Chapter 2:

"Wait, let me get this straight. You're telling us that Scorpius Malfoy saved Albus from a severe fall?" Lena exclaimed after the two cousins had related their recent adventure.

"He did," Albus nodded.

"I think we're close to the apocalypse," Peter concluded.

"Come on, it's not that unbelievable. If it was the other way around, each one of us would have done the same thing," Rose reasoned.

"Yes, but we're not Malfoy," the brown-eyed boy argued. "He did almost kill me last week."

"You were totally fine, get over it already," the Weasley girl rolled her eyes.

"You know, for someone who's always arguing with him, you're defending him a lot these days," Albus commented.

"Of course I'd argue with him, he's a jerk and has the knack of getting on my nerves. But that doesn't mean he's plain evil, there's a difference."

"And I agree with you, he's even decent company when he doesn't insult everyone around him," Albus said. They had seen another side of the boy in the Forbidden Forest, and Albus was starting to think, maybe he wasn't so bad.

"What's this, the new Malfoy fan club or what?"

"Believe me, Peter, we're far from being his fans," Rose retorted.

"Yeah, it's not a fan club, but more of a tolerance club, right?" Lena intervened with a smile.

"It's not a club at all," the redhead fumed.

"But do you stand the guy now or not?" Peter inquired.

"Oh course not! I loathe him," she strongly denied before adding more quietly, "I'm just grateful he saved Albus."

Albus and Peter looked at each other, and shrugged while saying, "Girls."

"Still, I seem to miss every good moment these days," Lena suddenly pouted, changing subjects.

"Next time we'll invite you at our detention, I promise," Rose replied sarcastically.

"And you'll maybe even get the chance to be chased by acromantulas," Albus added.

"No thanks. I don't mind regular spiders, but I'd rather stay away from those who have legs bigger than my whole body, and there are eight of them."

"I know right, me too. I'm so glad I wasn't the one who was chased by them, I would have been petrified," Rose went on. Obviously, she had inherited her father's arachnophobia, probably because he'd always tell her how horrible they were when she was still little.

xxxxx

The four friends were heading towards their next class.

"So, do you know how's the new Potions teacher like?" Lena asked.

"I don't know much. I only heard Professor Hazebrown was very friendly, and not really strict. Some also say she was a model before becoming a teacher. I just hope she'll still teach us well," Rose replied.

"Wait, that would mean she's Olivia Hazebrown. My older sister is her fan and wants to be like her. And I understand why, she's so beautiful," Peter exclaimed, already grinning at the thought. "I'm sure she will be a great teacher."

"You're sure you're not the one who's her fan?" Rose joked.

"Guys. So simpleminded," Lena sighed.

Peter finally shook his head, "But still, I don't understand why they always pair us up with the Slytherins for Potions. I mean, it's one of the classes where they can pull the most pranks, one drop of the wrong ingredient and that's it," Peter complained.

"Right, if the teacher's not strict, I can see where this is coming," Albus concluded.

"Don't act like you're the only victims here, you know how to riposte just fine, don't you Potter?" a rather tall guy with brown hair and green eyes, who would be described as handsome by most people, said while going past them. And that would be Damon Stones, a close friend of Scorpius Malfoy, who was standing next to him.

"I don't know, you should ask your best friend over there," Peter pointed his chin at Malfoy.

"It's a shame you're not in a cage today, Crawford. It'll be safer for all of us, since you'll probably end up blowing something up again. And you certainly don't need our help for that," Scorpius retorted, smirking.

"If only it was your head that I could blow up," Peter barked.

The four boys were ready to fight, but Rose put her arm in front of her two friends, "Stop it you two, they're not worth it," she said while glaring at Malfoy.

The two Slytherins scoffed and walked into the classroom.

"Yep, there's no doubt, I still hate the guy," Rose said.

"Seems like last time was just a moment of insanity from his part," Albus added as the little group entered the classroom too.

