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'Hey Rose, I have some good news for you!'

'What is it, Hugo?'

'Scorpius has got detention, not you, and Professor Banks understands that you've been having a tough time recently.'

'Good grief, Hugo, you didn't tell him about my love life, did you? I don't want the Potions teacher to know about my love life…'

'I may have told him one or two things… But if I hadn't, you would've got detention!'

'Hugo!'

'So why… are you so bothered about this? Remind me again.'

I turn round to face Charlie as my hand reaches for the handle of the front door. He doesn't have to be at work today, but today is very important for me. Today is my stealth and tracking test, the practical one, and I can't let anything else enter my thoughts.

'I told you yesterday,' I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. 'You must remember what happened in our sixth year, with me and Scorpius and Lily. I just think it's a bit stupid of Lily to go out with him again. It will never last. I'm worried for Lily, and mad at Scorpius.'

'You could tell me the truth, you know,' he says. When I say nothing, he turns away from me and adds. 'Good luck with your test today.'

I can't think of anything more to say, so I open the door, step outside, and disapparate.

Yesterday I had to explain that the reason I had been in bed all day was not because Lily and Scorpius were dating, but the reason I had given him, though that was what Lily had told me the night before. But then James had to pipe up at that point and tell Charlie that I was bothered about it. So I told him that I was worried for Lily. Which isn't a complete lie.

But today is important for my career, so I can't focus on any problems at home. Which Robin is keen to remind me of.

'Stealth and tracking test today!' he exclaims as soon as he sees me. 'You ready Rose?'

'I think so,' I reply. 'You?'

'Oh, I hope so,' he says. 'We better get up there, though I think I have to go first. Good luck Rose!'

'Good luck Robin!' I call as he rushes off. I start to make my way towards the lifts, barely registering once again the calls of greeting and good luck from people I barely know. I start to go over all the spells that could come in useful over and over again in my head, all the potions that might help. This is should be easy. It's just like what dad said along time ago. "Thank God you inherited your mother's brains." Then he told me not to get too friendly with Scorpius Malfoy. Well, I'm not anymore.

'Good luck today, Rosie.'

Oh great, Scorpius is here again. I wheel round to face him. He's just behind me, smirking, like he always does.

'Please don't talk to me,' I snap.

'Why not? Are you jealous of Lily? Do you think you should be dating me?' he asks, taking a step closer.

'No,' I reply. 'I'm just angry at you for messing around with her! I'm worried that you'll dump her – '

'For you?' he cuts in, still smiling. 'Of course. I'm sorry I used your cousin, Rose, but I couldn't think of another way to make you realise you still fancy me.'

'Still fancy you?' I snort. 'You're a bit conceited, aren't you? What are you doing here, anyway?'

'I've got a job at the Ministry,' he replies. 'And I came over here to wish you good luck and see how you reacted to Lily's news. Now I know you still fancy me. And, can I just add, Rose – '

He puts his lips to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. Oh, this is not good, this is not good –

'I still fancy you too,' he whispers.

He draws away from my ear, and I open my mouth, determined to say something spiteful, to tell him to go away, to say that I have to get to my test now, but no words seem to want to form. And then he kisses me. And I kiss back. His touch is soft, his lips are gentle, and this could be the best kiss I've ever had.

'Rose, I think you better... ah.'