Scorpius woke the next morning and groaned. Why had he ever made that stupid promise to himself? And why would he actually tell Rose Weasley of all people? They had always fought constantly and no matter that they were, "friends" because who knew what she was really thinking. There was also the fact that he was vulnerable around her because he was practically in love with her.

Even in his head admitting that still sounded strange. Knowing that he'd do practically anything for her and she might still secretly hate him was so hard. Scary was more like it. However, he had a hard time convincing himself the whole ordeal with Quidditch and everything was all for nothing. Quidditch was Rose's essence and she would not share that with just anyone. Hell, she had not even shown her brother and her best friend.

Thinking about the fact that Rose had not shared her glorious talent with her mother and father surprised him. He had always viewed Hermione and Ron as nice parents. While they may be strict they were also accepting. To him Hermione seemed to value book learning but appreciated people who had raw talent in other things and Ron seemed a generally all around good person with a few demeaning characteristics but Scorpius knew that Ron had an appreciation for all Quidditch players. Having such a talent as Rose's, Scorpius highly doubted, would go with out praise in the Weasley household.

Scorpius decided to skip breakfast today even though he wanted to see Rose and congratulate her again on making the team. The final list would be posted for today and it would be interesting to see the schools reaction to Rose making the team. Scorpius wanted to write to his mum to send over his old music sheets. He wanted to simply see if he could even remember how to play. He highly doubted that he had forgotten but he wanted the drills book so he could warm up his fingers again and relearn anything he had forgotten.

Scorpius climbed the desolate steps of the Owlery. He walked all the way to the back and whistled softly for, his owl. The sooty colored creature landed on a perch nearby and hooted softly back in welcome. Scorpius slid his back down the cool stonewall until he was sitting so he could write his letter.

Dear Mum

Could you please send my old piano drills books and sheet music? It would be greatly appreciated. I think they can be found in the container under the piano bench. I am having a good school year so far and I have made an unexpected friend. I don't think Dad would approve right away but you would. He will find hilarity in it later. Hope you are well.

- Scorpius

Anyone else reading his letter would be surprised at the formality of it. His father had always told him that being informal in person was fine but in a letter formality was always better no matter the contents of the letter because you never know what the person reading it might do with it. His father also said never put in writing what you do not care to share with the world.

While his father's advice might be strict sometimes, it was not on all subjects. According to many of his father's friends he is a much better person that he was when he was younger. Scorpius guessed that his father's new friends had something to do with that.

While his father was open about his past his mother was more so, probably because he had regrets about his action and she had regrets only about the beliefs she was taught to believe because she did not act on any. Scorpius suspected that because of this that's why he wrote to his mother rather than his father and also his mother was the one that had signed him up for piano lessens in the first place.

Scorpius did not want to leave the Owelry because he liked the piece and quiet but he knew that he had to go to class soon. He pulled himself up off of the cool, rough stone floor to trudge to his first class of the day.

As soon as Scorpius walked out of the calm lulling atmosphere of the Owelry and back into the halls of students rushing to class he was shocked by the fact that it was louder than normal. Girls were whispering and giggling to each other, while the boys wore more pained looks. Scorpius could only imagine what had caused this sudden change in behaviors. Scorpius searched the crowed for his short dark-haired friend hoping he could explain this madness.

Scorpius watched a the slim boy bobbed and weaved his way though the crowed until he was close enough for Scorpius to snatch his arm and drag him out of the gushing currents of students.

"What in the bloody hell is going on?" Scorpius asked Albus impatiently.

"What in the bloody hell do you think you're doing to me? That really hurt!" Albus said back angrily.

"I'm asking you rudely what is going on! Why are girls walking around in little groups giggling at a little joke only they know and why do the guys look scared of that?"

"Um, right mate, you would know if you were at breakfast, but since you weren't then you don't know!"

"Well you're in a right mood this morning!"

"Well you're like this every day!"

"Albus! I get it I am a twat to everybody! Now what in Merlin's name is going on!?"

" Ahh! I never though I would hear you admit that you were a twat out loud." Rose said loudly nearing the two boys.

Scorpius ignored her wanting an answer out of Albus. He looked expectantly at his friend but when he received no answer only a smirk he released his friend's arm and Albus walked away in a huff. Scorpius now turned to look at Rose. Rose was smiling probably from the fact that quidditch results were posted and that he admitted he was a twat. Instead of teasing her for saying something he smiled graciously partially because he did not want to piss off anyone else and partially because he did not want to wipe that gorgeous smile off of her face.

