AN : Hello, readers!

I am extremely sorry it took me a decade to update. Really, I'm so sorry. :( Translation is not easy, but it is not so hard either. But I promise you that if this chapter gets more than one review, I'll start updating once on two or three weeks. I just need to know that someone is interested to know what happens next in "A Scorpion Rose".And I assure you that this chapter isn't half as interesting as the next ones. It gets better, really. So please review to let me know if you like it, to tell me about my mistakes, to help me improve my English, or just to share some random information. Thank you!

This chapter is dedicated to my first and only reviewer lux. Lux, thank you so much for your kind words!

Enjoy!

Disclamer : I don't own "Harry Potter" or the following two songs.

Chapter 2

Ugly

"You're just a pretty boy with such a pretty voice.

And all the stupid girls listen 'cause they have no choice.

I see through all the static and the noise.

Manipulating people and you treat them like toys.

You're ugly,ugly,ugly "

/ Ugly – Kady Groves /

Or

Break Your Heart

" There's no point trying to hide it.

No point trying to evade it.

I know I've got a problem. Problem with misbehaving.

If you fall for me I'm not easy to please.

I might tear you apart.

Told you from the start. Baby, from the start.

I'm only gonna break, break your-

break, break your heart "

/ Break Your Heart – Taio Cruz /

Of course, in the morning like for a very first morning , I had to oversleep. Malfoy could

have not left me to the mercy of fate risking me to miss the breakfast, even simply because we

were partners and all, but what else could have I expected from someone like him. I got

ready really fast and, thank Merlin , when I reached the Great hall the breakfast wasn't

over yet . I waved indefinitely to the group of relatives of mine on the other three tables

and took my place next to my best friend Annabel.

" Good morning! " - she greeted me lifting her head from her new lustrous Charms book.

You probably think that during breakfast at the Ravenclaw table such action was taken as

more than usual, but actually it was like that mostly during lunch. In the morning most of

the smart kids were yawning enthusiastically and it seemed like the only ones who were

awaken enough to trow beans at each other looking at the instructions in The Quibbler

were the twins Lysander and Lorcan Scamander.

" Good morning, Annie. Did they give you the schedules? "

Her blonde head parted from the book one more time.

" Here. " - she gave me my schedule - " Where have you been all this time? "

I rolled my eyes.

" Were you expecting your cousin to be polite enough to wake me up? "

" I told him that you're having a hard time waking up when you're not used to it. Seriously,

Rose, I told him! "

Annabel Greengrass was Malfoy's cousin on the maternal side. The two of them were

meeting up only on official family meetings and their relationship was not at all close.

Add to that that her father married a 'blood traitor' and that some of their relatives still

couldn't accept said fact. She had wrote me about her cousin's badge back in the summer

and ,like the good friend she was, she had made the effort to talk with him on

family terms.

" Obviously he didn't think that paying attention to your words was of any importance to

him. " - I sighed - " Not that I expected anything different from" - I changed my voice to

snobbish and high-pitched - " the un-ique Scorpius Malfoy. "

Annie looked at me with understanding compassion. We were probably the only ones, or

at least from the small group of the only girls, who weren't impressed by his 'simply great'

image. Of course, my friend was his cousin, no matter how much she hated to be reminded

of this, so you can only count me.

" Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, Rosie! " - I felt my cousin Lucy's arms around my neck .

Although I didn't see her I realised it was her, because only a member of my countless

family would call me that, and except me she was the only one of us sorted into

Ravenclaw.

" Hey, Luce! How are you doing? " - I said setting myself free from her arms.

" Fiiiiiiine... But you... You're probably much better than me! " - she trowed me a

meaningful look.

" I fail to see why. "

I really did fail to see.

" Hello! You're sharing a dormitory with Scorp Malfoy! "

Oh, yeah. I had completely forgotten that Lucy was having a huge crush on the new Head

Boy. I had envied her for becoming a Prefect and it seemed like now it was her turn to

envy me. The funny thing was that I didn't envy myself.

When she realised I wouldn't say anything else on the matter, my cousin told me :

" Come on, tell me! I want to know everything you found out about him! What happened

yesterday? "

" We talked..."

" Talked about what? "

I sighed and retold the conversation in a few words. When I was finished the both of them

were staring at me with their jaws dropped. I soon found out that it hadn't been a good

idea to open my mouth on the events the day before. Lucy was the first one who managed

to speak again.

" So why aren't you wearing a short skirt? "- her voice was full with both moralization and

jealousy.

" Why should I be? "

" Rosie, he... He thinks you have nice legs! Do you understand – he! "

I didn't understand at all, but I was willing to bet that on our first Hogsmeade trip Lucy

would've worn her shortest skirt. I don't mean to say that she was stupid or anything.

