"I'm the narrator, I don't need a costume," Scorpius argued.

"Everyone has to have a costume," Fenton said, "you can't just stand there in your school uniform while we're all dressed up. You'll look ridiculous."

"I'll be the one looking ridiculous?" Scorpius asked, arching an eyebrow that conveyed the full depth of his contempt. "The point is that I'm not part of the story. What would a narrator wear anyway?"

This was the wrong question to ask.

A gleam entered Fenton's eyes. "Well," he said, flicking through his book, "a ruffled collar would be a start."

I let out a snort.

"No chance," Scorpius snapped.

"Dress robes…" Fenton continued, unperturbed.

Scorpius scoffed. "I am not wearing dress robes to class."

Fenton peered over his book at Scorpius. Scorpius stared him down, grey eyes blazing until Fenton's hazel eyes finally dulled and the light in them extinguished. Fenton let out a long sigh. "Fine, but you're wearing a nice cloak. Preferably in a jewel tone."

"I have my own cloaks, you know," Scorpius pointed out.

Fenton pinned Scorpius with a look that expressed exactly about what he thought about Scorpius' cloaks. He tutted and then turned to the rack behind him. "This cobalt blue, for example, would look divine," Fenton said, plucking a cloak from the rack and presenting it in front of Scorpius.

"This is such a waste of money," Scorpius muttered, glancing down at the robe.

"…On me, even after you've worn it," Fenton continued, thrusting the clothes hanger into Scorpius' hands and sweeping the cloak around his own shoulders. He inspected himself in the mirror from all angles. "Yes, we'll take it." Fenton dumped the cloak on Scorpius' arm. "Who's next?"

Roy and I shrunk back.

"Rose!" Fenton exclaimed. "My beautiful peasant!"

The next hour could only be described as trying.

I peeked out of the change room, but Fenton was at the other side of the room, leading Roy towards an array of scarves. I hastily darted outside and stashed the wimple behind a rack of tunics.

There was a scuffle and then a blur of blonde dashed into the changing room next to me. My hair blew away from my face as the curtain swished shut. Had he changed his mind about the costume? I stepped out of my changing room. "Scorpius?"

"Shh," was the immediate response.

How rude.

"Why?" I whispered.

A hand shot out from behind the curtain and pulled me inside.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I jerked forward.

"Hiding," Scorpius said in hushed tones, eyes darting around the small space as if searching for something to bar the door with. Unfortunately, all we had as protection was a flimsy curtain. And it didn't even close completely.

I blinked. "From Fenton? Cause he's with Roy right now…"

"No, Fenton, I can deal with. It's those girls," Scorpius hissed as he tugged the curtain to the right. The gap on the right side disappeared and then reappeared on the left. Scorpius let out a grunt of frustration and then pulled the curtain to the left only for the light to filter through the right side again.

"What girls?" I asked as I watched him battle the changing room curtain.

Scorpius looked over his shoulder. "You know, the trio of terror from the library?" The gentle swish of the curtain rungs accompanying Scorpius' mounting irritation only made the sight more amusing.

I stifled a laugh. "The trio of terror?"

Scorpius gave the curtain a final exasperated tug and then gave up, throwing himself on the floor and settling down against the wall. "You have not witnessed their full horror, Rose Weasley." He shook his head at me bitterly.

"And what, pray tell, is their full horror?" I asked, sitting next to him.

Scorpius closed his eyes, the memory still too fresh, the trauma still too raw. "I was just going to drop her off at the Hospital Wing, get her away from those stupid boys, but she latched onto me like I was her raft at sea. I had to," Scorpius drew in a sharp breath, "I had to hold her hand while Madam Pomfrey administered the potion."

I gazed at him, unimpressed. "You poor thing," I intoned.

"I should've just left her on the floor of the Library." Scorpius dropped his head into his hands. "Merlin, why did I take her to the Hospital Wing? Why? This is why I'm not nice to people."

"Gross, why would you be nice?"

"Right?" Scorpius exclaimed. "They couldn't stop singing my praises the whole time. It was excruciating."

"Yes, how excruciating to have someone look up to you," I drawled.

Scorpius finally caught on that I was taking the piss. "It is," he said indignantly, "especially when it's completely uncalled for. What's a guy got to do for some peace and quiet?"

"Hide in a changing room until everyone leaves?" I supplied.

"Who said anything about leaving?" Scorpius replied. "This is my home now. I will live out the rest of my days here."

"Hmm, yes. Love what you've done with the place," I said, looking around the enclosed space. My eyes met white upon white upon white.

"What can I say? I'm all about the minimalism," Scorpius said dryly.

"Well, I'll leave you and your minimalism to it," I said, heaving myself up. "Every happiness to you."

"Wait." Scorpius' arm shot out and grasped my wrist. "Let me know when the coast is clear, won't you?"

I looked down at the slender fingers circling my wrist. "Can't you just yell at her or something? Do your usual thing?"

Scorpius released his grip on me, fingers sliding down my hand. "I could, but…"

I restrained a knowing grin. "But you'd feel bad?"

Scorpius leant his head back against the wall, back slouched and forearms dangling off his knees. His posture screamed defiance, but his eyes belied remorse. "Something like that," he muttered.

I smiled to myself and reached for the curtain. "Okay," I said simply over my shoulder and then slipped out of the change room.

What felt like hours later, we finally emerged from the store. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, welcoming the freedom. I choked. Instead of the breath of fresh air I so craved, I'd inhaled a gulp of bitingly cold wind. I put a hand to my throat as I swallowed, struggling to adjust to the icy temperature.

