October 2016, Still Rose's 4th year

Rose's POV

Ah, October. I used to love it, but now it just brings up bad memories for me and it also reminds me that for as long as people like Felix Diego and Albus Dumbledore are after me, I will never celebrate my birthday with my parents ever again, at least not with the freedom I so desperately crave. I'm sick of running, of hiding! But I would never trade my current limited freedom for an eternity locked up in my own home, forbidden to wander outside for the possible risk of getting caught by the enemy. Never. I would rather die a thousand deaths before living like a prisoner, same could be said with an Eternal Slumber but no one has figured out who I am so far, so I'm positive that THAT won't be happening again soon.

Care of Magical Creatures became boring, as Hagrid taught us about Bowtruckles and Unicorns. DADA became even more interesting though. The next Saturday everyone in Slytherin Common Room gathered around the message board. "Flint, what's going on?" I asked impatiently while trying to see past the students. I really hate being short and this is even my full height yet! [*calculates how short she would be at age 15 yrs and 11 months* so...4'7 (143.26 cm) The average girl grows, in height, 3.5 inches every year, which is 8.89 cm, until the age of 17 or 18. Also, 12 inches equals 1 foot. I did the maths xD]

"Hogsmeade weekend at the 31st this month, Monroe," replied the Slytherin 7th year and I rolled my eyes. Honestly, the only interesting things in Hogsmeade is Zonko's Joke Shop and the Shrieking Shack. "You thinking of going, Angelique?" asked Draco when he reached me. "Perhaps," I said indifferently and saw Daniel approaching me. "So, I see there's a Hogsmeade trip this Halloween. Care to join me, fair lady? We could go for a cup of tea at Madam Pudifoot's as well and maybe have some fun while we're at it," Daniel said with a flirtatious wink. "I'll pass. I promised the Weasley twins I'd join them once there was a Hogsmeade visit," I half-lied and Draco snorted knowing that is not happening on THAT day.

"Too bad. Guess I'll have to ask someone else then," Daniel replied. "You go do that, Valour," I said before heading out with Draco to the Black Lake to meet the twins.

***

October 16th 2016, Lunchtime

As I was sitting in the Library enjoying a good book, Harry walked in and sat in front of me. "Yes, Potter?" I droned, vaguely aware of a couple of stray Ravenclaws not too far from us.

"I need your help regarding some information. Hogsmeade permission slips, who can sign them?" Harry asked. I closed my book and looked at him intently. "Your uncle didn't sign it, did he, Potter?"

"No, I left before I could ask him again. I doubt he would've since I blew up Aunt Marge anyways. But who else can sign my permission slip?" Harry replied desperately. I snorted.

"Honestly, there's nothing interesting in Hogsmeade. You get bored of it after the third visit. But, since you're asking, any permission slips can be signed by family members, Legal Guardians, Magical Legal Guardians and also your Head of House since you are their responsibility while you are at Hogwarts. Oh and Godparents can also sign it if you have any," I informed him. "By the look of your face, I'd say you didn't know about the last three. Someone didn't tell the entire truth," I said with a smirk.

"Professor McGonagall said only immediate family or my Legal Guardian could sign it. How come you said Magical Legal Guardian? What makes them different from a normal Guardian?" Harry hissed out and I smirked. "They've been withholding information from you...looks like you'll have to take a few lessons from me. So every Muggleborn or Half-Blood child has a Magical Guardian while staying at Hogwarts. Usually, Albus Dumbledore is the Magical Guardian for the majority of them. As for your Head of House...I'd say she doesn't want you to go to Hogsmeade under these circumstances. Also, most wizarding parents, as well as Muggles, tend to appoint a Godfather/Godmother in the event that they die while their children are still underage. If you do have Godparents, a simple test at Gringotts should be able to tell you," I said before realising something.

 "Hey, did you ever receive a letter from Gringotts regarding your parents Will and remaining belongings?" I asked curiously and Harry frowned. "No, not that I can recall. Why?"

"Usually, when an orphaned magical child turns thirteen, Gringotts sends them a letter regarding their parents Will and any items left for the child, strange. I'm certain your parents would have a Will, considering there was a war going on when you were born and most wizarding parents made a Will in case they got killed....Unless someone made sure that Gringotts assumed you already received the letter and didn't care," I said getting slightly angry now. This has Dumbledore written all over.

