Hi everyone! Thank you so much for reading this story, and I hope you enjoy the last chapter! The second book will be called Rose Weasley and the Forbidden Forest, make sure to check it out soon! Thanks so much again! -Collin

CHAPTER 23

LETTERS AGAIN

About two weeks later, Rose went down to breakfast, finally free of stress about finals. They had finished their last exam yesterday, and Rose felt okay about all of them. Since Orion had already written the exam, McGonagall moderated the test and everything went smoothly. She had written to each of their parents, but due to the heavy rainstorms, none of them had heard back yet. Rita Skeeter, however, had managed to publish an entire article theorizing what had happened simply from McGonagall's statement of "I refuse to comment for that nosy old cow's gossip column on my school." When she got to breakfast that morning, however, James waved her over to a part of the Gryffindor table where everyone in her family, excluding Lucy, sat in front of a pile of letters.

"Are they bad?" Rose asked, running to them. She had been worried about whether their parents would be angry or proud.

"Not really. Just… parents," James said, shrugging. He handed her two letters from the top of the pile. "These are both for you."

Rose opened the one in her mother's handwriting and read it to herself.

11-6-17

Dear Rose,

I can't believe what I've heard from McGonagall. I told you to focus on your studies. I wish you could all just have a normal education. God knows that mine was affected considerably by the distractions we got ourselves entangled in. I'm not saying it's not a noble cause, Rose, but you're only 11 years old. I wish you would let the professors, or at the very least older students, handle it, but I know that you won't, so let me just say be careful. Your father would like me to congratulate you—really, he's very proud of you, Rose. I can't wait for you to come home—at least I know you'll be safe. Please try to be careful, but—I'm proud of you all the same. And keep us more informed from now on—maybe it's time to get you your own owl.

Love, Mum

Rose smiled and announced, "They aren't really mad. Mum's more worried than Dad." She took the other letter and read it.

11-6-17

Rose,

OH MY GOD I WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL THAT SOUNDS SO COOL!

Muggle school is boring. Please come home soon. Lily won't play Gobstones.

Also I want to go on adventures too.

Hugo

Rose smiled and set the letter down. Suddenly, a loud commotion from the Ravenclaw table caught her and James's attention and they turned around just in time to see the red envelope raising up into the air. Molly sighed. "I knew it," she said, as Aunt Audrey's voice filled the Great Hall, silencing everyone inside.

"LUCY ELIZABETH WEASLEY, WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING? DO YOU THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE YOUR FATHER IS THE MINISTER THAT YOU CAN BREACH THE SECURITY OF HOGWARTS AT WILL? THERE'S AN INQUIRY AT WORK AND YOU'RE LUCKY THAT NO ONE GOT KILLED BECAUSE YOUR FATHER WOULD HAVE LOST HIS JOB! AND HOW DARE YOU DRAG MOLLY INTO YOUR PLANS! GOD KNOWS THIS WILL BE ON YOUR RECORD, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR AUDACITY! YOU BETTER NOT HAVE ANY PLANS FOR THIS SUMMER BECAUSE YOU ARE GROUNDED UNTIL NEXT TERM, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!" The Howler ripped itself into pieces as Lucy went bright red and the other students in the Great Hall laughed. Rose smiled and grabbed a napkin, putting a few slices of toast on it, and stood up.

"Are you going to see him again?" James moaned. "He can survive one morning."

Rose shrugged. "They only give him awful porridge in the hospital wing," she said, grabbing her bag. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

She walked down the hallway until she reached the staircase to the hospital wing, opening the door slowly. She saw that he was awake and walked in, holding up the toast. "You're a lifesaver, Weasley," Scorpius exclaimed as she handed him the food and he began to wolf it down. She looked at the sling around his arm, and noticed a letter on the side table.

"Is that from your parents?" she asked. He nodded.

"I haven't read it yet, though. It's kind of hard to open envelopes with one arm," he explained. She picked up the letter and opened it. She handed the letter to him. "Thanks," he said, and began to read it out loud.

