Written for my own Mutli chapter Boot Camp - each chapter uses a different prompt - using the prompt 'suspicion'.

Chapter One

Rose was sitting in her usual seat in Charms, third row from the front, in between Albus and Scorpius. It was an arrangement her cousin and friend had come up with in their first year.

You're the brains, Albus had told her when she had accused them of only wanting to copy off her. This way you can help us both at the same time when you master the spell first go.

She didn't mind, though. Not really. She actually liked helping them.

Professor Flitwick – hadn't he been her parent's Charms teacher? – stood on his pile of books as he tried to get the class's attention. Albus and Scorpius were throwing bits of parchment across her, ignoring her scowl and reprimand about how their teacher was waiting.

Behind her, Jasmine Finnegan was talking to Georgia Grey about her latest boyfriend. Rose rolled her eyes and shook her head as Jasmine gave her friend every detail of their night prowling the corridors together. She knew her parents had been friends with Jasmine's dad in their days at Hogwarts, but if she was being honest with herself, she wasn't a fan of the girl. Jasmine was loud, obnoxious and used boys like they were toilet paper. Rose hated people like that. Boys were people too.

"Silence, please!" Flitwick's squeaky voice echoed loudly across the room. Rose glanced up. He had his wand to his throat, causing his voice to be louder than it actually was.

The classroom silenced instantly, probably in shock that their tiny professor could actually be that loud.

"Thank you," Flitwick then said, his voice returning to normal. "Now, if you could all please turn to page twenty-seven of your text books, we'll be learning the Shield Charm today."

"Excellent!" Albus said. "Maybe then I'll be able to stop James practicing his NEWT spells on me."

"And Eva Creevey from fawning over you," Scorpius added with a snigger.

"Definitely."

"Quiet!" Rose hissed at both of them.

"Will you all repeat after me?" Flitwick sqeaked. "Protego."

"Protego," the class echoed.

"Excellent. Now with your wands."

Rose picked up her wand along with the rest of the class.

"On the count of three... one, two, three, Pro –" Flitwick stopped so abruptly that the whole class was actually paying him attention. He was looking at the back of the classroom. "P-Professor Longbottom?" he asked. "Can I help you?"

Rose turned her head to see Professor Longbottom standing there with a grim expression. It took her a few moments to realise Hugo was beside him. What's going on? she wondered.

"Sorry, Professor, I was just wondering if I could borrow Miss Weasley?"

Rose turned back to Flitwick. He looked a bit surprised, but nodded all the more. "Of course, of course. Off you go, Miss Weasley."

Rose got slowly to her feet, knowing that all eyes were on her. She made her way to Professor Longbottom, completely forgetting about her bag. Albus would bring it back to the common room later.

"This way, Rose," he instructed gently.

Rose began to follow, casting a questioning look at her brother. He seemed to be just as confused as she was. Where was Professor Longbottom taking them? What had happened?

They were taken to all the way to the Headmaster's office. "Chocolate Frog," the professor said and the gargoyle jumped aside, revealing the spiral staircase.

Rose had only been in the Headmaster's office once and that was back in her second year. One of the third year Slytherins had taken to picking on Hugo and she had stepped in, defending her brother. It had only been his second day at Hogwarts. It had landed her a month's detention for the Bat Bogey Hex, but it was better him than her brother right?

They followed Professor Longbottom up the spiral staircase and waited for the door to open. Inside was Professor Gimp – the Headmaster – as well as her aunt and uncle. Harry was slumped in a chair, his head in his hands and his body shaking as if he was crying. Ginny's eyes were puffy and red. She had been crying.

That was when Rose really started to panic. Something bad had happened – that was the only explanation. Her aunt and uncle looked devastated.

"Sit down, please," Professor Gimp told them grimly. He summoned two chairs and Rose and Hugo obeyed. Ginny came to stand behind them, resting a hand on each of their shoulders.

Gimp sat on the edge of his desk, folding his arms. He was a fairly young Headmaster, only coming to the post two years ago when McGonagall had retired. He was fairly likable amongst the students, popular for his passion in Quidditch and his good sense of humour.

None of that seemed apparent in that moment as he watched his two students with pity.

"Now," he began gently, "this may come as a shock to both of you, but earlier this morning, there was an attack in your family's home." He hesitated for a moment and Rose felt Ginny grip her shoulder tighter. "...Your... your parents were killed."

