(p.s. there is a new girl coming in this chapter, her name is Evelyn Zabini and I am fan casting her as Zendaya)

third person pov

' this wallpaper glistens,
don't let them see what
goes down in the kitchen'

Christmas evening had rolled in and Rose was running around Grimmauld place like a maniac as Kreacher and Whitman watched her warily. They had only gotten four days to be back home before it was time for the annual Yule dinner at the Malfoy's and Rose hadn't gotten any gifts. In turn they spent a full day running around shops and the two took all of yesterday, Christmas Eve, drunkenly wrapping gifts to the muggle music that they had tricked Walburga into thinking was from a wizard while sending them out with goofy notes.

Needless to say the gifts were terribly wrapped and the notes were simply ridiculous but at the time they seemed glorious to the pair.

Rose couldn't find her favorite diamond necklace and refused help from anyone, claiming 'I'm perfectly capable of finding it myself' loudly.

Inside the second floor lounge Whitman looked down at Kreacher with a nod in the doorway, "It's time Kreach—I can't watch this madness anymore. She's destroying the house"

They had devised a plan for him to accio the necklace without her looking, needing Rose to give up the relentless search somehow. Kreacher snapped his fingers and the layered diamonds appeared in his hand. The elf slipped it up to Whitman who waited until her back was turned to stuff it into the arm chair closest to them. After, he shot Kreacher a wink and yelled out for her, "Ro!"

She whipped her head around incredulously, "What do you want Whitman?!"

He sighed heavily, pointing to the velvety black arm chair to his right. "Have you looked in this chair?"

Rose started furiously walking over while mumbling loudly with a mocking tone, "Have you looked in this chair? Of course I looked in the bloody chair!"

Whitman watched in amusement as she fished around until her expression flipped, yanking her hand out of the cushion with astonishment.

She began to hold both arms in the air, spinning around in victory. "I found it!"

Whitman shook his head and leaned on the doorframe, "Great now go get ready—we're going to be late and Walburga will throw a fit"

Rose waved an annoyed finger at him and the elf as she started to walk between them, heading off to her room. "I told you both! I knew I would find it without any help!"

"Yeah well stop leaving diamonds out like they are candy!" His body turned on the frame to watch her go.

"Fuck off!"

Whitman waited until she opened her door and slammed it before looking down at Kreacher, fist bumping the elf. It was a something he had lied and told the Kreacher was a normal way of congratulating each other, "Good work Kreach"

Kreacher spoke relieved, "Kreacher could not watch any longer—it was painful" Whitman chuckled and started to walk away in need of getting himself ready, purposely hitting Rose's door as he passed by.

Inside her room Rose stood in the vast closet, looking around in attempt to find the dress Narcissa had sent her. When she did in fact find the gown Rose lazily threw it on the bed with a random fur jacket. Snow had been pouring down which meant she needed something warm enough to where tights wouldn't be a necessity. Despite the fact they would all be traveling through the floo network Rose was well aware she would crave to step outside for a minute of relief from Lucius Malfoy and Theodore Nott Sr.

There was also the break she would need from acting as if nothing was wrong with Draco for a night. The two had a system set in place for when around Lucius, they did not bicker like usual or show anger. Rose knew how much his father stressed him out and regardless of the hurt she still held towards Draco, she refused to not be on his side while being around the cruel man.

But everything felt more intense considering she hadn't seen him since he showed up drunk, claimed he never hated her, and quite literally bought her two floral shops with her holding his last name. Rose didn't know what to make of it or how to feel, it seemed like some drunken grand gesture but at the same time things were never simple with them—there was always something deeper to each of their words and actions aimed at one another.

With a shake of her head to rid herself from the thoughts of Draco, Rose walked over to her bed and stared at the pieces to make sure they worked before shedding the jumper and sweatpants she had on—slipping into her dress before lacing up the strapped heels. Rose had every piece of daily jewelry adorning her skin as she contemplated switching out the dagger earrings but ultimately decided against it.

For a moment she paused, forgetting Nyx was roaming the house. Rose sighed at her awful memory and picked up the diamonds she had search like a manic for, carefully she clasped it—letting it hang below her blood vial and above Theo's mother's locket.

From the bottom of the staircase Whitman yelled, "Hurry up! We are extremely late!"

Rose groaned at his ear piercing voice and turned to glance in the mirror, thankful for the fact she had already forced her wavy hair into being pin straight. With extreme slowness to piss Whitman off, she tucked her hair behind her ears and slapped on some crimson lipstick.

"Go fuck yourself Whit!" She yelled while grabbing onto her coat, slipping it on and buttoning it as she rushed down the staircase—growing up in such society made running in heels just as easy as not.

Whitman was already waiting in the doorway to the lounge with a black suit, the top two buttons of his undershirt undone as he looked at her expectantly. "Took you about five years"

Rolling her eyes she latched onto his arm and pulled him to into the lounge, yanking him back when he started walking to the fire place. "We are most definitely getting drunk before"

He nodded enthusiastically, "Sounds perfect—we aren't late in the slightest bit so we have time"

"Why would you lie?! I was running down the stairs for you!"

Whitman grinned as he grabbed a bottle of firewhiskey off the coffee table and handed it to her, "This way you wouldn't wait til last minute"

Rose smirked, "Touché—where is Walburga?"

"She's getting ready....did you really think she'd trust us to leave on time?"

In response Rose groaned, the two beginning to spend the next thirty minutes with barely any conversation, only extreme amounts of alcohol consumption.

Now, they stood leaning against the piano as Walburga Black looked between them. Whitman always had a way on handling his alcohol better than anyone, something he gained from becoming a wolf was a scarily large tolerance to the substance. Rose on the other hand stared at her grandmother with half lidded eyes and such a slurred voice that it could not have been more obvious, her red painted nails digging into the sleeve over Whitman's arm for balance.

"How much have you had Rosalie?" Walburga questioned with a piercing gaze.

Rose smiled widely, mushing her words togerher. "Don't I look beautiful?"

Whitman gave Walburga a pained smile and patted Rose's head as she leaned against his shoulder. "Yes you do Ro"

The grandmother sighed before grasping her granddaughters chin, "Whitman go on to the Malfoy's"

"But—"

"I'm simply fixing her lipstick"

Whitman slowly untangled himself from Rose, getting a stern look from Walburga at his slow pace before the boy made his way to the fireplace. As the flames roared green and he disappeared, Rose focused back up at woman happily. "Do you love me?"

Walburga blinked before tightening her hold on Rose's chin, using her free hand to grab some lipstick from the pocket of her gown. "I adore you Rosalie—more than I do anything but craving love is weak and you know that very well"

She gasped as Walburga uncapped the lipstick with her teeth, "I'm going to tell you a secret"

"Go on"

"I adore you too" Rose replied, completely ignoring the end of her grandmothers sentence.

Walburga raised a brow and tapped her lips with a thumb, Rose taking the signal and pucking her lips. "Rosalie leave your lips normal—" She paused until Rose listened, starting to reapply the dark red shade. "Salazar darling, you took off every bit of lipstick"

Her eyes fluttered shut, grasping onto the piano for more support. "Mhm...I seem to have misplaced my bag"

Walburga's lips quirked up as she finished, keeping her hold on Rose's chin while pocketing the lipstick. After, she began to tilting her granddaughters head to the side to examine. "Beauty shines on you mí amore"

Rose had loving eyes aimed at Walburga from all the alcohol she drank. For a moment examining the older woman's face, still looking as she did when Regulus and Sirius were sent off to Hogwarts from her expertise in alchemy.

