Rose Woman

Chapter 1

September first had always been a time for me to rejoice- I was finally able to go home to Hogwarts and away from my father. This year, however, it was much different.

This year I was nervous, incredibly so, actually. My brother, Barty, had tried to reassure me that everyone had forgotten about last year's 'incident', but I wasn't so sure. The Daily Prophet had even written an article about it, much to my chagrin.

"Top Ministry Official Publically Battles Estranged Son for Custody of Youngest Daughter," The article had said. That was the only story they published, luckily. Most likely, my father stepped in to make sure his reputation wasn't completely slandered. One thing I knew though, was that witches and wizards loved gossip- I doubted they had forgotten the near match my brother and father had gotten into when I announced on the platform that I would be going home with Barty and not him and my mother.

Standing on the platform, I could tell I was correct. Quite a few parents and a slightly smaller amount of students kept sending me furtive glances. My brother's presence must have finally answered their question, "Did she really abandon her father for her brother?"

After an awkward few minutes, I finally spotted Emilia MacMillan and her brother, Thomas. They had already seen me and were making their way over to where we were standing. Emilia was my best and oldest friend at Hogwarts. We had become close first year when our other two Hufflepuff dorm mates, Penelope Ramos and Mary MacDonald, made it clear they planned to keep to themselves.

Emilia was a Hufflepuff through and through: kind, loyal, and hardworking. I sometimes joked that it was out of sheer stubbornness that she remained my friend- never willing to give up on her crusade to make me sociable. But in all honesty, it was because she had the biggest heart of anyone I knew. There were two people in this world that I without a doubt could not live without- her and my brother, Barty.

As of recent, though, I had been a shit friend. I hadn't seen her since school let out for summer and I had actively ignored almost all of her owls. I had only written once and it was to say I needed space and time to myself. Which was true, but it didn't mean I wasn't a shit friend for ignoring her attempts to help.

Outside of my brother and I, she was the only one who really knew the toll my relationship with my father took on me- not only how I hated him but how I mourned the idea of a healthy father-daughter relationship. She was only trying to help me- but in return I had not given her much.

I waved at her, my smile expanding, "Em! It's so good to see you!" She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly, "I missed you so much, love. I'm so glad to have you back."

"I know, I'm really sorry Em. I promise I won't do it again, I just needed time."

She smiled sadly, "I know, Rani, I understand," brightening up, she continued, "Anyways, are you ready? We should get going before all of the seats get taken up."

I nodded and turned to say goodbye to my brother.

"Write every week, okay Rania? I'm serious. And if you ever need anything, you know where to find me."

I leaned in and hugged him tightly. More than anything this semester, I would miss his hugs- they always had a knack of making me feel better.

"I know Barty, thank you."

And with that, Emilia and I boarded the Hogwarts Express, officially starting our seventh and final year at Hogwarts.