The morning sunlight spilled through the nursery windows, painting the rug in soft gold. Rose lay on her stomach, tiny fists pressing into the plush carpet as she observed her surroundings with deliberate focus. Harry was nearby, wobbling on his hands and knees, cooing at a small wooden block.
Rose's hazel eyes followed him, tracking each movement, noting the way his fingers fumbled for the block. She tilted her head, cooed softly, and with the smallest flick of her will, the block lifted slightly and nudged closer to him. Harry's eyes widened in delight, and he babbled, reaching for it again.
It was subtle. Almost imperceptible. But it worked.
[System Advisory:
Telekinetic control exercised with 12% efficiency. Emotional influence protocol ready.
Target: twin sibling.]
Rose's tiny lips curved in a satisfied coo. She mirrored Harry's movements, tilting her head just so, nudging blocks with her fists in rhythm with his grasping hands. She felt the rush of his happiness, a precognitive tickle of awareness that let her adjust her small influence, coaxing his joy upward.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Pettigrew in his animagus form near the door, ears twitching, whiskers quivering. He was watching her too, just as alert, just as cautious.
Rose's fists flexed minutely. She tilted her head and cooed again, not at him, but at the air between them, sending out a tiny ripple of curiosity and caution. The rat hesitated, its body stiffening.
[System Feedback: Target reaction detected. Emotional influence partially effective.
Efficiency: 7%.
Further observation recommended.]
Good. She would keep testing. Even at six months, she understood the value of patience.
Harry babbled again, climbing toward her, giggling, and reached for her tiny hand. She let him hold it then scoot closer to her until he was right against her side.
She smiled, allowed Harry to rest his head briefly against her shoulder. His breath tickled her cheek, and she mirrored his contentment in her own coo.
Pettigrew flinched. Rose noted it.
His tail twitched, ears flattened slightly, and he backed a tiny step away.
A soft, deliberate coo from her lips made his tiny body shiver. Not much, but enough.
[System Advisory: Influence confirmed.
Target resistance low. Emotional manipulation effectiveness increasing.]
Rose allowed herself another satisfied coo. It was a game, a lesson, and a test all at once. And she was learning fast.
---
The door opened slightly as Sirius peeked in, smiling. "Morning, little ones," he said warmly, kneeling on the rug to engage them.
Harry squealed and crawled faster toward him. Rose's eyes flicked to him, then back to Harry, then to Pettigrew. She adjusted her influence subtly, just enough to keep the rat at a safe distance, without alarming anyone else.
Sirius laughed, lifting Harry up and spinning him gently. Rose tilted her head and cooed, letting her tiny fists hover near a floating block. It rolled gently across the rug, nudging itself into Harry's path. Sirius frowned, noticing it but too charmed to question it.
Rose's mind cataloged everything as always.
Adults were predictable in some ways, but still capable of surprises. Children—even Harry—were delightfully malleable if approached correctly.
And Pettigrew…oh, Pettigrew was a perfect experiment.
---
When Harry finally collapsed onto the rug beside her, giggling, Rose leaned her tiny forehead against his arm, cooing softly. She could feel the ebb and flow of his emotions—the delight, the curiosity, the joy. She mirrored them, amplified them slightly, and watched his expressions light up in response.
[System Advisory: Emotional influence on target twin confirmed.
Efficiency: 18%.
Twin synchronization increasing.]
Her tiny mind ticked over possibilities: the world could be guided this way, one small, deliberate touch at a time. One coo, one glance, one careful adjustment of a floating toy. Everything was connected. Everything could be influenced.
And even now, while she played, she thought ahead. Pettigrew would remain cautious. Adults would smile and marvel, unaware of the tiny threads she was already pulling. Harry would trust her instinctively. And she would keep learning, testing, observing.
Rose cooed again, curling her fists softly around a plush toy. Her eyes met Harry's. He babbled in response, calling her "Sis!"—again, instinctively, without prompting, with a love so absolute it warmed her chest.
Rose's small lips curled into the faintest, knowing smile.