Spell Caught

by wingedcastielpie

"Oh, that's a nice song. 'If my roses turned to black, and the strings were never cut; then your dark words brought me back, 'cause you got me spell caught.' Romantic, very romantic. But, very dark, too." She said. "Hmm … You're a fan of dark love, aren't you?" Rose nodded as she stared at Scorpius making his entrance, a scowl was pressed at his face, as usual.

1. — Of Platforms, First Days and Arrogant

A Witch's parchment: Hello, potterheads~ I am Jamie, by the way, and this is my first fanfiction and also my first New Generation fanfic. I am kind of new to this sort of thing, so if anyone wants to correct my grammar, or give me some tips; thank you, then! I'll very much appreciate it.

A Disclaimer: I am simply a fan of Harry Potter. Our goddess, J.K. Rowling, made our world. And, anything you simply don't recognize, I'll take credit!

— 1 — Of Platforms, Of First Days and The Arrogant

She never thought she'd feel so lonely in a room filled with people.

Although she was used to the idea of being left alone, at least she had her friend that time in younger years; but now that she was in an actual school filled with wizards and witches who can be better than her in everything, even making friends with strangers, she wasn't quite sure.

But the thing was, she was indeed better than everyone. Unless you rule out the friendship part, then yes, she was almost good at everything.

Her parents, Hermione Weasley and Ron Weasley were infamous for being friends with the legendary Harry Potter, who also happened to be her uncle. She was from a line of renowned heroes, who fought against the Dark Lord, Voldemort, the wizard that started the second war with an attempt to kill Harry Potter, and ended the war by accidentally killing himself when the Elder wand turned from him— so, she had to be best at everything.

— 4, 320 hours earlier —

As she walked to platform 9 ¾, her mother turned to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Hermione also gave Rose the copy of her Hogwarts, A History — because, Rose was the only child in the family who would really appreciate it. Hugo was smart, however, he was more of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley rolled into one boy with brown hair and twinkling brown eyes. This happened because Hugo was James Potter's— Harry's first son— best friend. And, James Potter had been famous in the family for his mischievous tricks and charming smiles that could even hypnotize Molly Weasley— his grandmother on the mother's side, and Rose's grandmother on the father's side- into thinking that he could slip away in every stunt he does.

Rose was, however, the opposite. Although she never ruined the fun for the two cons and sometimes helps create the plan for smaller pranks (she's always the brain when she's around) she concentrated more on her studies (Even if that wasn't really what she wanted) and on the higher stakes— aka expectations.

Hugo and James went to the other side of Ron, her father, and started picking on Albus Severus Potter, whom she was very close with, chanting: "Al's in Slytherin! Al's in Slytherin, "in a singsong voice.

"I won't! I won't be in Slytherin!" Albus defended—his knuckles white while he gripped the handle of his trunk solidly.

Ginny looked at Hermione with exasperation over the boys, and Hermione gave her an amused look.

"James, give it a rest!" Ginny reprimanded.

"I only said he might be," James gave a crooked smile, and Rose could swear half the girls who were around staring shamelessly at James, blushed. James's hair fell on his eyes as he stared at his little brother lovingly and lightheartedly.

"There's nothing wrong with that. He might be in Slyth—"

Ginny chose that time to glare at her, the way Molly glared at her Uncle George whenever Molly caught him helping James and Hugo. James, also, chose that time to notice his mother and decided wisely to stop stalking.

Albus noticed Rose giving him an entertained/ pity stare. Finally catching her favorite cousin's eye, she beamed at him and went beside the boy.

"Hi," Albus said, relieved that he was finally around someone he can tolerate.

"The two teasing you, again?"Rose cheekily asked, nudging Al's shoulder lightly using her elbow.

"Could be worse. I'd never thought Hugo would idolize James, though. Hugo's a year younger than you, and yet, he knows more things about fooling people than anyone around his age."

"What do you expect from him?" Rose replied thoughtfully, searching the cobwebs above her with any signs of a spider. "The first spell he learnt was Confundo. And James was recruiting him as his sidekick since he started to walk."