"Stop, stop, stop. Do not sit yet," a slightly tanned woman with mid-long, nicely crimped brown hair suddenly exclaimed. She looked rather young for a teacher and was wearing dark auburn robes and a lot of golden jewelry. And Rose could totally see her being a model.

The girls were admiring her beauty, while the boys were totally drooling at her.

"For this class, I want you to pair up with someone from another house than yours. Which means that I want one student from Gryffindor and one from Slytherin next to each other. No exception," she said with a smile.

Heavy sighs and loud complaints ensued. Suddenly, nobody was happy with her anymore.

"Pairing with a Gryffindor? Yeah right, I guess I'll have to skip this class," one said with a sigh.

"I don't care, if the one I'm paired up with doesn't do their part of the work, I'll tell the Professor Hazebrown," another said angrily.

"This class just became the most boring one," someone declared, "That's what we get for choosing a mindless professor."

"Are you kidding me? They're really asking for us to fight," Peter snapped. "She may be really pretty, but I still can't agree with her idea."

"What does being pretty have to do with anything here?" Lena rolled her eyes at him.

"Come on, come on, it won't be as bad as you think. I'm sure you'll get along just fine," the professor tried to reason. "So, every Gryffindor student, line up and come draw a paper one by one. The name on it will be your Slytherin partner for the rest of the term. Students from Slytherin, please take a seat. Only one per desk, of course."

"I still can't believe she's making us do this," Peter complained again while standing in line.

"I guess that's the too friendly part of hers I heard about," Rose deducted.

Lena drew a paper and rolled her eyes after reading it, "I got Damon Stones. Great."

It was Rose's turn, "Sicilia Grande." Not bad, she was known to be serious in her work.

Peter was the next one, "Blake Vandergraff." Didn't ring a bell.

Albus made a face once he saw his, "And I got Scorpius Malfoy."

They all got to their respective seats while dragging their feet. Of course, Malfoy was sitting in the last row, next to Damon's desk. Rose found Sicilia sitting on the desk in front of Scorpius and Albus, and Peter was at the exact opposite of the room.

"Well, hello deskmate," Damon greeted Lena smoothly, as if he didn't start a fight with her friends a few minutes before.

"We already saw each other. And let's keep it to only being civil to each other during class, ok? No need to be friendly," the girl replied coldly.

"Oh, a feisty one, I like it." Damon wasn't a well-known playboy for nothing. Lena just rolled her eyes and turned her head, ignoring him.

"Hello," Rose simply said with a polite smile as she sat next to Sicilia.

"Hello," the girl, who had long straight brown hair that matched her chocolate eyes and tanned skin, replied in the same manner.

And their conversation ended like that. Talk about awkward.

"Why didn't you magically changed the paper?" Scorpius rebuked as soon as Albus approached his seat.

"Well, sorry for not automatically thinking about using low tricks," the boy retorted.

"I guess Professor Hazebrown's decision to make the Gryffindor students draw wasn't totally innocent," Rose commented.

"Well, I don't know, after all one Gryffindor or another doesn't change a thing for most of us, so why cheat?" Sicilia said without sounding the bit offended. She didn't seem bad, indeed.

"Right, one stuck-up or another, same difference," Malfoy spat, "And I could've had much worse, meaning a certain ginger who's a real pain in the arse."

"Careful, 'cause you've got his cousin instead," Albus warned.

"Let it slide Al', I already told you he wasn't worth it," Rose said, but not without shooting an angry look at the Slytherin boy.

xxxxx

"Potions officially became my less favorite class of the year," Lena exclaimed while eating at her house's table In the Great Hall, "In just the rest of the time we had left after pairing up, Stones was able to tell me at least ten innuendos and did nothing else, besides laughing with Malfoy of course."

"You're still lucky, at least he's handsome and actually talks to you. My partner does nothing, like really nothing. He just slept during the rest of the hour," Minzy, a fellow Gryffindor girl, said.

