Next morning, it was history of Hogwarts class, Gryfindors and Slytherins. It was clear that Rose Weasley studied the book by heart because she knew every answer to the Professor's questions. She took it to heart to rival Scorpius Malfoy, but he seemed meek compared to her. She didn't understand why he didn't compete against her in class. After class, she asked her cousins Lucy and Roxane, and James and Albus Potter :
"Say, why didn't Malfoy say a word in class? I was wondering why he didn't answer any questions at all."
"See Rosie, maybe he doesn't want to be your rival in class you know." That was Lucy.
"I'm wondering why he doesn't, wouldn't he like to beat his father's rival's daughter?"
"I'm sure he doesn't feel that way." Answered simply Roxy.
"I don't know what's with that weirdo, acting so strange around our cousin, but if he did anything to her, he'll have us to answer too." said James menacingly.
"I'm sure he wouldn't dream about doing anything to her, since he likes her so much!", said Roxy, daydreaming.
"If that asshole likes her, I'm going to curse him into oblivion", threatened Albus with his little fists curled up.
"Calm yourselves, he's not going to do a thing to her." reasoned Lucy calmly.
"How can you stay so calm in a situation like this?" Yelled James Potter.
"James, can't be any louder? The whole school's going to hear, is that what you want for your cousin?" asked Lucy tone rising several octaves herself.
"Hey guys, you're talking for me as if I weren't there.", said Rose, irked.
"Well, what do you want, Rosie dear?" asked Albus Potter.
"I want Scorpius Malfoy to take his rivalry with me seriously", answered she, more and more irritated that Scorpius Malfoy didn't want to rival her in schoolwork.
"Maybe he doesn't want to", answered merely Roxy.
"Maybe he's just so arrogant that he doesn't think me as his worthy opponent, and if he doesn't think so, I'll prove it to him that I'm worthy to be his rival." replied Rose, fuming now.
"Well, I don't think so, Rosie." said both Lu and Roxy.
"Whatever, we've got another class now.
Yes another came and it was herbology for the first years. They got to plant some Mandagoras. Rose, as usual, planted hers first in her pot without it making so much noise, and got 30 house points for Gryffindor. And Scorpius Malfoy was just there, in a daze, watching her work. He puzzled her, so she asked him :
"Hey Malfoy, what are you doing there, still standing there and not starting? I already won a 30 houspoints for Gryffindor. At this rate, Slytherin's going to lose the House Cup." She said, trying to stimulate something in him. But surprisingly, he replied to her :
"Did it ever come to you that I don't want to be your rival?"
"What? But, but…" She was speechless.
"Cat killed your tongue, Weasley?"
"No, but your father and our fathers…"
"Look here, I don't care about all that happened between our families, I just wanna be friends with you."
"Well, I don't wanna be friends with you, since you're my enemy." She said stubbornly and walked away since class was over.
Scorpius Malfoy didn't have time to say or do anything else, as his 2 best friends Nott and Zabini tackled his arms and said :
"Well, why didn't you tell her you didn't know anything about what happened between the Weasleys and the Malfoys?" Nott started.
"Would she believe me even if I told her?" He said despairingly.
"Why must you fall for your father's enemy's daughter? Can't you fall for some Slytherin pure-blood?" asked Zabini
"You know I don't want any of them, I just want my Rose." he answered obtusely.
"And she's too stubborn to see your good side." Nott again.
"I mean, you're loyal to your girl, once you fall for a girl, you won't change your mind, you're nothing like your father." added Zabini.
"Yes I know, but she doesn't."
"So give up on her." advised Nott.
"No". said simply Scorpius in answer.
"So, what are you going to do about her?" asked them both at the same time.
"Nothing, I'm going to keep asking for her friendship until she agrees to it."
"She'll never." Nott answered him.
"You're very encouraging. Well, whatever, let's go to dinner."
Dinner they went, and all the rest of the year, Rose Weasley rivalled him in schoolwork, never giving up, but never once did he reciprocate her rivalry, he hoped she'd realize he didn't want to be her rival in school, just friends. But she didn't, so the whole year passed, with them always dancing with each other, and him never doing anything about his feelings for her. Gryffindor won the House Cup with Rose Weasley's efforts and he congratulated her in front of the whole school. She didn't take it very well.