend starting to turn away, heading straight for the Ravenclaw table.

But as Rose made her way there, she made eye contact with the last person she suspected to.

Adrian Pucey was staring a hole into her.

He was a enigma, he had this 'devil may care' thing going on, he was unusually quiet, he had top marks in his classes, never cheated or pulled a foul in any quidditch match ever but still had this way of looking down at others.

He never said one thing about blood-status, which was odd with the 'friends' he had and the family he came from.

Yeah. He was a hot enigma.

Rose shot him a challenging brow, focusing on the packed Ravenclaw table full of students in normal clothing after. She kept walking until spotting Cho Chang sitting with her little minions. The Ravenclaw was beautiful, often followed around by a group of all women who looked like lost puppies.

Cho Chang was the type of mean girl Rose liked, respectful to women and uncaring about boys attention that came easily.

Pansy Parkinson was the type Rose hated.

She stopped by Cho, Marietta Edgecomb looking back at Rose first.

"Excuse me" Rose said with a sarcastic smile at the girl, waving her hand off the side to signal Marietta to move-which she did.

"Hi Rose" Cho said as the Black sat down beside her, the fellow group of girls watching them silently.

"Hello Chang" Rose smiled in way that not a soul would be able to detect as fake, "I have something to tell you girls-some gossip if you will"

This turned the horror Cho's friends had at the infamous Black's presence into interest.

"Really?" Cho smiled, pushing her dark hair back.

"Mhm" Rose nodded and used her finger to signal all the girls close with a giggle, "You guys can't tell anyone though"

"Of course not!"

"Ooo!"

"Now I'm excited!"

The group of Ravenclaws all chorused together, Rose leaning on the table slightly as she looked at Cho.

"They all know about you and Whitman, correct?"

Cho nodded, "Oh of course! I tell them everything"

"Well who could blame you for that?" Rose said, placing a sweet hand on Cho's arm, coaxing the girl into a false sense of security. "Now if Whitman finds out what I'm doing he'll kill me but I couldn't let you purse something with him before telling you what one of Cedric's friends told me"

Cho's eyes went wide, one of the stubby blonde girls with them squealing in excitement about her friends crush since first year. "Cedric?!"

Rose fakely giggled again, giving heart eyes to Cho as she lowered her voice. "Cedric apparently has been fancying you since you arrived here too! And get this-"

Cho gasped, her friends mimicking her actions as Rose nodded enthusiastically.

"What else? Oh my Merlin!" Cho cheered.

"He's planning on asking you for a date next Hogsmeade...but not if your with anyone because he wants to truly try with you"

Cho slapped a hand over her mouth before throwing her arms around Rose who internally died at the physical contact from a random person but nevertheless pushed through for the act, "Rose! How can I ever think you for this?!"

The Black smiled as she gently peeled the girl off herself, "I'm just doing a girl a favor-I would want to know if it was me and us girls have to look out for eachother, don't we?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Cho cheered again, "This is amazing!"

"It really is! I'm blown away!" Marietta chimed in.

Rose placed her hand back on Cho's shoulder, her face showing nothing but happiness and compassion. "But I need you to promise you'll end whatever is happening with Whitman. He's my very best friend and I don't want him tangled up in all this"

"Of course! Anything at all"

"Shush" Rose warned, making Cho squeak with excitement at the realization she had been yelling. After, Rose leaned back in towards all the girls, "Promise to keep this between ourselves?"

Again, they all chorused together a promise, making Rose clap her hands together enthusiastically.

"This is just amazing! You and Cedric will be the cutest couple Hogwarts has!" Rose replied smoothly, beginning to climb back over the bench and stand. "I better get getting though, Whitman will be suspicious of my involvement if I stay over here too long"

Cho grabbed her hand with a dopey grin, "Seriously Rose, thank you"

Rose shot her a wink and a wide smile before pulling away, turning on her heel away and beginning to walk down the isle of Ravenclaw and Gryffindors. As soon as she was sure Cho and her friends couldn't see her face, Rose dropped her smile and rolled her eyes.

Then she met Hermione's disapproving gaze, who was attempting to keep her lips from twitching as Rose nodded back towards the group of giggling Ravenclaws.

Hermione jumped as Rose pushed into her mind and spoke, "It's times like these I'm thankful for the lessons on emotional manipulation"

"I've never been more proud" Regulus fake cried from behind her, "She did so well"

Pandora giggled, "For manipulating someone?"

"Yes" Regulus choked out, "It was beautiful"

With the return of her lifted chin, Rose walked over to her fellow Slytherin's, becoming truly cheerful as she forcefully shoved Theo and Whitman apart before dropping down in between them.

"Top of the morning pretties" Rose said while leaning up and pecking Theo's cheek.

Blaise grinned while Theo smiled lazily, copying her actions and leaning down to kiss her forehead. Draco was too busy mumbling under his breath and Whitman was mindlessly distracted by pouring her coffee as he read the daily prophet.

"Saw Pucey staring at you when you came in" Draco spat with disgust.

"He is rather hot" Rose said, attempting to rile Theo or Draco-any sign would do.

And she got it.

Theo stood up abruptly, making his plate clatter so loudly Rose wished for earmuffs.

Rose looked up as he began to climb off the bench, "Where do you think you are going sir?!"

"Bathroom" Theo muttered while instantly taking off, Rose watching him leave before shaking her head.

"Well that was weird" Rose smiled to herself.

Draco rolled his eyes for the billionth time in his life as Whitman spoke, "You are blind! Blinder than a bat I tell you!"