Truly, Walburga Black was terrifyingly beautiful in every way.

Except for her soul. It was just terrifying.

As soon as Walburga let go Rose stumbled, "Rosalie! Pull yourself together!"

Rose saluted her dramatically, giggling and yelling for Kreacher after. The elf appeared before her with a crack, his face turning to horror at her state. "Yes Mistress Rose?"

"Do—do you mister elf have my velvet pouch?"

Kreacher reached behind his back and held it out, "Kreacher knew Mistress would forget"

Yanking him in for a abrupt hug that startled the elf and Walburga, she held him tightly until he started choking. "Oops" Rose giggled before stumbling to the side as she released him, "I'm a little dizzy"

Walburga pulled her up, looping their arms with a reprimanding tone. "Rosalie you mustn't be this way"

Rose grinned up, leaning on her shoulder with wobbly legs. "Yeah yeah" She opened and closed her mouth, "Gods—my mouth is dry"

With a rare quiet laugh Walburga began guiding her to the fire, "Zara will have a field day with you Rosalie"

"I love Miss Zabini so much!" Rose cheered, getting pulled to a stop with a stern Walburga. "Not more than you though"

A devilish smirk took over the grandmother, "That's my girl and do not say the word love—it is not something that should roll off your tongue"

Rose giggled as Walburga took the floo powder off the mantle, "I can't wait to see Draco and Teddyyy"

"Oh Salazar" Walburga breathed out.

*

Inside the long Victorian hallway of Nott Manor Theo stood in front of one of the golden framed mirrors at the end, head hung as he gripped onto the small table where a purplish plant sat.

"Theodore" His father spoke from behind him while slipping on his coat, "What is it?"

Theo lifted his head up with a deep breath, voice sounding as dead as his eyes appeared. "Nothing—I had a long vision today"

"Hm..." The senior began, "Did you tell Rose about it?"

"Yeah" Theo said as he looked at his father in the reflection of the mirror, "She's going to do a ritual on me tomorrow—should help with the headache"

"What kind?"

"Blood ritual"

"Well then," The older man raised an eyebrow but did not touch the subject, his son had long been practicing in the branch of dark magic with Rose and he often found it safest to not ask questions about the magic Walburga had taught her to perform. "I've come to give you a warning before we leave"

Theo started to adjust the sleeves of his suit jacket, "What is it?"

"The Greengrasses will be coming with their mother tonight"

"That's weird" Theo muttered distantly before looking up, "We never spend Yule with any families outside of our group unless there's a ball"

"They are only stopping by Malfoy Manor to discuss a proposal about an arraigned marriage"

In an instant Theo's body turned stiff, "Father—"

"Not to fret son—they are there to speak with Lucius briefly since they are in England for the holiday" He held up a hand in response, "I would never condemn you to such a fate as an arraigned marriage despite how horrible you believe me to be"

Theo exhaled, "Well I wouldn't let you anyways"

The father laughed dryly, "Be thankful this is the one subject I allow disrespect on. I know of your true wishes and have I ever went against them despite the attitude Rose carries herself with?"

"Not you or even some ancient gods could keep me and Ro apart" Theo scoffed, "That's why you don't disrespectf my wishes"

His father experienced an awful sense of deja vu, shifting comfortably before clearing his throat. "Enough of your demeanor Theodore—I warned you about this because I ask you keep my thoughts on arraigned marriages private. It is frowned upon in our society to go against such things that unite families"

Theo turned to face him with a blank look and a sarcastic tone, "My sincerest apologies for not enjoying you bashing someone I love"

"I could very well bash—"

"Don't" Theo warned, uncaring what his icy voice and deadly gaze would bring him from his father.

"Come Theodore—I'll let your mouth slide on the account of how mad love drives one" His father gestured him closer.

"What do you know about love?"

Oh, he was definitely feeling bold tonight.

"More than you would believe" His father replied before pushing Theo forward as he neared, "Now get a move on it"

Theo scoffed again with the knowledge there was not a world where the man knew love. He began pulling on the vial of blood hanging from the chain around his neck, letting it hang outside the button down shirt—fingers rubbing it for a second to make the feeling of his father touching him go away.

A tactic Rose and himself often used when needing comfort, a reminder the other wasn't far.

The smoking lounge at Malfoy Manor was special, having low light from sparse candles and dark velvety wallpaper. There were victorian paintings hung around with odd plants and a matching set of couches with armchairs forming a circle, the most standout item being the weirdly shaped hookah in the center of it all. The lounge often reminded Theo of what a vampires would look like.

On one couch Blaise sat with Draco and Miss Zabini who leaned against the arm rest with Narcissa by her side. Next to them sat Abraxas Malfoy in an armchair to match Lucius's, both glancing at the empty seat across from their own where Theodore Nott Sr would usually be.

All of the people present seemed to be uncomfortably staring at the group of three across from Blaise and Draco's couch, with the exception of Lucius who smiled politely.

There sat Queenie Greengrass with brunette hair pinned up tightly, pink lips turned in a permanent frown. Daphne Greengrass, the daughter, sat next to her mother. She had flowy blonde curls to her shoulders, brown eyes trying to meet the ones of Draco Malfoy who was looking anywhere but as he shifted around.

Next was Astor Greengrass with a dark buzz cut and strong jaw, miserably sitting in the other side of his mother as he twisted his hoop earring around with an apologetic look to the others.

When Queenie meet Cyrus Greengass, a pureblood wizard who had relocated to France with his family at the age of two, she was quick to be wooed by his presence and moved across Europe to be with the man. This resulted in her two children not attending Hogwarts and baring thick French accents.

They had never been fans of the Black family, claiming the way Black's held theirselves above the other families and flaunted wealth shamelessly was preposterous. Once when Rose was a small child and meet Daphne, she was excited at the idea of having a girl to speak with at balls after only being surrounded by boys. Daphne, who couldn't be blamed for the jealousy she held for Rose because of the close knit friend group that trailed together everywhere, believed it would be a great idea to attempt to trip her. This resulted in a altercation of a very young Rose threatening Daphne with a knife, Queenie throwing a fit when Walburga only smiled proudly and spoke the words 'Excellent job' to Rose.

Ever since, every ball the Greengrass's did attend would end up with animosity between the two girls that was very one sided, Rose couldn't care less or understand why Daphne hated her so much. But that was not the true problem at hand, Walburga Black despised Queenie for many reasons. Queenie in her days of being single would often get drunk at parties and gatherings, flirting with Regulus who had a wide age gap. The mother always made snide comments about Walburga and this behavior was only amped up after their children's altercation. If there was one thing Walburga Black would not tolerate, it was anyone besides herself messing with her granddaughter.

After a very daunting and threatening conversation, Queenie stopped her whispers and averted her eyes from the Black's with fear of Walburga's anger that seemed to be worse than the men who used their own as armor.

Therefore anyone in that room kept hoping the family would quickly exit before the arrival of the two Black's.

The friendly conversation conspiring between Queenie and Lucius ceased as Whitman Rosier tumbled through the floo with a drunken smile.

"Ah Whitman boy! Come here!" Abraxas said loudly, sitting up in his chair with thankfulness to have another person to share his horror with.