11-6-17

Scorpius,

Your mother and I just got home when we received the letter from the headmistress. We're glad you're all right, but do try to stay out of trouble. We'll talk about next year's schooling options when you get home. It's likely you'll return to Hogwarts; your mother doesn't want you to be far away in case something like this incident happens again. You'll be staying in Slytherin house, however, and it would do you well to stop associating with your current… friends. We'll see you when you get home. Holly will be at King's Cross with a connecting ticket to Wiltshire.

Your father

"Well, that was better than I expected," Scorpius admitted. "At least I won't go to Durmstrang."

"Who's Holly?" Rose asked.

"The house elf. She'll be glad to see me, I'm the one who doesn't threaten her," he said, smiling a little. "She's not very bright, though."

"We're going home tomorrow," Rose remarked. "Isn't that strange?"

"Yeah," Scorpius said. "I'm getting released for the feast tonight, at least, so I'll see you then. You should go have fun, don't be cooped up in here with me all day," he said.

Rose smiled and said, "I'll see you tonight." She ran back to the Gryffindor table and spent her last day reading in Gryffindor tower and taking a walk with Al. When it was time for the feast, her family sat together and ate until McGonagall stood up to speak.

"As I'm sure you're aware, the House Cup has been counted, and the winner is Hufflepuff," she said, letting the table cheer while James looked around, shocked. "Despite what you may have heard, the school will not be closing. That is a horrible rumor, and will not be dignified. There is no investigation, I am not resigning, and Scorpius Malfoy is perfectly alive and well." Rose laughed a little as Scorpius stood up at the Slytherin table, clearly confused, as Devon Goyle pointed up at him, grinning. Lexa pulled him back down by his good arm and McGonagall continued. "If the graduates would please proceed to the stage." Rose watched as the seventh years were awarded their diplomas, including Victiore and Frank, and everyone cheered. Then they were all dismissed and started to go back to the dormitories for their last night in the castle. Scorpius ran up to Rose in the crowd.

"People were saying I was dead?" he asked, grinning.

"Don't get so excited, Malfoy, it was a minor rumor. You're not that famous," she scoffed, smiling in spite of herself. "I'll see you on the train tomorrow," she said.

"Okay. Good night, Weasley."

"Good night, Malfoy," she said, and ran to join Al and James.

That night in Rose's dorm, she was reading a book late at night. Min, Alana, and Ariana were long asleep, and Rose suddenly heard a whisper. "Rose?" She looked up and saw Emma Drake sitting up in the bed next to hers. Rose put her book down and turned to face her.

"Hi, Emma, what's up?" she asked. "I didn't know you were awake."

"I couldn't sleep," she admitted. "I… don't get me wrong, I'm really glad I'm a witch, I just… is it always this dangerous? I thought… I thought school was supposed to be safe."

Rose felt a lot of sympathy for Emma. She grew up in the Muggle world, where nothing was very weird or scary about school. Rose sighed. "I don't really know what it's supposed to be like," she confessed. "My parents were kind of… special cases. I think I sort of am, too. I didn't ask to be, but I guess I have to be. It sort of comes with my family. And… sometimes the magical world can be dangerous. Because just like there are good and bad Muggles, there are good and bad wizards… but I think it's worth it. Because it's just so amazing. And I think you're also lucky in a way, because you get to be in both worlds more than the rest of us. I mean, I listen to Muggle music, and I went to primary school… but it's not really the same. I think sometimes I wish I was Muggleborn, because I think I'd kind of… appreciate everything a bit more. But if you're still scared, Hogwarts is the safest wizard school there is. And you're as safe as you can be here. Just think of that when you're scared. And also remember that you have a lot of power inside of you, because you're a witch." Rose looked at Emma, who was staring at her. "Does that help? I'm not usually that great at giving advice."

"Yeah, that helps… I never thought about it like that. I'm just a little worried about my sister. I think she's a witch, too. I got a letter from my parents that said she bounced out of a window at school last month. But I feel better now, Rose. Thanks. I know we're not very close, but I really think you're a great witch."

"Thanks, Emma," Rose said, surprised, as Emma got under her covers. "Good night."

"Night, Rose."

