The Eternal Rose (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

The Dursleys

7 years had passed since the night our parents died, and Harry had grown to become my protecter against the Dursleys. 

Petunia hated me, with my vibrant red hair and piercing green eyes, I was the spitting image of my mother. 

Each day, Harry and I got up and immediately started getting breakfast ready.  Fried eggs, bacon, and bread with a light layer of butter was the norm for the Dursley's daily breakfast.  Harry and I got nothing but leftover scraps from every meal.

"Isn't breakfast ready yet?" Aunt Petunia's shrill voice pierced my ears, "My Duddy-kins is hungry!"

I inwardly scoffed, our cousin Dudley was a rude and overweight boy who enjoyed bullying others far too much.  I couldn't even begin to list how many times he had got together with his little gang of friends and played "Potter Hunting".

I had at one time wondered why the name had changed.  From what I remember, Dudley used to go "Harry hunting".  I came to the conclusion that since there were two of us, "Harry", became "Potter".

Dudley stormed into the dining room with a bang, startled, I dropped the plate I had been holding moments before.  It shattered against the ground and I stared at it horrified, it had been Dudley's favourite plate! 

A furious fire ignited in Aunt Petunia's eyes.  "Vernon!" She shrieked, "The freak has gone and done it! My Duddy-kin's favourite plate's been smashed by her!"

"What?!" Uncle Vernon thundered over, I could sense that this time, his anger couldn't be quelled by grovelling. 

He raised his hand and slapped me.  White light exploded across my vision as my head slammed against the kitchen counter, I felt blood drip out of my mouth as I bit my tongue.

"Rose!" Harry cried out, "Stop it, she didn't mean it!"

Tears streamed down my face, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dudley smirk, he seemed to be ever so enjoying the fact that I was in pain.  Over the countless times I had been subjected to beatings, his reaction never changed.

From what I remember, the Dursleys where never so abusive in the original Harry Potter series.

I figured that since I was an abnormality in this world, my presence had changed things.

Hearing Harry's defiant words, Uncle Vernon's anger alleviated, as I saw him raising his hand to hit me again, I flinched. 

The hit never came. 

I opened my eyes to see Harry in front of me, his hand reaching out, Uncle Vernon seemed unable to move, I realized that subconsciously, Harry had performed a bought of accidental magic.

Aunt Petunia glared at us with frightened eyes, "G-get out!" She shrieked, you shan't come back till tomorrow and you won't be having breakfast either!" 

She was deadly serious, but Harry and I contently accepted it.  A night without the Dursleys seemed too good to be true.

Harry grabbed my hand and led my out of the house.  When we stopped running, we were out of breath and panting, it was obvious that we were in bad shape. 

The first time I looked into a mirror, I was shocked by how gaunt and skinny Harry and I had become, numerous years of malnourishment had weakened our scar littered bodies. 

We found ourselves in the park a few blocks down.  Laying down on the grass, we gazed into the sky, wishing that we too, could fly as freely as the birds did. 

We knew we were chained to the ground, but it never hurt to hope for more in life.  Glancing at each other, we shared a secret glance. 

"H-Harry," I stuttered, "promise that you'll always be with me."

"Of course I will Rose," Harry replied, smiling confidently at me.  "Your my little sister, I could never abandon you!"

I puffed out my cheeks in annoyance, "I'm only younger than you by 7 minutes," I huffed, but I smiled as we linked hands, with Harry, I would always have a place to call home.