Can we just Date: the tale of Rose Weasley

Rose and Frank

The first one was during her 2nd year. Frank Longbottom, her best friend Alice’s elder brother. Uncle Neville’s son. He should have been on non-trading grounds. But the third year seemed pretty smitten by Rose. Not that they were on talking terms before. Rose hardly knew him. He was always with friends whenever the Weasleys visited the Longbottoms.  But once she got sorted to Gryffindor, he came along with James to congratulate her and his sister.  Being Alice’s best friend meant they were often crossed paths. And then came the Halloween party where he asked Rose to go as his date. Slowly they started meeting more, during breaks, in the Great Hall, during Quidditch matches and by the New Year they became this amazing couple. Yes, James and Fred had threatened Frank that they would hex him to the next year if he did anything with their baby sister. But Frank promised to be a gentleman and he was one. Rose was alright. She loved to go for a walk around the lake with him. And to sit near him in the common room. It was all going right for the pretty girl. And then blasted the dung bombs. There is no other word for it. It was during the summer vacations. They were at Uncle Bill’s place.

“Rose, you ‘av ‘ot an owl’’, called Aunt Fleur

She ran up to the window still t find Frank’s bird Teak waiting for her. She was pleasantly surprised. Frank had written how much he misses her and can’t wait to see her again. Rose immediately borrowed a quill and parchment from Dom and sent back her reply.

The letters continued. Occasionally his letters puzzled Rose. They seemed really mushy and often contained the love word.  Now Rose wasn’t someone you would call romantic. Or mushy either. She was gentle and caring, loved her family and friends no doubt and definitely crushed on her boyfriend. But she wouldn’t ink his name in hearts or send him kisses in his letters as Frank did and expected her to. She was a straightforward person and really not someone who would be all peachy all over her guy. She tried to point it out subtlety to Frank but he seemed oblivious, stating that he can see his soul mate in her.

One day as usual Rose and Hugo were fighting over something when Teak flew in straight to Rose and impatiently clicked its beak. Rose took the letter tied around its leg and the owl took of immediately without waiting for its usual bite of owl-treat. A bit surprised, Rose took the letter and ran off to her room.

Frank had written:-

Darling (Hm...Why can’t he call me Rose? Or Rosie)

you know I love you right. (Sigh, love is too big a word!)

Um...what I wanted to write is that I miss you so much (me too, I do!). A wonderful idea came to me last night. After we pass out from Hogwarts, we should get married. Alice and Lily could be the bridesmaids. Nathan will be my best man. Oh our parents would be so happy. Tell me what you think. I know you will be really happy reading this. I couldn’t wait to send it to you.

PS-I actually woke up Teak early in the morning for this. He is still sulking. I bet!

Love,

Frank

“Bloody hell!’. ‘

“When did so much happen”

Now, it was not that Rose was playing with Frank’s feelings. But marriage? She is in her 3rd year for God’s sake. People don’t consider getting married at her age. They crush upon others, gets teased by friends and think they are the luckiest when they go out together. Not even Teddy proposed Vicky for marriage before they both got into Auror training and they have been going out since Teddy was in his fifth year. And Vicky in her fourth. Maybe Frank was just joking.

“Alice. I need to talk to you. Come over to my place. ALONE”

Rose sent the note with Pig. And after long 10 minutes she heard Alice coming through the floo. After a quick hello to Hermione she went upstairs to Rose’s room.

“Let it out Rosie”

In turn, Rose handed her Frank’s letter.

Well, they are best friends. Alice is Frank’s sister afterwards. That’s how both Rose and Alice thinks.

Alice went red on reading the letter. It explains why Frank spent most of the times in his room with Rosie’s photo. Alice had even confronted him once, saying that he should be going out and just have fun as a normal 4th year instead of brooding over distant future. Frank accused her of trying to break up his and her best friend’s relationship. She had smartly told him that she knew her best friend and what she likes and dislikes better than him and ran away leaving him stunned.

“Err...Alice? You ok?”

“Oh Rosie, I’m so sorry! I tried to reason with that oaf of a brother of mine. I think the nargles got him.”

“I know he is your brother but I think-

Alice cut her out.

“You remember our pact when you two got together?”

They both sang together

“Boys are whatever

Friends are forever!!”

“Ok. So let’s think of something”

“Alice, I know it’s rude but I cannot take this anymore. The longer this relation goes on the more I’ll end up hurting him”

“Only if he would understand that we want to live in the present, not planning marriages and kids and all oldie stuffs”- sighed Alice

Then she perked up. “Lets take you out of this and years later you can thank me”

“You are the best Alice!”

So two weeks later Frank received a letter from Rose. He took it out immediately and began to read.

“Dear Frank.

Hi. You doing well? I know you are.

So see, I got your letter, and your three letters after it with the same words and more planning’s. I appreciate all that, I do. But Frank, this is not possible.  Planning the future so soon, is just something I cannot do.  I think we should quit seeing each other. I’m sorry.

And please “don’t die if you don’t get me”. Trust me, there will be lot of other girls who will happily plan your marriage and maybe even make list of names for your kids. But not me.

Rose”

That September 1st, Rose and Alice steered clear ahead of Frank and his friends. In fact Frank came to their compartment in lieu of prefect duties but the Wotters (Potters and Weasleys) were ready for him as Rose had already filled them in, not about the details but that she and Frank were no more together. The boys seemed really happy about it. At least they won’t have to fear for little Rosie’s honor. That was exactly what James said. Word for word. The others couldn’t agree more.

Rose was a bit sad. After all he was her 1st boyfriend. Her 1st kiss. But with Alice in her side, she began to see the fun part of being single. Well, no more relation stuff for some time. Just see and hit on boys. That’s it!