Albus looked at his redheaded cousin, attentively.

"But, you can outsmart him of you want to,"

Rose warily left her eyes from the cobwebs and finally looked at Al and smiled, "Yes. I can definitely outsmart him if I want to."

The two fell silent in a comfortable silence, studying everything around them.

Observing was always the favorite hobby of the two. Together, the two studied about the whole lot.

And, together, they learned everything.

Rose noticed his uncle with an expression she knew. Although, Hugo wouldn't notice this, she knew it too well to doubt.

Melancholy.

She turned away before his uncle could see her staring.

Her father, Hugo, and Lily— The Potter's youngest member of the family— were having an animated debate about the Hogwarts houses.

"If you're not in the Gryffindor House, we'll disinherit you," stated Ron in a mocking-teasing tone, to Hugo, "but, no pressure."

"Ron!" Hermione scolded with a point of her finger. Apparently, Hugo and Lily found this funny while Rose and Albus looked serious—thinking how their parents would react if they were, indeed, directed to the Slytherin house.

The two mothers caught the expressions of their child, and declared in unison, "He doesn't mean it."

Rose and Hugo's father shifted his gaze to James, Albus, and Lily's father, and nodded to the family of three fifty feet away from them.

"Look who it is," Ron muttered.

The fog shifted and the picture became clear. The family had silvery white hair with the exemption of the woman, and the boy who stood in the middle almost looked like the exact replica of his father, except that his face looked kinder and he was three decades younger.

The father, whom Rose thought was Draco Malfoy (James told her everything he knew about him. Depending on the facts, he wasn't as nice as his face implied) caught sight of Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny staring and stiffly nodded. He cut his gaze to his son, and talked to him.

"So, that's little Scorpius," Ron addressed to Rose.

'Scorpius... I wouldn't want to call my son with that name,' Rose thought, unconsciously studying the blond boy who was scowling.

"Make sure you beat him on every test, Rosie. Thank God, you inherited your mother's brains."

"Ron, for heaven's sake," chewed out Hermione, half amused half forbidding. "Don't try to turn them against each other before they've even started school!"

'Scorpius… Where did I hear that, again?' Rose contemplative thought. 'I may have heard that from one of the monster names.'

"You're right, sorry," Ron sheepishly said, but he still looked pleased. "Don't get too friendly with him, though, Rosie. Granddad Weasley would never forgive you if you married a pureblood."

Albus and Rose stared at each other and thought about Ron's words. Were they a joke?

Draco Malfoy… Why did father dislike him, anyway?

Rose was about to ask this when James came rushing, his hair wild and his eyes wide with astonishment.

"HEY!" James shouted, "Teddy's back there—" He pointed at his back where the train blew out steam. He supported his hands on his knees, and panted. "—just seen him! — gasp— And guess what he's— gasp — doing! — gasp— Snogging Victoire!— GASP!"

Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny blinked in silent wonder.

Unfortunately, James Potter had always expected something extravagant. He expected the grown-ups to screamed ("What!") Or, perhaps their mouths wide open. Or, maybe something like storming at Teddy and Victoire, ripping them apart from each other in the process.

But, all he got were blinking.

James thought that, perhaps, the grownups thought of some other Teddy and other Victoire, or never even heard him talking, at all.

"Our Teddy! —GASP— Teddy Lupin! Snogging — gasp—our Victoire! Our cousin! And I asked Teddy what he was doing—"

Ginny, whose arms were folded on her chest, and her face amused said, "You interrupted them? You are so like Ron—"

"—and he said he'd come to see her off! And then he told me to go away. He's snogging her!" James insisted, his eyes were pleading for some reaction.

Instead of the grownups speaking, Lily began jumping up and down and whispered out excitedly, "Oh, it would be lovely if they got married! Teddy would really be part of the family then!"

Rose and Albus nodded and their expressions were the same as Lily's.

"He already comes round for dinner about four times a week," said Harry, a smile tainting his lips.

"Why don't we just invite him to live with us and have done with it?"

"Yeah!" said James, his eyes twinkling excitedly. "I don't mind sharing with Al —Teddy could have my room!"

