Closed It's a kind of magic

[Rosemarie Chatwin]

The garden behind her house was the most magical place there was for Rosemarie. She and her mother had spend weeks, months even years to make sure that everything stayed happy and healthy. The lilies were blooming and here and there other colorful flowers were carefully opening to the sunlight. Rosemarie looked around and felt at home. Seeing something go from a simple thing as a seed to a full blown flower was something magical. Two weeks ago Rose had started on a vegetable garden. In a couple of neat lines she had sown lettuce, spinach, carrots and turnips. Normally she was more into flowers, but everything that grew had her interest.

Most of the vegetables were doing pretty great, but the carrots were definitely in need of some extra love. Everything else had grown according to curve. Rose sat down next to the carrots and infused their earth with pellets. They were supposed to give the carrots extra vitamins to stimulate their growth. Her parents were away with her sister and her cousin Elly was reading some books in the living room. Rosemarie liked Elly, but Rose knew she wasn't that bad into plants. The plants didn't like the cigarettes her dad smoked. Rosemarie made a mental note to give the plants some extra water tonight. Watering when it was so sunny out, was a stupid idea and would only make matters worse.

Rosemarie walked back to shed to grab her rake. Weeds had been growing all over the place and she was definitely in for a battle today. When she returned to attack the weeds she spotted a rose bush that wasn't growing properly. The work in her garden was never done and having the concentration of a goldfish didn't really help with matters. '"Come on, little one'' Misty whispered to the small rose bush that was already browning at the tips of the leaves. As soon as she spoke to the rose bush something weird happened. The browning leaves turned a vibrant green and what once was the littlest of bushes now was growing in size. Sprouting a new rose here and there. Rose was completely shocked. This wasn't supposed to happen, she had overworked herself and was dreaming. Rose's mouth fell open and she started in shock at her bush. ''What is happening, is this even real'' Rose rubbed her eyes and hoped everything would turn back to normal, but it happened. The rosebush almost reached the first floor of her house and the roses were way too big to be even considered somewhat normal. Rosemarie was in complete shock, she walked back to shed and decided to lock herself in. She had no clue what had happened, but it there was definitely something fishy at work here. Rose sat down on the ground and grabbed her knees, softly rocking herself to make her calm down.

 

[Eros Lee]

There another one. Eros could sense it before the case was even given to him, it's like a special gift he developed overtime working in the ministry. Or, it could probably be just that he was paying a little too much attention on the files that kept appearing every second in the department of improper use of magic. "I'll take this one," the young wizard grabs the very top folder, the name Rosemarie Chatwin was written in cursive writing on the middle of the file. A muggleborn, neither parents possessed magic. He read in the file that there was someone in the family that was a halfblood. Strange, he thought. If there's already one in the family that possessed magic, why wouldn't they be on the alert for another? Unless. Eros closed the manila folder. Unless they kept it a secret? That's probable, not all are genuinely welcome to having a witch or wizard in their family. He's yet to have a case such as this one, but he's heard plenty from his colleagues to make it easy for him to come up with a quick assumption.

Eros departed from the office, apparating nearby the Chatwin's home in a secluded area. The smart thing to do when meeting with muggles was to send a letter ahead of his visit, which was already done on the department's behalf. If they're startled by his appearance, he can quickly refer them to the letter. Eros approaches the Chatwin's front door, ringing their doorbell. He took a step back to really take a good look at his surroundings. If this visit was to go sour, was to go sideways he had to be prepared to hightail it out of there without a second thought. It's best he assessed all his options in case something goes bad, just in case, Eros planned ahead.

 

[Elizabeth Chatwin]

Elizabeth was inside reading up on some of the recent news that had happened in the Wizarding community. She was alone in the living room of her uncle and aunt anyway. Rosemarie her cousin was outside and she knew that Rose wouldn't come in for another hour or two. Her aunt and uncle didn't know anything about the wizarding world or that she was a witch. There was no reason to chance there little muggle lives anyway.

Elly had been asked to baby sit Rosemarie and Elly accepted immediately. She loved seeing her cousin and their garden always looked magical. Elly walked to the back and looked at the garden it looked like Rosemarie was working on the carrots. With a broad smile Elly decided to walk back to the kitchen to make some lemonade for her. Elizabeth barely ever used magic for house hold chores, so she just did everything the muggle way.