Whitman began dusting himself off, "Abraxas! I just—" His sentence ran off as his head lifted, spotting three out of the four Greengrasses. "What....the fuck?"

"Whitman!" Lucius scolded.

Draco met Whitman's gaze with a pleading look, begging the boy to save him from whatever was occurring. With a blink Whitman cleared his throat, saying his hellos to all of the adults except for anyone with the last name Greengrass, purposely walking right by them and avoiding looking anywhere near the three before he crashed down in between Draco and Blaise.

Not so discreetly, he whispered to Draco. "What the actual fuck is happening?"

Draco nudged him harshly before whispering back, "Get me out of here"

"What?!" Whitman gawked with darting eyes, "How do you suspect me to do that?"

"I don't know!" Draco spat with a horrified face, "Just help me!"

"Boys!" Lucius scolded the two, Draco turning to his father stiffly and swatting Whitman away as the boy tried to whisper again. "Whitman it is impolite to not greet guests"

Whitman laughed at the man as if he was crazy, "Do you know who I live with? I'd like to see you go against the two scariest women!" He laughed some more in disbelief, "I'd sooner have my head cut off than face their wrath's"

"Smart boy!" Abraxas pointed at him in support, "Where is my little Rosalie at?"

"She's plastered" Whitman blurted out before closing his mouth as Draco slapped a hand over it.

Lucius shook his head in annoyance, "You'll have to excuse Whitman's behavior"

"Oh it's fine Lucius" Queenie commented with a fake smile, "I understand how those Black's might make one feel"

The door to the lounge swung open to reveal Evelyn Zabini with reddened eyes as she pushed her hands into the pockets off her maroon pant suit, keeping up the tradition of being one of the most fashionable family members. Evelyn was the daughter of Miss Zabini's brother who resided in America after he got too tired of England. The girl rarely ever came around unless her dad was busy traveling with a new wife or had business to take care of.

"There's should be a map for this place" Evelyn muttered in her American accent.

Miss Zabini gave an amused stare, "I'm sure that's what took you so long"

Evelyn shot the woman a wink before dropping in between Blaise and Whitman who both scrunched their noses at the sudden smell of pot. She nudged Whitman's shoulder, "Hello Whitman"

He smirked in a drunken stupor, "Evie—you miss me?"

She gave him a sarcastic smile, "Still a lesbian Whitman"

Whitman cleared his throat and patted her shoulder. "Oh I forgot—respect to the lesbians"

Evelyn snorted at him as Blaise wrapped his arm over her shoulders with a glare at the drunk boy, "You smell like pot"

"Oh really?" Evelyn shot back, "I thought I smelt of tulips"

Whitman laughed to himself, Blaise's eyes rolling with a scoff as he spoke. "You're such a cunt"

The flames roared again, Theo stepping out with his father. Blaise quickly dropped his attitude in excitement, leaning towards Draco and Whitman to whisper. "Let the show begin"

"Finally Theodore," Lucius boasted, "Began to think you two weren't coming"

"This one took his time" The senior Nott spoke, clapping his son on the back who appeared like a corpse of himself as he gave nods of acknowledgment to everyone except the Greengasses before sitting next to Blaise.

"It is nice to see you Theodore but we must be off soon" Queenie stated with a sigh of annoyance at the two boys refusal to act like her family was present, "We've came in from France for the night to see my family and had to drop off the proposal for young Draco"

Daphne smiled softly at Draco, "Traveling has been quite the exhausting experience"

Draco eyes darted around as Theo's father took to the armchair across from Lucius, his foot tapping impatiently. All he needed was Rose to show up before the family left, declare to his father and to Queenie that he would in fact not be marrying anyone.

Or she could just come calm his shaking hands, that would work too.

"I do miss France during this time of year," Theo's father stated as he took a cigar from the silvery tray a small elf carried over, "You'll have to excuse Theodore—he often stays quiet"

Theo leaned towards Blaise with a blank voice, "I need a drink before I blast my own head off"

Evelyn peeked her head out, "Where's your girlfriend? There's too many men in this room"

"She's not his girlfriend Evie" Blaise teased and pulled his cousin closer, "Only in his dreams if you will"

Theo side eyed him with a mutter as he gave in, pulling the hidden flask out from inside his suit jacket. "Fuck off"

"Theodore" Daphne began, getting a mischievous grin from Blaise who knew how this would end and forcing Whitman and Draco to share looks of preparation. "How has school been for you all?"

Theo unscrewed the flask before staring at her in distaste, that rare menacing tone coming out. "Remember when you called Ro a whore? I haven't forgot" After, he tipped the alcohol up carelessly as Lucius glared at him.

Tension filled the room immediately, Narcissa and Miss Zabini making proud sounds before whispering to each other, Abraxas turning his face away in distaste, Theo's father simply lighting the cigar with silence, and lastly all the teenagers on the couch tilting their heads in sync at the girl.

Queenie looked the lazily lounging boy up and down before spitting out her words, "I can tell from that blood hanging from your neck the two of you are still up to disgusting things together" She looked over at Daphne, "Don't worry about him dear"

In an instant Theo spoke with that same cold voice, "We drink each others blood too, is that what you wish to know?"

His father choked on smoke quietly, mumbling to himself as Lucius shared the same horror. "Salazar sake Theodore"

Miss Zabini giggled loudly as she brought her wine glass up, "I do adore you Theo"

Narcissa sighed condescendingly as her polished hand slipped onto the woman's shoulder, "He does—how should I put it? Speak so poetically"

Blaise fell into a fit of laughter with Evelyn, the three boys seeming to go without blinking at the new information. With the best of timing, the fire place roared once more and each present feeling the change in the air, dark magic seeming to rolling in before bodies did.

When someone participated in such dark practices so heavily, one could physically feel their looming presence.

Walburga Black walked through with her long black curls falling down, a sharp gaze spread over her features with an arm still in the fire—trying to tug Rose out.

After a forcefully tug Rose walked through the green light, holding her arms up in a cheer. "I'm here!"

"Oh my" Lucius sighed heavily, a grimace on his face of what was to come. "Not again"

Theo's father took a long drag before speaking, "Quite an entrance Rose"

"Rosalie is having her own party in her mind tonight it seems" Walburga announced, eyes shutting in annoyance as Rose rushed away and wrapped her arms around Miss Zabini and Narcissa.

"Missed you" Rose mumbled against the women, happily smiling.

"We missed you as well love" Narcissa whispered, side eyeing Miss Zabini to find the woman was already looking at her, both communicating how frail Rose felt.

An elf walked up to Walburga who called Rose back, "Rosalie—take off your coat"

Rose pulled away with the help of Narcissa's hand for balance before stepping beside her grandmother and slipping off the coat. Once she had handed the material over to the elf, time seemed to slow as each person witnessed Rose lift her head in the direction of the Greengrasses in perfectly synchronicity with Walburga. Her smile falling off and her chin lifting with the perfected pureblood mask taking form. She had many cold fronts but none like this, face appearing stern and with the way she held her head screaming defiance, arrogance.

Then, Rose and Walburga's heads turned back to one another, communicating in their minds.

Very sharply the two women's gazes snapped directly onto Queenie, icy words falling off Walburga's tongue. "What is that doing here?"