"No," Harry said sternly, his eyebrows furrowed; perhaps worried about the thought of being homeless because of two little children. "You and Al will share a room only when I want the house demolished."

James smirked. Albus, however, frowned.

It was true, though. James influenced Albus easily.

Sooner or later, Albus would either turn into mini-James, or turn into a giant and wreck the house whenever he became fed up because of his older brother's banters.

Rose's uncle glanced at his watch and called, "It's nearly eleven, you'd better get on board."

At this cue, Ginny rushed to James and gave him a hug while saying, "Don't forget to give Neville our love!"

James looked sick at the place. "Mum! I can't give a professor love!"

"But, you know Neville—"

The boy sighed in relief and resorted to rolling his eyes.

"Outside, yeah, but at school, he's Professor Longbottom, isn't he? I can't walk into Herbology and give him love—"

Rose rolled her eyes, and slung her arm around Albus's right arm.

"He's as bad as Hugo," Rose muttered.

"Oh, come on," Albus replied with a smile. "He can't be—"

Out of nowhere, James kicked Albus in his calf.

"Yes. Yes, you're right." Albus grimaced and massaged his calf. Rose, in turn, glared at James, who was smirking devilishly.

"See you later, Al. Watch out for the thestrals."

Albus looked grimmer than a man spending a rainy day in Knockturn alley.

James laughed, his right hand ran through his messy hair, earning a giggle from the girls. Ginny gave him a kiss on the cheek, his father giving him a hug, and James glanced at Rose with a raised eyebrow.

With James questioning, Rose turned to Albus and gave said to him, "I should go. See you, yeah?"

Albus merely nodded, his attention shifted to somewhere else. She easily read his expression.

Rose was nervous. It will be her first time to wake up in the morning without his parents' comforting greetings; without James paying their house a visit and ruining her sleep; without Bimmy the house elf brushing her hair and muttering out praises.

Rose Weasley was nervous, but Albus Potter was panicking.

Hermione made Rose promised to owl her twice a month, instead of every week; while Ron rained Rose with kisses.

Hugo gasped in mock disgust and hid his eyes behind his hands. After the rainshower of kisses, Hugo hugged Rose tightly and made her promised to have one of those "illegal stuff" from Argus Filch's office. How Rose would even get one, she didn't know. She would probably just let James slipped through her fingers for once, and request for him to get one of those "rare stuff".

Rose thoughtfully hugged Albus sideways, and fell into step besides James, who was eyeing a girl five feet away from them.

"Thestrals are nothing to worry about," Harry told Albus. "They're gentle things, there's nothing scary about them. Anyway, you won't be going up to school in the carriages, you'll be going in the boats."

Thestrals were invisible, and yet, his parents can see them. And yet, his uncles and aunts and grandparents can see them.

And he knew why.

"But, I thought Thestrals are invisible?" Albus questioned. "It must've been very cool to see them, though, isn't it? Mum and Dad can see them, and so was granddad and grandmum. Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione can see them, too, the last time we went to the museum near Hogwarts, right?"

"Yeah," James nodded absentmindedly. "Look here, Al. I gotta see that Nimbus 2035! Tell Dad, okay?"

James never heard the answer for he already sprinted up to the window and marveled at the broomstick.

Albus stared at his pack of fifteen galleons, fourteen sickles and twenty-three knuts. His parents gave him the money to buy whatever he wanted, for money has always been something easy for the Potters— with the family line centuries old and with Harry working as the Head Auror.

Albus didn't know what to do with them. He didn't want anything from Diagon Alley, and the book he and Rose has been waiting for will only be released on the last week of November.

So, Albus waited with a jelly apple in a stick. And, Harry came, questioning where James was. Albus replied with a point of his finger and Harry saw him, his smile lighting up his face.

"Dad?" Albus stared at his father, studying him. Harry was relaxed, and he even looked excited. Albus didn't know about the fact that Harry could cry at the moment, for he always wished to see the day where his children would go to Diagon Alley and buy for things they needed.

Harry looked down at Albus's green eyes, and saw the curiosity filled inside them.

