Rose Lynn

I sat down on my bed. I was expecting him to be harsh, but not that harsh. My butt still stung. Of course, I knew the Wizarding Society had absolutely no laws regarding child abuse, but it was worth praying for.

But then again, since when did I pray? I've never believed in a god, be it Christ or Buddha. Being a witch made even harder to believe in one. If I could manage to sneak out of the house, would any churches even let me come in the door? Would I be able to forget about Hogwarts, my friends, and my crazy pureblood family?

Then I heard a voice that almost made my jump, my father's. "Draco, you have no clue what it's like to be a parent! Rose Lynn is my daughter and therefore my responsibility!"

"As a Healer-In-Training it's my responsibility to make sure that anyone that is hurt by magic is properly taken care of! I promised that 'no magical injury, however small or large shall go unchecked under the watchful eyes a of Healer.' I have a job, Father! You've spent all your life wasting your inheritance instead of holding a job! At least I'm making my way in this world! At least I'm not a Death Eater! At least I'm not you!"

"Are you aware that your sister can hear every word we're saying?" he said, harshly. "She's only fifteen!"

I couldn't stand hearing any more of the father-son argument. I held my pillow over my head. "God, if you are real and if you can hear me," I whispered softly into the blanket. "Please make them stop." I began to sob. "Why did this happen to me?" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Why was I born into this psychopathic society?"

Then I gasped; the hall outside was strangely silent. I prayed that they hadn't heard what I said. I closed my eyes, expecting my door to open in a burst of my father's anger or my half-brother's concern. When nothing happened, I got off the bed and walked to my door, pulling it open.

My father seemed to have left. Draco's fake smile clearly read concern. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice shaking with uncertainty.

"I'm fine. Mind your own business."

"You know, I've sneaked out to the church a couple of times."

"Oh. Why should I care about your spiritual life, Draco? Last time I checked Christians and wizards didn't exactly get along, and you still have, and use your wand."

"It's not like I believe or anything, but they've given me support in some of my toughest times. When Father and the Dark Lord wanted me to be a Death Eater, I thought I had no place to go. The preacher was able to explain that I didn't have to follow in my father's footsteps, if what they were doing was wrong. Even if it was okay, I still don't have to do what they want me to do."

"What happened?"

"The Dark Lord actually agreed that I should get my head out the clouds before he decided if he was going to kill me or not. Now, he's probably got something else on his mind."

"Like what?"

"You."

"What?" No, I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't believe it. "Draco, is he going to something to me?" I walked back into my room and sat on the floor.

"Rosie, who are you talking about?"

"The Dark Lord. Surely he knows about me. The way Father worded it, it was like the Dark Lord was going to kill me."

"He's coming soon to ask me about my loyalty. I was going to hide out in the church. Even the Dark Lord knows better than to go in a church. He's afraid a god will turn him into ash, or something."

"Can I come with you? Please? I mean if his Royal Darkness is planing on killing me, I'd like to be somewhere safe. Speaking of which, what exactly did you tell these church people?"

"That I was training to be a nurse, that my father was a murderer that was declared innocent, and that I needed a place to stay for a few days."

"Okay, fine by me. When do we leave?"

"We can't leave. There is this clever charm on the property that makes so no one can come or go unless he says so."

"I thought you said you've sneaked out before."

"He put the charm on after you moved in. Apparently, he doesn't want you leaving."

"Great, he wants to have me killed on his own property. That's real fatherly."

"Rose don't be silly. Father really does care."

"Really, Draco. How am I suppose to believe you?"

"Well, I am your brother."

"What does that have to do with it?"

He acted like I hadn't said anything. "I was a Prefect and Head Boy. I did every thing that was expected of me--"

"Like be a jerk?"

Ignoring me once again, he said, "I was respected by most my peers--"

"They either hated your guts or were frightened of you."

Man, did this guy have anything on his mind other than him? "Even Professor Snape liked me--"

"I really do wish I inherited that trait." I wasn't joking. I couldn't seem to get more than a Poor in his class.

"Well, think about it, Rose. You better get to bed."

I stepped back into the room and stood there. "Draco?" I turned around.

"Yeah, kid?"

"Good night, big brother."

"Good night, baby sister." He moved a piece of hair away from my eyes and closed the door.