Elly held the trey of lemonade and cookies and walked to back of the house. When she was almost at the backdoor she spotted a rosebush that was now covering the full window. Which definitely wasn't there eight minutes ago. She hadn't done anything herself, even if it was a simple spell. Elly had her had magic under control and she would never use magic with muggles around. Either something had happened or it was Rosemarie. Rosemarie was in for one hell of ride if that would be the case.

Mid thought she was sure she heard the front doorbell. Setting down the trey of cookies and lemonade she walked up to the door and carefully opened it. Elly didn't recognize the man, but maybe her uncle and aunt had expected him and they just forgot about it. ''Eh, can I help you with anything? '' Elly said while still standing in the door opening.

 

[Eros Lee]

Eros cleared his throat, standing tall when the someone answered the door. A young someone, someone that looked vaguely familiar stood before him. "Good day, I'm Eros Lee and I'm on official business to speak someone about a Rosemarie Chatwin," he says while his mind was trying to pinpoint where in his memories he saw this young woman before. It had to be Hogwarts, she doesn't look like someone he would recognize at the ministry. However, the ministry is quite actually big, it's hard to keep tabs on everyone when everyone is always rushing to get somewhere. There is really not that many opportunities to socialize with those outside of the department.

"There was a letter sent to this resident about an hour ago, the use of underage magic happened at this residency," Eros said this very cautious, though getting straight to the point. If she was magic or not, he'll have to explain himself anyways. "The letter should explain my presents here. If you're having a hard time understanding, please don't hesitate to ask or voice any concerns."

 

[Elizabeth Chatwin]

The explanation Eros gave sounded solid. She knew there was a department at the ministry that focused on underage magic users and exposing magic to muggles. When Eros explained he was here for Rosemarie she knew enough. It was Rosemarie who had made the bush explode in size. ''I am Elizabeth Chatwin, Rosemarie is my cousin. '' Elly smiled ''Shes in the backyard working on her garden'' Elly hadn't even heard the letter come in through the mailbox. She was so busy with reading and making lemonade she hadn't even bothered to check the mail. Nor was it something she was supposed to do, it wasn't her house anyway.

''Rosemarie's parents are away for the full day, but I can take you to her.'' Elly beckoned Eros to follow her outside to the garden were Rosemarie was supposed to be. Rosemarie her tools and seed packets were still there, but no Rose in sight. Elly glanced at the shed and wondered if she was in there. ''I think she locked herself in the shed'' Elly mused ''Shes probably scared, doing magic without knowing you did it or how you did it must be frightening'' Elly knocked on the sheds door and hoped Rose would come out. '"Rose are you in there?'' Elly asked calmly and hoped that Rosemarie would come out.

 

[Rosemarie Chatwin]

Tears were clouding up Rose's eyes. She had been trying to forget the rosebush incident and at the same time trying to find a way to explain it. Maybe she could get Elly and maybe Elizabeth had an explanation, she always seemed so smart and knew a solution to about everything. Not wanting to bother her Rose curled out of her fetal position and started to pace up and down the little shed.

What was the next step, how could she explain this and what had even happened. Rosemarie was frightened and scared. A sound pulled her out of her string of thoughts. Someone knocked on the wooden door of the shed. Rosemarie knew it was probably Elizabeth. Then she heard the voice and took that as an confirmation and thus she unlocked the door. She couldn't stay locked into the shed forever. There was no food source nor any place to shower or sleep. As soon as she opened the door she stared at the man that was with her cousin. ''Elly? Who is that man?'' Rose said with a shaky voice and teary eyes.

 

[Eros Lee]

Eros pulled out identification from his front pocket to reassure the young woman he is who he stated he is. That granted him access and a name from the young woman. She was mentioned in the file he carries, and it put a name to the face he remembers from the past. It had to be Hogwarts, that's where he would most likely recognize her from. And not just that, they were in the same house at Hogwarts. He is semi certain he was following a former housemate to a garden located in the back of a house.

"Bummer, do you have any idea when they will be back?" Eros had to speak to the parents, for the time being Elizabeth will have to do. Eros nodded, he would think it would be frighten to most who first show signs of magic. This wasn't only a muggleborn fear. Eros smiles calmly, waving ever so friendly at the small girl. "I'm Eros," he responded softly and welcoming. "Eros Lee, and I came because I was inform someone performed magic here. Was that you? It's okay if it was you, would you like to talk to me about it?"

