• • •
The monsters were never
under my bed.
Because the monsters,
were inside my head.
I fear no monsters,
for no monsters I see.
Because all this time
the monster had been me.
• • •
ROSE'S POV:
Nervous, that's how I felt. Today we had our first quidditch match with Slytherin. All the Slytherins were trying to hex the Gryffindor team on the hallways, at any chance the got. Flint and Avalon Morgenstern were so annoying that my blood was boiling with fire at the sight of them. Not to mention Adrian Pucey. I swear that boy will turn out either drowned in the lake, or burned by a fireplace.
Over the last two days, I discovered that my elemental not only consisted of fire. I could also use the air and the water. Since Dumbledore suspended my lessons, I have a plan to develop my power on my own. How hard could it be? Personally I think I could do it quite easily.
"POSIE!" I heard Fred's voice call the second he entered the empty common room. Everyone was at breakfast but my nerves kept me here.
"Don't call me that!" I said with a hard glare on his direction. I noticed that he was alone. "Where's George and Lee?"
"They're at breakfast." He shrugged. "Now, what is it?"
"I'm not hungry..." I murmured and turned to stare at the fireplace. There was no fire in it so I flicked my hand and started one.
"I thought you said Remus warned you not to use your elemental?" Fred questioned.
"He did." I responded. "But it's not something I can control. If I don't use it in small ways like this, I might snap."
"Oh, alright." He said and stared at the flicking fire. I began to play with the fire, turning it up and down and forming little shapes with it too. Fred was staring mesmerized at the fire with a huge grin on his face.
"How about you sing something?" He asked casually. I turned to stare at him.
"What?" I gaped.
"It's been a while since you've singed. I thought you might enjoy it." He said with a shrug of his shoulders. I smiled fondly at him and accioed the guitar Annie got me for the twin's birthday.
"What do you wanna hear?" I asked Fred as I played with a few strings of my acoustic.
"You know that I don't mind what you play, as long as you sing." He said, as he scooted a little closer to me. I smiled at him and his eyes widened, I tilted my head a little and he smiled even more widely.
"I've never seen that colour before." He commented. I grabbed the mirror that he'd got me for christmas from my pocket and opened it. Sure enough, my eyes were a bright pink colour. I'd never seen it either, nor I had a clue as to what it meant.
"It suits you." He said after I pocketed the mirror again.
"Thanks." I mumbled and felt my cheeks turn pink. "Alright, let's see." I fidget with the strings of the guitar and took a deep breath.
Crystal dream
Cali king
Radiant hand
Vibrant sand
I'm shocked
It's a golden thing he's got
A thousand thrills
A thousand chills
Smokey eyes
Pearly whites
I'm hot
It's a golden thing he's got
I sing softly to him
In the last daylight
And the chorus of birds
In the heights of night
And if we could be heard
For whatever it's worth
The rulers in the sky
They'd cry
Diamond throne
All on is own
Coffee skin
He let me in
I'm shocked
It's a golden thing he's got
It's a golden thing and I
Shouted the words
In the first daylight
And the chorus of birds
Burst on into sight
Now I know that I'm heard
For whatever it's worth
By the rulers in the sky
Deep blue jeans
Movie screens
Taking flight
Flashing lights
I'm shocked
It's a golden thing we've got
I finished the last note and there was a soft clap. Fred was staring at me with wide smile and an unknown look on his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but the portrait door swung open and Charlie bursted in.
"There you two are!" He exclaimed. He eyed the guitar. "Merlin, I have to hear you sing sometime." Fred and I chuckled and got up.
"Is it time for the match?" I asked Charlie. He nodded and we left the common room. Fred still had that look on his eyes that I couldn't quiet place.
FRED'S POV:
Shouted the words
In the first daylight
And the chorus of birds
Burst on into sight
Now I know that I'm heard
For whatever it's worth
By the rulers in the sky
Deep blue jeans
Movie screens
Taking flight
Flashing lights
I'm shocked
It's a golden thing we've got
She finished with the last notes of the song and I clapped a little. Everytime I heard her sing, I felt something in my chest. It was like an emotion mixed with a sensation. Surprisingly enough, I had talked to Charlie about it.
He suggested that I might fancy Rose. But what does he know? Rose is my best friend, and sure she is fun, and beautiful, and smart, and brave, but I don't fancy her. Well. . . maybe a little. But just a little.
ROSE'S POV:
We had left our brooms on the tent yesterday so we didn't have to carry them all the way down. All the walk I had been biting my nails and my eyes had been a hot teal colour. We walked into the tent and the whole team was there, waiting for us.
———
"Alright. We've been training for this for about a month. We've got this!" Charlie stood in the center of the rest of our teammates, giving his 'motivational speech' before the game. We were all dressed in our scarlet uniform. Mine said 'LIGHTBOURN' in big bold letters on the back, alongside the number 14.
