The Hidden One

visitors

"Dumbledore gave us Polyjuice Potion. We're some random muggle twins from a nearby town," Marlene explained.

"And the stupid names?" Rose asked.

"Those were my idea," Marlene said proudly. Rose giggled and allowed her mum to put her arm over her shoulder.

"Like, out of all the names you could choose you go with Claude and Claudia?" Rose giggled.

"Your dad and I always joked that we would name twins Claude and Claudia," Marlene explained, a fond smile on her face.

"Those poor twins that luckily don't exist,"  Remus spoke up. Marlene hit his arm.

"You know, once Dad is free I wouldn't mind being an older sister," Rose mentioned. Marlene gave her a smile.

"I wouldn't mind making you a big sister either," Marlene said softly.

"I'm sure Sirius would enjoy the collaboration," Remus chimed.

"Ew! Gross!" Marlene and Rose said at the same time. Both the adults looked to Rose with shock on their faces.

"No! You're too young to know about that!" Marlene gasped.

"I've failed! I've completely failed!" Remus fake cried.

"I'm 14, mum. And it's not like I've...y'know...done the...baby...making," Rose said, cringing at her choice of words. Her face grew red.

"Good. But have you...I don't know...kissed a boy?" Marlene inquired. Rose could see that she was joking, but there was also the look in Marlene's eyes that told Rose that she wanted to be the mum that Rose felt comfortable talking to about stuff like this.

"That's my own business that I'll tell you when Remus isn't here," Rose said with a smile. Marlene squealed and clapped.

"No! That means you have kissed a boy! I'll kill him!" Remus joked. Rose just shrugged but her face was also very red. The three fell into a comfortable silence

"So...how are you doing?" Remus asked a few minutes later, breaking the silence.

"I'm...I'm ok. Not looking forward to this summer, that's for sure. I miss you guys and dad a whole lot, but...I'm fine," Rose said with a sad sigh.

"We miss you," Remus assured Rose.

"We're gonna figure something out," Marlene added. Rose nodded quickly. "How're you feeling about tonight?"

"I'm feeling good. We're gonna be fine," Rose said. She wasn't lying either. She and Harry had been practicing for weeks and they were more prepared for this task than any of the other ones. "How have you been doing?"

"We've been ok. We can't send letters to anyone without the ministry reading them first. There's literally a ministry worker outside our house all the time. And it's obviously been hard to not see you and everything, but we're making it work," Remus answered.

The small family walked around the grounds for hours. At one point they passed by Harry with the Weasley's. Mrs. Wessley placed herself between Rose and Harry, and then refused to look at Rose when she smiled at the woman. Harry sent her a shrug to which Rose returned.

Once the lunch bell rang they went inside for lunch. Remus and Marlene got many strange stares, but they tried not to give them any attention. They all sat down at the Gryffindor table. Rose sat next to Harry, much to the displeasure of Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum-Bill!" Ron yelled as he sat down across from them. "What are you doing here?"

"Come to watch Harry in the last task!" Mrs. Weasley responded. Harry grabbed Rose's hand, knowing she would be upset by Mrs. Weasley ignoring her. "How was your exam?"

"Er-it was good. It was History of Magic and I forgot some names but I just made them up," Ron explained.

The rest of the Weasley children showed up a little later and Harry was finally able to whisper to Rose without Mrs. Weasley noticing.

"Who are they?" Harry whispered.

"My mum and Moony using Polyjuicd Potion," Rose whispered back. Harry gaped at them in shock and Remus sent him a small wave and smile as Marlene winked at him.

Hermione came half way through lunch, much to the joy of Rose. Hermione sent a confused look to the adults sitting next to Rose but she was smart enough not to say anything.

"Hello, Hermione," Mrs. Weasley said, her voice tense.

"Hello," Hermione said, the kind smile falling off her face.

"Mrs. Weasley," Harry suddenly spoke up. "You don't actually believe that Rita Skeeter article, do you? Hermione isn't my girlfriend."

"Oh, no! Of course I didn't!" Mrs. Weasley assured Harry before looking to Rose. Harry followed her eyes.

"And Rose isn't either," Harry told the woman.

"And the threats against my Ronniekins?" Mrs. Weasley asked. Rose knew it wasn't the time but she almost spit out the pumpkins juice in her mouth at the nickname. Ron kicked her under the table and Rose glared at him.

"She's never threatened me, mum," Ron sighed. "Well...she has, but not seriously. And I deserved it."

"You're threatening people now?" Remus asked. Rose glared at him.

"Of course not! Ron is being stupid. Right, Ron?" Rose asked. She turned to give Ron the kindest smile she could. He gulped.

"No, of course she doesn't. Rose is an angel of earth," Ron said quickly.

"Oh, of course she is," Mrs. Weasley said, finally giving Rose a real smile.

The large group walked around the grounds for the rest of the afternoon. Rose was able to tell Hermione and Ron who Claude and Claudia White actually are. Ron thought it was funny while Hermione was worried.

Dinner that night was a grand affair. Ludo Bagman and Cornelius Fudge were at the staff table. Harry and Rose didn't eat or join in the happy conversations. Instead, they linked their hands together. Rose put her head on Harry's shoulder and Harry put his head on hers.

"May I have your attention?" Dumbledore said, standing up. The Great Hall was silent immediately. "Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes time I will be asking you to make your way to the quidditch pitch. Will the champions please follow Mr. Bagman out there now?"

Harry and Rose stood up, hearing well wishes and cheers from the Gryffindor table and their family. Remus and Marlene gave Rose a quick hug. As they passed by the Slytherin table Draco reached out and grabbed Rose's wrist. She turned to see him, Theo and Blaise all looking worried.

"Good luck," Draco whispered. Rose nodded and sent him a small, nervous smile before allowing Harry to guide her out of the Great Hall.

"Feeling all right, you two?" Mr. Bagman asked once they were on the steps leading out of the school.

"Yeah, we're ok," Harry responded. It was slightly true. He could feel Rose's hand shaking in his, but he also knew that they were prepared.

The champions all stared into the maze as the crowd entered the stadium. The stars had started to shine in the sky as the professors made their way to the champions.

"We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze," Professor Mcgonagall informed the champions. "If you get into any difficulty and wish to be rescued, send up red sparks and we will come get you. Understand?"

The champions all nodded.

"Off you go then!" Mr. Bagman said happily.

Rose quickly left Harry's side and went to Cedric's as Mr. Bagman started explaining the task to the crowd.

"Be careful, Ced," Rose said. Cedric sent her a small smile and wrapped her in a hug that she quickly returned.

"I always am. You be careful too," Cedric responded. Rose pulled away as she could tell that Mr. Bagman was almost done speaking. She interlocked her hand with Harry but looked to Cedric.

"I love you, Ced. Good luck."

"I love you too, Rose. Good luck."

With that, Mr. Bagman blew his whistle and they entered the maze.