Rose Weasley and Scorpius Malfoy didn't really talk at Hogwarts. They never screamed at each other or pranked each other, like the teenage wizarding population had expected, but they were never best friends either. They just moved in different circles; neither bothered by the thought of family rivalry or an old grudge. Some thought they were just biding their time, but after three years had passed without any incident, Hogwarts students no longer seemed to care.

Both were smart, responsible and sensible; so it was no surprise when they were both made heads. Once again people speculated about them, wondering how long their quiet respect would last before one of them cracked. But once again people were wrong; Rose and Scorpius developed a sort of routine where neither bothered the other and they politely acknowledged each other in the hallway.

It perhaps would have stayed that way for their whole time at Hogwarts had it not been for the Yule Ball, which took place every five years. Tradition had changed a little since their parents had attended; it was no longer in accordance with the Triwizard Tournament which had been abolished the year after Voldermort returned. Thus it was no longer custom for the champions to begin the ball, a responsibility that had been passed on to the heads.

So Rose and Scorpius had to dance together. They learnt how to waltz, foxtrot, quickstep and (although they would never admit it) jive. They started learning eight weeks into the term, both surprised at how quickly they picked it up.

And Rose looked forwards to those nights. The evenings she would come back to the heads' common room and dance around with him until the stars had come out. When he would be waiting for her and once finished they would drink butterbeer by the fire. He was funny she realised, and he was gentle. And she had fallen all too soon.

So Rose picked out a dress that was meant to wow him, one that fanned out as she turned, one found in the most secluded corner of Hogsmede. And she did her hair and makeup in a bid to make him see her. And she walked down her dormitory stairs with shoes that made her feel like a princess, with her heart pounding in her chest. And it took every piece of strength she had not to run to him and kiss him until his lips were swollen and they had missed the dance. But Rose contained herself, the only chink in her amour the too-bright smile and the barely concealed longing glances.

The two heads danced in front of the school. Flawlessly they waltzed, foxtrotted and quickstepped, moving around with a grace that had come from weeks of practice. And when they finished everyone cheered so loudly that they danced again. Rose tried to ignore the hurting in her chest, knowing that this was the last dance they would have, instead focussing on the feeling of the moment.

It was the perfect night until Rose walked in on Scorpius and a brown haired Ravenclaw making out behind the Christmas tree. She didn't avoided Scorpius as such, merely shied away from conversation and late night butterbeers until the end of school, when she promised herself she would never let him break her heart again.

—-

AN - I hope you like this new story idea; I plan to have two more, reasonably short, chapters. Any ideas are welcome, please rate and review!