Actually she was quite wise for her age and had a solution to every problem. There is

just this thing that exists which is putting all girls together in the same stupidity. When

the object of their dreams is involved nothing else matters, not even sanity. Unfortunately, at

the time I had to admit to myself that sometimes I was having the same deviations.

" Malfoy's opinion is the last thing I care about. "- I snapped - " Besides he was probably

just joking around with me. "

Lucy didn't seem quite convinced.

" Did you at least see his room? " - she asked hopefully.

" No! I don't mind other people's business! " - I answered sounding almost offended.

Suddenly her ginger braid hit my cheek. She had twisted over 360 degrees.

" I've got an idea! " - she said excitedly - " Let's organise a family meeting at your new

dormitory. You know, like the ones we make by the lake. What do you say about tonight? "

" There's no way, Luce! I can't do these kind of things at the very beginning of the year. "

" Oh, come on! " - she made a pleading face - " I'm sure he'll invite someone! "

" I doubt he'll do that. And still someone is different than seven someones! "

" Ugh! Let me know if you change your mind. Now we have to go to our Transfiguration

class... "

" I'm sorry to interrupt ladies, but I want to have a word with the brunette Weasley. "

The cold-blooded voice spoke with originality. What a surprise!

The three of us turned around almost at the same time. Lucy, despite of her will - be-fainting

look, gave Malfoy her best coquettish smile. He returned the gesture giving her his

infamous seductively jesting trademark.

" Yes? " - I called impatiently.

He raised an eyebrow making a hint that was understood by Annabel.

" Come on, Lucy, we're going to be late. "

She pushed my cousin towards the exit and nodded at me barely noticeable.

" You girls can be rarely find alone. "- noted the blond.

" Oh, please, don't pretend you don't like the more numerous attention. "- I couldn't help

but comment.

He just smiled at me, not taking his eyes off of mine.

" So what is it that you want to tell me? " - I asked eager to get away from his company.

" It's only that I made the password work and... " - he looked at me cautiously - " I guess

you won't be very happy about it, but I intend to bring my girlfriend tonight. "

The playful flames once again shined in his eyes and the familiar jesting smirk had took its

place on his face. Was he getting on the fact that I was all alone? Well, he could have

minded his business for all I knew! Now he was going to see exactly how alone I was.

" There's no problem. " - I answered - " As long as you're in your room. I'm thinking of

placing my relatives in the Common room. You don't mind, do you? "

I managed to surprise him, but he quickly recovered.

" Of course not. Me and Clair won't be too noisy. We'll play a few games of Wizard's chess

and then... "- he actually had the nerve to wink at me.

" Then you'll be enjoying each other's company. "

With that I wanted to generalise their intention to snog.

" She'll be enjoying mine more. "

His arrogant smirk wasn't leaving his face, provoking me to say what I really thought of the

matter. Of course, I managed to handle myself. There was no way on Earth I was letting

him to pull me out of control.

" So we're okay then. Have a nice day. "

I waved at him and turned in the direction of the door, not bothering to wait for an answer.


I ran into the principal's office ten minutes late. McGonagall gave me a stern look and

Malfoy winked at me. I cursed myself for putting shame on me on my first day as Head

Girl, but, of course, to whom else it might have happened if not to me.

" Excuse me, Professor." - I muttered looking at my feet - " This will not happen again. "

" I most sincerely hope so, Miss Weasley. Just this time I will not bother you to give me

an explanation for your lateness. "

" Thank you, Professor. "

I was really very thankful of her. I didn't want to imagine how I was supposed to explain that I

was late because I had to tell my relatives about our family meeting. And in front of the

giggling Malfoy! It was indeed going to be a big failure.

I sat at the chair opposite the desk where I was pointed to seat and, taking out a

parchment and a self-charging quill, I met the Slytherin's mocking gaze. I always liked

to write down the important things to remember and I didn't think that was in any way

wrong or funny so I just gave him a cold look in return.

"I will not take a lot of your time. After all you have to prepare for your lessons,

and you also have extracurricular activities to attend to." - started the Principal - "I will go

straight to the point. This year is the last year at Hogwarts not only for you, but for me too."

In the following moment I realised I had instinctively searched for Malfoy's gaze and felt

uncomfortable about it, but before I could turn around he met mine. I could see that

McGonagall's words had shocked him too, but the playful flames were obvious in his eyes

and soon enough his provoking smile showed up too. I turned my eyes to the other side

and quickly faced the desk before the redness had taken over my entire face.

" I know that you are surprised. " - continued the Principal - "But you must

understand me. Almost every teacher from the old generation has already retired. I also

feel that I do need a rest after all this time. And you two will help me retire with dignity."

