AN: I am so so so sorry it took me so long to upload this! But, I had it half written, then rethought it and started a completely new chapter, rewriting it all. But, I'm hoping to post new chapters a lot sooner. I really hope you like it (:
-xo

As the days passed, Rose remembered what her father had said to her at King's Cross. 'Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie.' That surfaced an idea. If Scorpius wasn't going to speak to her, she could still have a little fun with him. Besides, she was one of the smartest witches in her year. Scorpius was a close second, however. This little competition of hers was certainly going to be interesting.

The following week, Professor Flitwick tested them in their wand-waving technique. Rose had mastered it, of course, and since she did the best, she earned her house twenty-five points. With a greasy grin, Rose glanced over at Scorpius from the corner of her eye. He caught her gaze, and his expression slowly turned to a glare. Rose knew immediately from his look that this meant war.

The weeks continued on in the same fashion – The two of them competing for the highest grades in all of their classes. There was one class, however, that Scorpius always seemed to be better at, and that was Potions. Rose had yet to beat him in any test at all in that class. Rose had also noticed that most of their professors had become aware of this rivalry and finding enjoyment in it.

They would set some of the most difficult tasks for the two, ones that a normal first year would never be able to answer. But, as they were the brightest in their year, they'd done their studying.

During Transfiguration that Tuesday morning, they received their marks for an essay they'd been assigned the week before. Rose had beaten Scorpius, once again. Not a word had been spoken between the two for weeks. However, after Transfiguration, Scorpius waited outside the classroom for Rose to emerge.

Scorpius' POV:

"Weasley!" Scorpius called after her as she passed him without acknowledgement. "What's this little game of yours?" His eyebrows furrowed together, causing a small crease to appear between them.

Stopping in her tracks and turning to face him, Rose's face seemed to be innocent, but Scorpius could see past that façade. "Why, what do you mean?" she asked him, her voice sounding overly sweet. "I'm simply just doing the best that I can in my classes."

The sugary-sweet sound of Rose's voice sent chills down Scorpius' back. His grey eyes burrowed into hers and he could see beyond her act. "You're not going to win, you know," Scorpius threatened before turning on his heel and walking down the hallway away from her.

As he made his way up to the Gryffindor common room, he couldn't seem to get Rose from his mind. Scorpius normally had an aversion to girls – His mother was convinced it was just 'that age'. He'd never felt this way about a girl before. It was completely new to him. He just wanted to be her friend… But she was a Weasley, and his father had warned him about them. They were – Or used to be – Pure Bloods, like himself. Rose, on the other hand, was a half-blood, because her mother was Muggle-born. Scorpius knew all about his family's history, how blood purity was so important to them. Scorpius didn't quite understand it, but Rose frustrated him so much, that he almost could understand the way his family felt.

Months passed on in the same fashion: The two only speaking to compare their grades. They wouldn't even say hello in the hallway. Scorpius liked to think it didn't bother him, but Rose was the first person to attempt friendship with him. She was different than everybody else, he knew. She didn't care about who his family was – She told him that. She simply wanted to be his friend, and now he might've gone and ruined that forever.

Before he knew it, it was Christmas. It was almost time for Scorpius to board the Hogwarts train once again and head home for the holidays. Most students were away in their dormitories, packing away their things during their last few days there. That was exactly why he found Rose Weasley sitting in the common room alone when he made it past the Fat Lady.

Pausing in the doorway, Scorpius simply watched her, as she was unaware of his presence. She was studying – The fact almost made Scorpius smile. Always the determined one. She was sitting on the chair in front of the fireplace, her legs tucked beneath her and her long, copper hair pulled into a ponytail on the back of her head.

"Hi," Scorpius finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. There was something about this situation, the two of the in the common room, the only noise coming from the crackling of the fireplace, that intimidated him.

Rose's head snapped up from her book and her eyes widened slightly as she registered his face. "What do you want?" she asked, acid creeping into her voice.

Scorpius could feel the blood rush out of his face. He must have been really horrible to her if she didn't even want to speak to him now. "Uh, nothing," he muttered before ducking his head and heading to the staircase leading up to his dormitory.