Lucius sat up straight, "They are only in England for the night—simply dropping off a marriage prospal"

Rose laughed arrogantly, sliding a hand over her heart as she walked by her friends on the couch, not even realizing they were there. "How humorous of you Lucius"

"Yes quite so" Walburga stated, her piercing eyes making Queenie shift. "Abraxas? What is the meaning of this?"

"Oh do not ask me Walburga," The eldest Malfoy began to stand with his cane, "I've been waiting for you Rosalie—can't deal with these fools any longer"

Lucius' eyes rolled as Rose stopped with a foot of distance between her and the eldest Malfoy, grinning like a mad woman.

"Abraxas"

In return, he repeated her name in a teasing tone. "Rosalie"

"Oh it's too much" She fawned dramatically before wrapping her arms tightly around the man's waist, a hug in which he returned.

Evelyn began nudging Blaise with a whisper, "Are they always like this?"

"Every damn time—don't you remember?"

"Doesn't she seem...skinner?" Evelyn whispered worriedly, eyes growing at the protruding shoulder blades on Rose's back.

Blaise tensed, speaking much more harshly than meant to as he kept his voice lowered. "Drop it and don't bring it up again"

After a moment the hug ended, Abraxas leaning down to whisper something in her ear that made the Black giggle before lending a helping hand to get him seated again.

Near Lucius's chair, Regulus Black stood by James Potter with tilted heads. "How long until she snaps?"

"Sixty seconds on the clock!" James grinned, sliding his arm over Regulus as the Black crossed his own arms annoyedly.

"I would like to know the meaning of this" Walburga demanded cooly, her ring clad hand sliding onto the back of Theodore Sr' chair.

At the same time Rose sat on the arm of couch where Draco was pressed against, gasping at the realization of her friends plus Evelyn. "Hey guys!" She slurred out with unusual excitement and a wave, "When did you all get here?! Oh and Evie my woman!"

"What happened to you?" Evelyn asked with a warm smile and hooded eyes from the pot.

"I had shots! They were fun!" Rose giggled, "The first nine at least"

Theo just watched her with tenderness, the love practically written across his features until Blaise elbowed him harshly—making the Nott smirk unashamed.

Lucius shifted under Walburga's eyes, "As I was going to say before Rosalie began, it is just a simple marriage proposal"

Rose slid her hand onto Draco's shoulder, his muscles relaxing immediately as she turned her focus upon Queenie. "Draco isn't taking marriage proposals"

The mother raised a brow, "Why is that?"

"Because I'll slice the throat of any woman wanting to be his wife" Rose affirmed and glanced at Walburga as Draco let out a breath of relief, "I'm quite taltened in the art, am I not grandmother?"

A sadistic smirk pulled at Walburga's features, "Oh darling—the most skilled in every way"

Queenie sneered as Daphne looked at her mother worriedly, "Azkaban seems to be calling your name"

Rose smiled with a mockingly polite voice, "Hm...maybe they'll give me my father cell—I've heard it's open"

"Do you realize how insane you sound?" Queenie spat.

"Yes I do, that's why I said it" Rose raised a brow, "If I was willing to chase Daphne with a knife at nine over tripping me I cannot imagine what I would do now that you're trying to marry her off to Draco" She glanced at Abraxas, "I've always been quite protective over him, have I not?"

"Always Rosalie" Abraxas chuckled and tipped his wine glass at Narcissa who was smiling widely, copy his actions with a cheerful spirit.

In an instant Queenie was up on her feet with her children following behind as she lifted her chin, "We best be off and you can consider that proposal long gone Lucius"

Lucius sighed with a nod of understanding, "Yes well thank you for the thought and tell Cyrus I do apologize"

"Oh and do tell Priscilla I said hello" Walburga taunted, taking her hand away from the elder Nott. "I'm sure Cyrus will appreciate my kindness"

The name invoked a shameless smile from Rose as she tightened her hold on Draco, "Yes, how is she these days? I hope you've been paying her well for being so committed"

Queenie froze with her children looking confused at the mention of their maid. She pushed the two forward toward the floo and went to walk but was stopped as Walburga's sharp nails wrapped around her arm. Slowly the eldest Black leaned into her ear, "I'd keep your idiotic proposals away from any family here unless you want the world to know the truth about your husband—quite the scandal indeed"

The woman's breath hitched, not know how Walburga knew of such things and horrified at the fact she did. Queenie stayed still until Walburga let her go, rushing after her children and grasping their wrist—disappearing in the neon green flames of the floo network.

"Who is Priscilla?" Abraxas asked, the first the break the silence.

"The maid" Rose answered with a smirk directed at him, her hold loosening on Draco. "Or you could simply call her Cyrus's whore"

"Oh you're good Walburga, you are good" Abraxas praised, getting a please sound from the woman as she crossed over the couch where the Greengrasses once sat, her hand wandlessly waving to clean the surface before sitting.

Rose peered down at Draco with a lowered voice, pushing his hair back shamelessly. "Are you alright?"

He stiffly nodded from the feeling of his fathers eyes burning a hole through him, turning his attention away from Rose as Miss Zabini slipped by her side.

"Here dear" The mother held out a cigarette, smiling when Rose puckered her lips and let her place it there. Miss Zabini lit the tabacco with a metal lighter before running a hand down Rose's back and turning to Lucius, "That was the most idiotic thing you've ever done on Yule Lucius and you've done plenty of things"

"You all behaved disgracefully!" Lucius scolded all of the teenagers but his gaze was pointed at one girl in specific, ignoring Miss Zabini completely.

"Nothing like a nasty woman" Rose took a long drag with an eerily calm voice, "You make me want to pull out my old voodoo doll of you oh so badly"

Lucius choked on air, "Excuse me?"

Walburga laughed with a glint in her eyes as Miss Zabini smirked, "Oh Rosalie made messenger dolls of you and Theodore last year"

Theo's father lazy stance flipped, sitting up straight. "You've been using voodoo magic on me?"

"I taught her how" Miss Zabini proclaimed proudly, stroking Rose's hair down as Abraxas chuckled some more. "She's a fast learner like I was when my mother showed me"

"You should see the dolls Lucius" Abraxas added on, "They are quite realistic"

"Father! You knew?!" Lucius gawked.

Blaise leaned toward Theo with a whisper as his father and Lucius started going back and forth, trying to connect all the bad things that had randomly happened to them in the past year while Abraxas kept laughing. "They terrify me"

"Scare me in every way" Theo murmured back, grinning as Rose glanced at him with the burning paper in her mouth. "But is it bad that I find it hot?"

"We need psychological help" Blaise muttered with blinking eyes.

"Yeah," Theo shrugged and reopened his flask, "Most definitely"

The conversation of bafflement kept bouncing between the two fathers, minutes passing before Rose leaned forward to toss the cigarette into a tray on the coffee table and looked down at Draco's twitching hands.

She pushed into his mind, waiting patiently to get inside from how tense he was. "Get me out of here please"

Draco nodded stiffly, "I'm going to take Rosie to the library, she has been wanting to see a new book we added"

Lucius ripped his attention from Theo's father and narrowed his eyes at his son before nodding. Draco stood up and held out a hand to her, one she quickly took. "Excuse us"

When they reached the doorway and the adults were all talking Rose looked over her shoulder and flipped the miserable people off on the couch. Her face dropped though, signaling Theo to come with, sober Rose bad attachment issues to the boy—alcohol only worsened it if possible.