"Professor, I assure you that I will give all my best to make your time at Hogwarts

be remembered as a Golden age." - Malfoy professed her pompously, which I dare to say

was obvious regarding his flamboyant choice of words.- " I am sure that Ms. Weasley

shares the same opinion?"

The both of them had their eyes fixed upon me and for a moment I couldn't find my voice.

"Errrr...Of course." - was the only thing I managed to mutter.

I forced myself not to look at the Slytherin and not to think of the mocking look that had

most surely appeared on his face. On the other hand, McGonagall seemed pleased. She

even allowed herself a barely noticeable smile, which calmed me down to some point.

"Well, the rest is in your schedules. You are free to go now." - she waved her hands tiredly.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Professor." - I said and then felt how Malfoy stand beside me saying :

"Have a good afternoon, Professor."

The two of us silently climbed down the stairs from the Principle's Office to, if it can be

called that way, the ordinary part of the school. I was just about to get going to the Library

as fast as possible, when it occurred to me that I didn't receive the schedule. There was

no other way but to speak to the Head Boy again. I was never going to admit it, but the

truth was that he was bothering me. Usually I was able to talk with McGonagall most

normally and I didn't feel as if my mind was trapped, like I had felt minutes ago. After all

I was the Head Girl and I had to gain the confidence that this position required. I was also

aware of the fact that people like him didn't need more raising of their level of

confidence. Mine had to be the highest as possible when I was talking with him and

I was really doing my best on the matter, trying not to conform to his cocky flirtatious

behavior, but I was finding it a hard time for myself every time I had to speak to him.

He was definitely an expert in making innocent girls like me feel uncomfortable,

but I wasn't stupid myself. And I was going to prove that to him. I was going to rub his

snubbed nose.

I straightened my shoulders and with all the dignity I possessed, I turned to him :

"Malfoy, you have my schedule, don't you?"

"Yep." - he confirmed nonchalantly, the crooked smile not leaving his face - "I was starting

to wonder when you were gonna ask."

"So would you give it to me, please?"

He just laughed.

"Take it by yourself, Weasley."

Of course, I had to know that he won't act like a normal person just like that. He had to

continue with the so amusing for him and humiliating for me show.

"Where is it?" - I signed.

He just smiled broadly and purred :

"Come closer and you'll find out."

I knitted my eyebrows confusedly and obviously irritatedly and started walking cautiously

towards him. I stopped about three times on my way, but every time he showed me to

keep going, the awful smugness not leaving his face. At this point I was already

completely convinced that I can't stand playboys, especially this exact one, but of course

I did nothing to show how much his little game was getting on my nerves. I wasn't going to

give him the satisfaction of it. I was going to play until the very end, as cold bloodedly as

him too. I stopped just before I had completely flushed against him. I felt even more

uncomfortable, if that was possible in any way, suddenly realising just how tiny I

was compared to his really tall figure.

"There's no further I could go, Malfoy," - I mumbled, trying to hide the worried notes in my

voice. - "Where is it ?"

"Under my shirt." - he said it so nonchalantly like it was something ordinary that happens to

him every day.

I closed my eyes and greeted my teeth. I couldn't believe that he wanted me to do this. I

did all my best to stay calm and not to shout scandalized. Instead of that I said :

"I assume you won't take it out yourself ?"

"Just who do you think I am ? Of course, I won't. It wouldn't be any fun if you don't do it."

"I could just wait for a couple of days. You must get bored of torturing me eventually. "

"Don't fool yourself. You're my new entertainment, Weasley, and I don't think I'll get bored

of making you blush any soon."

Right after he said it I felt it happening again. Thanks to the Weasley genes – freckled skin

perfect for tomato juice. I had never hated anyone before, but in this moment I thought that

I was feeling the first signs of hatred overtaking me, screaming 'Punch, Malfoy! Punch

him!'. Yes, I also hadn't felt any desire for violence before.

" You'll give me the schedule eventually. " - I said, trying to sound as confident as possible.

" Eventually will be too late for McGonagall. Do you really want to disappoint her? Do you

really want to disappoint your family and ... yourself? Come on, Weasley, prove you're

worth your position. Just do it! "

I know I could negotiate some more, but it wasn't easy to convince Malfoy himself. I

closed my eyes and shoved my hand under his robe and then under his shirt. I started

groping about, feeling like the biggest fool in the universe, while my skin was burning.

His skin was ice cold.

" Malfoy, if someone sees us..." - I threatened him through greeted teeth.

" Take it easy, this is not the idea. This show is private, only for me, that's why I chose

the emptiest corridor. "

Thank Merlin, in the following moment I found the parchment and took my hand out.

