Rose Granger-Weasley and the Unleashing of Power

Chapter 10. The Next Chosen One

The rhythmic clacking of the train wheels rolling along the tracks almost lulled Rose to sleep as she stared out the window, lost in her thoughts. Beside her, Hugo was engrossed in a Muggle comic book, while Albus sat quietly, looking out at the passing countryside. Lily and James were chatting animatedly about the Quidditch game schedule for the upcoming school year. The compartment door slid open, and the trolley witch peeked in, her cart brimming with an array of tempting treats.

"Anything from the trolley, dears?" she asked with a warm smile.

The children's eyes lit up at the sight of chocolate frogs and cauldron cakes, and they all eagerly selected their snacks. After accepting their payment, the trolley witch moved on to the next compartment. 

A short while later, Rose descried a small screech owl fluttering frantically outside the window. She soon recognised the owl,  with its rufous plumage and anxious lemon yellow eyes, as Sabine - her mother's owl. Rose hurriedly slid the window open. Sabine hopped inside, dropping an envelope directly into Rose's lap before flying out once more, disappearing into the distance within a matter of seconds. Rose looked down at the envelope, noticing it was addressed to her in her mother's handwriting. 

"Hey, what's that?" Hugo asked, reaching for the envelope as soon as he noticed it.

Rose held it close, her heart racing. "It's for me," she said firmly. Suddenly, a soft, melodious voice filled the young witch's ears, startling her. The voice was not loud but had a commanding presence.

"You must be alone when reading the letter."

Rose's breath caught in her throat. The voice was hauntingly familiar, but Rose couldn't quite place it. Shaking off her unease, she addressed her brother and cousins. "Could you all please step out for a moment? This letter is private."

Hugo's brow furrowed in confusion, but he and the others stood up and filed out of the compartment with murmured questions. As the door clicked shut, Rose felt a wave of apprehension wash over her. The compartment seemed to close in around her as she opened the envelope.

The voice spoke again, more clearly this time, cutting through the eerie silence.

"In the envelope you will see a sheet of white paper, but when you colour it red or some other bright color, white writing will become visible. I know it's an old Muggle trick and not very sophisticated; but that makes it all the more difficult to guess if someone were to intercept this letter."

Rose's hands trembled as she pulled out a blank sheet of paper from the envelope. She rummaged through her trunk and eventually found a ruby red crayon - the one she had used to colour in Hermione's jumper in a portrait drawing she had gifted her mother last Christmas. Her hand moved swiftly, colouring the page with strong strokes. Rose watched with growing awe as the words began to materialise. 

"Dear Rose," the letter started, "I cannot keep this secret from you any longer. You are the child from the prophecy. Only you can save us from Garfantell. But for now, he's the one hunting you. He's looking for your wand - you can probably guess why."

Rose's eyes widened in disbelief. Her mother's words seemed impossible. She, Rose Granger-Weasley, was supposed to be the Next Chosen One? That couldn't be true. Then she remembered how her parents had hid her and Hugo's wands for eleven long years. Could it really be true?

"There was an attack," the letter continued. "Garfantell and his acolytes were searching for your wand at Flourish and Blotts because I was there for my book launch. They somehow got onto my trail. I suspect that it had to do with his appearance at the Magical Menagerie a few weeks ago. Several people were killed. Fortunately, I managed to escape. I lost some blood due to an injury but I am fine. I am now at St. Mungo's Hospital. Do not worry about me, sweetie, I'll see you the night before the school year ends, in the Monster's Chamber. Look after yourself, Mum."

Tears brimmed in Rose's eyes. She read the letter over and over again, trying to grasp the enormity of the message. Her mother was hurt, and it was her fault. Garfantell was after her, not anybody else, and now her mother was suffering because of it. The weight of the revelation bore down on her like a million tonnes. How could she be the one to save everyone? The idea seemed impossible, far beyond her capabilities.

Rose blinked back her tears and quickly folded the letter, hiding it back in the envelope. She felt immense guilt for not being able to protect her mother. But she knew she had to be strong. She had to believe in the possibility that she could make a difference. When she let her brother and cousins back into the compartment, her expression was a careful mask of composure. Despite their probing questions, she offered only vague answers. The rest of the train journey was a blur of chatter and laughter amongst her brother and cousins that Rose barely registered. As the Hogwarts Express approached Hogsmeade Station, Rose resolved to keep her head high and her mind sharp. She would face whatever challenges lay ahead with the courage her mother had always believed she had.

DISCLAIMER: The entire Harry Potter universe is the creation and property of J. K. Rowling. I make no claim to ownership.