I brushed my now light red hair with my fingers. I had thought of changing my hair for a while, maybe blonde or brown. I also remembered what Erin told the me the day before the match. She had said: 'Yes, two braids look cute until they smack you in the eye. Keep it simple and tie your hair in a pony.' I of course did what she told me too, but I had to consider since flying with a single braid was comfortable too.
"We play until we can't play no more! Now hands in, on three we shout Gryffindor!" Charlie put his hand in the center and we all followed. "Ready? One! Two! Three!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Alright, lets win this!" Charlie called our team. I bent down to grab my broom.
"Full crowd!" Erin announced as she peeked outside the tent. I spared a glance at the twins and they both gave me a reassuring smile. Suddenly the doorway opened and we were off. I flew besides the team, circling the seats and listening to Lee's commentary.
"Beautiful day today, we're about to kick off our season with the Slytherin and Gryffindor match! The teams are coming in the pitch and let me say they look fantastic! Especially the Gryffindor's team new prodigy, Miss Rose Lillian Lightbourn! Come on, Rosie, don't be shy and wave at us!" Lee yelled in the microphone, I blushed furiously since the Gryffindor's in the stands started cheering loudly.
"Jordan! What did I say about unnecessary comments?" Mcgonagall interrupted Lee.
"Not to say them professor, but apparently we have a different view as to what is unnecessary." Lee responded and now even my hair was magenta. "Anyways. Captain Charlie Weasley is making his way into the center! Say professor? What do I call the Weasley's since there are three on the team?" Lee asked into the microphone. I threw my head back in laughter.
"Focus on the match, Mr. Jordan!" Mcgonagall said. I stopped in the circle around Madam Hooch.
"No foul plays! I want a clean match!" She warned the captains. The captains shook hands and they looked about ready to break each other hands.
"And the quaffle is out! The chasers dive in, and it looks like a fight down there don't ya think?! Gryffindor's chaser, Erin Mcdonald, emerges from the cause she dodges Montague and passes the quaffle to Rosie– I mean Lightbourn!" Lee yelled. I raced down the field and dodged a bludger that was aimed to me. I saw Erin behind me and I threw the quaffle into the left hoop.
"TEN POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR! GREAT ONE ROSIE-POSIE, NOW I GET FIVE GALLEONS FROM ANGIE–"
"JORDAN!"
"LEE!" I yelled into the crowds, my hair and eyed turned magenta before quickly turning back to Gryffindor red.
"Sorry, Professor, sorry, Ro. Got a bit carried away! Now Slytherin is in possession, Morgenstern hits a bludger at Thompson, who is on tail with Flint. Lucky he ducks and manages to steal the quaffle while he's at it! Gryffindor in possession! Mcdonald is now in possession but Flint's not far behind! He's catching up! SHOOT IT, ERIN!"
I rushed towards Erin but I was too slow, Flint had managed to tear the quaffle out of Erin's hands, and was now racing towards Oliver. I turned, unable to see the bludger heading straight to me until I heard Lee. "Lightbourn is about to be— Never mind, Fred Weasley rushes to save Miss Lightbourn! Nice gesture, of course predictable since-"
"Jordan do I have to keep warning you?" Mcgonagall threatened.
"Of course not professor! George Weasley manages to hit a bludger... AND IT HITS THE BACK OF PUCEY'S HEAD! Now Flint's in possession still, he shoots and... scores. Ten points to Slytherin I guess!" The Slytherin crowd screamed at that moment. "Bole hits a bludger straight towards Captain Charlie Weasley! Where is the snitch?! Rose Lightbourn in possession of the quaffle, Morgenstern hits a bludger straight at her head! AH, George Weasley hits the bludger back to Pucey! Lightbourn dodges past Montague and throws the quaffle towards Thompson! Thompson takes the lead, aims and... SCORES! GRYFFINDOR TEAM IS UP BY TWENTY POINTS!"
According to Lee, Slytherin was in possession. Bole tried to shoot another bludger, this time to Fred. Pucey had the quaffle. I flied under Pucey, watching the quaffle for a moment. I waited until he was about to shoot, and snatched the quaffle from his hands. "LIGHTBOURN TAKES THE QUAFFLE RIGHT OUT OFF HIS HANDS!"
Lee continued to narrate the game while I glanced back at John. John and Erin were flying overhead. I recognized the setup and quickly passed the quaffle to Erin.
"Lightbourn has the quaffle, now Mcdonald, now Thompson, now Lightbourn again... correct me if i'm mistaken but it seems the Gryffindor team is performing the famous Thimblerig Shuffle! Could they pull it off? It seems they will! Mcdonald has the quaffle! Flint is rushing into the side of her broom, Hey! Is that allowed? It doesn't seem allowed!"
I turned and saw Erin about to crash against the stands. She desperately looked around, seeing I was the only player completely free. Erin tossed the quaffle, causing me to dive down towards the ground. And Merlin, I hoped I wouldn't crash. "LIGHTBOURN IS DOING A DEEP DIVE! Will she make it?"