The next day, as they boarded the train, Rose, Al, and Scorpius walked with Hagrid to Hogsmeade station. "I can't believe you three," he muttered. "You know, I thought I could relax in my old age. Never mind that. For now, you'd better get on home. You really need to come see me more. I may be old, but I can still make tea and cakes, mind you." Rose's stomach churned at the memory but she smiled at him.

"Right, Hagrid, sorry," she said. "If it makes you feel better, I'll be taking your class in third year."

"Oh, great!" he said excitedly. "I've got a sixth generation of Blast-Ended Skrewts growin' in the back I'll show ya. They're gettin' along fine, I might be able to register the species soon," he announced proudly. Whatever Blast-Ended Skrewts were, Rose wasn't sure she wanted to know. They reached the train and Hagrid handed their bags to the workers. "All right, you lot, have a good summer," he said. "Gimme a hug first." Al and Rose hugged Hagrid, while Scorpius stood back a little awkwardly. "You too, Malfoy, c'mere," he said gruffly, and Scorpius smiled a little as he joined the awkward group hug with the half-giant. The train whistle blew, and Hagrid rushed them on, waving goodbye as they looked for a compartment. Min and Alana called them over and they sat with them, watching the castle fade into the landscape.

"It's strange, going home, after all this," Alana said. "It doesn't really feel the same. But I think my brother misses me."

"Me, too," Rose said. Scorpius looked out the window, biting his lip. "Scorpius, why don't you come over sometime this summer?" He looked at her and smiled.

"I'm not sure I'll be allowed," he admitted. "But I'd like to."

"Anything from the trolley?" an old lady asked them at the compartment door.

"I blew my allowance," Al said sheepishly. Scorpius dug in his pockets and pulled out 10 Galleons.

"We'll take, ah, 10 Chocolate Frogs, 5 Cauldron Cakes, and some Bertie Bott's, please," he said, handing the money to the lady. When she left, Rose smirked.

"Must be nice to be rich," she said, smiling.

"Oh, hush, Weasley, eat your chocolate," he said, but he was smiling too as Al descended upon the pile, bickering with Min. They laughed and talked for hours as they got closer to London, and finally they reached the platform. Al raced off the train, no longer worried about admitting he missed his family. They saw James exit a compartment further down the train, laughing at his brother. They both hugged Lily when they saw her. Rose saw Roxanne at the platform, waiting for Fred, staring anxiously at the train, itching to finally get to go to Hogwarts herself. Rose smiled when she saw Hugo nearly bouncing, standing with her parents. Min and Alana left the train, too, going to their families.

She could hear Min groaning as she said, "It's the bloody French cousins again," and she giggled. She watched Amanda, Dylan and Declan go to their fathers, Emma find her parents who looked very bewildered. She could see everyone's family except for Scorpius, who was standing quietly behind her. She smiled and said, "I think I see Holly." He looked over her shoulder and saw the small house elf waving excitedly at the end of the platform. He smiled and nodded.

"That's me. See you around, Weasley," he said. He started to get off the train, and she called after him.

"Scorpius, wait," she said. He turned around in the doorway out to the platform, and she ran up to him. She hugged him, clearly surprising him, and said, "Write to me every week, okay? And don't let them get to you, please."

He hugged her back after a moment's hesitation and said, "Of course, Rose. I won't. Have a good summer." He broke away from her and waved as he got off the train and went to meet Holly. Rose got off and went to her own family.

"ROSE!" Hugo shouted, hugging her so tightly she could hardly breathe. She smiled.

"Hi, Hugo, how've you been?"

"Good, I got top marks in school," he announced proudly.

"Of course you did," she said, breaking free of her brother, and hugged her parents.

"Hi, Rosie," her dad said. "Why were you hugging Scorpius Malfoy?"

"Oh, Dad, he's my friend," she said, rolling her eyes, and her mum turned to him smugly.

"I told you," she said, and he hung his head.

"Well, back to the Burrow, then," her dad said.

"I'm driving, Ronald," her mother said sternly.

Rose laughed and left Platform 9 3/4, walking to the Ministry car next to James and Al's. She missed Hogwarts already, but she had to admit she was glad to be going home.