Well this is a very quick update - I feel like I'm on a role! I'm just getting it out while it's here, and I'm still warming up - don't worry Angsty/Moody/Grunge Scorpius is still in there, just be patient and the story will get better! :) Much love and please review,

Potty xx

How long before I get in?

Before it starts, before I begin?

How long before you decide?

Before I know what it feels like?

Where to, where do I go?

If you never try, then you'll never know

How long do I have to climb

Up on the side of this mountain of mine?

I.

'So.' She said attempting to be casual.

'What do you want, Weasley?' asked Malfoy, knowingly.

'What are your plans once we, you know, leave here?'

He stretched his long arms out and folded them beneath his head, leaning back onto the tree. They were outside, again, to Rose's surprise and delight.

'Well, I'd like to travel. Alone, of course - as you know I don't really like, people.'

Rose made an offended face. He shrugged.

'You know full well you're not people.'

She cleared her throat, 'But what about job-wise?'

'I don't really know, or care.'

Rose nodded, tracing her fingers over the roots of the tree they were both leaning against.

'You could always be an artist.' She said quietly, to the tree.

He looked at her earnestly, and she could no longer avoid his eyes.

'You think so?' his tone was so genuine she was shocked, so she nodded enthusiastically.

'Too bad that's not a 'real' job.' he said dismissively.

Rose frowned. She had tried.

II.

She was walking back from the owlery, battling the blustery weather when she nearly walked into him.

He too had what appeared to be a letter to his mother under his arm. She smiled and tried to wave but the combination of the wind and stairs got the better of her, catching herself she reached for the railing with both hands, accidentally blocking him from continuing up the stairs.

He smirked at her, two steps below.

'Well isn't this quite the show?' He asked.

Rose opened her mouth to respond, but a huge gust of wind blew in her direction, billowing up her skirt, revealing her pale thighs and dark blue lacey underwear. In an attempt to push her skirt down she let go of the railing, squealing slightly and fell straight into Malfoy's arms.

'Woaaaah there Weasley.'

She could hear the smugness in his voice.

'I do feel that green is your colour, more so than blue.' He whispered into her ear, making her shiver slightly before she pushed him away.

'Don't you have some small corner of the castle to be, so you can mope about and pretend to be an outcast?'

She hurried down the stairs in embarrassment.

'Thanks again for the show!' he called after her.

One hand was glued to her side holding her skirt down and the other to the railing. Her heart was beating faster then she would've liked.

III.

'How do you know if a guy likes you?'

Lily nearly choked on her pumpkin juice.

'That is something I never thought I'd hear you say.'

Rose shrugged, 'So, advice?'

'You need to give me some context here, Ro, who is this guy and what interactions have you had?' she wiggled her eyebrows and Rose regretted the question.

'You know what,' she swirled her porridge around the plate, 'I don't think it matters.'

'We're talking about Malfoy, right?'

Rose nodded the tiniest amount.

'Then it most definitely matters. What's happened.'

'Well, on Valentine's Day we went to Hogsmeade, and I thought he was - er - hinting that we could be more than friends, and so I - I reached for his hand and he went crazy, jumped up and left the table.'

Lily's face was unreadable, 'Is this why you stopped talking for a while?'

'Yeah that, and Connor shoving his tongue down my throat.'

Lily mimed being sick.

'Right, well that's not exactly a great sign for romance… has there been anything else?'

'I guess the odd innuendo. But our whole friendship is making weird jokes, so…' Rose trailed off.

'Does this mean you're interested in him, Rose?'

Images of Malfoy leaning against a wall, sleeves rolled up and tattoo showing, his hair falling softly on his face filled Rose's head.

'No. I just don't want a repeat of the not talking. We're friends Lil, I want to keep it that way.'

IV.

tap tap tap

Rose frowned

tap tap tap

Malfoy was drumming his fingers on the ground again and she had lost her place in her book.

tap tap tap tap tap tap

The sound doubled and Rose slammed her book shut. 'Look it was kind of endearing when you do that, Malfoy, but you, Albus, well it's just annoying.'

Malfoy and Al pulled faces at each other and continued to tap.

'Did she just call you cute, Malfoy?'

'I think your cousin might have just said exactly that.' Malfoy laughed.

Rose liked the sound, it was hearty and genuine. She narrowed her eyes.

'Endearing does not mean cute-'

'I thought that was what endearing meant,' came a fourth voice.

The three spun their heads to see Dylan, with his hands in his pockets, standing awkwardly.

'Dylan, hi?' Said Rose uncertainly.

Malfoy turned away and went back to tapping his fingers on the bricks.

'Er-uh-Hullo guys,' he said sheepishly. 'I was wondering if I could join you this study period?'

'It's a fucking free country.' Muttered Malfoy.

Dylan smiled painfully. '… that's a yes?'

'Where's Connor?' asked Albus.

'I'm quite sick of him to be perfectly honest.'

'Join the club,' said Rose, gesturing for Dylan to sit down awkwardly.

He obliged, pulling out a sketch-pad with what looked like a half-drawn comic. Rose's eyes flicked to Malfoy, who too had spotted what Dylan was doing. This made her smile.

At the back of her mind, she couldn't help but worry, worry that Connor was not finished with any of them yet and that things weren't all that they seemed.

V.

She knew as soon as she stepped into the room that something was wrong.

Malfoy was early, which made her smile, but he was also getting what looked like a stern talking to from Professor Wildershins, which made her nervous.

'Well, it was about time someone noticed how little he attended his classes, and punished him for some of his extra-curricular activities.'

Connor had sidled up beside Rose. Fuming she turned to yell at him, she wanted to hit him, she wanted to scream, she wanted to know why he was so intent on making Malfoy's life an absolute misery, and now hers.

But instead, she stared at him in the most disgusted way she could, and then turned her back on him. Watching helplessly as she saw Malfoy being escorted to the Principal's office.

Screw Connor Jackson. Screw people's stupid opinions and prejudices. Screw the damn School rules! Her friend was not going down without a fight.

Just before he left the classroom her turned back to look at her, his face was sad, just as it had been the first time she spoke to him. Then he winked the tiniest wink at her, she was sure about it. That was a sign, a sign that he wasn't giving up just yet.

All those signs, I knew what they meant

Some things you can invent

And some get made, and some get sent

Ooh ooh

Birds go flying at the speed of sound

To show you how it all began

Birds came flying from the underground

If you could see it then you'd understand

Ah, when you see it then you'll understand

These are very fillery chapters I know, but it's got to happen to get to where we want to go… If you know what I mean. I am just feeling so suddenly passionate about fanfiction again! So just you wait and see what other stories of mine get updated - and please review because I have finally kept my promise of not abandonning stories :) xx