"Hmm?"

"Why can you see thestrals?" Albus asked. The father's eyebrows furrowed. He wasn't expecting these kinds of questions from an eleven year old kid, but then, Harry had asked odder questions when he was eleven.

"Seeing thestrals means a grave thing." Harry tried to tell the truth to his child, not even noticing the unintended pun.

"But, you can see them, right?"

"Yes. Yes, I can, Al."

"Please tell me why," Albus pleaded. Harry sighed. Sometimes, his son being cousins and best friends with Rose can have their cons.

"Seeing them means seeing death," Harry said quietly. He studied Albus's face.

The moment he was born, he saw how much Albus looked a lot like him.

The boy had the same black messy hair, the same green expressive eyes. Albus also had Harry's eyebrows, but he got his mother's lips and cheekbones. Because of their similarities, Harry can easily read Albus's expressions.

Albus was stunned, curious, and sad at the same time. In the family, Albus really was the child who understood the cons of wars were, while James understood the pros.

James had the tendency to brag about Harry and the wars and the challenges he overcame. Meanwhile, Albus had seen the results of wars. There were deaths of innocent people, of loved ones, of strangers who had fought for the truth and the good.

While Harry can see his father on James, regardless of the name, Harry can see himself on Albus.

Albus remembered that time in the Diagon Alley.

Yes, there was nothing scary about thestrals, he thought. But, there was terrible about the reason behind why you can see them.

His mother approached him and kissed him on the cheek, while Lily tucked a little piece of parchment into his right hand. His little sister gave him a hug and a kiss, too.

"See you at Christmas," Ginny smiled.

"Bye, Al," Harry smiled as he hugged his son. "Don't forget Hagrid's invited you to tea next Friday. Don't mess with Peeves. Don't duel anyone till you've learned how. And don't let James wind you up."

"What if I was in Slytherin?" Albus felt his father released him from the hug, and the pair of scared green eyes stared at the other pair of comforting and understanding green eyes.

The whisper seemed like it was shouted by thousand of Quidditch fans.

Harry rested his right knee on the floor, and rested his hands on Albus's shoulders.

The two children trudged into the train, looking for compartments that weren't occupied by a teacher or a student. Each time they stuck their heads into the compartment and scanned the faces— looking for familiar ones, but to no avail— the two went from train car to train car until James heard his name called out from the third compartment in the third train car.

"James!" James stopped to a halt and made a face to Rose. Rose, however, found the situation amusing for James wore the kind of expression that only showed if he's really annoyed and embarrassed at the same time.

"Jame— oh! Who's this little thing?" Despite of James's tall structure, Rose still saw the girl that was behind James, whom apparently oblivious of James's unwillingness. The girl had silky brown hair, in shades varying from dark brown to dishwater blonde. She was also tall, her face shaped like a delicate heart, and her eyes sparkling with happiness.

"This 'little thing' you're talking about," James inquired, his teeth gritting. "—is my cousin."

Rose eyed the girl, assessing her more so. The brunette noticed Rose's eyes on her, and even if the Rose was around the age of 11 or 12, she can't help but to feel uneasy.

"Sure," Brunette laughed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world besides her name and her certain attraction to a guy who was beyond annoyed. "Cute little thing, are you?"

"I am not a thing." Rose glared, her left eyebrow raised.

What is with this girl, anyway? She thought. Rose was slightly annoyed. Calling me a 'little thing'! I am not that small, am I?

"I'm not that small, am I?" Rose asked out loud, and James eyes were wide open with laughter. He shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, but brunette cut him off.

"Of course, you are!" Brunette (which was what she decided to call her, because she rudely didn't introduce herself, yet) looked at James, her eyes were filled with mirth (' Evil mirth, I shall say,' thought Rose) but covered her smile with the back of her hand when she saw James, now glaring openly at Brunette.

"Er, what I mean is, is that I'm just extremely tall, yeah? Don't you agree, Jamie?"

"Of course you're tall," Rose sarcastically said. She decided that she didn't like the girl. Brunette— whom she now called 'Ms Eifel'— was extremely above anyone else, or whatever Ms Eifel thought.