 

[Elizabeth Chatwin]

Elly was pretty sure what was happening and although she was happy for Rosemarie she also knew what kind of shock her parents were going to be in. Hearing that your daughter could do magic was something else. Magic wasn't something that sounded like logic for the muggle brain. So it took a lot of time to convince everything was real and true. ''They said they would be back in the evening so I guess around ten'' Elly told the ministry worker. Ten could also become eleven and even later. Lynn Rose's sister was used to staying up late.

Rosemarie had opened the shed in the meanwhile and her face said it all. Her eyes were red from crying and she looked so fragile. Elly was already glad they didn't send a big burly guy that would probably scare of Rose some more. She was a though kid and Elly hoped she could transition into this new life without much of a hassle. ''He can be trusted, he just wants to talk to you'' Elly looked at Eros and hoped he would take the lead now, she wasn't trained to tell a muggle that she was magical and was going to be trained at a Magical School.

 

[Rosemarie Chatwin]

Rosemarie believed her cousin when she told her that the person with her could be trusted. His smile seemed genuine and that eased Rose's feelings a bit. The person introduced himself as Eros. ''I am Rosemarie'' She said with a soft voice. It just seemed like the right thing to do. She had no clue what was going on, but maybe Eros had some answers. With one glance she looked at the rosebush, which was still gigantic.

Rose tried to listen to Eros, but his questions were definitely on the weirder side. He apparently came here because there had been magic around. Rose had to hold her laugh, it sounded absolutely ridiculous. At school there was a boy that did magic. He could make coins appear from everywhere and he had also showed her how to made a handkerchief disappear. ''I didn't preform any magic tricks, I suck at them.'' Rosemarie mused her fear started disappearing as snow before the sun. Maybe it had been the fertilizer or her lovely voice that had made the bush grow, that had probably been it. ''If you want to know someone who can do magic, ask Eric from my class. I have seen him making doves disappear and pulling bunnies from hats.'' Rose was pretty impressed by Eric. She loved seeing what new things he had learned over the weekend.

 

[Eros Lee]

Eros reach into his coat pocket, pulling out a small writing pad he carried around and a muggle pen. It would be easier for him to wave a wand and let magic transcribe his visits for him. It would be if he weren't dealing with a child, a muggleborn at that. Eros clicked on his pen and started jotting down notes he felt that was important to assess them later. "Are you always with the child, then? I'll leave a note and hopefully the letter will get to them. Be sure that it does," he smiles over at Elly, and eventually Rosemarie. "Do you mind if we walk around the garden or perhaps sit somewhere?"

When they made up their mind, Eros follows right behind them. He grins hearing Rosemarie tell a story about a boy named Eric. It's adorable and amusing how little ones aren't fully aware of the kind of power they possess. As precious they can be, there are those who weren't so much like Rosemarie. Those who come to realize with their new reality when their power starts to show, well, let's just say it wasn't always a pleasant situation. "Eric sounds like a fun lad. Are you good friends with him?"

 

[Elizabeth Chatwin]

Elly babysat her cousin every time her parents were away. Which wasn't often, usually they took Rose with them. Normally she would babysit both sisters, but Lynn needed new furniture for her new bedroom so she was away with her parents. ''Well, not always but I am her regular babysitter'' Elly grabbed the note Eros wrote and she was already pretty sure of its contents ''I am staying till they get home anyway, I know how important this is, ill make sure that they read it and understand it.'' Elly said while she put the note in her jeans pocket.

Then it was time for Eros and Rose to be alone. She knew Rose was looking at her for permission. ''It's okay Rose, Ill be inside.. If something happens yell, but I think you are quiet safe.'' Elly smiled broadly and walked back inside. She made sure to give them their moment. She decided to go sit in the kitchen, made herself a coffee and grabbed the daily prophet she had been reading.

 

[Rosemarie Chatwin]

Rosemarie still had no clue why Eros was here at her house, but it definitely seemed important enough. She was also sure that Elizabeth wasn't saying everything she knew about this man and his intentions. When Eros asked if they could sit somewhere or walk in the garden Rose looked at Elly. She didn't even have to say thing, because Elizabeth responded immediately. Elizabeth left and now Eros and Rose were alone. Elly was right about feeling safe, her fear had faded and had swapped out for something else it was curiosity. Eros asked if Rosemarie was friends with Eric. 'We aren't very good friends, but he is my friend, he kind of tries to get your money'' Rose mused ''Half of the time he tells me the magic trick didn't work and that the coin is lost forever, but I know he just keeps them to buy candy in our lunch break,'' It was pretty easy to notice that he was lying. His right eye would twitch and that was his telltale. Rose smiled ''Are you a magician like Eric? Is that why you asked about me knowing any magic tricks'' Rose asked, she was curious. This couldn't be about making rabbits appear from hats right. Magicians weren't actually cool or useful for anything, it was just a form of entertainment.

 

[Eros Lee]

"Excellent," Eros tells Elly, having confidence in her to deliver the message. It wasn't necessary that she left Rose alone with him, in fact he welcomes the older cousin to stay. Nevertheless, she had his information if she so which to complain to his superiors. Eros chuckles the more he heard about Eric. He sounded like the kids at the community center close to where he lives. Too many of them were too smart for their own good and often times find themselves in trouble with the director at the program. Eric definitely would be under the director's radar from the way Rose describe the boy. "Something like that, I'm actually a wizard. And from what I found out from this morning I believe you're one too. Except, you're a witch," Eros pause then looks on over to the rosebush. "Wow, is that your rosebush? It's quite big, isn't it?" Eros remarks, trying to ease her into truth without scaring her off too much. There is always a level to go about this, and with every case it was different for everyone he would get. He's taking his time, gauging for a reaction to what he communicated to her.

 

[Rosemarie Chatwin]

When Eros called himself a wizard and Rose a witch, Rosemarie giggled. This guy was definitely close to being admitted to a mental hospital. Rosemarie wondered and she felt sorry for the guy. Maybe this was some kind of test and Elizabeth was in on it. When Eros looked over at her abomination of a rosebush, Rose knew something was happening. Magic just didn't logical and couldn't magic tricks always be explained by some logical reasoning. Like having a fake thumb or a quick slide of hand.

Rosemarie couldn't think of something reasonable of what the explanation of the rosebush was. So she sighed and decided to take the mentally insane man up onto his story. ''So lets say theoretically that you are a Wizard and I am a Witch'' Rosemarie mused ''Why haven't I heard that they existed before this day?'' Rose paused ''I mean if it all was real, there was no way it could be contained easily right'' His story just seemed to unreal and impossible. Magic was for fairy tales and campfire stories.

 

[Eros Lee]

Eros found her laugh to be adorable. Kids were so innocent in some ways, and some ways they were too smart for their own good. Like the director at the community center would put it. Which Eros sometimes wish to say they're just observant and mindful of the world around them. They always are. "Theoretically?" Eros smiles, thinking of a coherent response. "You probably have, in books and fairy tales. I'm sure of it, only you were given an outside version of who we are, never a realistic point of view."

Eros pause by the giant rosebush, he gave it a good look from top to bottom. Reaching from within his coat, Eros flick his wand right at the bush. He used a spell to decrease the plant in size right before her eyes. "There we go. We don't want to alarm your neighbors. So, where were we?"

 

[Rosemarie Chatwin]

Eros still seemed serious and he even gave a reasonable explanation to her questions. The real realisation came when the grabbed something from his coat. It seemed like a long round piece of wood. Suddenly Rose realised it was a wand. With a flick her rosebush seemed to shrink and now it was back to a more normal shape. Eros seemed to act like nothing had happened or that he shrunk rosebushes every day. For Rosemarie this definitely wasn’t normal, but this day wasn’t normal anymore. The fact that the rosebush decided to grow in the first place made her day abnormal.

For a second Rosemarie opted to blame Elly for the rosebush, but she just couldn’t. Somewhere inside she knew it was her, but she had no clue how it had happened. Rose was silent for a good minute and looked at Eros. ‘’So, let’s say theocratically say I made the rosebush grow, what now?’’ Rose muttered she didn’t want to get executed for being a witch. She had heard about Salem in her history lessons. ‘’Do I need to go into hiding, are they coming to execute me?’’ Her voice sounded shacky, she was scared. ‘’What about you Eros, are you save now you used magic?’’ Rose didn’t want anything happening to Eros either and it was probably a good thing that Elly was inside. Learning that magic was real wasn’t something that you took lightly.

 

[Eros Lee]

The ministry official was expecting a different reaction from the girl. She responded but then she was right back to acting hypothetical, as if Eros did not know she cause the rosebush to grow in the first place. "Is there something you want to confess to? Don't worry, you won't get in trouble. I promise you that," Eros raise a hand up and pressed it over his heart. As if to swear on it, which he did and like to believe he was a man of his word. She answered his question, sounding fearful in her response. Eros shook his head, "Nothing is going to happen to you, no one is going into hiding," he hopes to calm her down by informing her. "I won't let that happen, I promise you. Alright? Everything will start to make sense as you learn more and more about our world."

Eros turn towards the house, it would be easier if Elly, the girl's cousin was out here explaining their world along with him. He looks back to Rose then pointed to the house. "Maybe we should speak to your cousin, Elly. Maybe she knows a thing or two what I'm talking about. It doesn't hurt to ask."

 

[Rosemarie Chatwin]

Rosemarie's feelings eased and she felt somewhat safe around Eros. The reason why she never heard about witches and wizards before was probably because they had their own world. Eros said so himself. She had never wanted to be special or witch or wizard. Rosemarie wanted to be botanist later, to invent new plant species. ''Well, If I did make the rosebush grow, I have no clue how I did it.'' Rose muttered, she finally came somewhat clean and real. ''It was a small one that wasn't doing very well and I kinda just hoped that it would grow.'' Rose looked at the rosebush that was now back to a normal size. ''I talked to it and then suddenly it just grew out of proportions'' That was the full truth, even it was magic was Eros seemed to tell her there was no way she could do it again. Although she never had the desire to be a witch, she was curious about it. ''Do you wizards have like a separate world to ours or is it just well hidden?'' Rose was already imagining some parallel universe that the wizards traveled to learn about magic.

Eros seemed eager to go back inside to Elly, which Rose found odd. Why did Elly have to know about magic, it was her secret now. Rose gave a quick nod and walked to the house.

 

[Elizabeth Chatwin]

Elizabeth had secretly been listening to their conversation. Magic had its perks and Elly knew how to use it. The conversation didn't went as Elly had expected it to go. When Elly learned about magic she was excited and eager to learn everything about it, Rose seemed to care a lot less. Maybe that was because Rosemarie always wanted to be a botanist and becoming a witch would throw some sand in her plan. Elly smiled and put down her newspaper. Nothing overly excited had happened and the conversation in the garden was way more interesting anyway. When she heard Eros saying her name, she knew it was time to come clean and tell Rosemarie about being a witch and having an aunt that is also very witchy. Elly hid her wand and the daily prophet and held open the door for the two. Seeing a moving picture newspaper was maybe too much added excitement for today.

 

[Eros Lee]

Eros chuckles lightly, not trying to overwhelm the girl with too much information. "That's why I'm here, to get in under control, yeah? I wouldn't be doing my job right if I didn't help you with that portion," which is mainly him looking after the young girl until she enters Hogwarts. The case wouldn't be long, she'll be starting soon in the upcoming school year. "You could say a little bit of both," he responded to her question as he escorted her back to the house. This will be so much easier for the young girl if she come to know the truth about Elizabeth, then it may not be so hard for Rose to transition into her new life. "Hi again, Elizabeth. Would you mind telling your cousin the truth? I think it may benefit her if you did."

 

[Elizabeth Chatwin]

Now it was Elly’s time to come clean to her cousin. It felt like she had kept a secret from Rose for such a long time. Which was technically true, but then again Elly never imagined her cousin being magical. She was always so mundane, busy with her garden and all the plants. Sometimes a tad bit weird, but she had her future planned. Now everything was going to chance and her cousin was going to be some lying traitor. Elly shrugged and decided so couldn't put it of for much longer anyway. People at Hogwarts still knew her, even if she left for her last three years to attend Hogwarts Scotland. Elly decided to start to telling her story from the beginning. ''Well you know my mother is Christine right?'' Rose had never seen her aunt since she lived in England and would never ever come back to New Zealand. ''Well Christine is a witch'' Elly paused so Rose could make the link. It was also weird to talk about her mother with her real name. ''So that means I am half blood, a child from a witch and a muggle'' ''Muggle's are the name for non magical folk'' Elly added quickly.

