Disclaimer: I don't own.

Thanks to all who reviewed Algophobiansadist, Karma's angel and paperclipgail1728! Next chapter will be the one where we hear Rose tell the tale (if all goes to plan this chapter!)

Rose's Tale

Chapter 4

After a busy day filled with shape shifting, a teacup exploding, and a Mandrake trying to eat Rose's herbology textbook, Rose was finally ready to call it a day and collapse onto her bed. However Scorpius was there to give her an unpleasant reminder as she was ascending the staircase to Gryffindor tower.

"My darling Rosie-Belle, don't forget we have our date tonight at the astronomy tower" He called to her from the bottom of the stone stairs; she heard Al and Isaac chortle at his remark.

Rose retaliated by sending a bat bogey hex at him, obviously he was back to his old annoying self.

"It is prefect duty, idiot, and don't call me Rosie-Belle, Scorpy-Poo!" She sneered as he dodged the hex. She mentally cursed his quick Quidditch skills and was about to send another hex his way when Sunny grabbed her arm.

"Rose, he isn't worth it, besides you have to put your plan into motion." Rose sighed and smiled at Sunny.

"Your right I suppose. Let's put our things away before heading down to dinner."

Just before Rose was about to climb through the portrait hole she heard Scorpius shout with glee.

"She gave me a pet name. That's one step closer to her saying yes." Rose rolled her eyes, clearly he didn't understand sarcasm.

After putting their books and bags into their shared room they headed down to dinner.

Rose sat with Sunny and Lily at dinner, after eating the delicious roast dinner and sponge pudding for desert, Rose stood and said goodbye.

"Good luck!" Sunny called after her as she left the hall.

"Yeah I'm going to need it." Rose mumbled.

She made her way to the tower and climbed the winding grey staircase, when she reached the top she realised how dark it had become.

"Lumos" Rose whispered whilst pulling out her wand, she peered round the tower but couldn't see or hear a thing.

Grumbling she called out. "Malfoy, Are you here?"

There was no reply. Her anxiety growing she thrust her wand out even further.

"Lumos maxima!"

The incantation echoed around the tower as a huge, white glowing orb formed at the tip of her wand, she gazed around the circular room but could see nothing. She sighed and headed towards one of the huge open windows that framed the outside of the room.

She sat on the ledge carefully and looked at the grounds surrounding Hogwarts she could see the dark forest, the small trail of smoke that drifted lazily out of the chimney of Hagrids hut and the huge pumpkin patch that surrounded his home. She had always hated heights ever since she was eight and Albus had pushed her off her broom during a family Quidditch match, but smiled as she recalled another family story. This one was about her Mother and Uncle Harry's adventure involving a time turner and Buckbeak the hippogriff, when they were in third year.

Rose continued to peer out cautiously when she felt two warm hands shove her forward but then catch her at the last second.

"Saved your Life!" The person yelled happily.

Acting on instinct Rose whirled round and punched the person in the face. Heart pounding, she jumped from the ledge and scooted away from it. She lowered her still glowing wand to reveal none other than Scorpius Malfoy sitting on the floor with a dazed expression on his bruised face.

"Merlin Rose, that beating in fourth year was bad enough." He mumbled whilst holding his mouth.

"How is this my fault? You bloody buffoon!" Rose screeched at him her wand trembling in her tightly grasped hand. Her chest was heaving from adrenaline and fright and Scorpius couldn't help but look at it, Rose noticed and screamed in outrage. She turned around and looked out the window again, trying to calm herself before she punched him again.

She heard him stand and walk over to her; he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Rose, I-"He began. She shook his hand off angrily.

"Let's just get this over with" She spat and stormed off towards the staircase. Scorpius jogged to catch up and they descended the staircase side by side.

Once they reached the bottom Scorpius looked at Rose, her hair was tangled and she was shaking with fear. It had only been a harmless prank, why was she so upset? Rose saw the confusion on his face.

"Heights, you idiot." Rose explained her voice steady once again. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her wand was still tightly grasped in her small hand.

"What?" Scorpius replied in a bewildered voice.

"I'm afraid of heights and it didn't help that you nearly pushed me off the highest tower at Hogwarts."

"But, why were you sitting on the ledge anyway?" Scorpius asked surprise colouring his voice.

"I really like the view, no matter how scared I am, I'll always love the Hogwarts view." Rose replied before walking down the dimly lit corridor.

Scorpius was so surprised she even replied that it took him a minute before he registered that she was walking. He caught up with her and pulled out his long, slender, wand.

"Lumos" he murmured. He looked at Rose before speaking again.

"I really sorry Weasely, I didn't mean to frighten you." Rose looked up at Scorpius, he looked sincere and she wasn't one to make someone beg for forgiveness.

"That's ok Malfoy, just don't do it again. Also, if you tell anyone I'm afraid of heights, I will hex you into oblivion." To prove her point red sparks flew out the end of her wand then turned back into a white glow.

"Merlin! I won't tell ok? No need to get so uptight." Scorpius muttered the last part so Rose wouldn't hear him. She smirked and continued to walk, keeping a look out for students past curfew.

They continued their patrol, occasionally speaking about their classes, teachers and classmates. She was starting to relax towards him which surprised and unnerved her.

"So it's nearly the Christmas holidays. Are you going home?" Scorpius asked Rose. Their patrol was nearly finished and he had not once asked her out.

"Of course I am. We always have a huge party on Christmas Eve. The Potters, Lupin's and Longbottom's sleep in the guestrooms and we exchange presents in the morning over breakfast. Then we have a huge Quidditch tournament at midday and the Christmas dinner in the evening."

Rose gushed excitedly about her favourite time of year and was surprised to see a sparkle of mirth in Scorpius' eye.

"What?" she asked him in bewilderment.

"Nothing, it's just your eyes light up when you talk about your family and Quidditch and Christmas. I've never noticed it before."

"Well I love my family and Christmas" Rose replied with a smile that took his breath away. He couldn't believe he was having a conversation with her instead of being hexed by her!

"Wait, you don't love Quidditch?" Scorpius looked appalled and his mouth gaped open.

"Nope, the height freaks me out remember? I always commentate or referee the match at Christmas. In our family there's always one who cheats or pranks the other team."

Scorpius laughed and Rose decided it was now or never.

"Do you think we can go somewhere private? Not for anything you're thinking of." Rose added hastily, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "It's just; I think I need to tell you a story."

Yay, next chapter Rose tells the story of James and Lily. Reviews are welcome and thanks again to all that have reviewed. Also I just realised that prefect duties started in September and it's nearly Christmas. In my head this isn't the first time that they patrolled together, but it is the first time Scorpius is not acting like an idiot