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 did it stop being fun?

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 find out what is going on with Malfoy after he was punched by Rose. Rose's sense of impending doom comes to fruition. Professor Longbottom and Rose have a heart-to-heart. We see more familiar characters….Surprise!

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Ravenclaw_Illusions

…

By the time it was lunch, I knew that something was wrong…

Malfoy did not show up to any of our classes. He had to be getting me in deeper trouble, somehow. I just knew that he was speaking his same old 'down with Weasley' rubbish to anyone and everyone who would listen to him. When he's through, they'll be sending me off to trial.

It's a good thing that Mum works in Magical Law.

"Would you stop freaking out, for two seconds, to listen to me?" Elle nudged me in the side with her elbow.

I focused my eyes on her, "I'm sorry. What did I miss?" I asked; feeling deflated.

Elle muttered, so that only I could hear her. "My dad is coming this way, and he has his 'disappointed lecture' look on his face."

I shook my head. "So…"

"So, I didn't do anything! That means, he's coming to speak to you."

I put my hand to my forehead and leaned my elbow on the table. "This day cannot get any better," I groaned.

Professor Longbottom stood in front of the two of us. His face was stern but his eyes seemed to pity me. He motioned with his right hand for me to rise. I followed him into the hallway. It wasn't until we started walking away from the Great Hall doors that he spoke.

"You can't let him get to you, Rose." It was as though, Professor Longbottom was speaking as my "Uncle Neville", instead of my Head of House.

"I know," I looked down at my shoes. "I just wish he didn't say the things that I have a hard time ignoring." I glanced up at him.

"Yes, but maybe he would stop, if you didn't give him the satisfaction of reacting."

When we turned at the end of the hallway, I knew where we were headed. "I'll try," I promised. "It's just not going to be easy."

"I understand, but you must remember before you think about responding to him – how clever and kind you are."

I paused for a moment, not totally comprehending what he meant by that…

"You have too bright of a future, Rose, to be getting into trouble because of someone else."

I slumped my shoulders and nodded my head. "Do you know what my punishment is?"

"That will be explained by the Head Mistress," He replied. "Good luck…" and with that, Professor Longbottom left me standing at the gargoyle that guarded The Head's Office.

As if waiting for me to be dropped off, the gargoyle shifted open, revealing the passage that led to the stairs of McGonagall's office. I stepped inside; the gargoyle automatically blocked my exit from behind me. I heard nothing… nothing but quiet. Not even the Heads' portraits uttered a word.

"Come in, Miss Weasley, we haven't the time for dawdling." The Head Mistress's voice reverberated from her chamber filling the stair case with sound.

I hurried up the stairs, not wanting to get myself in any further trouble. It wasn't until I reached the top of the stairs that her wording truly hit me…We?

My heart sped up and I could feel the beads of sweat at my temples and the back of my neck.

That can't be a good sign…

I patted the sweat away from my face with the sleeve of my robe. Then I shut my eyes and took a deep breath.

…

Six sets of eyes greeted me as I entered the Head Mistress's office. Sitting in the chairs lined up in front of the Head Mistress's desk was, Mr. Malfoy, , Scorpius, and, Mum and Dad. Right beside my father and closest to where I was standing was an empty chair.

"Please, take a seat, Miss Weasley." McGonagall gestured to the chair.

I, silently, obeyed her request.

My mother refused to look at me, and my father had a hint of a smile on his face.

"I'm sure that by now, you all know why you're here." McGonagall cleared her throat.

I gulped, and nodded my head. My father patted me on the shoulder. I glanced over at my mother one more time. Her eyes were trained on the Head Mistress.

I guess she didn't get all her anger out in that howler.

"The nonsense that goes on between these, otherwise exemplary, students has gone on for long enough. It has now escalated to violence and that will not be tolerated." McGonagall spoke sternly from behind her desk.

"Agreed," My mother eagerly replied.

Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were quick to concur. My father was silent. I looked at Malfoy. He had his eyes focused on the Head Mistress. There was a large bruise around his eye and a small scrape at the top of his cheekbone. His appearance was definitely easing the tension of being in such a disciplinary meeting.

I wonder why no one fixed up his face? His father is a healer, if Elle could heal my hand than I'm sure he's more than qualified to caste a simple episkey spell.

"Because of their academic excellence, and due to the fact that they only misbehave around each other, I have an idea…"

My eyes wandered around the room, and then returned back to McGonagall. She had that glimmer in her eyes and I knew that whatever she had to say was going to be cruel and torturous."

"Whatever plan you have in mind, Head Mistress, I'm sure will be fair and effective, but please know that my wife and I intend to address this issue as best as we can, in addition to was is being done at Hogwarts." Mr. Malfoy spoke to the Head of School and then gazed over at me.

I felt awkward with him staring at me. It wasn't a malicious sneer, or a smug glare, that his son usually wore around me. He had kindness in his eyes, and with the slightest inclination of his head, he smiled at me. He proceeded to smile as his gaze shifted over to my mother and father.

"I agree with Draco," My mother added. "Whatever discipline is given in school will be matched and reinforced at home." She then narrowed her eyes at my father - daring him to challenge her.

"I'm glad that we are all on the same page," McGonagall continued. "I have a remedial group of students in their fourth year. I would like Scorpius and Rose to prepare extra help study sessions, in the form of a review class during one of their shared free periods, and during a time slot on the weekend. I believe if they can handle the responsibilities of this project, that they will learn professionalism in their classroom, which will, and hopefully that professionalism will find its way into their regular schedule and personal lives. The both of them are required to write apology letters to one another delivered via their Heads of House, and will serve one week's worth of detention."

I rather be expelled.

"Now do both of you understand that you'll lose your prefect titles and any possibility of being Head Boy, or Head Girl, next year if you cannot learn to be civil and work together amicably?"

"Yes, Head Mistress McGonagall," We answered in unison.

Well that was creepy.

"There," She got up from her seat. "I'm glad that we have reached an understanding. The both of you will start detention tomorrow evening. You are dismissed." She then turned to our parents. "Thank you, for coming to the school so promptly. I appreciate your cooperation and it is always nice to see some of my old students."

…

I walked my parents out of the office and all the way to the entrance hall. Neither of them said a word to me or each other. My mother still wouldn't look at me. Once we reached the large double doors leading to the grounds, I peered up at my mother.

"I'm sorry, Mum." I said softly. "It will never happen again, I promise."

She then forced herself to looked down at me and said, "Actions speak louder than words, Rosie, I'll believe it when I see it."

I turned to my dad as they left. He hugged me and whispered the only words he said during his visit to Hogwarts. "I'm proud of you, but don't mess this up for yourself."

My mother then realized he wasn't walking beside her, "Ronald!" She scolded, and my father swiftly re-joined her.

"Be good son," I heard from behind me.

The Malfoy's were saying goodbye in the entrance hall.

Mrs. Malfoy squeezed Scorpius tightly and pushed his hair away from his face.

"Competition is healthy," Mr. Malfoy stated. "But that doesn't mean you torment a more than worthy opponent." He patted his son's shoulder. "Poor sportsmanship only gets you two things Scorp, troubled and alone."

The Malfoys smiled at me as they left the school.

I turned to head up to the library, when I noticed Scorpius was staring at me from across the entrance hall.

...