"Well, Sicilia seems cool and serious. I think I was lucky here. And she doesn't even snicker to Malfoy's remarks even though he's right behind us."

"And I am the one sitting next to him. I swear, this will not end well. This time was alright since we didn't do much, but that's sitting next to him for the whole term we're talking about."

"And I am alone at the total opposite of all of you. But I have to admit that Blake guy doesn't seem too bad. The only problem is that I think he's as bad as me with potions, so we're basically screwed for this class."

A really cute little blond boy with hazel eyes arrived and sat next to them, "Hey guys!"

"Hey Finn," the others greeted back. Finn McCarthy was a 4th year, just like Albus' sister Lily and Rose's brother Hugo.

"So, I heard your first match will be against Ravenclaw," he said. The young boy loved Quidditch, but unfortunately he wasn't good at playing it.

"Oh, don't talk about it, since it's the first match of the year, James is fired up and make us train every day," Rose sighed. She was a keeper in the team.

"Well, it is his last year here, so of course he'd want to end it well," Albus, Gryffindor's seeker, said.

"I know, but because of this I've barely got the time to review my lessons."

"What lessons? We started school this week," Peter couldn't believe her.

"We've already got plenty, believe me. Ancient Runes, Herbology and Potions are full of things to learn by heart. We have to read a big part of the book of Defense Against the Dark Arts…" She started enumerating.

"Ok ok, I get it. I shouldn't have asked," he stopped her. "And to go back on the subject, I don't mind training more than usual. It is the opening match of year after all, and we have to go back in shape after the summer holidays." Peter Crawford was also part of the team as a beater.

"Talk about you, our family doesn't stop playing Quidditch on the holidays, on the contrary," Rose retorted.

"That's because half of our current team is from our family. And not to mention we're from a Quidditch-freak family," a girl said from behind her cousin before sitting next to Finn. She was quite short and slim, had straight red hair that fell a little on her shoulders, and bright brown eyes.

"You're exaggerating Lily, we're only three, that does not make half of the team," Rose objected.

"James is a beater and the captain, which means 4 positions out of 8 are held by someone of our family. I believe that equals to half of the team," Lily Potter smirked.

Her cousin sighed, "Fine, I give up. You're right."

"By the way, Lily, aren't you interested in playing in the team?" Lena asked.

"Nope, as I was saying, our family has largely enough members in it, and James is already training Hugo to fill up his position of chaser next year. I play with my family so they're happy but that's all. The sport I prefer is shopping, anyway," she beamed.

"That makes at least one girl here who actually pays attention to her looks. You should learn from her," Peter advised Rose and Lena.

Of course, he got hit by the two of them at the same time.

Peter looked shocked while rubbing his arms, while Albus shrugged, "You should've seen it coming, mate."

xxxxx

"So, your main assignment of this term will be the brewing of a Polyjuice potion, as it needs a lot of complicated prior preparation and brewing time. Of course, you'll do it with your desk partner. While we do other potions in class, this one, along with the report you'll give me, will count as 70% of your grade, so do it well," Professor Hazebrown explained.

"Great," both Scorpius and Albus sighed at the idea of doing it together.

"At least we agree on one thing," Malfoy said.

"Well, as much as we dislike it, we have to cope with it," Albus reasoned, "So, I suggest we call a truce, at least for everything concerning this class."

Scorpius seemed to think about his proposition for a few seconds before finally agreeing to it, "Alright then. It's the only way not to fail this class, after all."

Albus extended his hand, but Malfoy just stared at it, "Let's not go overboard, shall we?"

"If we can't shake hands, how could we work together?" He insisted.

The white-blond-haired boy finally gave in and shook it real quickly.

Albus smiled in triumph. He did not particularly want to shake Malfoy's hand either, but his accepting to do that was a sign he was ready to make some concessions.

The rest of the hour went unexpectedly smoothly. They weren't being friendly or making conversation, they just talked when needed for their work.

