The Devil You Know | Wizarding World

chapter ten | actions speak louder than words

Overthinking seemed to become a habit for Rosie, one that she had a hard time breaking as the Scotland air started to get more cold and bitter. She wondered if that was some sort of omen after eavesdropping on Harry's conversation with Ron, Hermone, and Sirius Black just a couple of weeks ago. If so, then it meant something bad was to come, something that would involve You-Know-Who, which no one was prepared for.

A part of Rosie wanted to confront Harry about what she heard, though she knew that this would expose her for spying on him, even though she didn't mean to. Still, she was curious as to what exactly they had in mind in terms of finding ways to defend themselves if Umbrige wouldn't teach them anything. Whatever they were up to, it was all Rosie had on her mind, and she was having a hard time keeping it to herself, knowing that she couldn't talk to her friends about it.

But one afternoon, after classes were over for the day, she decided to talk to Harry. She had to say something or else she'd regret not doing so later on.

Rosie was able to find Harry in the library, sitting in between Ron and Hermione at a table in the back. While she hated to interrupt whatever conversation they were having, she couldn't put this off. Taking a deep breath, she headed towards their table, trying to keep her head up high in order to hide how nervous she was. She stood in front of the trio, clearing her throat, which caused them to look up at her.

"Can we help you?" Harry spoke up, his tone almost coming across as annoyed.

"We need to talk," she replied, her voice somewhat shaky. "It's, uh, kind of important."

Harry looked at the other two with some confusion, then he focused his attention on Rosie again and reluctantly nodded his head. "Okay. What is it?"

She took a moment to gather her thoughts, hoping the words she was about to say were the right ones. "I...I may have overheard you three talking to Sirius Black the other night in the common room."

"You what?" Ron furrowed his eyebrows, leaning against the table.

"Ron," Hermione protested, shooting a warning look his way.

"What exactly did you hear?" Harry questioned, sounding more curious than angry at the moment.

Rosie quickly sat down across from them, getting more nervous as she adjusted in her seat. "I heard you guys..." She paused and turned to make sure no one was listening in on the conversation before continuing. "I heard you guys talking about...well, about You-Know-Who's return." She paused again, taking a deep breath. "I also overheard you guys talking about finding someone who'll be able to teach us how to defend ourselves."

"And why should we tell you anything?" Ron snapped. "After all, your friends are nothing but no-good Slytherins just waiting for their Death Eater initiation."

"Ron!" Hermione repeated in a more aggressive manner this time around, her eyes wide.

"What? I'm sure she's already told them what she's heard, having her be their little spy..."

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Rosie blurted out. "I was having a hard time sleeping, so I was heading down to the common room when I heard you guys." She glanced down at the table with her fidgeting hands in front of her. "I haven't told them, or anyone for that matter, about this." Sighing, her face fell as she stopped talking for a moment. "Listen, I believe you about You-Know-Who being back, and if you guys have ideas on what we can do about defending ourselves, then I want to be a part of it." Another pause, the anxious feeling slowly becoming desperation. "I want to help. I want to do my part in doing some good with everything that's going on. I want to make a difference."

Harry's expression remained unchanged as a moment of silence fell over the four. It only confused Rosie as to whether or not he and the other two were convinced by her words. Of course, she meant what she said, but her actions would have to speak louder, and she was ready to prove herself and to her fellow Gryffindors just that.