Chapter two.

Hallabaloo.

I see you - the only one who knew me
and now your eyes see through me
I guess I was wrong

-Deep Blue Something

*Note* Rose is now in year four.

"Help! Argh! Jayden! Scorpius!" she cried out, her silky red hair slipping out of its braid as she jumped onto the magnificent Mahogany desk in fright.

Hiding a snicker, Jayden rose out of his chair, sculled his goblet of water and grabbed a piece of parchment. Rolling his eyes he walked over to the petrified Rose Weasley and squatted. "Rose, it's a wee little thing."

"It is not! It's a monstrous, blood sucking, man-eating spider!"

"What is going on in here? I can here you from my bloody room!" announced a proud young boy from the door of his dormitory. He stood strikingly handsome and had an air of nobility about him.

"Another spider, I swear they must find her reactions humorous," muttered Zambini as he placed the goblet atop of the spider and slid the piece f parchment beneath the goblet, capturing it.

"Put it in your room or something, don't kill it though!" Rose called out at the retreating figure. Heaving she jumped off the desk and moved to occupy Jayden's chair.

"That really was hilarious Rose. Funnier than yesterday's reaction," smirked Scorpius as he strutted (there really was no other word for it) towards the fire place from the doorway Jayden just disappeared through. "You can guarantee my back will never be the same though… to recover from such a spontaneous and heavy amount of weight…"

"Oh, I'm truly sorry. And i am not fat," spat Rose. "I am muscular and voluptuous"

"Mmhmm…" murmured Scorpius.

But in all truth she was being quite serious. She had muscular biceps, no stomach and her bottom and thighs were well toned and muscular (though she was a guaranteed size ten (Australia sizing) in the bottom). To most she would appear fat because her chest was well developed and her school shirt just hung from them, making her appear as though she had a huge stomach side-on. Scorpius knew this quite well; Slytherins had to entertain themselves somehow and Strip poker had sounded so interesting in muggle studies...

"Can I borrow your notes for Herbology? I can't make mine out," Rose frowned as she went through her stacks of parchment, scanning the neat and thoroughly researched notes. "I swear someone has got it in for me up there… they say Uncle Fred was always a trouble maker."

"Umm yeah, they're in my room though and I can't be bothered getting them. I doubt you want to go into my room, the wee little spider is in there," Scorpius rolled his eyes. "Seriously, yesterday's spider was smaller; did you actually have to jump on me?"

Rose sighed. "I thought a big grade fourer such as you could at least, for once, experience what it would be like to have a girl in your arms. I especially asked Kreacher [he works in the Hogwarts kitchens still] that this Christmas, would he kindly charm a piece of mistletoe to follow you around until at least five different females have kissed you. You won't just experience your first kiss, but your first five kisses."

"You're a little late; I experienced my first kiss, oo three years ago?" It was Scorpius' turn to smirk now.

"Hypmt."

"I put the spider on Goyle's pillow," Jayden spoke as he strolled back into the room. "Thing almost bit me."

"Sounds about right," laughed Rose.

Jayden, from the wall he leant against after walking into the room, scoffed. "'S'if, anyway what are you two doing for Christmas?"

"I'm stuck here with all my cousins. The parents are all going to Romania to stay with Uncle Charlie and Aunt Erin, so we're told. To be honest I am kind of actually looking forward to being able to spend time with James and Al. Being a Slytherin is a pain. What about you two?" Rose asked as she continued to skim through her notes.

"I'm here too, mum and dad wanted to go to Paris and didn't want me joining them," Scorpius muttered from the chair beside Rose.

"Well I'm going to Hawaii," smiled the dark haired boy. "That's right, while you guys are wrapping up in rugs, I'll be running down a sandy beach topless. Jealous?"

"Yes."

"Not in the slightest."

"Well I am a little jealous of you guys. Have you checked the notice board?" He walked away from the wall and stood In front of the huge green notice board. "Pulling a blue colored flyer off the board he turned on his heel and handed it to Rose; he then took a seat cross legged facing Rose with his back to the fire.

"For all the students staying on Christmas break… Blah blah blah… Oo!" her eyes read the parchment rapidly and her smile continued to grow wider and bigger. "It says that since nearly half the students are staying over the holidays the school is going to host a ball!"

Scorpius groaned.

"Great, now I have to find a date to that."

"Not necessarily, plus girls think your to-die-for so it will be a synch for you. I'm gonna go find Lily, see you later," and as quickly as she said it she bounced out of the room in delight.

"Poor girl is going to be crushed if no one asks her," sighed Zambini. "But she will most likely be asked, I mean look at her. And plus she is the only Slytherin girl in our year. Though I don't think anyone else in our house is decent enough for her. She's definitely special…"

Scorpius again rolled his eyes. Jayden always over reacted- must be the Italian in him.

"Hey! You should ask her!" cried Jayden in triumph from the ground.

"Wha- no!"

"Just do it; you would be so cute."

"I swear you're gay. Or a girl. We could call you Jade."

Jayden jumped up from his feet and rushed to Scorpius' side. "Oh please Score, do it for me? Or do it for yourself, how could you stand to see her hurt and alone at that ball?"