James snorted and laughed, highly amused. His annoyance reduced considerably to the fact that he felt proud of himself for teaching Rose Weasley, the daughter of Ron Weasley and Hermione Weasley, the formidable good-girl, the art of sarcasm. Ms Eifel smiled, but it looked more of a rubber being squeezed. Her mouth was pressed into a fat little pout.

"Of course, you must've known me. I'm Bellatrix Nightwood!" Bellatrix flipped her hair to the side.

"But, if you don't, which is obviously why you don't know my name—"

"How smart of you,"Rose muttered. James smirked and bit his tongue to keep himself from laughing.

"—then, I am Bellatrix, and you can call me Trix, and not anything else. Although, James can call me anything he wants starting from Darling to Baby."

It was now Rose's turn to look amused as James stopped smirking, his face fell and he paled very much.

When Rose turned to James and expected him to smile at her, instead all she saw was a shadow of some emotion in James's face.

"Why would they name you that?" James asked carefully, his eyes focused on Bellatrix.

Bellatrix smirked, her teeth tainted with lipstick.

"Got you intrigued, did I, James Potter?" She tossed her hair to her back and winked. "Won't you be a dear and go out with me?"

"Ridiculous," Rose muttered.

James's suspicious stare turned into a full-out fiery glare, and opened his mouth to speak when a boy with long hair tied in a ponytail called out.

"JAMES! MY JAMESIE-BOY!" The boy swerved around two blonde girls laughing at each other, and gave them a wink that made them giggle.

"See ya later, ladies," he smirked and twirled a girl around.

"How can he do that? Twirling her around when everything's so cramped up? Besides, he's only 12, and he already, er, speaks with girls two grades higher than him." Rose questioned.

James warily took a step away from Bellatrix, while Bellatrix complained.

"Why are you stepping away from me?"

"I, uh, don't like being around you, that's all. Who knows, I might get some cooties."

"Really, cooties for all—" James elbowed the boy who in return glared at James. "Yes, I love you, too."

"Whatever," Bellatrix said. "You guys go ahead without me. Perhaps, my friends are right all along!"

"All along? And what were they saying about us, m'lady?"

"You insolent dickw—"

"LANGUAGE!" Roared James, before he looked at Rose and winked. Rose simply looked amused at the exchange.

"Bellatrix is the old fart!" The boy sang.

"You— you imbecile!" While Bellatrix retorted, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"Toe Rag!"

"Being the Queen Stinky, that's all she's got—!"

"SILENCIO!"

It was to everyone's surprise that Albus Potter, who boarded the train and went into the third train to look for his cousin and into the odd situation, cried the spell that eventually kept everyone quiet. James was leaning on the corridor wall, amused and his hand poised at the end of his wand; The boy was nowhere near frustrated, while Bellatrix looked like he'll throw the lad out of the window in any minute, and Rose, with a raised eyebrow, watched the two bicker, her face reflected her curiosity and interested expression.

"Shut up, please." Albus reprimanded, his lips formed a straight thin line. Rose rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue to say that she can't really speak at the moment.

"Now," Albus faced the annoyed girl who was trying her best to come up with the counterspell. "Please try to contain your infatuated feelings to yourself, and try not to jump on him (— he pointed at —) and do what I never would want to imagine before I actually try this awesome jinx James thought me."

"As for you, my dear brother," He said the words without any hint of sarcasm which maybe, only Albus can really pull off. "Please act like a 12-year old human being that you are and keep the cursing to minimum."

James grinned and tipped an imaginary tall hat.

"And, as for Rose, I don't have someone with me. Accompany me, please?"

Probably deciding that the conversation was getting bored, Bellatrix threw Albus her last glare and walked out of the way, her hand gripping her wand dangerously. James rolled his eyes, swished his hand and performed a sequence of swishing and pointing. The group of kids didn't notice the movement of the train, signaling that the journey has begun for another year at Hogwarts for James and the boy, while a new and strange year for Albus and Rose.