When the class was finished, Rose went to her cousin and said, "Did I see wrong or Malfoy and you are standing each other's presence without problem?"

"I suggested we call it a truce for this class only," he explained.

"Really? And Malfoy accepted it?" Peter gasped after catching up with them in the corridor, Lena walking close to him.

"He doesn't really have a choice if he doesn't want to fail his exam."

"I'm surprised he didn't try to get another partner, though," Lena said.

"Professor Hazebrown doesn't look strict, but she does seem to be stubborn when it comes to her decisions. I heard some students already tried to talk her out of this mixing-houses nonsense but she didn't flinch," Rose informed them.

"I wouldn't have minded mixing houses, as long as if it wasn't with Slytherin," Lena complained. "How am I supposed to pass the exam with that playboy of a partner I have, huh?"

"Just make him understand you're not interested," Peter told her and quickly added, "You're not, are you?"

"Of course not! I am not attracted by men who like themselves more than they'd like anyone else. And I did tell him, he just doesn't listen. I'm starting to think flirting is his way of breathing."

"Would you like me to say a word to him?" Peter asked her.

She frowned, "You? Why?"

"Well, man to man and all that stuff," he said without much conviction.

"Only a boyfriend would do that – a real one I mean, not just a friend who's a boy – and you aren't. My boyfriend, I mean. You are my friend who's a boy but that's all," she ranted nervously. Seeing the looks her friends were giving her, she cleared her throat, "Anyway, the point is, it would probably be useless."

"How about you find yourself a boyfriend, then?" Rose said jokingly. "You haven't had one in ages."

"Time for us boys to go," Albus said while pushing Peter by the shoulders and walking faster. Even if Lena and Rose weren't really girly, they were still, well, girls. They didn't talk much about clothes, make-up, boys and other girl things, but it still happened on occasions. Like now. And he certainly wasn't interested about that kind of talk.

"But…" His friend tried to protest, looking at the girls, as if he wanted to hear more of their conversation. But Albus wouldn't listen to him and left the girls alone.

"You're not one to talk. Think about your own love life before mine, ok?" Lena replied as playfully.

They sat on a bench outside.

"Still, you're sure Stones is not an option? He is handsome, after all."

"And since when did I care only about looks?"

"Then, what about his bad boy character? Really popular among girls I heard," she said jokingly.

"If that was true, you would've jumped on Scorpius Malfoy long ago. He fits the handsome bad boy category, after all."

Rose shuddered at the thought, "Why are you saying such creepy things? I'll really have nightmares now. Plus, Malfoy doesn't flirt with me, he only insults me," she argued. "And did you really call Malfoy handsome?"

"We have to give him at least that. You can't tell me you find him ugly."

"Well, no. But it's Malfoy, his ugly personality takes over the outside looks. And hearing this from you is weird, that's all."

She disliked him since her first year in Hogwarts, so she'd never really paid attention to his looks, like his mesmerizing grey eyes and his perfectly defined jaw, or his white-blond hair that looked so soft and kind of sexy on him, or even his strong arms that weren't shown often enough. She really hadn't, that was just what she heard other girls say about him.

"Of course it's weird, because I don't usually talk about looks, because I don't really care about looks, or at least I care more about personality than looks," she pointed out.

"Right, I understand. Stones, out. I was just joking anyway, I knew you wouldn't be interested. But you know, Peter acts somewhat protective towards you when it comes to Stones," she implied.

"He just doesn't like the guy. He would do the same thing if you were the one in this situation. Ok, maybe not since there's already Albus, but you get the idea."

"I get it, but I'm not sure it's right," she went on.

"Peter's a friend. That's all."

"Alright, I'll stop," she gave in. But she still smiled inside, seeing how her friend's has turned slightly pink, which didn't happen when they were talking about Stones.

xxxxx

"Here are some books that could help us," Albus said to Scorpius, putting four books on the table.

