Chapter Three is here! Thanks for reading!
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Rose still remembered the first time she'd seen Scorpius Malfoy: her very first day at Hogwarts, when she was getting on the train at Platform 9¾. Her father had pointed him out.

"Make sure you beat him at every test, Rosie," he'd said, and then something about her inheriting her mother's brains. Rose had narrowed her eyes at the small, blonde-haired boy, who glanced over and met her gaze. He made a sneering face at her, she did the same, and they both knew that they were going to dislike each other.

As it turned out, they'd only had two classes together that year, Transfiguration and Potions. Though neither of them were at the top of the class (that title easily went to Lakshmi Finnegan) Rose had secretly thought of Scorpius as her competitor, and she was certain that he'd done the same. Whenever she didn't feel like studying for a test, she would imagine the smug face Scorpius always made when he beat her. It was very motivating.

And now Scorpius was with her at the summer program. At least he would be motivation for her to do well.

"So," said Scorpius. "Auror program for you, is it?"

Hope flickered within her. If Scorpius was there for a different program, she might not have to spend much time with him. "Yes. You?"

"Same."

So much for hope. "I guess I'm stuck with you, then."

"Evidently," said Scorpius. "Are you going to sit down?" He gestured at the chair across from him.

Rose narrowed her eyes. "Is the chair hexed or something?"

Scorpius sighed, sounding exasperated. "I'm not trying to kill you, Weasley."

"Weasley-Granger," she corrected automatically.

"What kind of last name is that?"

"It's better than Malfoy," said Rose.

"I am not going to bicker with you like a three-year-old," said Scorpius, somehow managing to look dignified despite what a stupid face he had. Rose resisted the urge to stick out her tongue.

Fine, maybe she was being slightly childish.

She sat down in the chair, folded her arms across her chest, and stared determinedly into his gray-blue eyes. "So," she said.

"So," he responded.

"Your family still isn't letting you talk to Al," she said, hoping to unsettle him. "It's a bit weird."

She was gratified by his surprised expression. At least she'd managed to get a reaction out of him.

"I always forget that you and Al are cousins," said Scorpius, frowning at her. "And no, they're not. They're a bit… old-fashioned."

"I suppose us Weasleys and Potters are terrible influences?" said Rose.

Scorpius raised his eyebrows. "In their defense, your family thinks the same things about me."

"They don't," said Rose, slightly surprised. "I mean, they aren't thrilled by your friendship, but everyone accepts it now. James and Al have a bet on whether or not you and Dominique are going to end up together.

Scorpius, who had just taken a sip of butterbeer, spluttered. "Dominique?"

"What, not your type?"

"Dominique is terrifying," said Scorpius "and I wouldn't date her if someone paid me to do it. Exactly how I feel about you, actually."

"Well, thank goodness," said Rose. "It would be a terrible tragedy if you entered into prostitution at such a young age."

Scorpius's ears turned pink. "I'm starting to remember exactly how annoying you are," he muttered. "Who thinks what, by the way?"

"That you're going to become a prostitute?"

"The bet!"

"Oh. James thinks you won't get together, Al thinks you will."

"Traitor," said Scorpius. "I need to have a word with him. No wonder he keeps dropping hints about her attractiveness."

"Not your type, I'm guessing," said Rose. "You prefer mindless morons with names like Peony, don't you?" Peony Parkingston was a pretty but unpleasant Slytherin who'd been flirting with Scorpius ever since the third year.

"Dominique is the type that will hex you into oblivion and then go get her nails done as though nothing happened," Scorpius said. "And for the record, Peony and I broke up."

"Well, congratulations," said Rose. "Although you two probably deserve each other."

"Blah, blah, blah," said Scorpius. He glanced around. "Where is everyone? Are we early, or something?"

"I don't think so," said Rose. "The letter said nine o'clock." She shrugged and got to her feet. "I'm going to go up to the castle."

"I guess I'll come too," said Scorpius, draining the last of his butterbeer and standing up. "This place is depressing as hell with no people around."

"Hell might be a bit more depressing," said Rose, heading for the door. "Moans of tortured souls and all. Doesn't exactly make for a cheerful soundtrack."

"You're cheerful."

"You're the one who brought up hell," said Rose. She sped up slightly, but he kept pace with her easily.

"Well, you know me," he said. "I just love the moans of lamented souls."

"Wouldn't put it past you," said Rose. "Who knows what goes on Malfoy Manor? There are lots of rumors, you know."

"At least it's not infested with redheads."

"Do you have something against redheads?"

"They're the devil's spawn," said Scorpius. He ducked to avoid her punch. "Hey!"

"You asked for it," said Rose.

Scorpius opened his mouth, probably to make another nasty retort, but just then, they arrived at the school gate.

It was locked.

"Wonderful," said Scorpius. He yanked his wand out his pocket and pointed it at the gate. "Alohamora."

The gate didn't budge.

"It must have that one irritating spell on it," said Rose. "Mum used to put it on cabinets in the kitchen to stop Hugo from stealing food." She frowned. "What do we do now?"

Scorpius stuck his wand back into his pocket, stepped forward, and grabbed the bars, rattling them slightly.

"I know you enjoy being a drama queen, but that's really not going to do anything," said Rose.

Scorpius ignored her. Still holding tightly to the bars, he swung his foot up and started to climb. Rose watched, open-mouthed, as Malfoy climbed easily to the top of the gate and perched there like a bird, looking down at her with a smug grin on his face.

"Are you coming up, Weasley?"

Rose gritted her teeth and started to climb. The metal hurt her hands, and she wasn't nearly as fast as him, but she managed to get to the top within a reasonable amount of time.

"Well done," said Scorpius. "I think you beat a few snails to the top."

"Such brilliant wit, Malfoy," said Rose. "Really, how can I compete with an insult like that?"

"You can't, obviously," said Scorpius. "Think you can beat me to the bottom?"

"Oh, I know I can," said Rose. She drew in a deep breath, uncurled her fingers from the top of the fence, and flung herself off of the gate. Malfoy gave a cry of alarm, but she managed to land in a crouch. When she was six years old, James had taught her and Albus how to jump out of trees without hurting themselves, and she'd never forgotten.

Dusting herself off, she got to her feet and looked up at Scorpius, grinning triumphantly. "Are you coming down?"

He swore, hesitated, and launched himself off of the gate, landing on his feet for a single second before slamming forward onto his hands and knees.

"Ouch," said Rose. "That looked painful."

Glaring at her, Scorpius stood up. The palms of his hands were scratched and bleeding, which actually did look painful, so she quieted down and started walking towards the castle. After a moment or two, Scorpius followed her.

"I wonder what's going on," said Rose. "There doesn't seem to be anyone else around. This is weird." She glanced over at him. "Do you think…?" She trailed off.

"Wands out, probably," he said. She nodded with agreement and pulled hers out of her rucksack before continuing on.

Moving cautiously, they made their way to the familiar castle.

"Look," said Scorpius, pointing. "The door is cracked open." Together, they pushed it open and stepped into the Great Hall, their footsteps echoing off of the stone walls.

Rose jumped. Standing a few feet away was a familiar-looking Indian woman, her shiny black hair pulled into a high ponytail and her arms folded across her chest. She looked impatient.

"You're late," she said.