Prologue

Every time I think about love one word pops into mind. Magic. Aside from normal, familial love I had never experienced anything else. It was the summer after 4th year that I began to question its qualities.

"Mum, is love magic?" I asked one day as we were watching Auntie Luna dance with her brand new husband Rolf Scamander at their reception.

"Of course it is. It is the most powerful magic out there."

Her answer didn't sound mechanical. Usually when I ask her one of my many questions she recites the answer word for word from the textbook. It was a little habit I picked up from her. This time there was a light in her eyes as she said them. Not unlike the light that I see when she tells me about her job, helping give the house elves fair wages and vacations. She truly had a passion for this. This only made me want to know more.

"So how come they can't create any potion that doesn't just simulate love but actually produces it?"

She looked at me for a moment. Amused.

"Wow, I may have let you read books too advanced for your age." she laughed, took a swig of Firewhiskey and carried on "Love is a different kind of magic. It's the kind that grows organically. It can't be just artificial."

"But hasn't anyone looked into it? I mean, if it's that powerful surely someone would've tried to observe it at work or something." I looked at her incredulously.

"It isn't a toy. Love is different. It's a special kind of magic."

I didn't hear anything but the words 'special kind of magic.'

It was all so confusing and mysterious that I just had to investigate.

It was that day that I began to plan what I would like to call 'The Boyfriend Experiment.'

The idea for the experiment formed a few days after the wedding. On the eve of my 6th year at Hogwarts. I was following everybody around. Teddy and Victoire, James and Melanie even my mum and dad. But they wouldn't let me observe them up close. It was around that time that I figured I had to feel it myself for me to actually find out.

It was the 1st of September, we arrived at King's Cross. Me and Albus were already in our uniforms. I arrived with a mission. Last year we only patrolled the train one at a time and we had just ended up hanging out at the Prefects compartment. The train ride was always the most stress free moment I spend while studying in Hogwarts.

"Don't do anything irresponsible, okay?" mum said to Hugo, it contrasted a lot with Auntie Ginny's "Now, don't do anything too stupid James." They kissed each of us goodbye.

"Keep safe, and stop following couples around please." mum said.

"Yes mum. I promise." I said, hugging her.

"Don't kiss too many boys, okay? I know how 6th year can get." she whispered when dad was out of earshot.

"Yes mum"

"Always know that we are very proud of both of you." dad said.

"Of course dad, you say that everyday." Hugo said.

We said our goodbyes and boarded the Hogwarts Express.

"Hello everyone. Pleasant morning. Congratulations Julie, Roger!" I said.

"Hey guys, how was your summers?" Albus said.

We began talking. I got along very well with everybody. Mandy Brocklewurst had just finished telling me about her summer interning at the Daily Prophet and when fellow 6th year Prefect Scorpius Malfoy walked in. Mum told me to be nice to him, we were nothing if not civil. Mostly our conversations were forced and consisted mostly of small talk and a lame excuse to walk away.

"Scorpius." I nodded to him.

"Rose." he did the same.

"How was your summer?"

"Fine, you?"

"Great. We went to a tour of the Ministry."

"That is great."

The train started moving.

"Okay, everyone, train's moving who'll take first watch?" Julie Moon, the brand new Head Girl from Ravenclaw, said.

"I'll do it." I volunteered.

"Okay, just make a couple of quick rounds. Wouldn't want to tire you guys out." Roger MacDougal Hufflepuff Head Boy joked.

I saw 5th year Slytherin Isobel Entwhistle roll her eyes.

Through the years house unity was very much promoted but some Slytherins, mostly some of the children of previous Death Eaters, remain stubborn. Most Slytherins have learned to be more friendly towards the other houses, though. You can even see the occasional Hufflepuff-Slytherin couple sometimes.

I patrolled around the corridors with a mission in mind. If I was to do an experiment it should be with someone who I would never fall for. So my choices were pretty limited. Benjamin Carrow? No, not horrible looking, but he's just a horrible person. Henry McLaggen? No, he's alright but I don't think I can bear it if he invited me over to his place during Christmas break and his family just talk about themselves. Larry Peakes? No, arrogant little git.

I called the search off for a day and decided to look at things from a different angle. I wasn't quite sure what that angle would be until I reached it. I was back at the Prefects compartment when I saw Scorpius. The most favorable option. He was quite handsome, really, and it's improbable that I would fall in love with him. My only problem is I would have to keep it a secret from everyone. If dad ever found out...I didn't even want to think of what he'd say.

A/N: A little something I've been working on for a while. I would really like to know what you think about it. Haven't messed with canon. I don't know if I'm any good at this. Comments even rude comments (as long as they're honest) will be much appreciated. If you took the time to actually read the whole thing. Thank you! The first chapter will be posted in 3 days.