"I was wondering what was going on? I mean why are the guys looking slightly freaked out and the girls so excited?"

"Yeah, where were you at breakfast?"

Scorpius frowned not wanting to reveal where he was in case she question what he had sent to his mother about, "I was at the Owelry. I was sending a letter to my mum."

"Awww, Scorpius Malfoy sending a letter to his mummy! How cute! What did you need new socks?"

"No it was personal. I rather not talk about it."

"Oh," Rose said quietly sensing his change in tone, "The reason people are so riled up is that Professor McGonagall announced a Muggle style black and white masquerade ball."

Scorpius appreciated her straightforward answer and remained quiet.

"Walk to class with me?"

"Sure."

"You okay? I mean you seem kind of quiet and I don't think a temperamental Al could have shaken you that much."

"It's about that promise I made with myself. It's going to be so hard to keep and I'm scared and I don't want to tell anyone what it is if I can't uphold it. I just don't want to be an embarrassment to anyone other than myself. And truth be told Rose, you're my inspiration that maybe one day I'll tell someone. I mean look what you did with your quidditch tryouts! You did not want to share what you had with the world but you did and look how amazing that is! By the way how were the reactions at breakfast?"

Rose's POV:

Rose smiled at Scorpius's question still recalling the faces of people as the news spread across campus. As she recounted the events for Scorpius the scene in the Great Hall replayed in her head. The team members were not surprised to see her name down as Seeker as Captain Wood had announced it at the tryout before it had even ended. She still could recall the faces as the members of the team told people who their new seeker was. They looked shocked. At first they looked at her questioningly, doubtingly and then that turned to interest as a team member whispered in their ear, Rose guessed about the tryout.

Rose knew that there would be some people who would not want her to seek based purely off her reputation as class slut and party girl. She also guessed others would be disapproving but she could not wait to prove them wrong.

As Rose was telling Scorpius this she could tell that his mind was elsewhere but he wanted to hear this to try and distract himself from whatever the cause of his worries was. She knew better than to pester him about what his problem was today because he seemed so stressed out.

While Scorpius was caught up in his worries Rose still had her own. What she was concerned about was the few people that she knew still existed that would not want her to be a quidditch player because of her previous reputation. Rose knew that those people would irk her but she could not be everything everybody else wanted her to be. Rose also had one more worry growing at the back of her mind. Since she had told her parents that she was dropping out of school after next year they had started shutting her out. Her mother had especially shut her out because she believed in a completed education. She knew that news of her tryout would reach them soon and she did not know if they would come watch the game.

Rose guessed that once her father had watched her fly he would understand because he had played quidditch and was still heavily involved in the whole organization, but her mother would not understand the passion which goes into loving the game.

Hermione POV:

"Hey dear," Hermione called across her cozy house, "We got a letter from Hogwarts and it's not from one of the kids. We should probably read it together!"

"Yeah, hang on!" Ron called back.

Ron's heavy footsteps could be heard plodding down the stairs.

"Bloody hell!"

"Ronald! Don't swear!"

"I banged by bloody toe!"

"That's no reason!"

"Ah, just open the letter!"

Hermione opened the letter expecting the worst like a note of misbehavior, expulsion or suspension. She read it aloud.

Dear Ron and Hermione

Hope all is well back at your home. Don't worry I'm not writing this letter as a teacher. No one got in trouble. Yet. I was writing to talk about Rose. How come you never told me she was such an amazing quidditch player? The halls are buzzing with her name and only the people at tryouts have seen her play. I have never had Captain Wood look so excited. Congrats on your daughter making the quidditch team. Hope to see you over the holidays!

- Neville Longbottom

"Oh," Hermione sighed in relief, "I thought it was going to be something awful!"

"Well, are we going to watch a game? I want to see her play."

"I don't know Ron we don't want to encourage her. I mean this hobby will go away faster and she won't drop out of school."

"Hermione, dear, the halls of Hogwarts don't "buzz" about anything mediocre. If she played and only about ten people actually saw it and the whole castle is talking about it that means it was something amazing. I think we should see what this is about."

"Fine, as long as it's not a big to do that we show up."

"Should I write back to Neville?"

"No, I will."

Hermione sat back down to write her letter.

Dear Neville

Thank you for you kind letter about Rose. We have never in fact seen her play although she has brought it up occasionally this year. Ron wishes to see her play and I think we will both come to the first match. Make sure to tell your sweet wife hello for us and we will be seeing you soon.

- Hermione and Ron