As Rose, Briar knew the risk of getting caught in a mess of lies. After all if Lucy or her family was magical, surely she'd be caught. She'd have to explain herself and she didn't see the need to do that. But Briar would risk it all. It was a great risk but she always was one to toe the line.

Briar took a deep breath and smiled to herself. Everything would be fine.

As the cab came to a stop, the driver held out a hand and she paid the exact amount and nothing more. She didn't have much to begin with and she wasn't sure how much all the supplies would be. Rose exited the cab and began to walk. Thankfully it was still early in the morning fro most people to be crowding the streets. She glided across sidewalks and alleys alike as she approached a hole in the wall pub with the words Leaky Cauldron above the door in bold letters.

Rose looks around with barely hidden awe. Everything seemed so colorful, so full of life, ethereal. She could practically feel her magic thrumming in delight beneath her skin. It was perfect.

Unknown to her, her eyes shone a golden color, completely engulfing the blue they once were before they flashed back to the blue she had wished.

Rose quickly shook her head and got out of her stupor and stepped to side so she wouldn't be consumed by the large mass of people. Luckily for her there was a bench near a quaint shop called 2nd Hand Brooms. She almost cackled in delight when she saw it.

So witches (and wizards) do ride brooms! Oh Odin! This is too much! What's next?! Will I be cresting potions in a cauldron?! Who am I kidding? Of course I will, after all the list tells us that we require one. Oh yes, how very exciting!

She quickly grabbed the neatly written note that instructed her to head to a place called Gringotts. Apparently it was bank for witches and wizards and run by goblins, of all things! It also gave her instructions of how to greet them properly along with other things.

Looking up from her note, she saw a young girl with blonde hair come towards her. She looked to be about Rose's height however her blonde hair was more a yellow blonde instead of her pale blonde. Her eyes were a bright blue while Rose had icy blue eyes. Both carried themselves confidence rarely seen in one so young.

A smirk lit up Rose's face. Uncrossing her legs, she stood up and made her way to the middle building standing tall with thin cursive letters spelling: Gringotts. She glanced back at the girl and made a note to herself to remember to find her in crowd once her meeting with.. goblins were finished. It was a surprise to find out that creatures she had thought to be mythical were actually real. She shook her head, ridding her train of thoughts and her black heels click against the somewhat tough ground.

As she approached the tall marble building, she could see a small, ah, a goblin. This was sure to be interesting.

Briar Rose was not surprised by much - not much since she found out that she was a witch - yet here she found herself astounded. There on the paper - parchment really - was her family tree. It had cost a pretty penny but she had made an agreement with Griphook and in the end, it didn't really matter because she knew her history. Her parents were not drunks or people who had no jobs, they were fighting a war and they - they - loved her. That was enough.

It didn't matter that Briar Rose was the Girl-Who-Lived or Freak because she knew who she really was. That was enough.

(if she was crying, the goblin did not say a thing.)

Getting measured by flying tape measures was an experienced she welcomed with joy. She could feel the magic resonating on her as it touched her skin. It ended too quickly in her opinion. But all good things did.

The lady who helped her was kind and pretty. She had a soft voice and blonde hair and barely there wrinkles. She could have passed as Rose's mother - the woman had even said so herself - Briar got rid of that idea, she had Lucy. Lucy was enough.

But she could never replace Lily.

Entering the large bookstore was not what she had expected. It was larger than she had anticipated and she was practically salivating at the amount of knowledge - she had not grown up as she should have - at her fingertips. She reigned herself in and first grabbed the required books on the list and with a smirk, she went wild.

Rose first approached the section closest to her and grabbed three books that seemed to sum up the things she would need to know - in that department, at least - Magic Britain's Improved Book of Politics, Magic Book of Laws, and Wizarding Laws.

Do witches and wizards not know how to name things? Rose thought as she looked at titles. Taking a look at a few more, she shook her head. Apparently not.

She skimmed the books and somehow they all had different laws and had yet to contradict another. Quickly the blonde put the three into her basket.

Next she went into a section labeled Magic - very helpful, really - and grabbed a thick book titled, Magic: Light, Gray, or Dark? It was dusty and was well hidden from the rest of the books she had found that seemed utterly useless. Rose then proceeded to grab a book that categorized different spells, jinxes, hexes, and curses into classes. It was one that gave information on each one and how to perform it correctly and what level you should be at when you attempt. It was a very basic one so it was only twice as large as she had expected. Rose made a note to remind herself to get a more detailed one at a later time.

Rose moved quickly into and out of the isles as she got the books she believed she would need - if she grabbed any on mythology and folklore, well it was only for more knowledge on magicals and nothing more...

Rose was tired as looked into seemingly harmless shop that sold the last thing she needed. She was a little nervous if anything as she entered the shop.

Ollivander: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C, it had read and Rose just wished that this wasn't a dream. If it was, she hoped to never wake.

A soft bell ringed as she pushed open the door. Rose glanced around, judging it silently and looking for the owner. It was a tiny place, empty except for a single, spindly chair. Hundreds, thousands even, of narrow boxes piled neatly right up to the ceiling. Oddly enough, the back of her neck tingled. The very dust and silence in here seemed to tingle with some secret magic.

Just as she was about to turn her back to leave a voiced drawled out, "Good afternoon." Rose would forever deny the shriek she gave out as well as how high she jumped into the air. A male voice let out a light chuckle. She looked to the direction from the voice came from and an old man with shining pale eyes stared back at her.

Not one to be rude, Rose replied, "Good afternoon Mr. Ollivander." She paused for a moment and let her features be drenched with her hesitance. "That is you, correct?" The man nodded his head and a smile lit up his wrinkled face.

