Chapter 1

Scorpius watched as the raindrops patter against the window and sighed. He hated the rain. He couldn't explain why but it just made him sad. Like someone had died or was ill.

But Rose loved the rain and she hummed to herself as she scanned the bookshelves in the "muggle fiction" section of the library looking for nothing in particular. He smiled a little. He liked when she was like this. She could spend hours just reading and he could spend hours just watching her. His smile grew when she spotted a book and tip toed to reach it. She may have inherited her father's ginger hair and blue sapphire eyes, but she hadn't inherited his height. Scorpius found it amusing when Rose grew frustrated with her height and silently enjoyed towering over her to reach something she couldn't. He chuckled lightly as he slid off his chair, lifted his arm, and easily removed the book she was struggling for from the shelf.

"Jane Eyre? Again?" He asked, inspecting the cover of the novel.

Rose stiffly took the book from him and with a huff, blew some stray hair out of her eyes.

"I like it."

"You're obsessed with it."

Rose looked affronted.

"I am not!"

"Shhh." Hissed someone from the next shelf over.

"You're a hopeless romantic." He whispered and leaned against the shelf and raised an eyebrow at her.

She opened and closed her mouth as if to retort but nothing came out and her Weasley blush began creeping up her cheeks. Scorpius' smile broke into a smug grin.

"You wouldn't understand. You've never read it."

"Well it's not really my cup of tea."

"That's only because you've never given it a chance." She quipped and slipped the book into her bag.

Scorpius brushed it off and reached for his pack. He was used to this argument. He honestly had no objections to muggle literature, he just hadn't gotten around to picking it up.

"Come on, we should be getting back to the common room - drop our bags before dinner."

"Oy! pass the bread will ya." Scorpius, Rose, and Albus were sat together at dinner and Albus was explaining to them his plan for a spectacular party he wanted to throw. " - and I wanted to see how many of those muggle beers I could get Uncle George to send us." Said Albus, passing Scrop the basket of sesame bread rolls. Rose was only half listening and as Head Girl maybe she should mind that her cousin was making plans to bring contraband into Hogwarts - but she knew his parties never got out of hand and were always good fun. Under the table Scorp's hand was on her knee - making it difficult to focus on her plate. He slid it up and around to rest on her lower back, sending a jolt through Rose that nearly knocked over her goblet. Scorpius chuckled at her reaction. Albus narrowed his eyes at them and his lip curled when he got the idea. "Anyway…" he said too loud, "Scorp can I count on you for music?"

"Yeah mate, sure."

When the people around them started standing up and leaving the Great Hall, Rose checked her watch and sighed, "I have rounds." She stood.

"I'll go with you." Scorpius said, moving to stand.

"No you and Albus have transfiguration homework to start on."

Scorpius dropped back into his seat with a thud.

"I'll see you later." She kissed his cheek. "Bye Al."

She followed the crowd out and up the staircase, deciding to start at the top and work her way down.

By ten past nine she had broken up a duel, directed a lost first year, and deducted house points from two fourth years trying to rig a toilet to explode when sat on, and was now headed to the kitchens for a snack. The halls where empty now everyone had returned to their common rooms at curfew and Rose had no one but the painting for company as she walked… or so she thought. She was reaching to tickle the pear painting when a large hand closed around her wrist. Surprised, she yelped and a hand clamped over her mouth. She spun around and was even more surprised to see Dylan Paige, Ravenclaw prefect.

"What the hell Paige!" she half shouted.

"Shhh Weasley. We don't want Malfoy to hear us."

"What are you talking about? It's past curfew you belong in your common room."

"Come on Rosie, I thought we could have a little fun." He had a smile on his face that made Rose's stomach uneasy. He stepped closer and reached for her arm but she slapped it away - realizing what he was getting at.

"Sod off Dylan I have a boyfriend."

"He doesn't have to know." He reached again, this time for her bum.

She pushed him hard, "I said sod off!"

Something flashed in his eyes and before Rose could react he slammed her up against the wall and snatched both her wrists in one of his hands. Now she started to panic, her heart pounding in her throat, she couldn't speak. She struggled against his hold, trying to get to her wand but he was stronger than her and had her pinned with his own body. Then everything moved so fast and he had a rough hand sliding up her shirt, his hot breaths on her neck. Rose wanted to scream but couldn't find her voice. "Rose!" She heard someone shout but then instinct kicked in and she lifted her knee as hard as she could, landing a blow right between his legs. He doubled over and Rose took the opportunity to shove him away from her and pull out her wand. Just before she could stun him a blonde figure flew past her and threw his fist which was met Dylan's jaw with a loud "CRACK!" and Dylan was unconscious on the stone floor.