''It means that I can preform magic like Eros can.'' Elly paused ''It also means you are going to attend Hogwarts New Zealand'' Elly hoped Rose got excited. When Elly learned she could do magic, she was overjoyed.

 

[Rosemarie Chatwin]

Rosemarie still wasn't really excited about this magic idea, she already made plans for the rest of her life and now everything was turned upside down. Rose walked inside and looked at her cousin Elly. She looked uncomfortable and Rose raised her eyebrow. Normally she was filled with confidence and wisdom, but now she just looked scared. When Elly talked about her mother Rose nodded. She had heard about stories from Elly about her mother, but never actually met her. Something about never wanting to set foot in Oceania ever again. When Elly told her she was magical too, Rose felt the anger rise. How could she have kept that information from her. She probably knew Rose was going to get this curse, she knew and never told her. Rose didn't have much of a temper, but she was bloody angry at the moment.

''WHAT'' Rose shouted she was pissed. ''How could you kept that information from me.'' Rose spewed ''YOU PROBABLY KNEW THAT THIS MAGIC GARBAGE WAS GOING TO CURSE ME TOO" Rose stamped on the floor. She was angry at her cousin. She should have prepared her for this. ''I had my future planned out and now everything is ruined, because of a stupid rosebush'' Rose said still angrily. She forgot all about Eros, she was about to fly Elly in her hair and pull a bunch out. She was seething with anger, she didn't even hear about the magical school part.

 

[Eros Lee]

Eros stood along side to be supportive for both Elizabeth and Rose. It's the ethical thing to do and he suspect they were going to need him here when Elizabeth spilled the beans. He was right, however, he did not expect for little Rosemarie Chatwin to fly off the handle like that. With brows raised, Eros stood in between Elizabeth and Rosemarie. "Hey, it's not her fault. She, Elizabeth, wouldn't have known you were magical, Rose. Not everyone harvest the ability to do magic. It's usually rare coming from a family of muggles," Eros do his utmost best to explain away why Elizabeth couldn't say anything. "It's usually against the law if she said something without knowing and your cousin would've been in trouble with the ministry," of course he's not sure to what extent, maybe a warning or something. Stuff like this was normally judged case by case.

"Come now, you're very young, Rose. Your future is not ruined. Consider this something to broaden your horizon. What is it that you want to do that you think being a witch will stop you from pursuing it? I bet you can still do whatever it is that you desire to be."

 

[Elizabeth Chatwin]

Elly hadn’t expected Rose to act like this, but it didn’t come as a surprise either. Everyone reacted different to learning that they were magical and this was just another reaction. Elly wanted to tell her that it wasn’t her fault and she had good reason to were held the information, but Eros was quicker. Eros was now standing between her and Rose. There had been no reason to tell Rosemarie about being magical, it would have frightened her. Muggleborns were rare and Elly hadn’t expected that Rosemarie would be one.

‘’I am sorry’’ Elly could get out. ‘’Forgive me, there are rules like Eros said’ Elizabeth didn’t know what to say anymore. She knew Rose was angry and she didn’t want to put oil on said fire.

 

[Rosemarie Chatwin]

Rosemarie was still angry, but she didn’t want to hurt Eros who was now standing between her and Elizabeth. It wasn’t Eros that lied to her for years and it also wasn’t Eros that cursed her, that was Elizabeth’s doing. Eros sounded really reasonable, but Elly could have trusted Rose. Elly was there when Rose was born. Rose was still angry at Elly and didn’t want to see her stupid face. Trying to look at Eros his calm face and Rose calmed down. She still didn’t want to look Elly in the eye, or even hear her. Rosemarie just nodded at the explanation, it was probably true, but there was also no way in hell that the ministry could have tracked Elly saying she was a witch to her. That would violate someone’s privacy to no extend.

‘’I want to be a botanist and eventually invent my own new plant species.’’ Rosemarie said in a sad voice ‘’Did you know you can splice plants onto others to create new species?’’ She wanted to invent a new species of tulip and then name it after her. Now she had to learn magic and probably hang around a bunch of weirdos’ that waved their wands like silly idiots. Rose ignored Elly completely, she couldn’t handle her cousin at the moment.