I dived towards the quaffle and reached up my arm. 'come on, come on!' I mentally groaned. I pulled up, yanking the quaffle up with me. I was not quite sure how I reached it, but I was going with it. I soared through the air and knew what I had to do. I quickly glanced at John, and he gave me a nod and a wink, I winked back and positioned myself.
I looked into Bletchley's eyes, and smirked. I knew I would take him by surprise. I spinned in the air, the quaffle close to my chest. I threw the quaffle in the left hoop and it went right in. There was an erupted cheer from the Gryffindor stands. "MERLIN'S BEARD! ROSE LIGHTBOURN DID 'THE JAMES POTTER SIGNATURE MOVE' ! GO, ROSIE! GRYFFINDOR IS NOW UP BY THRITY POINTS! Is that the snitch?!" Lee shouted, causing the Gryffindor stands to yell even louder. I laughed and saw John sent me a thumbs up.
"ROSE!" I heard a scream. I turned and saw a bludger heading straight to me, I tried to move but the bludger was too close. Just as the bludger was about to hit me, its course changed and it soared passed me. I don't know how, it just did. Instantly Fred was by my side.
"Are you alright?" Fred asked as he put a hand on my shoulder.
"Did you see that?!" I asked astounded. He gave me a shaky laugh.
"Yeah, don't dread on it, Rose. We've still got a game to win!" He responded. I nodded and he gave me a smile before flying off. Perhaps it was my elemental that protected me, that was my most reasonable answer. I took a deep breath and rushed towards John, who had the quaffle in possession.
"MERLIN, ROSE!" I heard a voice yell, then everything went black.
FRED'S POV:
"Yeah, don't dread on it Rose. We've still got a game to win!" I told her. She nodded her head and I smiled before flying away. I managed to hit a bludger at Flint but in that moment I heard a voice yell.
"MERLIN, ROSE!" Panic was heard in their tone. I looked at Rose just as a bludger hit the back of her head. Her eyes went lime green for a moment and her lips parted, before her eyes rolled onto the back of her head and her whole body went limp. Her hair went black and then it turned to her natural red. Her lifeless body began to fall as I raced over to her. I heard Lee shout into the microphone.
"CHARLIE WEASLEY HAS THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WI— ROSE!!"
I dived forward as fast I could, but her body kept falling. Just as she was about to hit the ground, her body slowed down and I grasped her hand. My broom buckered beneath me and I lowered us both to the ground. Instantly there was Mcgonagall, Charlie, Hagrid, Dumbledore and even Percy surrounding us. I laid her on the ground.
"Hagrid take the girl to the hospital wing." Dumbledore said calmly. I glanced up and saw that even Rose's godfather, Remus Lupin, was standing around us. I figured he came to watch the game.
"Is she going to be alright?" I asked the headmaster in panic. Nobody remains calm after seeing their bestfriend fall fifty feet off the air.
"She will be just fine." Dumbledore answered. Hagrid picked Rose's body in his arms. Instantly, Lupin stretched his arms and Hagrid handed her over to him. He held her close, before he took off running towards the Hospital Wing.
———
ROSE'S POV:
"Come on, Ro, please!"
"She's not going to wake up just like that."
"But I said please!"
I heard voices around me as I began to wake up. There was a pounding in my head and my back ached slightly. The room I was in was cold and I felt myself laying on something.
"Oi! If you two don't cut it off, I'll smash your heads together so hard you'll end up in a bed just like hers!" That kinda sounded like Erin.
"Harsh Erin." Charlie!
"Can I watch if you do that?!" Lee.
"Madam Pomfrey said she would wake up today! Why isn't she waking up?" Fred.
"Mr. Weasley! If I have to keep kicking you out, i'll forbid you from coming in here for the rest of the year." I didn't quiet recognized that voice.
"Why don't you all go, i'll fetch you when she wakes up." Was that Remus? I'm almost certain it was.
"Just a few more minutes, please!" George.
I began to groan, and my eyes fluttered open. Staring down at me was Fred, George, Lee, Annie, Charlie, Erin, Oliver and for some reason, Remus.
"What's going on?" I grumbled, I was immediately wrapped in a tight hug by Fred. George and Annie following suit. The three of them stepped back so Madam Pomfrey could hover over me. She checked my head and then she stepped back and I saw Remus.
"Uncle Moony?" I said softly, he grinned and hugged me tightly.
"Rose do you remember what happened?" He asked me after he let go of the hug.
"Was it a bludger?" I asked the team. They nodded.
"How do you feel Miss Lightbourn?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Pretty good actually, considering the bludger hit me in the back of my head." I responded even though in reality I felt my head about to burst out.
"Mind you, you also fell fifty feet off the air." George joked but he received a glare from everyone else.
"Miss Lightbourn needs to rest, only Mr. Lupin is allowed to stay." Madam Pomfrey informed them. She handed me a potion and the moment the liquid touched my lips, I fell into a dreamless sleep.