Escaped Again?! Never Mind...

Chapter 13 ~ Sir Nicolas' Gift

Of course, Rosa hadn't been able to come to Hogsmeade at the same time that Harry had, but, it wasn't difficult to tell that something was very wrong when he and the others returned.

Eventually, Harry told Rosa all about their true relation to Sirius Black, and his history with their parents.

She had never been more full of hatred towards a person in her life! She felt as if, the moment she laid eyes on Sirius Black, she would kill him.

The next morning's classes were some of the hardest Rosa had ever experienced. Her thoughts were always on Sirius Black.

When classes were over, Rosa gathered her things into her bag, and slung it over her shoulder. She quickly walked out of the classroom, and started heading for the common room.

"Hey, Rosa! Wait up!" Daniel called after her.

Rosa stopped and turned around to face him. Daniel had, after all, been the one who had stayed with her the night before when she was crying.

"I'm sorry, Dan." She said to him, and looked at the floor. "I'm really not myself today."

Daniel put a hand under her chin and lifted her head to look at him.

"I know you're upset, and you have every right to be." He said softly. "But there's nothing to be done about it now. Just know that we're all behind you. All your friends will always be there for you."

For the first time that day, Rosa smiled. She knew that Daniel would always be there for her.

Without realizing it, Rosa reached for her neck, and held her locket in her hand.

"I know, Dan." She said. "Thank you."

"Come on. Let's get to the common room." Said Daniel, and he put a comforting arm around Rosa as they walked towards Gryffindor tower.

Just as they turned a corner, they saw a sight that made Rosa's stomach lurch.

Draco and his body guards, appeared to be teasing a first year Gryffindor girl named Annie.

Draco, Crabbe and Goyle were tossing a book to one another, while Annie stood in the middle of them, frantically trying to get her book back.

Daniel and Rosa looked to one another. This wasn't the first time they had encountered something like this.

The first spell that came to Rosa's mind, was a hex. She was already feeling angry today, and she really wanted to take her anger out on Draco.

She then remembered a spell that she saw in a book from the library.

"Come on, you bullies! It's not funny!" Said Annie as Crabbe snatched the book from the air, out of her reach.

"Accio book!" Rosa recited as she pointed her wand towards the book.

The book flew out of Goyle's hand, and towards Rosa. Daniel reached over and caught the book with one hand.

"Come on, Annie. Let's get back to Gryffindor tower." Said Rosa. Annie walked over to Daniel and Rosa, who stood on either side of her.

"Whatever, Mates. Let's go." Rosa heard Draco say. "Next time."
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Later that night, Rosa and her friends went down to the Great Hall for supper.

All the while, Rosa kept her eye out for Sir Nicolas. She hadn't seen him since before the holidays, and she missed his friendliness.

Finally, she spotted him floating over by the Ravenclaw table. It was difficult to hear what he was saying above the ambient sound of student's voices, but Rosa heard bits and pieces.

"Hello, there!" She heard him say in his usual friendly, enthusiastic voice.

The students he was talking to, gave him an eye roll, and continued their conversation.

Rosa watched as her friend looked at the floor, and then exited the Great Hall hanging his head.

Daniel seemed to notice as well.

"Hey, I think Rosa and I will head back to the common room now." He said to everyone else.

"Yeah, let's go." Said Rosa, not looking away from the door, where Sir Nicolas had left.

She and Daniel wandered through the halls until they finally found him haunting a large window. His pale face was illuminated by the moonlight. He gazed through the glass in silence.

"Excuse me, Sir Nicolas?" Said Rosa, getting his attention.

He looked at her and Daniel for a moment before returning his attention back to the window.

"What's wrong?" Daniel asked, but the ghost stayed quiet.

"Sir, you know you can always talk to us." Rosa said softly.

Only then did Sir Nicolas finally look at her. He took an unsteady breath, and then spoke.

"The truth is... I don't know." He paused. "I suppose, seeing the way the students turn away from me... makes me feel like I don't belong... anywhere."

Daniel and Rosa looked to each other. This was hard for both of them to hear.

"I don't belong in the headless hunt... and not with the children either." He finished.

The three of them went quiet for a few long seconds, before Rosa broke the silence.

"But, Sir. Don't you see? That doesn't matter." She said.

At this, Sir Nicholas's attention was turned back to Rosa. Even Daniel looked a little taken aback.

"There will always be people who won't take you for who you are. But, that doesn't matter, because there are about one hundred times as many people who absolutely adore you." She told him.

"Don't waste your time thinking about those who don't love you. Focus on the one's who do." Daniel added.

"We love you, Sir Nicolas. And many, many other children do too! Don't change yourself to fit the needs of people who don't like who you are now."

It was now, that Sir Nicolas finally smiled slightly.

"Goodnight, Sir." Rosa said, and smiled back at him.

Daniel smiled as well, as he and Rosa began heading towards the Gryffindor common room.

After they turned the cornor, Sir Nicolas thought to himself.

"That girl really is just like her mother."