Rose shrugged and looked over at Blaise, making him laugh as she began to drink her coffee like her existence depended upon it.

Blaise sighed dramatically, "It seems our little Rose is growing up guys"

"I don't like it. Adrian Pucey is only the beginning!" Whitman spoke as Rose ignored them all, focusing on frantically feeling up her coffee cup like an addict.

Rose mumbled distantly, "Shut up and eat your breakfast before I shove my boot in your mouth"

She paused her movements of reaching around the table, looking up to meet Draco's longing gaze that he quickly averted.

"You could do better than that Pucey prat" he scoffed, annoyedly grabbing a constant to distract himself.

"Leave me be, all of you!"

"I agree with Rose, let the woman live"

Luna sliding her hands onto Rose's was a saving grace, "Morning"

Rose smiled again, "Finally! I have been getting ganged up by everyone except our resident angel Blaise!"

"Blaise, you've always been quite nice" Luna spoke dreamily.

He grinned at her, a goofy grin, not the mischievous one everyone is used to seeing. "Thank you Luna"

"Can we go now? Or would you all like to sit around til noon?" Draco scoffed.

Rose jumped up, grabbing Luna's hand before she cleared her throat and kneeled-speaking loudly. "Luna Pandora Lovegood, will you do me the honors of being my date to the lustrous Hogsmeade?"

Luna giggled, "Oh I'd love to!"

Rose joined her in laughing, ignoring the looks for her dramatic yelling.

"Please speak louder I don't think Illvermony heard you"

Her laughter ceased, looking over sharply at Draco as she stood back up. "Watch it Malfoy, I'm feeling extra spunky today" He gave her a sarcastic smile that made Rose begin to pull Luna away, "Come on then Mister sunshine! Madam Rosemerta will not wait all day!"

With the two girls leading the way, the other three boys followed suit. Hand in hand Rose dragged Luna into the courtyard, finding Mcgonagall, overlooking a crowd of students with Filch collecting the permission slips beside her and scowling.

"Ello' Min Min!"

Mcgongall jumped, clutching her chest. "Godric! That is one way to approach someone Miss Black!"

"Hello Professor" Luna adds on.

"Miss Lovegood, I hope you are careful with this one! She is a heap of trouble!"

Rose gasped, "Minnie! How dare you speak about your favorite student that way?!"

"I do not have a favorite student!"

The Black raised her eyebrows, "Oh I get it now, we have witnesses...Don't worry Min, they already know I'm number one in your heart!"

The professor shaked her head as Rose winked and dragged Luna by, passing off both their permission slips.

As the three boys go to do the same with Filch, Rose haulted to a stop, finding Theo with his back pressed against the archway exit of the courtyard-cig in his mouth as the silver watch around his wrist caught light.

Beautiful.

"Go on" Luna urged, "I'll walk with Blaise to the carriages"

Rose gave Luna a grateful smile without taking her eyes off Theo, immediately rushing across the courtyard.

As she neared Rose realized the anger he was smoking the cigarette with, making her pick up her pace and tap his beige coat arm.

"What?" Theo snapped before looking down to see it was her. "I'm sorry-"

Rose cut him off as he tossed down his cigarette, "Are you mad at me?"

"No-never"

She frowned, wishing he would be.

Theo crossed his arms, moving to where his shoulder leaned against the stone archway instead. "Do you want me to be?"

The way he was staring down at her made Rose step closer, unable to lie under his gaze. "Maybe" she instantly covered her mouth in horror.

Theo reached out with a concentrated face, bringing her hand down before grabbing onto her waist and pulling her closer. "If you must know, I contemplated murder"

The pure ecstasy of hope filled Rose, a child like grin taking over her features.

Theo looked at her expectantly, grunting as she jumped up-wrapping her arms around his neck with no warning.

After catching his breath, Theo smiled and spun them around, their laughter mixing together like a melody.

The sudden voice of Draco made them break apart, "I'm going to get a carriage. I can't watch this any longer"

Theo sat Rose down, being met with Whitman smiling at them softly with Luna and Blaise already following after a rushing Draco who was walking down the dirt pathway.

Rose grabbed Theo's hand before yanking Whitman's as well, making both boys stumble as she took off.

Upon sitting in the carriage, Draco sat in between Blaise and Whitman, arms crossed as he scowled at Rose who couldn't stop whispering to Theo with her legs draped over his thigh.

"Gods" Whitman whispered as he wrapped an around Draco's shoulders, "Keep scowling and the whole world might realize how miserably in love you are"

Blaise reached out, pushing Draco's lips up. "What did my mother teach us about frown lines?"

Draco swatted him away before glaring at Whitman, attempting to shrug the arm off before whispering harshly. "I'm not in love with anyone you ignorant arse"

Whitman laughed quietly, "Yeah right"

Luna spoke loudly, making all three boys jump while also gathering Rose and Theo's attention. "Draco?"

Draco gave her a disgusted face, "What Loony-Luna"

Rose kicked him harshly in the shin again, making Draco correct himself.

"Your heads full of wrackspurts! Did you know that?"

Draco grumbled to himself, moving his eyes from her to the woods they were passing

"What are wrackspurts Luna?" Whitman asked, highly amused and already well knowledged from Rose's rants.

"They're these invisible creatures, they get inside your head and make your brain all fuzzy!"

Rose smiled as she slipped an arm around Luna, "She's right, you know? When Luna first met me I was filled with them, it's how we had our first conversation"

Luna smiled widely, making a noise of agreement before gasping at a butterfly flying by.