"Rosie!"

Irritated by the interruption, she glanced up from her notes. "What do you want, Al?"

"It's snowing! Come on, everyone else is meeting us downstairs."

Since they had been first years, Rose and her cousins had always celebrated the first snowfall of the year with a snowball fight. But in class today, Professor Vector had dropped hints about the possibility of a quiz. And besides, sitting in the warmth of the fire sounded much more pleasant than enduring the freezing cold outside.

"I can't, Al. There's a quiz tomorrow in Arithmancy, and I've barely started revising."

Her mum's academic record was a lot to live up to, and it didn't help that Professor Vector had been at Hogwarts long enough to remember it firsthand. She couldn't fail this quiz. That would be unacceptable.

"It's our last year, Rose. There won't be any more first snows before we're adults, and then we'll each be off in our own world."

"I know, but I really need to study tonight. If you won't let me work in peace here, I'll have to go upstairs."

It was convenient sometimes, having dormitories separated by gender. At least this ensured her a place to work without having to worry too much about her cousins' schemes. Yes, Lily could get in, but Lily was better about letting her study than the rest were. And tonight, Lily was already downstairs.

"Aww, Rosie," Albus whined. "Ugh. Fine." He turned to leave the common room.

"Sorry Al," she called at his retreating back. "We'll do something soon. This weekend if you want."

"Yeah sure, Rose. If you say so."