Theo went to stand but was stopped by Abraxas's attention being turned onto him with a loud voice, "Theodore I was wondering if you could help me with a few things before returning to school"

Rose huffed and turned away, continuing to let Draco guide her out as his grandfather started talking a mile a minute. As soon as they reached the hallway they both let out a rush of air. Rose looked up at Draco and her mood changed quickly. He was so tense and fidgety, her drunkness making her even more honest than usual.

"I'm here for you Draco, you know that right?"

She realized she was still holding his hand and took it out, much to his dismay.

Draco gazed down at her in the warmly lit hallway and gave her the same curt nod he had done mere minutes ago, reaching out she slowly grabbed both his extremely shaking hands.

"Draco I will not let him marry you off" Rose promised, eyes scanning his face intensely. "But that's not what's wrong, is it?"

"No"

"Has it already been bad again?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper with the realization he was distraught from Lucius.

"You—you have no idea Rosie"

She sighed and began pulling him into hug, this time he didn't hold back from tightening his arms around her and letting out another shaky breath.

"Do you want me to kill him? We can make it look like a accident"

Draco felt a small smile tug at his lips at the seriousness to her voice, "One day"

Rose nodded against his chest, trying to savor being this close. "Has Cissa been okay?"

What ounce of happiness he started to feel faded, "Let us get a bottle before we talk about such things"

She reluctantly pulled away from him and forced herself to smirk, "Way ahead of you, let's actually go to the library though"

He turned to go to the steps when Rose slipped her hand back into his, what ever amount of animosity laid between them didn't matter. She was the only one he could talk to about this stuff and whether it was the alcohol or just how they worked she found herself letting him firmly hold her hand all the way up the large black, marble staircase.

Malfoy Manor library was insane, two stories high filled with rows upon rows of books with spiraling steps between each shelf at the very back. Each detail was the epitome of aristocratic academia, dark and beautiful with sleek black shelves, a place that appeared as if it belonged in a castle. Draco quickly grabbed two bottles of firewhiskey from the grand circular table by the entrance, where Lucius kept bottles and cigars for decorum. After, he kept dragging Rose by her hand to one of their favorite isles as kids, they would sneak away and hide there until getting yelled at. Rose would always quickly lie and say they were reading and didn't realize they were needed, trying to protect both of them from trouble.

Draco kept walking them to the back of the isle, where the spiraling metal staircase was. He sat down quickly, making Rose stumble as their hands were still connected. They both slumped with their backs against the book shelf and Rose began unconnecting their hands, grabbing one of the bottles and cracking the seal as she opened it.

Rose nodded at the shiny black steps a few feet away, "Remember when you faked passing out to get me to stop sliding down the railing?"

Draco scoffed as he eyed the steps where their names were carved, "You almost fell off every single time but would never stop. Someone had to do something"

She brought the bottle to her lips, tipping it up before handing it over to him and speaking. "You were always trying to get me to stop being so reckless"

Rose watched as he took a absurd amount into his body before passing the bottle back tiredly, "I should've known then that you'd be a bloody nutcase"

"We balanced each other out well, didn't we?"

He sighed and looked at the girl while she swirled the alcohol around in the bottle, "We truly did"

She smelt like cigarettes and whiskey before they even settled between the books, not to mention how she was acting when arriving, he knew she was already drunk. Rose simply brought the bottle back up to her lips and opened her throat, hoping to let herself get as intoxicated as possible before returning.

Draco started to speak but stopped himself short, "Do you ever—"

She looked at him funny and handed the bottle back, "Do I ever what?"

He looked back over at their carved in names, his voice so small it sounded less than a whisper. "Do you ever miss it?" Draco turned to look at her, only finding Rose already gazing at him.

"Our friendship?"

He nodded.

"All the time"

She grabbed the bottle back seeing he wasn't drinking any and let some more run down her throat, needing to be heavily intoxicated to think about their childhood together. He was one of her best friends and the boy she had fallen for, it still hurt in every inch of her soul that they didn't get to experience Hogwarts together like they should've—that they hid behind hateful words.

"I do too"

Sighing, Rose decided to ask what she did earlier. "What happened since you've been home Draco?"

His hands always shook a little when he was home but since sitting down in the library they had calmed down. Now though, thinking about the events of the past three days was making them shake worse than when they were downstairs.

She took notice, putting the bottle down while turning to him and taking both of his shaky palms into her steady ones, carefully tucking her legs to the side. "Take your time"

Draco nodded and took a deep breath, letting himself get lost in her eyes. "He was going to—" He shook his head furiously, "He was hurting her I—I had to stop it"

Rose spoke softer than she ever had, "That was very brave of you Draco"

Brave.

Peering down at their hands, he continued. "It made him so mad that I stepped in the way that all of his anger, it—it turned onto me"

She squeezed his hands, signaling for him to go on. "And he just—he wouldn't stop once he started and mum she got in the way and—"

Taking one hand out of his, she used it to tilt his chin up. "You did good Draco, that's all I need to know"

He nodded and looked at her utterly pained, "I couldn't protect her"

Rose shook her head, sliding the hand off his chin and onto the back of his neck. Without hesitation Draco dropped his forehead against hers exhaustedly, letting the feeling of comfort envelop him instead of pushing it away.

After a moment or two Rose pulled him into her chest, running her hand down his back. "You did the best you could, don't you dare blame yourself"

Draco simply moved his head against her as if he was having a internal debate with himself, Rose letting her fingers travel up into his hair and squeezing his one hand still locked with her own. Soothing the white hair down she spoke quietly again, "One day, I'm going to get you both away from him"

He let out another shaky breathe, and she relaxed into the shelf, comforting him the best way she could. Pity and apologizes were the last thing he wanted to hear and she knew that, she understood that.

After a few minutes of him breathing heavily against her, Rose asked her what she was dreading the most because what the answer could possibly be. "Is anywhere hurt badly?"

Draco slowly lifted his head up, making her hand that was in his hair fall down. "Don't, you know, freak out"

She gave a nod of confirmation and he stood up, pulling her along with him before releasing her hand. Draco began bringing up the suit jacket and then the black button up out of his belt before revealing the tarnished skin. Rose couldn't help from sucking in a rush of air as she covered her mouth, eyes glassing over at the sight. The bruising was huge, longer than a ruler and wide enough to spread onto his back and stomach. Purple and black all over, she slowly reached stepped forward and continued to move closer when he didn't flinch. Rose looked up at him, "Can I?"

Draco nodded, letting her reach out a hand and carefully as she could trail her fingers over the bruise as his face contorted in pain. She pulled away and forced herself to not let the tears fall, "You're coming home with us tonight"

Draco pulled down his shirt and gave her a confused look, "Why?"

"So I can help you heal that, I have some stuff I made that should take it away"

"I can't Rosie"

She grabbed his hand and gave him a stern look, "Yes you can and you will, you will stay until I get you completely healed"

He sighed with a shake of his head, sitting back down against the shelf while grabbing the bottle. "Okay" He mumbled before taking a sip.

Rose let out a deep breath of relief, sitting back beside him and crossing her ankles. "I'll let Cissa know before the night is over"

He wanted express himself to her, make her understand his unwavering gratitude that she simply existed but could not. Instead his heavy eyes focused on the books infront of them, throat bobbing as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"I accept by the way" Rose murmured.

"Accept what?"

"Your apology" Her lips twitched, heading turning up to look at him. "I must say one flower would've done but how can I not accept an apology that big?"

The flowers.

His gut dropped, terrified of breaching the subject of the night he showed up at Grimmauld. With a turn of his head downwards their faces became too close for comfort, his eyes intently staring into her own. "You....accept?"

"I do" Rose smiled sadly with an unsteady tone, reaching up and brushing his cheek. "I don't want to fight anymore"

"Me neither" Draco spoke with his gaze involuntarily falling to her lips, it was like gravity was pulling them together, two magnets that kept trying to go against the laws of nature and stay apart.

His hand reached up, wanting to brush over her lips but he stopped himself. She was drunk, he wasn't going to kiss her when there was any type of substance in her body.

His head turned away and so did hers.

With a clearing of his throat Draco shoved the bottle at her, "Get drunk contest?"

She mustered up a sly grin, "You're on"

Together they spent a good thirty minutes finishing the bottle and half of the other one. By the time they were done Draco was so drunk that he kept laughing until tears were in his eyes and Rose could barely form a sentence without slurring each word even if she had consumed less of the bottles than him, the ammount she had before arriving making everything more intense.

They were oblivious to the three boys and one girl who stood a few feet away in the isle watching them amused, "How much longer til they notice us?" Theo quizzed.

Before anyone could respond Rose wildly threw her hands in the air as Draco laughed, beginning to imitate a explosion and twisting her hands around. Then, she repeatedly yelled "Boom!" over and over until her nor Draco could keep their heads up from laughing so hard.

Whitman watched with wide eyes, "Someone's gotta say something, we've been here for five minutes"

Blaise smiled and nudged Theo, pushing him forward. As he walked toward them all the others began following suit until they all stood directly infront of the pair, looking down at them as Rose grabbed Draco's shoulders from basically wheezing at this point.

"And it's—it's a shrunken head!"

Draco snorted loudly, "A real tiny head?"

Rose grinned and threw her head back, "A real tiny head! It gives directions and has this funny accent!"

Theo cleared his throat loudly and the two whipped their heads at him, being met with three others. Rose gasped, "My favorite boys and lady!"

They all grinned down at her, Draco asking a questioning with zero context and a quizzical look. "Did you know about the shrunken head?"

Rose focused back at the blonde, "No they don't, they aren't cool enough to know"

Draco smirked at her drunkenly, "Makes sense, not really cool people are they?"

Theo groaned and looked at Evelyn who appeared horrified from them getting along, "We have to separate them, if you think me and Rose are insufferable...these two are going to be hell together"

Rose turned away from Draco and pointed a finger up at him, "You aren't invited to our sleepover tonight!"

Blaise raised his eyebrows, "You're having a sleepover together?"

Draco and Rose nodded in sync, "We all are"

Theo attempted to hide the goofy grin that wanted to work onto his features, "Since when?"

Rose shot her eyes over at him and looked him up and down multiple times, "Merlin you look hot"

All the boys stifled a laugh as Theo responded, unable to hide his amusement. "Did you just check me out?"

She winked up at him, "Who wouldn't Teddy?"

Rose threw her arms up to Theo like small child and when he didn't reach out quick enough she turned to Draco, "Let's ditch these losers blondie"

Theo blinked at the others confused from the fact she barely held her hands up to him before yanking them away. Draco smiled widely, "Brilliant Rosie"

All watched as the two went to stand up in sync only to almost fall into the book shelf, they both laughed and reached out to grab each other for balance but swayed more as a result.

"This feels like a—a what's that muggle thingy called Draco?"

He laughed some more as they hit the book self before swaying backwards, "Muggle thing? You think I know what muggle thing?"

She shrugged and they moved directly into the wary boys, in an instant Blaise grabbed Draco and Theo grabbed Rose, pulling them apart.

Whitman looked between the two smiling like idiots and scolded them, "Pull yourselves together! Both of you! It's not even dark out, we have extremely long day ahead of us!"

Rose giggled at him, making him stare at her with a twitching eye. "You sound like Mione" Her face fell with a pout, "Oh no—can someone take me to see Mione? I need to apologize"

Whitman breathed heavily, "You cannot go see her Ro! Now come on, we have to go back down. They made us come get you guys"

Draco started to shake his head fiercely, "No no no no no I don't want to hangout with them"

Theo slipped his arm around Rose's shoulders as she just smiled dreamily up at him, not even contributing to or realizing what Whitman said.

She reached out and tapped his lips, "I love you"

He could no longer hear the boys arguing as he looked down at her, wanting to tell her he loved her so much. But his throat felt tight, afraid to speak to the words and her reply with the term friend added into the sentence.

Rose shook her head at him, keeping a smile on her face. "I really really love you"

"I love you baby" He whispered and leaned down, placing a kiss on her forehead as he brought her into his chest, she couldn't possibly understand how much he meant it. Rose sighed happily and put her arms around his torso, squeezing him so tightly it resulted in an grunt.

Theo used his arm that wasn't around her shoulders to tilt her chin up, "You look beautiful as ever"

Rose smiled that same dreamy smile that he was sure was his damnation, "So do you"

He raised a questioning brow at her, "I look beautiful?"

"Like art Teddy"

Her words were slurred but they still caused him to get flustered. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to her forehead again, Rose's eyes fluttering close in yearning.

Theo didn't retract his kiss until they heard a groan, forcing Rose to move from his chest to just under his arm as they faced an annoyed Whitman.

"Everyone stop! We have to go downstairs!"

Clearly the pair missed out on some bickering being lost in their own world from Whitman's sentence.

"Well let's go then, I feel like pissing some people off!" Rose cheered, voice full of drunk enthusiasm.

Blaise chuckled, "I'm ready to see this!"

"I'm with Blaise"

Rose shot Draco a wink at his comment, making his heart almost stop in his chest. Whitman sighed at the boy and started to lead the way while Blaise and Evelyn helped a drunk Draco walk straight, Theo and Rose trialing behind as she explained something about the shrunken head from earlier. He had no idea what she was talking about but continued to nod and go along with it to entertain the girl.

When they reentered the smoking lounge Blaise put a tight arm around Draco to try concealing his swaying, making their way over to the couch they all sat on before. Theo and Rose were still whispering, not even paying attention to the fact they were back with the adults. He tried his best to discreetly set her down when Evelyn gave him a slight nod, taking to Rose's other side and shoving her in between them both.

"Well that was a awfully long trip to the library"

Everyone turned their heads to a smug Lucius, "Yes sir, they were reading when we found them"

Rose giggled loudly at Whitman's comment, making him shoot her a glare.

"Were they?" Theo's father asked. All the others, even Draco nodded in sync. Rose on the other hand stared off at the ceiling, taking in the intricate carvings when Lucius opened his mouth again, "So Rose I assume you are still friends with that half-blood Potter?"

Everyone tensed at his words and Walburga seemed to become stiller than an unwavering piece of wood. Rose didn't hear him as she looked down from the ceiling and started to grab her cigarettes out until Theo called her name.

She glanced over at Theo with the cigarette between her lips unlit, "Yes Teddy?"

He looked around the room worriedly, heart pounding. "Lucius asked if you are still friends with Potter—which you are not"

Rose rolled her eyes and brought the lighter up to the cigarette, lighting it before responding. "Yes I am, I'll tell him you're thinking of him"

Draco snorted and Narcissa shot him a wide eyed look while Lucius scowled at the girl before him, Walburga's icy voice bringing reality to them all. "You're friends with Harry Potter?"

