Rose kept her hands wrapped tightly around Scorpius' waist as the sound of her laughter was ripped from her mouth by the roaring wind. Her startling red hair flowed out behind her as Scorpius dipped the broom into a steep dive.

"Where are we going?" She bent over and spoke into his ear.

"I told you, it's a surprise," he replied without turning around. They flattened out and streaked across the quidditch pitch, so close to the ground that Rose's feet nearly touched the tips of the blades of grass. Although her parents had given her her first broom for her sixteenth birthday at the start of term, Rose still loved flying with Scorpius, and took any opportunity or excuse to share his broom, though they rarely had time to do anything together now, what with the stepping up of revision for their OWLs, the continued stream of fan letters and mysteries for Rose to solve, and her added prefect duties. Now they'd managed to find a few hours in which they could actually go on a date - their first official one, Scorpius had pointed out to her.

Scorpius touched down on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, next to a small stream that ran out of the woods. They clambered off the broom and walked over to a large tree that provided dappled shade from the warm sun.

"It's so quiet," Rose marvelled. Even though there were scores of students lazing around the lake and grounds, chatting and laughing loudly, none of them could be heard from the little hideaway Scorpius had found.

"That's why I like it," he said as he pulled a basket of food out from underneath the tree. "I got some lunch for us from the kitchens," he started laying out sandwiches, cakes and pumpkin juice. "And yes, I paid the house-elves," he added, anticipating Rose's question.

"Thank you," she smiled and took a ham sandwich but eyed the pumpkin juice.

"I promise it's not poisoned," Scorpius grinned and took a sip from his own. "See?" His smiled faded as if he was remembering the occasion.

"Yeah," Rose drank some in an effort to stop him from worrying. "It's all fine now," she leant against his shoulder. "And thank Merlin for that," Scorpius sighed and put his arm around her shoulders.

"You," he said, putting his drink down and playing witGh a strand of her hair, "are a very difficult person to protect, Rose Weasley." Rose blew on his nose, which was right next to her cheek.

"Then maybe I don't need protecting," she grinned. "If you can't do it, there's no way anybody else could." She rested her face on his chest and put her food down.

"I didn't say I couldn't do it," he stroked her head, "I said that you make it extremely hard."

"Just keeping you on your toes," she quipped back. "We can't have you getting lazy now, can we?" She looked up at him, his serious face the opposite of her joking expression.

"No, we can't have that," he replied, and his expression softened as he leaned in to kiss her. His hands tangled in her hair and she spread her fingers across his back. Rose let herself get lost in the kiss as she always did, welcoming the chance to forget about everything else except the one person that mattered most - him. She realised that she hadn't kissed Scorpius properly for weeks, and wondered how she could have survived without him. There was something about having his lips on hers that was both calming and exciting at the same time, soothing and yet fast ...

A cat meowed and they jumped apart to see a silvery tabby floating in front of them - a patronus. Morose and Scorpius looked at each other as the realised that it was McGonagall's. She could have seen them, could she? Why on earth had she sent them a patronus message? Then the cat's mouth opened and began to speak in their Headmistress' voice.

"Miss Weasley," it started, "I wish to see you in my office as soon as is convenient for you - though I would urge it to be sooner rather than later, as you have a visitor and it would not be in your best interests to keep him waiting. If your ... companions or companion," the car paused enigmatically, "would like to join you then they are most welcome."

The patronus disappeared in a wisp of silvery cloud. Rose looked at Scorpius, who moved his head noncommittally.

"I guess we'd better go," she said.

"Yes, I guess we'd better," Scorpius replied dejectedly, looking at the food spread out before them.

About ten minutes later, Rose and Scorpius stood at the entrance of the Headmistress' office.

"I could just tell them the password, you know," Scorpius whispered to her.

"How do you - no, I don't even want to know," she shook her head, though she was grinning. The gargoyles leapt aside and Rose started up the stairs, followed closely behind by Scorpius.

"Mr Flynn, this is Miss Weasley and Mr Malfoy," Professor McGonagall announced as they walked into her office to see a tall young wizard standing next to the Headmistress. "Miss Weasley, this is Mr Flynn, the head of Magical Investigation at the Ministry, which is a part of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," she gestured to the man, who Rose thought looked rather young for a head of department, even if it was a sub-department. "Mr Flynn here has a proposal for you," Professor McGonagall continued. "I have given my consent, so it is up to you whether you choose to accept it." Mr Flynn stepped forward and shook Rose's hand.

"I'm here to offer you a student placement in my department," he explained. "Every so often, the Ministry offers promising wizards or witches a part time place in a department, and after your recent efforts the Minister has suggested that you may benefit from a placement in the Investigation sector," he looked at her and Rose felt rather overwhelmed. Her, a student at the Ministry? It was hard to imagine. "You'd come over during your free classes and stay until the evening," Flynn explained. "So you wouldn't be missing any classes. I understand you are free after lunch at least once, so you'd be able to come then until the Ministry shuts. Your Headmistress will organise for you to be able to use the Floo Network to get to us," he motioned towards McGonagall. The room was silent for a second. "So, do you think you'd be interested?" Rose blinked a few times. Losing time to study and relax to go and file papers, brew coffee and solve petty crimes at the Ministry?

"Definitely," she replied. Now she had a clear path - after Hogwarts, she could become a professional investigator! Rose had always been unsure as to what path she'd take in her career, and sometimes felt pressured to do exceptional things because of her parents. Now here as her chance to make a name for herself from her own achievements. She looked back at Scorpius, who was frowning at Flynn - she had no idea what was up with him, but hopefully he'd tell her later. Professor McGonagall was looking proud and satisfied, but as for Flynn, Rose couldn't tell what he was feeling from his face.

"We'll see you on Monday, then," he replied, and Rose couldn't help a small grin from creeping onto her face. She was going to the Ministry.