Hi everyone !

Chapter four's ready ! Sorry for the delay, I had trouble updating my story and had to ask for technical support !

Thanks so much Avanell and Rhr4eva for the lovely reviews – and thanks to everyone who added the story to their favs and alerts ! Such an encouragement to write more.

The title of the chapters are lyrics from songs I've been listening to while thinking of this story. This is also an tribute to Hyacinthian, one of my favorite fanfic authors here. You can guess which songs they're taken from – I'll dedicate later chapters to you if you find out ;)

This is Rose and Scorpius's sixth year at Hogwarts and this chapter is Rose's POV. Go Rose !

Disclaimer : as much as I would love to, I own nothing.

" Is he near, is he far ?

Bring peace to my black and empty heart "

"What's up, Rose ?"

My little cousin Lily and my best friend Charlotte Frost sat down on the comfortable couch, by the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common Room, where I was already slouching. I was so engrossed in Jane Eyre, the Muggle book my mum gave me for my last year at Hogwarts, that I didn't even notice the room had emptied, nor that the portrait hole had slid open to make way for the two girls. Their greeting brought me back to reality.

"Hey girls", I said as cheerfully as I could when someone disturbed my reading. I unwillingly put the book down, knowing the griping plot would haunt me until I opened it again. "What's up ?"

"What is up, my dear cousin, is that we've had enough. You can't keep reading love stories like that." Lily said, looking important and slightly amused, as if she was finally reciting a much-rehearsed line.

I frowned. "What's wrong with reading love stories ?"

"What's wrong, is that it is time to stop reading about them, and start living them instead !"

I flushed, lowered my head. "Girls, I don't see what you mean. I'm quite satisfied with the way things are right now."

"Oh, come one, Rose. You've been alone for such a long time… And we know someone who might be interested..." Charlotte added in a sing-song voice, her expression mischievous.

I blushed harder. Oh my god. Instinctively, my thoughts rushed to a certain blond Slytherin, who had repeatedly behaved in a totally unusual, yet totally chivalrous way around me lately.

I pulled myself together : Scorpius Malfoy ? Really ? Come on, Rose, he's so not for you. Admittedly, he's smart, he's a very talented Quidditch Captain – the Slytherin team had beaten the Gryddindor team flat two weeks ago – and he was so… sexy – I felt myself blush harder than ever at the thought – when I watched him laugh with his friends at the Slytherin table, his messy silver-blond hair falling in his grey eyes. But it's not that you're attracted to him, oh no. No. You're just intrigued by his behavior, that's all.

I sighed, not really convinced by my own arguments.

I'd better play along and pretend I was interested in Lily and Charlotte's offer. Who knows, maybe they were talking about him… but no, I wasn't even going to think his name.

"Who could be interested in me ?" I asked with a fake ingenuous smile. I knew quite well that many boys would love to go out with me. I was fully aware of the way their eyes followed me when I was walking down the Great Hall, or when I entered a classroom. I was pretty, I was rather popular, I was Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger's daughter. And still, all this didn't make me as obnoxious as my cousin James – who I loved despite his slightly overinflated head – was. No wonder people – and boys, for that matter – liked me. But I still wanted to find out who had been reckless enough to go talk about me to my best friend and my cousin – who, obviously, were bound to tell me as soon as they could.

"Who it is ? Oh, that's the best part !" Charlotte giggled excitedly.

"It's a surprise !" Lily clarified, winking at me.

"You'll meet him on our next Hogsmeade weekend !" Charlotte couldn't hold her excitement any longer. She waved at the announcement board across the room, where various sheets were pinned, including the notice about the oncoming Hogsmeade weekend.

"But… it's in four days !" I panicked. "And there's no way I'm going on a blind date – it's so tacky" I muttered.

"Too late, we've already set the date with the boy. You can't stand him up Rose. What's he going to think of you ?" scolded Lily, obviously enjoying herself a lot. "Think about it this way : you have four entire days to decide what to wear on your hot date ! …"

I sighed again, but in a dramatic way, to make sure Lily and Charlotte got how frustrated I felt. Deep down though, I wasn't mad at them. I was actually a little excited about meeting this mysterious admirer. Who knows, we might get along well. We might end up having a good time. He might help me get Malfoy out of my head ...

In that case, a blind date was a really good idea. Yes indeed.

So, what did you think ? Comments, advice, criticism with feedback - and even praise if you feel like it ! - appreciated ! Leave me a little comment and I'll update faster ;))