18. Pack / Struggle

Seeing Deathly Hallows has made me full of joy for future happenings in the Potter universe, SO MORE FANFIC! This one is short and sweet.

18. Pack / Struggle

Leaving for school minus two hours.

“Have you packed yet?” Mum yelled from downstairs.

“Almost finished!” I shouted back down, “I'm just going through what I need!”

“How long is this going to take you? You've been writing and packing for three days!”

“I'm not ready! Give me another hour!”

I went back to scribbling down everything I needed.

“One hour! But that's all you get – after that I want your trunk in the car and the car locked! And don't forget your toothbrush!”

“Yes Mum.”

I turned back to the bed, striking items off my list.

Did I need to take more than four pairs of shoes with me? No, I didn't. Really.

But what about that jumper Aunt Ginny had given me for my birthday? It was very pretty. Yes. I put it on the bed with the other tops. Maybe someone would take me to Hogsmeade and I would get a chance to wear it.

I had laid everything out on the bed and was double checking my books when Dad walked in.

“Hey, Rose. What is all that?”

“It's the stuff I'm taking with me.”

“Wow. No wonder you're struggling.” A moment of silence as he took in the clothes neatly folded on my bed, the mountain of books and the collection of other things that was spilling onto my desk.

“Yeah.”

“Are you sure you need all of this?” He asked, picking up a pair of small, sparkly heels – the only ones Mum had allowed me to buy.

“Of course! What if they let us have a Ball this year?”

“Hmm.”

I could tell Dad didn't approve but didn't want to spoil anything for me.

“Maybe. And the books? Hogwarts has a pretty massive library, you know.”

“I know. These are fun reading, not school reading.”

Dad picked up a book that announced 'Magical Creatures, Human hearts?' with a raised eyebrow.

“Fun reading. Sometimes you're just like your mother.”

That was true.

“Is this everything?”

I scrutinised the bed, “Yep. I think I have everything I need.”

“And then some.” He mumbled under his breath.

“Dad!”

He gave me a hug, “I just can't believe my little girl is in her Fifth Year already. Where did my baby go?”

“She's all grown up, Dad.”

“That she is.” He squeezed me harder then let me go, “Hey. How about I pack this for you. Your mother never needs to know.”

I grinned – Dad didn't use magic as often as Mum did, “I'd like that.”

“Alright. Stand back, this may not be pretty.”

I stood back.

He rolled up his sleeves, pulled out his wand, pointed it at my bed and mumbled something.

All the things on my bed folded up smaller, miniaturised and flew into the trunk.

“Thanks, Dad!”

“I would wait half an hour before you come down with the trunk, otherwise your mother will get suspicious.”

“Ron?”

“Speaking of whom... Yes, love?”

“Have you seen Hugo?”

“He's in the garden!”

Just another day in the Weasley house.

I sat on my bed with a copy of my favourite book. This was going to be a great year.