 "Huh...well, thanks for the information, Monroe. Now I'm going to go talk with Professor McGonagall again," Harry started to get up. "Wait! Don't, she'll just say no again and get suspicious of you since she clearly thought you didn't know," I hissed before looking around to make sure we weren't being watched. "Listen, wait until the next Hogsmeade trip. It should be the last weekend of the term, there's always one right before Winter Break. I'll talk to the twins and see if we can work something out before then. Harry, promise me you won't go under your invisibility cloak on Halloween, yes I know about the Cloak I'm not as oblivious as you! Promise me, Harry!" I hissed frantically. "Fine, I promise I'll stay behind, but don't expect me not to complain about it," Harry grumbled. "Good. Now if you'll excuse me, Potter, I have a class to go to," I said standing up and heading towards DADA. (Yes, I put the library book back)

***

October 31st 2016, Morning

I woke up and cast a quick Tempus before groaning loudly. I hate this day. As I walked down into the common room, Draco slipped me a small silver gift and whispered 'Happy Birthday' to me before joining Crabbe and Goyle and headed to the Great Hall. "Do my ears deceive me? Did I hear Draco Malfoy wishing you a 'happy' birthday?!" Valentine suddenly said behind me and I spun around to glare at him, silently asking him to drop it. Of course, the idiot doesn't drop it.

"How old would that make you now, fifteen?" he continued. "Sixteen, now drop it. I don't celebrate my birthday anyway," I snapped. "Sixteen?! Why you should be going through your Gifted Inheritance today since you're Half-Gifted from your father's side," said Valentine (It's Daniel) gleefully, causing every Slytherin Gifted to look at me curiously.

I glared at him even more. Why. Won't. He. Just. Drop. It! "Valour, I said drop it already!" I growled. "Why? You should be thrilled! If you don't know your father is then this is the perfect opportunity to finally find out. Who knows, maybe he's still alive and you'll no longer be an orphan!" Daniel pushed on, still not getting it. "VALOUR, I SAID DROP IT!" I roared. "Did it ever occur to you that I don't WANT to know my father? Or that I simply HATE MY FUCKING BIRTHDAY?!" I continued letting a single tear run down my face before wiping my face. I scoffed at my weak reaction. 'Tears? Really?' I thought before glaring at the shocked Valentine once more. "Thanks for ruining my day further, Valour. I really appreciate it," I said sarcastically before leaving the common room just to go ANYWHERE else to get away from them.

***

Harry's POV

I was just returning from Professor Lupin's office when I saw Angelique hiding in one of the classroom's that I passed and went to her. "Hey, what's up? Why aren't you at Hogsmeade with the twins?" I asked when I saw how 'hollow' she looked.

"I don't go out much on Halloween and I've seen Hogsmeade more than enough. Besides I usually go with the twins in December," she said flatly.

"What? You too? I thought I was the only one with bad luck on this day?" I joked and she gave me a faint smile. "No, it's different for me," she said before biting her lip. "Ok, I need you to promise me you won't go blabbing to anyone about this...Today's my birthday and I hate my birthday since it's the day I got orphaned at the age of 8 so each time my birthday rolls around it just reminds me of the fact that I will never be able to celebrate it with my mom again," she rushed out and I understood immediately. "No, I get it. Don't worry I won't tell. How old would you be if you celebrated your birthday today, sixteen?" I asked and she nodded. "Funny, Daniel Valour asked if I was fifteen when he overheard Draco this morning," Angelique scoffed. "Well, you do look younger with your looks and height," I added. "Don't remind me!" she groaned and I sniggered.

"I spoke to Professor Lupin. He says he, my dad, Sirius and Pettigrew were extremely close when they attended Hogwarts and they all joined the fight against Voldemort after they finished school. You were right about Sirius being disowned and staying at my grandparents. There's just one thing that's bothering me though...according to Professor Lupin, Peter Pettigrew was always in their shadow and didn't perform as well as the others during school, but he worshipped James a lot. Lupin said they weren't as close with Pettigrew after Hogwarts though...oh and apparently Sirius is my Godfather," I relayed to Angelique and she gave me a calculating look. "What?"