I felt like screaming that he'll pay for this painfully, but somehow I managed to stop

myself from doing this, digging my nails into my fingers.

" I hope you enjoyed it, because you won't get the chance to experience this kind of

pleasure again any soon. " - his cold blooded voice echoed in the silence.

I didn't even honor him with an answer. He didn't deserve one. And no matter how

ashamed I was, I looked into his eyes as icily as possible and quickly took the stairs.


In the Library another surprise was awaiting me – Kane Finnigan. In case you're

wondering – he was the object of my dreams. A seventh year beater in the Gryffindor

quidditch team and...half indian. I think that was his most charming quality. This dark and

mysterious look on his face combined with an exotic expression. Not to mention his

raggedy black hair. But no matter how gorgeous he was, I didn't fancy him because of that.

Actually, in the whole of two times I had had a crush on a guy I had fancied him for quite a

long time and hadn't been able to explain why I had been so obsessed with him. That

was also the case with Kane which irritated me to no end. I absolutely hated it when things were out of my control.

Couldn't I fancy someone the way that other girls did if only for once? And couldn't he be

someone not that much of an amazing person with whom I'll actually stand some kind of a

chance? Because of these thoughts that tortured me every time I saw him and because of

my already spoiled mood, I didn't enjoy the sight of Kane Finnigan. I resisted the urge to

hide behind one of the shelves from where I could secretly watch him. While passing by,

I managed to see that he was reading my favorite chapter from "Hogwarts, a History" in

dept. Any other day I would've smiled upon being acknowledged to such a fact, but at the

time I was awfully grumpy. I noticed Annabel sitting on one of the tables. She was

studying Charms, of course. Sometimes I wondered when she found time for the other

subjects. Instead of a greeting she immediately whispered in my ear:

" Did you see K. F. ? "

I rolled my eyes.

" I don't want to talk about this right now. Malfoy did enough with getting on my nerves! "

She looked at me .

" What had he done ? "

" You don't wanna know. "

" Yes, I do! Come on, tell me! "

She shook my wrist. You can't tell me I didn't warn her. In the beginning I found it difficult to

retell so I switched to other subjects a lot, but who who had been on my place wouldn't

have done the same? What had happened was Humiliating with a capital H. Until the very

last of my words I was wondering if I should tell her everything exactly as it was, but after

all she was my best friend. I was telling everything to Albus and her. Besides some people say that

it's best if you share your problems, because the person in front of you could be able to

understand you. Well, in this case the said statement wasn't at all true. Annie burst into

laughter which was getting louder with each passing second. She even got to the point

when she could hardly breath and was about to fall off the chair. Madam Pince gave us

a warning glare which was scary enough to force my friend to stop giggling. She took

a deep breath and grinned at me. I can assure you that her behavior did no good to my

bad mood.

" What's so funny? " - I asked with almost hysterical notes in my voice.

" Well, Rose, for this to happen to you... It's just... When I imagine your face at his

comment 'Under my shirt.' " - laughter again - I mean, Rose Weasley and... And that!

The show was by all means incredible! "

" Thank you for the understanding. " - I said dryly.

" No, don't take it like that. " - she made the puppy face - " I'm sorry... It's just that you're

so innocent and not used to flirting and that kind of stuff and he... "

" He's obviously perfectly aware of that! " - I snapped - " Apparently he thinks he can make

fun of me as much as he wants to, caring me around like a piece of meat. And all this – for

his own amusement! "

Finally, I let my anger run free and I myself was surprised at how fast the adrenaline

raised in my veins. I couldn't be that furious! Malfoy did not deserve any kind of special

attention.

" Rose, don't take it so seriously. The guy's just being the joking kind. "

" Well, I'll see how pleased you'll be if the joke's on your behalf. "

" It's true, of course you're right. But after all nothing too bad has happened. "

" Yes! " - I kept complaining - " Except that now my schedule stinks like him! "

We heard the Librarian's coughing behind our backs.

" Ladies, if you intend to keep chatting I would prefer you do it outside. "

Ashamed, we apologised and opened our books. Ten minutes after I have started

my essay on Amortentia, I felt Annie placing her mouth next to my ear.

" I just found something that will lighten you up. " - she whispered.

I honestly couldn't imagine what that might be.

" A simple spell for waking up. We'll be studying it at the middle of the year, but

considering your abilities, there's no way you won't be able to perform it. "

I graced her with a genuine smile. I admit that my mood wasn't that hard to improve,

and ,when I

thought about it , Annie's researches in the Charms books always turned out to be helpful

to me.

AN: Thank you for reading! ^_^

l