Rose felt tears she hadn't realised were there roll down her cheeks. She had known. The moment she had seen her aunt and uncle there, she had known they were going to tell her something like that. Somewhere to her right, Professor Longbottom let out a loud sob.

Rose didn't pay him much attention. She reached for Hugo's hand. He was as white as a ghost. She had to be the big sister in this. She was fifteen; he was only twelve.

"H-how?" she asked, sounding braver than she actually felt. Did she really want to know how it had happened?

"We're not quite sure yet, Rose." That was Ginny. She was squatting down at their level, her hand caressing Rose's hair. "Uncle Harry went to your home this morning because your dad didn't show for work and he... found them." Her voice shook at her last words and more tears rolled down Rose's cheeks.

She shook her head. "They can't be dead," she said quietly. "They're... they're Mum and Dad. They... it has to be a mistake!"

Ginny pulled her to her chest, running gentle fingers through her hair. Rose sobbed silently against her and continued to hold her brother's hand at the same time. He still hadn't said a word; he hadn't moved. He just sat there staring at nothing.

No one said anything. Ginny didn't try to fill them with words of assurance. She just held onto Rose while she cried. Harry remained in the chair. He hadn't said a word either. Perhaps he was in too much shock to say anything.

It was Professor Gimp who spoke first. "Due to these terrible circumstances, you have been granted permission to leave the school for as much time as you need. To be with your family, organise a funeral..."

"Don't overwhelm them!" Harry snapped. They were the first words he had spoken since Rose had entered the office.

She turned away from Ginny and looked at him. His eyes were also red. She gripped Hugo's hand tighter.

"I don't want to go home," she said. "I want to stay here, go to class. I don't want to go home."

"Rose," Ginny said gently. "I think it will be best if you and Hugo come and stay with us for a few weeks."

Rose shook her head. "No. I want to stay here."

"Me too."

Everyone looked at Hugo as if they had forgotten he was there. Rose squeezed his fingers tightly, assuring him that she was there.

"We'll come back for the funeral," she continued. "But..." A fresh wave of tears overcame her and Ginny pulled her in for another hug.

"Very well," Professor Gimp said. "I'll organise that you are excused from the rest of today's lessons. Go back to Gryffindor common room. I'll request that you don't be disturbed.

"Can I talk to you, Professor?" Harry then asked. "You too, Ginny."

Ginny pulled away gently from Rose and got to her feet. "I'll be back in a minute," she promised both of them soothingly and disappeared through a door with the other two adults.

Rose remained in her seat, listening – she could still hear what they were saying despite them keeping their voices hushed.

"I hardly think leaving them here will be any good for them," she heard Harry say. "They've just lost their parents. They need to be with their family. And frankly, I don't think telling them straight out like that was the best thing to do." His voice was angry. Rose had never heard him angry before.

"It was their choice," Professor Gimp argued. "And how was I supposed to tell them? Was I supposed to sugar coat it for them? Their parents were murdered in their home – there is no way around that."

Rose swallowed. Murdered?

"They're not thinking rationally. They're upset. You saw Hugo. He didn't know what do or say." That was Ginny. "I think what is best for them is coming with us."

"You have just lost two members of your family too," Professor Gimp said. "Perhaps neither of you are thinking rationally either. The most important people in this are Rose and Hugo. You must do what is best for them. If they want to stay, I say you let them. At least for now while they come to terms with what has happened."

"What will happen when word gets out?" Harry questioned. "And believe me, it will get out."

There was a moment's silence and then Ginny spoke. "Maybe he's right. None of us expected this, Harry. Maybe it's best if we let them spend some time together before we surround them with every other member of the family."

Rose could practically hear Harry hesitate.

"You of all people should know how it feels," Ginny said.

"Which is why I think they should be with us. I had no one – I was treated worse than an animal at the Dursleys – but Rose and Hugo have so many people who love and care for them... I just don't want them living like I did."

"And that won't happen, Harry," Ginny replied gently. "We're all here for them. We all lost someone this morning. You lost your best friends, I lost my brother and those kids lost their parents. We're not going to send them off to some orphanage to be raised by Muggles. They want to be here, where it's familiar and probably somewhere that doesn't remind them of what they have lost. If we take them home, we may as well put up a sign that says 'your parents just died.' Ron and Hermione would have wanted us to do what is best for them. I believe that for now, that is allowing them to stay here, where they are away from it all."

Fresh tears rolled down Rose's cheeks. It was true – it really was true. If she had known the last time she would see her parents would be on the platform three weeks ago, she would have made the hug with her mum longer. She wouldn't have argued with her dad and told him she could carry her own trunk – she would have let him do it like he had wanted to.

And she would have told them how much she loved them.

"What we need to be concerned about is who the hell did it," Ginny continued.

"You know who did it, Ginny," Harry replied.

Rose sat up a little straighter, listening intently to what they were saying.

"No, Harry, you haven't told – surely not!" Ginny exclaimed in what she seemed to think was a whisper. "If she was out for revenge, surely she would have gone after... the kids."

"I believe she went straight to the source of her problem," Harry replied, even more softly than Ginny. Rose had to strain her ears to hear him. "Nevertheless, I want them safe. We haven't found her and we have no proof it was her. Those kids need to be safe until we know what has happened."

"All the more reason to keep them here where the walls are virtually impenetrable."

"I don't like it."

"They'll be safe. I can assure you that, Mr Potter."

There was more silence and then the door opened again. Ginny returned to Rose's side, engulfing her in another hug. "It's alright," she soothed.

"I... I wish I had told them... that I-I loved them," she sobbed into her aunt's shoulder.

"They knew."

"I... should have t-told them, though. I sh-should have told them and... and now it's too late. They're gone." Rose cried harder and Ginny hugged her tighter.

Harry came to stand beside Ginny. "If there is anything that I have learnt in my experiences, people who die are never gone; not completely. You loved them and they loved you – very much – which means they live in here." He touched a spot close to his heart.

Rose took in a deep breath, nodding. She'd never forget them; she'd never forget all the stories they read to her, all the games they played with her and all the times she had pushed them away, trying to be a grown up. They had done so much for her and she had never appreciated it. Not once – until now.

"You-you know who did it," she stated bluntly, looking at her uncle with more anger than she intended. "I heard you. You know who killed them."

Harry seemed lost for words for a moment. He glanced at Ginny who just held Rose tighter. "We're not certain, Rose, you have to understand. There is no proof as to who it was yet."

Rose wasn't stupid; she knew he just didn't want to tell her. "Tell us who it was!" she cried. "They were our parents, we deserve to know."

Harry hesitated.

"Tell us!"

"Rose, you don't need to know; not yet. When we know for sure, I will tell you, I promise, but for now, you have a lot to think about. Don't let matters of the Ministry concern you. There is a lot more to it than you think."

"This does concern us!" Rose argued, blinking away fresh tears. "If someone killed them, I want to know who it was."

Harry shook his head. "As I said, you will be the first to know when we catch them. For now, just go back to the common room and be with your brother." He turned to the Headmaster. "I give my permission for James, Albus and Lily to be taken from class to be with them. And I don't think you'll have any objections if you remove the others as well. Actually, we should probably tell them together."

Professor Gimp nodded and turned to Professor Longbottom, who was standing there silently. Rose had completely forgotten he was there. He also had tears in his eyes and seemed to be as shocked and as upset as everyone else, but he had remained quiet throughout the whole thing. She wondered if he had been told beforehand, or had found out with them.

"Professor, go and collect the other Potter and Weasley children and bring them back here, please. Do not tell them anything. I will leave that to Mr and Mrs Potter."

Professor Longbottom nodded and hurried from the office.

Rose had another question she wanted answered. "Why didn't they defend themselves?"

"They would have, Rose," Ginny answered softly. "They just probably didn't have time. They wouldn't have expected it."

"You don't know that!" Rose argued. "What if they let whoever it was kill them?"

"They were both holding their wands when I found them," Harry answered bluntly. "And I checked – their last spells were Defensive spells. They fought, Rosie, they fought for as long as they could. Now, come on, we'll take a walk while we wait for the others."

Ginny helped them both to their feet – an arm across each of their shoulders – and led them from the office.

Alright, this is an idea that came to my head a while ago and due to the Boot Camp idea, this is intended to be at least 50 chapters (though I doubt I will get much further than 50 anyway). I have already written the first 11 chapters, the first 10 with my beta, Pam (cherryredxx). I am incredibly proud of how this is turning out and I really hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoy writing it. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I would really appreciate everyone's support on this fic.

Thanks.