"Ah yes, that's me. You know, I was not expecting you so soon and especially without a guardian or a professor." If Rose was confused, she did not let it show on her face.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean. I am only a simple girl going to Hogwarts-"

"If only that was the case... Am I right or am I wrong Briar Rose Potter?" At that jab, she let her eyes widen just a fraction and only for a moment did it last before she schooled her features.

"Me?! The Girl-Who-Lived? I think you have the wrong girl. I am Rose Black. Yes we may somewhat share a name but there's nothing else that could lead you to think that I am her. I mean if the books I read are correct, she should have dark red hair and green eyes. You know I am flattered that you would think so highly of a stranger-"

"Rose Black, you say? Well met, Miss Black. I am sorry to have you confused you," Rose ignored the knowing look in his eyes and that glisten that just screamed that he knew she was pretending, but she would not give up, " let's find your wand! Shall we?" A large grin spread on his face and her shoulders slumped.

He ushered her in front of him as he did so, he whispered into her ear, "Just know this as an upcoming witch, magic never lies."

"Yes, thirteen and a half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the witch, remember… I think we must expect great things from you, Miss Black… After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things - terrible, yes, but great."

It was not a surprise to Briar that as soon as she arrived to the Dursley Residence, she was screamed at. Luckily for her, a nice witch by the name of Amelia Bones helped her shrink her belongings as she exited the wizarding world so she had no worries if that would be taken.

An idea so brilliant struck her just as Petunia did. Rose stood there quietly as if weighing the pros and cons of her solution. It wasn't long before she grew tired of Petunia's whining and grabbed her wand and pointed it at her throat - rather fluidly might she add - and threatened her. It was to no surprise that the woman shut up quickly and started treating her kindly. Well as kindly as one can be when a child threatens to maim them.

Petunia was quick to inform her husband and son of the new situation. Rose moved all of her belongings into the guest room and had told Petunia that this was her new room. All was well for a while. Of course, all good things must come to an end. It was during dinner, a week from her return to Diagon Alley.

"Okay! I have had enough of this freak!" He stood up and pointed a fat finger at Briar. " You will leave this house right now! I order you to! RIGHT NOW!" He goes to grab her but she snatches her wand from her boot and points it at him.

"Say all you want you pig of an uncle but I am going to stay here and you are going to allow me stay here. Do you know why because if you don't, not only will I turn you into swine. I will turn your son into swine as well and maybe Petunia could be a horse. She could be nothing else with her appearance and all." Throughout this, her hair began to rise and her eyes glowed a bright gold. Vernon stumbled back into his chair and nodded his head quickly and repeatedly. "I am glad that we both understand this." She looked at her plate and said, " Seeing that I am finished, I will be in my room." Rose got up and when she turned around, a smirk lit up her face.

It was always nice to strike fear into people's hearts, specifically those who have tormented you.

It never failed to amuse Rose when Lucy would sip on her tea and burn her tongue and try to find a way to alleviate the pain even though it left in a few seconds. She sighed as she remembered that she would have to tell her that was leaving. She had not been looking forward to this day.

"Lucy, can you please for a moment when you're done?" Rose sighed again when she realized that she couldn't keep the somber tone out of her voice. Lucy perked up and frowned. She nodded and made her way towards her and sat down on the opposing sofa chair.

"What's wrong Rosie? You seem serious. Is everything alright?" Rose smiled at the nickname. It had been a while since she had used it.

"Well as you know, the new school year has come along," Rose paused and looked to Lucy and her confused expression, "but I have kept something from you and I have to regret my decision to not tell you sooner. I am leaving tomorrow to a boarding school in Scotland and will not be back until the end of the semester or next summer." She lowered her eyes to her tea and tried to ignore Lucy's stare.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? Were you worried that I would try to stop you?" Rose looked up and nodded hesitantly.

"Not only was I afraid of that. I was afraid that once you would have learned of my leave, you would try to forget about me... I was just afraid of your reaction. This is one of the few things I have wanted to do in my eleven years of living and I was afraid that... I honestly don't know." She set her tea and truly did try to ignore the water leaking out of her eyes. She heard a few claps of heels on the wooden floor and then all she knew was warmth and soft whisperings. It was something she would never forget.

Rose couldn't exactly remember how long they were in that position but when they parted, she felt much lighter and much more delighted.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me Lucy. I appreciate more than you know."

"You are welcome my little Rose." It was silent before Lucy said, "Do tell me everything you do know about this school though. Since I can't hear every detail, as I'm sure you've hammered out with your idea that knowledge is power, give me the detailed basic gist of it." Rose cracked a smile and then threw her head back and cackled wildly.

"Lucy! You can't just as for a 'basic but detailed gist' of it all. Those are two contradicting words and you know!" This time it was Lucy who cackled and together they fell into a fit of giggles and laughter.

Hours later when Rose and Lucy parted ways. Briar Rose could honestly say that she would miss seeing Lucy everyday. She was a constant and someone who she came to for advice and just to let out her problems. Briar would need to get used to not visiting her. It would be hard but she would do it.

With a smile, she looked back the library where it all began and let her original striking features take over her disguise.

Briar Rose Potter was someone who was respected in the Wizarding World. Perhaps she was even worshipped. It was too bad that she had to go back as her. She would have preferred to just be Rose Black.

Things never did go her way when she wanted. It was only when she manipulated those around her as well as the surroundings, did she find that they went well. She was going to enjoy taking the Wizarding World by storm.

After all, it is what she did best.