"Nothing, just thinking...when Lupin talked about Sirius, how did he act?" she asked. I frowned thinking about it. "If I had to describe it, I would say he looked hurt like he still couldn't believe that Sirius would ever do something against my dad," I said thoughtfully. "Hmm," was all she said before suddenly getting up and walking past me. She stopped at the doorway.

"Coming? They should be back by now. I bet you got a lot of sweets from Honeyduke's waiting for you," she said amused. I smiled and we walked back towards the Entrance Hall. We parted ways when I saw Hermione and Ron coming towards me.

***

Halloween feast, Great Hall

Rose's POV

I looked around nervously while trying to eat. I've been avoiding the rest of the school all day for fear of being wished a bloody happy birthday or cornered by a Gifted who's curious about my 'upcoming' inheritance. "How was your day, Angie?" Draco asked quietly. "I've had better," I said stiffly. "What happened?" he asked immediately. "My brother overheard you this morning, Draco. He kept asking about her birthday," replied Jason who was obviously listening in. Draco eyed me fearfully. "No, Draco I didn't kick his ass, but I was very tempted to," I said already knowing what he was asking. "Maybe you should've, Monroe. It would do his ego well every once and a while," said Jason amused. "Hmm," I replied and got up. I've lost my appetite, I'm going to the library for a while.

***

As I made my way to the fourth floor, where the Library was, I heard a very faint echo of footsteps from above and listened, it stops climbing stairs on the seventh floor. Who could possibly be going to the seventh floor this early in the night? I reached the seventh floor and quickly turned invisible when I saw who was on the seventh floor. How the hell did Black get past all the Dementors AND Hogwarts' defences? I proceeded to observe Black as he desperately tried to get in the Gryffindor common room, but The Fat Lady refused and Black took out a knife and slashed her portrait in anger. Before he could enter I decided to intervene. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," I said taking out my Ebony wand as Black's posture froze and he slowly turned around, surprised that a student was wandering around. He then glanced at my robes and smirked. "And what are you going to do about it Slytherin?" he hissed confidently before spotting my wand. "Hmm, me? Probably nothing, but I am curious. Why would you try to get into the Gryffindor common room when Harry is obviously still down at the feast? If you were after Harry you wouldn't have tried opening the Gryffindor common room," I said suspiciously.

"Clever one aren't you? No, I never want to cause Harry any harm and I sure as hell didn't kill all those people thirteen years ago! No, I came to end James and Lily's true traitor!" he snarled and I took that opportunity to look into his surface thoughts and I was stunned. 

"You were never the Secret Keeper were you?" I asked still reeling with the information on his thoughts. "How the hell do you know about that?!" he growled pointing his, obviously borrowed, wand at me. "I always wondered why you were never given a proper trial after your initial capture, so I merely did some digging and found out some interesting facts about you, James Potter, Remus Lupin and Pettigrew," I said cautiously. He lowered his wand slowly, but still held it out. "I was supposed to be the Secret Keeper, but Albus Dumbledore thought it would be safer if we used Pettigrew instead and look how that turned out!" He laughed bitterly. I faintly heard footsteps on the fourth set of stairs. Shit. Gryffindors.

"You better go, the feast is over and I can hear people approaching, don't ask me how. Just go! Now!" I hissed at him and he gave me a grateful look before disappearing in one of the hidden passageways Fred, George and I used as a shortcut. Now how would he know about that?

Soon I rushed downwards to act all scared at the 'horrible' scene I witnessed.

"Sirius Black got in!" I screeched dramatically while looking 'scared'.

All hell broke loose after that and we had to sleep in the Great Hall.

Just before I closed my eyes I heard Jason calling me. "What, Valour?" I hissed. "What really happened up there?" "I saw Sirius Black tearing the Gryffindor Portrait and ran to inform someone, nothing more," I half-lied and proceeded to go to sleep. I do hope Black got out safely. It would be a shame if he didn't since I'm far from done with him. If Dumbledore made Pettigrew the Secret Keeper then he knew Sirius Black was innocent, which means he thinks Black is a threat if he didn't lift a finger in helping Black. Looks like Dumbledore just loves to ruin everyone's lives for his own little game.