"Without even having the power of speech," Rose remarked softly. Charms had always been her best subject, and if Quidditch was a subject, she's probably getting an O for having the skill as a chaser.

"Impressed our little know-it-all, eh?" The boy with long hair commented and bowed, his eyes trained at Rose's and gave her a small wink. "I am Mr. Wood, William Wood, at your service, ma'am!"

"Will, try not to terrorize the poor kid," James lightheartedly said. "After all, who would want an eleven-year-old kid being sent back home the second she stepped into this train?"

"Ah, but my dear James, dear. That is our specialty, isn't it? Maraudering people?"

"Pure rubbish, Will!" James feigned his bewilderment. "What shall I ever do to you?"

"Dunno, probably marry me?" Will smirked, his cockiness amused Rose further more. It was as if James Potter was made to be William Wood's illegitimate twin. "I'll call as bride!"

"This is ridiculous," Albus muttered. "We already have James. Don't tell me James actually created another spawn of his that would replace him the moment he disappeared."

"HEY!" James and Will protested.

"Although, I wouldn't really reject the idea of replacing James. Can I replace for your girlfriend, too?"

James threw his robes at Will.

Albus pulled Rose away and they drifted to the other side of the train, on a look out for an empty compartment.

"What do you reckon would happen?" Albus mused, after passing through the fifth compartment of the fourth train. They were already getting tired of dragging their trunks behind them.

Rose shrugged. She felt sleepy and weak at the same time, considering that she only slept for about two hours in the morning because of her barely-contained excitement.

"I'd probably faint in the middle of this corridor if we haven't found one single bloody compartment by now."

"Sheesh, woman." Albus mused what he usually hears between Victoire and James's bickers. "Try not to kill anyone."

"Emphasis on the word 'try'."

The two snickered. No wonder the two get along so well. Not only do they almost the same bloodline, they share the same perspective of humor.

The two stayed in comfortable silence for another five minutes when Albus reached an empty compartment.

Or, so they thought.

"YES!" Albus shouted, slumping down in his seat, not even bothering on bringing his trunk into the upper head cabinet. "Finally, some time alone."

"Don't be so amused about this, Albus. It's not like—"

"Yeah, don't be so amused about this. Especially that you barged into someone's compartment. "

The two jumped, their faces went white with astonishment. In the corner of the compartment sat a stony- faced boy with a blanket over him. They didn't notice him when they entered because they practically destroyed their way into the compartment, and Rose was still pushing the trunk into the cabinet.

Well, only Albus saw what the stony-faced boy was because, unfortunately, Rose's trunk fell on top of Rose.

"Ahhh!" Rose whined, the trunk collapsed on top of her right foot. "Ow!"

"Wait, I'll move the trunk."

"Stupid."

"Don't call her stupid!"

"Well, puny then!"

"You two, shut the bloody hell up! I think I have a sprain?!"

"Ridiculous. Do I look like I care?"

"You take back what you said!"

"Shut up, uggh, you two! I can always fix this with my wand."

"Look, Albie—"

"No, you look here—"

"Calm down, PLEASE!."

"Apologize to her!"

"You wish."

"Arrogant jerk head!"

"BLOODY KNOW-IT-ALL-POOP FACE!"

"Take those words back, Scorpius Malfoy!"

Silence.

Rose snapped at Scorpius, who in turn gave her a heart-stopping hatred, confused glare. "You don't deserve saying my name."

Rose didn't want to retort back. She wasn't the type of person who would hurt for people because she cared too much. But, she wasn't letting him call her something awful or make him treat her that way.

Rose's eyes narrowed, and a cold laugh escaped from her mouth. "At least my parents' aren't hiding from the world because everyone hates you now!"

Albus remained silent, his eyes were on Scorpius the whole time, waiting for his reaction.

But, Scorpius didn't say anything. He didn't open his mouth to retort back. He didn't raise his fist to punch Rose straight in the face. He didn't pretty much do all the things the other two were expecting. Except that he turned to his back slowly, his eyes blazing with anger so intense, neither of them had to look away, and he left, the door of the compartment closed with a loud bang.