No.

No.

No.

Her heart started to pick up like Theo's, mouth parting and anxiety immediately nipping at her gut.

Abraxas grumbled and grabbed onto his whiskey glass, "Rosalie you must stay away from those filthy Potter's—I should've ended their bloodline when I had the chance"

Lucius answered her question with disgust, "Very good friends they are, almost died twice helping the boy take down the Dark Lord. Don't you remember Walburga?"

Now every single person, even Draco was stiff. Rose shot the blonde man a angry stare, "Do you know how well I know your Lord, Lucius?"

"Please inform us" spoke Theo's dad, his interest peaked.

She scoffed and took a long drag, "I like to think I know things about him yourselves could never"

Narcissa stood up from her spot between Miss Zabini and Walburga, "Let's change the subject please"

The three adult men shared a glance, secretly communicating they were definitely not changing the subject. "I would like to know more, how does this Potter boy feel about your friendship to the boys here?" Theo's dad asked.

Lucius felt triumphant in grilling the girl and at her silence, hoping he could knock her ego down. "The real question still remains, if the Dark Lord does return, who will you stand with?"

She just leaned forward in her chair and stared at the blonde man, hatred flicking through her eyes with a burning passion. "Let me make one thing clear to you Lucius, if that day ever comes, I will gladly take the dark mark and go to Azkaban before I separate myself from the boys sitting on that couch"

Lucius sneered again, seeing the disgust in which she spat his name at him. "That is excellent news, not for your dear Potter of course"

Rose rolled her eyes, "The only question left is for yourself, how will he act when he finds you've done nothing to find him? You must know he's out there, I've seen him twice now"

Lucius and the two other grown men seemed to tense, realizing she was right. She laughed manically before continuing, "I can't imagine how angry he will be with you, sitting in your mansion, claiming the imperious curse to avoid Azkaban while others like Bellatrix refused to denounce his name. I wonder—"

Theo couldn't take it anymore and he could see the anger plastered over Walburga's face that Rose was too drunk to notice, "Enough Rose"

All heads turned to him, "Oh Theodore, I was only getting started"

Lucius pulled his wand out discreetly before speaking, knowing there was no way Walburga would be angry at him after the way she had been acting. "You are a insufferable"

Rose sighed and winked at him, "I'm well aware"

He pointed his wand at her quickly, beginning to cast 'silencio'.

Before the spell could even make contact she put her hand up and flicked it, making the charm rebound away.

She tutted at him and pointed a lazy finger, "Gotta be quicker than that Lucius, I only get stronger as time goes on"

Abraxas let out a breathy chuckle, "You must give it to the girl" He nodded toward Rose, "Your magic is highly impressive darling"

"Clearly" She scoffed, not caring if she was rude to the only man there she adored. Her drunkness adding onto her normal sassiness and fear of what was to come tonight.

"Are you not afraid of the ministry finding out about you doing wandless magic?"

She urged herself to be respectful to Theo's father in front of the others, if he felt disrespected he would definitely remove Theo from her life and then she'd have to kill him—it would all be too messy. "No, they can only track underage magic from our wands...I believe wands simply exist to control witches and wizards"

Whitman groaned, finally relaxing from the once tense room. "Please don't get her started on this topic, she will never shut up about it"

Lucius turned to look at the Rosier boy, "Whitman, have you spoken to your family?"

Rose wanted to chuck her heel at the man's face as she responded for him, "Whitman doesn't need to speak to a family full of blood-traitors"

None of the boys seemed fazed by her comment except Evelyn, since when did the girl call people blood-traitors? And wouldn't she be considered one?

"Ro is right Mister Malfoy, they are a disgrace to the Sacred twenty-eight. I don't plan on ever returning home"

Narcissa felt she could join the conversation now, "Oh how I miss your father Evan, he was a great man"

Whitman felt a pang in his chest, he never got to the meet him. He felt like maybe he would've loved him, or maybe he would've been just as bad as his grandparents.

Blaise spoke with curiosity, "You knew Evan Rosier?"

Theo's dad smiled and it freaked all the children out, never once had the man remotely did such a thing. "Knew him? We loved him. He was extremely close with Regulus, they were practically inseparable, I remember the day we buried Reg. Evan seemed to have let a piece of himself get buried with him"

Rose felt herself shift in her seat, the conversation sobering her up. She felt herself putting her and Whitman in that position, Merlin knows there is something evil coming.

Whitman smiled at the idea of two generations of Rosier's and Black's being attached at the hip, "Did you guys know Barty Crouch Jr? I found a lot of letters between him and my father and some woman too. I could never bring myself to read them, it felt personal"

They all watched Narcissa, Lucius, and Theo's father share a glance before Narcissa spoke. "Your father loved Barty Crouch with all of himself as he did Regulus. Their story is a very sad one and as for the woman...well it's better that stays history"

Rose felt her eyes widen, "What happened to Barty Crouch Jr?"

Lucius looked away as he answered, "Azkaban"

Whitman and the girl made eye contact, seemingly agreeing they would find out more, it was too interesting not to.

Narcissa appeared as if she could cry, "Barty lost everyone, he lost Regulus then Evan and Pandora was no where to be found at the time. She sadly lost her life a few years back, her daughter goes to school with you all"

"Whose her daughter?" Blaise asked, getting invested into the history of the people that all somehow connected to their own lives.

"Luna Lovegood, she was into experimenting as Rose is. It went horribly wrong one day when the girl was only nine years old" Lucius stated, still absentmindedly looking around.

Rose gasped loudly causing everyone to look at her, "What was her moms maiden name?"

Theo's father was quick to reply, "Lestrange"

Blaise looked at Rose, "How did you not know that about her mother?"

"I knew what happened to her mother, it's why I never talk to Luna about my experiments but I had no clue who she was"

Blaise didn't know what happened to Luna's mum or that she was even gone, he was speechless. It explained why she could see the thestrals and why she refused to talk about family with him.

Lucius seemed to come back to earth and found the conversation topic unbearable, "Enough of this talk, it was war it's what happens"

"Wait....but mum that's your maiden name? Wouldn't Pandora be related to you?"

"Yes dear" Narcissa replied, "Pandora was my cousin"

"But she married a blood traitor so she is not family to you boy" Abraxas butted in. "Just like Andromeda, you do not claim them"

The moment all had been waiting for happened, Walburga Black leaned up on the couch, a chilling look on her face as she stared directly at her granddaughter. "How long have you been friends with this Potter boy?"

Lucius answered so quick Rose could not even react, "Since first year, along with that filthy mudblood Granger"

"Father" Draco spat quickly, "Stop"

Theo latched his hand around Rose's as Walburga spoke again, continuing to stare at the girl who would not meet her eyes. "Mudblood? I think Granger was a halfblood?"

"Oh no" Lucius chuckled, "She's a filthy muggleborn. When I went up to the school a week before break I saw the two running around the courtyard together with their hands latched"

Rose looked at Lucius in pure betrayal and hurt, throat tightening and heart being to beat so quick it felt like a heart attack was coming.

"Rosalie" Walburga stated sharper than ever.

Slowly Rose turned her attention onto her grandmother with a tight jaw, opening her mouth but no words came out. She watched Walburga's tongue roll in her cheek before the woman spoke, "You've lied to me"

Draco stood up, "Could we all be excused? I think you all would be happy with some time away from us"

Lucius nodded and so did Walburga with eyes boring into Rose, everyone could hear the grandmother playing it off as no big deal—just a misunderstanding she did not care about. In a quick rush the group of teenagers all began to walk out into the hallway and didn't stop as they navigated their way around.