"I still don't understand why we have to do all this. Normally, we do a potion, and that's all. Or we have an exam asking us about how we do the potion. We don't have a whole bloody report to do or anything. Why do we have to do research about that bloody potion's history, anyway?"

"Ask Professor Hazebrown, she's she one making us do it," Albus sat next to the Slytherin boy.

"How can a professor be so easy-going during class and yet so strict on papers? That's the worst, a vicious kind of teacher from which you don't know what to expect."

"I know what you mean. That's why we have to do this perfectly."

Malfoy sighed loudly while taking the first book of the pile, "Let's begin, then."

After meeting at the library a few times over the past two weeks, the two boys had stopped paying attention to the weird looks people were giving them. They knew why they were getting those looks, since they were the first ones to find this situation weird.

Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy were alone together in the library, not fighting or even arguing, but working, and acting almost friendly to each other. Almost being the keyword, they were just tolerating one another. But the strangest part was that it wasn't difficult to do so. Malfoy was surprisingly serious in his work – which shouldn't really be surprising, he was second of his year after all (right behind Rose Weasley) – and didn't make any nasty comments, so Albus didn't either.

"I'm done. I need a break," Albus declared after some time, leaning back on his chair. "If my brain gets one more detail about that bloody potion, it will explode."

"Thank you, I thought I was the only one like that. Seriously, I even know useless things like that Polyjuice is called Polynectar in French, but I can't remember how I learned that, I don't remember reading it, I just remember it. That's insane."

"I think that's enough for tonight. Or even for the week. It's already late anyway, and I have practice tomorrow morning."

"I heard your brother is really serious about this," Malfoy surprisingly said. In two weeks, it was the first time they spoke about something unrelated to the Potions class.

"Yes, he is. But he knows when to stop, too. He says overworked and overtired people are worse that undertrained ones, so even though we practice a lot, we aren't slowly dying either."

"He sounds like a good captain." Another surprising remark.

Albus smiled, "He is. It's his third year as captain, so he's found the right balance."

"Well, I can't wait to have a match against your well-trained team, and have our revenge for last year's match. My house is determined to win the Cup this year," he smirked. "And don't take me lightly, I practiced my speed a lot during summer." Scorpius was his team's seeker.

"Me too. But let's focus on our upcoming matches first. Who knows, one of us could lose."

"Yeah right, it's been years since our two houses are the real deal. In the end, Gryffindor and Slytherin have always the most points."

"Maybe they got better players or tactics this year."

"I heard Hufflepuff got new beaters and chasers, and Ravenclaw a new seeker and a chaser as well. But I don't think it will be enough. I mean, even if they're getting better, we are getting better too. So the gap stays the same. And neither of us lost an important player this year."

"I guess it makes sense when you put it like that," he agreed.

Albus was a little surprised Scorpius gave it so much thought. At first, he thought it was just in his nature to be arrogant and show off about everything, but he had to admit he sometimes had reasons to show off. Not that he approved of his attitude, though. But at least it's not, 'I'm the best because I am the best', or 'because we're better than you and you have nothing to say about it', or even 'because I'm rich and can do what I want.' He realized just now that Malfoy never actually said something like that, that was all his own assumptions about him. Of course, Malfoy's behavior didn't help either, but he wasn't as bad as he thought he was.

"You know, you're not as bad company as I thought, after all," Albus said out loud.

Scorpius gave him a look and said, "Geez, thanks," before smirking, "You're not too bad yourself, Potter."

And that's when the most unexpected thing happened.

Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy were alone together in the library, not fighting or even arguing, not working either, but talking to each other and – brace yourselves – along the way, they kind of became friends.

xxxxx


xxxxx

So, not much Scorpius/Rose interaction in this chapter, but I had to focus on Albus/Scorpius since they couldn't become friends in just two lines.

And you probably noticed, but my story won't only focus on those three, their close friends will be important too, they aren't there just for decoration or to give the line. So I hope you'll enjoy this part of the plot as well. (: