The English Rose

The Creepy Cellar

Bella had come to realize that the older she got, the faster the seasons changed. She barely blinked her eyes and it was already spring outside. February had turned to March far too quickly for her liking and her joint therapy date with Hermione was right around the corner. She spent many nights contemplating how the session would go and if what she talked about at her session would turn Hermione off but she was hopeful that it would all work out in her favor. She split her time between staying at Hermione's and having some alone nights at her house because Andy had convinced her that it was important for her to ease into the move since she hadn't told her therapists yet. Today was a different beast, she was having brunch at Hermione's grandfather's house. She thought it was going to be at the Rose but when she found out Henry wanted to host them, her nerves started kicking in and she felt an episode coming on but it hadn't broached yet. Pacing her room, she was wearing a bathrobe looking at a couple of outfit choices. "Come in," she shouted when someone knocked at the door. "Finally," she stopped pacing to look at her niece. "I called you like twenty minutes ago."

"I'm sorry," Dora looked like she genuinely meant it. "Mum didn't want me to leave work. You wouldn't tell me what you wanted and she was afraid it was to commit another assault."

Bella smirked, "I haven't assaulted anyone in months. Plus that girl deserved it and we both know that's true."

Dora laughed, "indeed she did. Stupid bitch. What was that?"

"What?"

Dora walked further into the room, "I thought I heard a meow."

"I have no idea what you are insinuating," Bella waved her off. "Now, what should I wear to Henry's house?"

A little meow came from the closet, "there, don't you hear it?" Dora started walking around the room. She went over towards the window seat, sweeping the room with her eyes. She lifted up the duvet and checked under the bed. "I must be hearing things."

"Exactly," Bella walked over and put her hand on Dora's back guiding her over to the bed. "Now," pick," she pointed at the three outfits.

"What's this for?"

"Brunch at Henry's house."

"I thought it was going to be at the Rose," Dora shifted through the outfits. There was her normal skirts and corset look, black slacks paired with a green button up shirt and a black corset, last was a more casual look of jeans and a black sweater. Dora had no idea where the jeans had come from but she thought it was funny that her aunt had included them as a possible outfit selection. "This one," she pointed to the slacks. Just as she was getting ready to say something else, she felt something vibrating and rubbing against her ankle. "Who is this?" She bent over and scooped up the tabby kitten who was getting a little bigger.

"Squeaks," Bella sighed. "You were supposed to stay hidden."

"Squeaks," Dora scratched behind the kitten's ear, "I've heard so much about you. It's a pleasure to formally meet you, miss."

Squeaks climbed up on Dora's shoulder and started nuzzling in her pink hair, "looks like someone likes you," Bella scratched the kitten's butt.

"Does mum know she's here?"

"No," Bella snatched up her outfit and turned to head to her bathroom. "Play with her all you'd like while I'm gone but don't let Andy find out. Poor little Squeaks doesn't need your mother to tell her she's not wanted here."

"How long has she been?"

"Just a few days," Bella shrugged one shoulder. "I miss her when I'm gone so Hemrione said we could have a sleepover and I just kind of forgot to take her back. I'll take her home after therapy tomorrow."