Author's Note:

Hey, all! Thanks for reading!

Here is the story summary: I admit that I'm the competitive type. So years ago, when my dad pointed out a certain platinum blonde boy on the train platform, I accepted the challenge to beat him at everything; and succeeded, mind you. We have been in competition ever since. This rivalry has worked for five years – so why isn't it fun anymore?

I just want to let readers know that I have wanted to do a Scor-rose fan-fiction for a while now. After seeing how well received Paths of Prophecy has been, and with summer on the horizon, I decided to take on another story.

Thank you all for your support!

In this chapter, we see Rose has to whip out her prefect's badge early into the start of the term. Her and Scorpius have another verbal duel – Albus has to separate them before things get ugly.

Let me know what you think!

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Thanks,

xoxo

Ravenclaw_Illusions

…

The chatter of the Great Hall welcomed talk of summer holidays, and plans for the new school year. The merry ghosts greeting students at their house tables, loud conversations, and bright lights, diverted attention from the storm outside. If one only looked up he or she could spot the dark starless sky above us. It loomed over the Great Hall through its charmed ceiling, but no one seemed to have noticed.

"Good evening, Lady Rose, welcome back."

I looked up to see our house ghost, Nearly-Headless-Nick, smiling down at me.

"Thank you, Sir Nicholas," I replied with a slight inclination of my head.

He nodded back and coasted toward the other end of the Gryffindor table.

I rubbed my temples; after a long day of travel, otherwise my travel 'companions' – I use the term loosely, my forehead was throbbing and my neck ached. I took a deep breath and blocked the Hall, and its contents, out of my mind.

*Boom! *Crack! *Fizzle… *Fizzle…

I jolted upright and scanned the crowded Hall for the culprits. One would think that after a long train ride with two Slytherins and a Ravenclaw, I would find solace in my own house table. Unfortunately, that assumption would be wrong. The pair of students causing me to whip out my prefect's badge so soon was none other than our star quidditch players. Gryffindor's favorite chasers, Lysander Scamander, and I-wish-we-were-not-related James bloody Potter.

*Crack! *Pop! *Hiss…

A gold and crimson fireworks display appeared over the far end of our house table.

I was on my feet and stomping my way over within seconds – ten to be precise. Scamander, and my cousin, James were laughing as they continued their mayhem. It wasn't until I was standing right in front of them, pushing up the sleeves of my cardigan, that Scamander's face dropped. James continued to chuckle and disrupt the Hall's idle chit-chat as his blonde friend pawed at his shoulder.

I cleared my throat…

Scamander's eyes flashed quickly back and forth between us.

I folded my arms across my chest and started to tap my foot…

James remained standing casting his fireworks spells.

"I'm waiting…"

James' head perked up at the sound of my voice. "…'Til marriage?" He manipulated my words. "That's an excellent choice for you Rosie."

"Ten points, from each of you," I growled. "And Head Mistress McGonagall will hear about this."

"Gee, thanks Rose," Scamander muttered behind a childish pout.

"Way to undermine the house, little cousin. It's great to see your loyalty to your badge surpasses your loyalty to your house." James glared at me as he sat back down.

I walked away. My left eye was twitching and my chest burned – I hated taking away Gryffindor house points.

"You should see a healer about that." An all too familiar voice drawled out from behind me.

"Sod off, Malfoy," I snapped over my shoulder. I kept moving; trying to avoid his advances.

"Or what, Weasley?" He challenged me, with a hint of joy in his words.

"Or I'll deduct points from Slytherin." I stood still, refusing to face him.

"…On what grounds?"

"On the account of student harassment," I replied.

"…Than I'll have no choice but to take points from Gryffindor."

I turned immediately, "What gives you the right to take points away from me?" I snarled as I narrowed my eyes at his infuriatingly calm silver gaze.

He snickered, "Oh Weasley, it amuses me that you do not understand the fact that I am also a prefect, and you are abusing your title if you deduct points without legitimate reason. As a school prefect, I have a responsibility …"

I couldn't listen to his pretentious dribble any longer. "Oh please, as if anyone would believe you over me. Out of the two of us, you are the one that everyone would be suspicious of being crooked."

The calm faded from his eyes, which were clouded over. Rage and a whirlwind of emotional intensity created a storm in his defiant stare.

"That's enough," Albus stood in between us. "You should have never come over here. You told me you were leaving to use the bathroom." He scolded his friend. "And you," he turned around. "Even you know that that last comment was a low blow." Al proceeded to grab Scorpius by his sleeve and dragged him back to their house table, at the opposite side of the Great Hall.

I sat down. My headache suddenly worsened. I swear, I'm allergic to pompous, blonde, Slytherin pricks.

…