Other than going to class, Scorpius spent the next couple of days in his dormitory, packing up his things to go home for the holidays. There were only a few students lingering around when Scorpius made his way to the Entrance Hall, hauling his trunk behind him. Most of the students must be already on their way to the train, he realized, as he pulled his coat tighter around his neck. He walked out into the cold air, his eyes watering as the wind stung the skin of his face. His blond hair whipped around, the wind licking at his white locks.

He hurried his way across the Viaduct, making his way down to the platform. Hagrid took his trunk and loaded it aboard the train. "Thanks," Scorpius muttered, not looking at the overly abundant man.

As he made his way onto the train, he realized that being late didn't leave him the best selection of cars to sit in. The only one that was left through the entire train was... God, he really didn't want to do this.

He stopped just outside the door, tapping his knuckles against the glass lightly. Her head snapped up, her brown eyes narrowing on him. His expression softened. The truth was, he needed a place to sit for the next few hours, and perhaps her company wouldn't be so bad.

Scorpius watched as she slowly nodded her head, then turned her attention back to the book she was reading - The same book she was reading the other night. He took the seat across from her and opened his mouth to speak, but her head snapped up again.

"I'm warning you," she said, her voice quiet. "If you interrupt me at all, I /will/ turn you into a doormat. Or perhaps a ferret." She had a strange smirk on her face, like she knew something that he didn't.

Without speaking a word, Scorpius shrunk back into his seat, his eyes staying trained on Rose as she fell back into her book. Finally, he took notice to the title - The Dark Lord Rises. A lump formed in his throat. He'd heard the stories, he knew about his family's involvement. Maybe that was why Rose had this sudden resentment toward him. Or perhaps it was the way he had been treating her... He swallowed the lump and cleared his throat.

"I, uh... I'm sorry," Scorpius said in a whisper. His grey eyes looked up timidly toward her, but she didn't even look up. She was ignoring him, but he knew he deserved that. Leaning forward, he reached and took the book from her hands, closing it. He set it on the empty seat next to him, and his grey eyes looked up to meet her brown ones. Drawing in a deep breath, he started. "You were the first person at this school that tried to be my friend, and I... I rejected you. I guess... I just didn't want to be rejected by the people I was /supposed/ to be friends with. But... I don't care about that anymore. I want /real/ friends, not ones that my father chooses for me. I want to be /your/ friend. I know I hurt you before, but... I'm hoping that you can forgive me."

He stopped for a moment to judge her reaction. She sat there, a smart expression on her face, as if she almost didn't believe him.

"Finally," Rose said, her expression becoming relieved. "I was almost ready to give up on you." A tiny smile grew on her face now, and that small smile had the ability to ease Scorpius' mind.

"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" he asked, the relief spilling into his voice. His dull, grey eyes suddenly seemed to brighten as hope filled them.

"Of course," Rose said, smiling her sweet smile. She reached across and took her book back from her, holding it securely in her lap. For just a moment, they sat and stared at each other, neither one feeling the need to speak.

Rose's POV:

Her thin fingers wrapped around the edge of the book, keeping it safe in her hands. If Scorpius had seen where her bookmark had been laid, he might get upset. She couldn't afford that. Things had just finally been fixed between them. They were finally friends.

Rose was grateful for the distraction when the older witch came around with the trolley full of sweets. This was one of her favorite parts of the Hogwarts Express.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?" she asked through the open door. Her hair was silvery-white and was kept into a neat bun on the back of her head. There were wrinkles forming around her eyes, but from the smile on her face, Rose could tell that she dearly loved this job.

"Yes, please," both Rose and Scorpius said at the same time. They both stood up, withdrawing their money from their pockets. Rose bought a couple of Cauldron Cakes and some Liquorice Wands, while Scorpius bought a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and a packet of Drooble's.

When the elder witch left, hurrying further down the hall with her trolley, Rose and Scorpius shared out their things, making sure they were each even.

Rose smiled to herself, thoughtfully, as she opened up a Liquorice Wand. She was certain then, that this was the beginning to a great friendship.