"Where are we going?" Blaise asked as Draco led them all up the second staircase of the manor.

"Second floor lounge" He responded lazily, and everyone walked in silence. The topic of conversation was heavy in the room and it seemed to have discomforted them.

The lounge was simple and smaller than the one they were in before, a square room with tall leather couches and a fire place. There was nothing special about it besides the black and emerald adorning every inch of the space.

Rose threw herself on the couch, Theo quickly sitting down beside her. He missed her a lot even if it they were together last night and he could feel how badly her body was aching with anxiety, something that always affected him greatly.

As everyone started sitting down Draco fished in the wooden trunk by the fireplace and found wine as Evelyn sat on the other side of Rose.

"Are you sure you two should be drinking again?"

Draco scoffed at Whitman as he popped open the bottle and crashed down by Blaise, "Tell me you don't need a drink after that fiasco"

Theo put his arm around the back of the loveseat they sat on and pulled the girl into his side, "Ro we can fix this"

"Just distract me" Rose muttered with a shaky breath, gazing around at them. "Please distract me"

Evelyn turned and laid her back against the arm rest, nudging Rose with a pained grin. "I missed you"

"I missed you" Rose began popping her fingers urgently, thankful for the changed topic. "Have you figured out if you can come to Hogwarts?"

"That's what I've been wanting to talk to you about," Evelyn shrugged as Draco passed the bottle to Blaise, "I can but I don't know if it's the right decision"

"I think you should" Rose took a deep breath as she finished her fingers and Theo held his out so she could continue to find relief, "I can't dorm with you but I could make sure we have the same classes"

Once Rose finished popping his fingers Theo pulled her closer comfortingly and Blaise was so deep in thought as he passed the bottle to Theo that he didn't realize Evelyn was about to speak, "You don't think there will be another war do you?"

"I highly doubt it Blaise"

Rose was quick to debunk Whitman's words, "I'm telling each of you now there will be something, Voldemort has tried to come back twice already"

"Something is happening" Theo confirmed, wishing he could speak about the visions torturing daily. Instead he tucked his chin atop Rose's head as she laid against him, "But we'll stick together"

Rose nodded in agreement with Theo's words, letting her form of human sun take away the anxiety. "I would never fight against any of you—we made a pact a long time ago"

Whitman tipped the bottle back before Rose leaned forward to grab it, "What of Hermione? You know you couldn't leave her behind"

She tensed, this was something that has passed through her mind many times. "It's simple, I'll work my way up to the top of his ranks and protect her"

Blaise furrowed his brows, "How exactly does that protect her?"

Letting the alcohol roll down her throat Rose waited a minute before answering, "If I'm with the people who want to harm her I can make sure they can't"

Draco let out a breathe of annoyance, "This is stupid to discuss"

"Not really" Whitman muttered and stared off, "Whatever happens to one of us always happens to all of us"

"Way down we go then" Blaise breathed out, his head falling back on the couch.

*

They arrived back at Grimmauld after a long night of tension, only Whitman, Draco, and Theo coming with. Rose and Walburga were the last to step out of the floo, everyone much more sober in preparation for the lies they would have to spin.

"Go upstairs" Walburga commanded, wrapping her hand tightly around Rose's arm. When none of the boys moved a inch Walburga yelled so loud they flinched, "Go! This is private conversation!"

Theo pulled Rose away without hesitation, ready to let the woman hex or curse him into oblivion. "Let me explain everything"

Walburga's jaw ticked and she took a deep breath, putting on a mask no one would be able to see through. "I apologize for my anger children but I simply wish to speak with her in private, that is all"

"Theo let me go" Rose demanded, "She's allowed to talk to me"

Whitman felt relief wash over him at Walburga's sudden calm state and tugged on Theo, "Come on"

He shook his head, there was no way Walburga was fine.

"Theodore dear—if you cannot trust me to talk to my granddaughter then I will force you out of this house"

"She's not angry Theo" Draco whispered harshly, helping Whitman tug the boy away. Rose gave him a firm nod and a forced smile that stayed until the three walked into the hallway.

As soon as their feet were out of the room Walburga raised a hand and made the door slam shut, sealing it with a blue light shooting from her palm and her kind look fading back to pure terror.

Rose wasn't scared of dark magic, Voldermort, Dumbledore, men who stared for too long, death, or anything really.

But the one thing that dragged fear out of her was Walburga Black.

She flinched as pounding started on the door, all of them realizing they had been tricked.

"Do you wish to be as disgraceful as your father?"

"No" Rose murmured.

"Lift up your chin when I speak to you!" Walburga spat, pulling her wand from inside the extravagant dress and nearing Rose. "I've done everything for you, I raised you! Orion did nothing, your mother did nothing, your father did nothing! I raised you!"

Stiffly, Rose tilted her chin up. "I know"

"I will not have you taken away from me like that blood traitor Potter took your father or how the dark lord took away Regulus!" Walburga yelled, sticking her wand under Rose's chin. "You will not abandon me or disappoint me after I've loved you relentlessly!"

"I would never leave you grandmother" Rose affirmed, wincing as the wand dug deeper, trying to ignore the pounding of the wood.

"I'm doing this because I love you," Walburga sneered, "Everything I do is because how much I love you and want you to be successful"

Rose didn't reply and closed her eyes, so conflicted on how this could be love. Walburga screamed in her face, "Do you understand me?!"

"Yes!" Rose snapped back with a tear falling.

"Now beg for my forgiveness—beg and tell me you will never go near any of those people again"

In distain and defiance Rose pursed her lips.

"I said beg!"

Rose shook at the screaming, tears beginning to form quickly.

Regulus Black stood as he always did by her side, regardless of how traumatizing this all was and her having no idea he was there—it brought him some form of comfort to not let Rose go through these punishments alone.

"Beg!" Walburga's resounding words echoed one last time before neon red shot from her wand in the form of the Cruciatus curse, Rose falling to her knees with the loudest scream the walls of Grimmauld had ever heard from the pure anger the woman held with every intention to harm.

Walburga kept the spell going with a sneer, eyes turning to the shaking door as she ignored Rose's convulsing body and pained cries. "Keep pounding on that door and I'll kill her!"

__________________________________

A/N: well.....

—although Walburga is actually awful and the worst she's such a complex character and I've been trying to reveal more abt her

—i forgot how sad this Christmas chapter actually was

—thinking about the boys hearing it all makes me internally die

—Abraxas Malfoy <3

—what do we think of Evelyn Zabini?? place ur bets on whether or not she'll be joining Hogwarts

—MISSED U GUYS OMG I've been so shit abt updating...i say that as if it wasn't like only 24 hours but hey! we have high standards around here!

—go drink some water and eat lots of yummy foods xo

MEMES BECAUSE IM DEPRESSED FROM THE ENDING:

Theo and Blaise every time Rose starts talking like a psychopath:

Queenie trying to leave before her children find out the truth:

Rose when she finds out Draco has a marriage proposal:

Rose when everything is always peaceful until she shows up:

All of us when Lucius told Walburga:

Lucius and Theo's father realizing everything that went wrong in the last year is from her voodoo dolls:

xx bri