"Easy, I'm a Slytherin remember?" smirked the boy. He can't go with Rose; you take a girl as a date because you like them, not because it would be convenient. And Rose wasn't a convenience. But he didn't like her that way; he couldn't possibly like Rose. After a long muted pause he mustered up a 'fine' and followed Rose in the general direction she disappeared in.

Jayden crossed his arms and smirked, walked over to a group of girls sitting at a table and smoothly joined their conversation.

*

"Albus you did not just say that!" cried Lily, her hair flying around wildly. "I'm nearly thirteen; I can do what I please!"

"You are way too young to be going around snogging people! Especially third years!" cried Albus throwing his hands into the air. The siblings were standing on the slope that leads to Hagrid's hut; the boy that had been with Lily was long gone, fearing for his precious jewels. "And Lorcan said he bumped into you and a fifth year last week!"

"Lorcan can jump off the cliff at Shell Cottage for all I care! Rose is the only one who understands; probably the only one in our stupid bloody family!" Lily had her hands on her hips and her robe was discarded on the ground along with her red and gold tie.

"Put your clothes on Lily. And since when have you been speaking to Rose? She never speaks to any of us anymore, except James, yet she is the only one who 'understands'? She's a blooming Slytherin!" the boy's voice echoed around the deserted grounds.

"Oh, you're so kind Al! What the hell is your problem? Stupid Condescending git! Leave Lily alone! And has it occurred to you that maybe I do try to communicate with you but all you hot-headed arses don't listen!? I can't help who I am!" Rose stood behind her once closest person, her twelve and a half inch Ebony wand clutched tightly in her right hand.

"Don't you have a hole to get back to? This isn't your business, snake! It stopped being yours when you joined the Death Eaters!" hissed Albus.

Lily Audibly gasped but Albus stood his ground.

"C'mon Lily," Rose said, glaring at Albus. Turning she stomped back off towards the ancient castle, Lily running after her to catch up.

"Rose are y-"

"I'm fine. I'll see you later, okay?" and with that Rose Lily standing in the entrance hall.

*

"Hey, Albus! Have you seen Rose?" Scorpius called out to the Gryffindor as he searched for the Slytherin Princess.

"I haven't seen your snake of a girlfriend. Maybe you should ask my dirty sister," snapped the potter.

"What happened to house unity?" mumbled Scorpius as he continued on his way towards the library, Albus walking in the opposite direction.

The library was huge- twice the size of the library in Bloomsbury. It smelt of old parchment and ink, Rose Weasley's favorite smells in the world. To the back of the library was Madam Pince's desk and to the right was the restricted section that was fenced off. Between the entrance and the overly long check-out desk were twenty or so round tables, about seven of them occupied- none by a scarlet haired person. This however meant nothing since Rose hated the middle tables.

"Scorpius, how are you?" asked a black haired boy with huge and piercing round eyes. Lysander Thomas had approached the platinum haired boy, a smile upon his face. He was alike his mother in many ways, inheriting her belief in wrackspurts and nargles, her intellectual wit and her loyalty to friends.

"Yeah I'm good mate. Have you seen Rose?" Scorpius spoke; he stood with his hands in his pockets next to the quidditch section.

"Last time I did, it was in Divination yesterday. It's a wonder how she managed to hear Professor Firenze go into detail about our stars and the way they tell the past, present and future since the wrackspurts were so loudly buzzing. It's a shame really…" he shook his head politely and pulled Quidditch through the ages off the shelf.

"Okay, thanks Lysander," he waved and then turned to exit the hall-like room.

How on earth could Jayden even begin it think about Rose and Scorpius as a couple for this ball? They were like siblings; best friends since the feast in year one. They had no secrets; well Scorpius had none. He just could never muster up the strength to lie to her because he would look in her eyes and before he knew it the truth came babbling out. No, they were best friends; nothing more.

He returned to the common room disappearing behind the wall in the dungeons, breathing in the familiar green lighting that the black lake provided. This moment of solitude however, was interrupted by a loud screeching and what appeared to be glass shattering on a door handle.

"Rose."

Immediately he went into panic. Something must have happened between her and Albus, That's why he was being all house-ist earlier. Racing to his room first he ditched his bag first when he saw something unusual.

The silver striped bed spread of Jayden's unmade four poster was out of place. The green curtains had been drawn- not fully as he could see through the gap closest to his bed. Noticing how his trunk seemed to have been ransacked all thoughts of Rose vacated his head. He walked over to the bed and opened the curtains, instantly regretting his decision.

"Merlin, Jayden? What is wrong with you?" Scorpius half yelled half mumbled since his hands were now covering his face. He was way too much chocolate covered skin than he would have liked.

"What is wrong with me? Why would you open the curtains?" he too was yelling but he was also frantically trying to cover him and his companion with the sheets. "Who is stupid enough to do that?"

Scorpius turned round and with his back to them he replied, voice also raised. "I wanted to know why my trunk had been searched but now I understand. I don't have any, if you were wondering. I wouldn't need any anyway. Now I'm gonna go find Rose. Geez you could have at least put a sock on the doorknob or something."

He closed his trunk and left the room, walked across the hall, knocked on Rose's door and impatiently waited for her to answer.

"Who is it?" she shouted, her voice still hurt and annoyed by the earlier events of the morning.

"It's me, can I come in? My dormitory is officially being christened. I need the space," he was leaning against the door now.

Rose heaved herself up, quickly checked her face in the mirror and opened the door. "W-what time is it?"

"Oh shoot! We have to get to Transfiguration! Quick, grab your stuff, I'll get Jayden," he turned around and reentered his room with his eyes closed. "Jay, transfig'. We'll meet you there. Accio School Bag!"

His bag raced to him, he closed the door and half ran half walked with Rose to the third floor where they joined the Gryffindors for their shared class.

"Oh joy, Albus," Rose sighed, turning her back on the red and gold to face Scorpius.

"Hey is everything okay. I was looking for you earlier to see if – if you wanted to – to go to the library to study. I asked him id he'd seen you and he just about bit my head off," he wiped his hand on his forehead at the quick cover up in relief.

Rose shifted her feet awkwardly. She hated going into details. "Well you remember how I went to find Lily? Well Albus was there yelling at her and then she said something about me being the only one who understands and then Albus was like she doesn't even speak to us, how can she help, she's a bloody slithering. And then I said some things and so did he and then I took Lily, told her to go away and I went back to the common room."

"Woah, busy morning eh? Forget about him-" he put his arm around her shoulder "- guess what I walked in on? Hang on I'll tell you in class; your aunts here."

Audrey Weasley, mother of Lucy and Molly, Percy's wife, stood in the classroom doorway. She had been a teacher at Hogwarts for two years and nearly everyone loved her.

"'Morning students. Okay so today we will be learning how to transfigure a pin into a quail. Three to a table," she smiled and motioned for everyone to file into the room.

"Hey Aunt Audrey-" Rose kissed her cheek as the two passed her "-how is uncle Percy and the family?"

"Oh, good as always Rosie. And you sweetie?" she queried. She knew all about the argument, she always got along with Hagrid and he had heard the whole thing from where he taught his class.

"Yeah, Alright." she lead Scorpius into the classroom where they took the table right at the far back. "So, where's jay?"

"Oh, you won't believe it be-"

"S-sorry I'm late miss, o-over slept," Jayden huffed. He had his hand clutching his side and the other was trying to pull his robe on.

"That's fine. Take a seat with Mr. Malfoy and Miss Weasley. As I was saying transfiguring a pin into a quail is quite a complex spell. Can anyone tell me why?"

Rose's hand shot into the air, she ignored the smirk her cousin threw at her and answered. "Transfiguring a lifeless object into something with a heart beat is complex because all a pin is is a piece of metal whereas a quail is full of organs, muscle and tissue."

"Excellent ten points to Gryf-Slytherin," smiled Audrey.

"Your shirt's inside out," Rose whispered to Jayden once he took his seat. "It wasn't earlier on… what on earth did you get up to?"

"That's what I kept trying to inform you. Like I said, my dormitory was christened," muttered Scorpius, smirking at Jayden then copying the notes from the board scrappily.

"Zambini! You sleaze bag, it isn't even eleven am," gasped Rose, she held her quill in the air above her incredibly neat and complex notes.

"Oh, your just jealous that another girl got me before you," sighed Jayden, retrieving some parchment, ink, a quill and his text book from his bag. "I can't believe you walked in on us, Score."

"I'm sorry you forgot to hang a sock on the door handle. I didn't do that thing by the way." He had finished his notes and pulled his wand out from within his robes. "Accio Pin!"

The pin appeared and he immediately whispered the incantation under his breath, flourishing his wand. "And for goodness sake you're only fourteen!"

"Too late now," chuckled Jayden, He, instead of copying the notes from the board, copied Rose's who was to his right.

Rose chuckled also, summoned a pin and mimicked Scorpius' actions, however succeeding on her second attempt.

"Oh lookie here, little bookworm succeeded. Shame that talent's gone to waste on a Slytherin," Albus called from the table diagonal to the trio. He was sitting with Hamish Finnegan and Susan Jordan.

"Leave her alone Potter," countered Scorpius. Hamish, Susan and Jayden exchanged confused glances while Albus, Rose and Scorpius through daggers at one another.

"Mind your own business Malfoy!" shot Albus.

"Shut up! Both of you! Miss, can I go to the hospital wing? I don't feel well," asked Rose, her hand in the air.

Oh, um yes. Miss Jordan can escort you," said Audrey, slightly taken aback- Rose was never sick.

Both the girls rose from their seats, packed away their stuff up (Rose carried her Quail) and headed in the direction of the clock tower.

"Rose are you okay?"

"Fine. I'm fine."

AN: sorry about the long update, hopefully the next won't be far away. This is kind of a lead-up chapter. It's been so hot and today it was forty one degrees celcius and I had to work for five and a half hours, how fun. Enjoy your day/night. Also a fair amount of dialogue so it might be a bit confusing so feel free to ask me anything you'd like.