"Carriages have been delayed due to the weather. They're on their way, apparently," Roy informed us after asking some fellow prefects.

"On their way?" I asked through chattering teeth. "How long is 'on their way'?"

"You could put on one of the costumes if you want to," Fenton suggested.

"Not necessary," I replied, hunching in on myself. The harsh wind infiltrated the cracks in my scarf and cold seeped into my bones.

I shuffled closer to Scorpius, for the warmth, obviously. He looked down at me, his eyes unreadable. A particularly bitter wind swept around the corner and I shivered as it stole my body heat away. In one swift movement, he'd removed his beanie and pulled it snugly onto my head. My eyes widened. Warmth that had nothing to do with the physical covering of my head flooded my body. The surprise shining from my eyes as I looked up at him must have been very noticeable, because Scorpius made an awkward gesture with his arm. "You looked cold."

I bit my lip and tried to stem the affection gushing forth. "Now you'll be cold."

Scorpius ruffled his hair and pulled on the hood of his jacket. "I have this."

I looked at him for a moment longer before saying, "If you're sure." I brought up a hand to touch the beanie and gave him a small smile. "Thanks."

Scorpius just stuffed his hands into his pockets and nodded before redirecting his gaze somewhere above my head.

Oh Merlin, shy Scorpius. I'd unlocked another part of his personality. How much more could my heart handle?

Peeling back Scorpius' layers was an elaborate game of pass the parcel. Gradually unwrapping the present, anticipation growing as each piece of paper was removed. Each layer revealing something more exciting, something more enticing.

"Stop looking at me like that," Scorpius instructed, brow furrowing.

"Looking at you like what?" I asked.

"Like you…" Scorpius trailed off and my mind raced to fill in the gaps. Like I knew that all it would take was for me to thread my arms around him to be enveloped in his warmth. Like I knew that all it would take was one half step forward and a step up on my tippy toes to capture his lips with mine. Like I knew that this boy was good and kind, but that he hid these qualities behind a fortress. But that I was scaling those walls, climbing through windows, and creeping into the deep recesses of the castle.

"I think I need my beanie back," Scorpius finally said.

My mouth dropped open. "What, why?" I asked, forlorn. Had he really bestowed his beanie upon me only to snatch it back so quickly? Surely, he wouldn't be so cruel.

Scorpius' forehead creased. "You're too…" Scorpius bit his lip and began his sentence again, "When you wear it you…."

I waited for him to finish with baited breath.

"It just doesn't suit you," Scorpius finally bit out.

I'd always been told that my face was completely readable and I had no doubt that I currently projected something akin to a wounded puppy.

"Oh Merlin," Scorpius huffed in frustration, at me or at himself, I wasn't sure. "Fine, keep it, it's yours."

My eyes shone as I clutched my hands to my chest. "It's mine?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever," Scorpius said gruffly, waving a hand.

"Thank you!" I exclaimed, "I love it." I beamed up at him. To think I'd thought this was a bad day. Not only had I discovered the mystery of Beanie Boy, but I'd somehow wrangled Beanie Boy's beanie.

Winning Scorpius' elusive approval felt like winning a prize. Having him smile at me, seek me out, they all felt like privileges, little jewels bestowed only to me. I had no idea what I'd done to earn them, but I guarded them covetously. Having him give me his beanie blew all those previous accolades out of the water.

"It's just a beanie, Rose."

Yes, but it's your beanie. I wanted to say. Instead, I settled for, "And it's very warm."

"I'm cold too, Malfy." Fenton sidled up to us, wrapping his arms around himself.

Scorpius' eyes hardened. "Do you hear something, Rose?"

I looked around. "Nope, must have been the wind."

"So cold…" Fenton's teeth chattered, "…hearted."

"So dim…" Scorpius squinted in the distance," …witted."

Fenton put a hand to his chest and let out an offended gasp as he looked at Scorpius.

"He has told you not to call him that 500 times or so," I reminded him.

"And I've told you 500 times that he secretly likes it," Fenton insisted.

"How would you like it if I called you…Falfazar?" I tried.

Fenton considered this for a moment before breaking into a touched smile. "Falfazar and Malfazar!" He exclaimed, tilting his head to the side and looking at Scorpius fondly.

Scorpius glowered at me.

"Oh dear, bad example," I backtracked hastily. I shot Scorpius an apologetic look, pulling the beanie on a little tighter lest he rip it from my head. "Bad example."

"Carriages are here," Roy announced, re-joining us.

"Thank Merlin," I breathed.

The weekend came and went and life settled back into its usual pattern. I yawned as I walked out of the library and began the trek back to the Gryffindor Common Room. Curfew approached like a long shadow and my footsteps echoed against the stone floor. Distant yelling sounded. My ears perked up and my inner prefect emerged from the shallows. I followed the noise until my feet stopped outside the old Transfiguration classroom. Now there was…chanting? I pressed my ear against the door.

"I promise not to tell anyone about this meeting and to lie if asked about it," obedient voices spoke in unison.

My eyes narrowed and my brows knitted together. Something dastardly was at hand.

"Alright, out with you lot," someone barked. The voice sounded suspiciously familiar.

The door handle twisted and I jumped aside just in time to avoid being blown aside by the door. Three first years shuffled out. They chatted amongst themselves and by all appearances, didn't show the tell-tale signs of having just been bullied.

The door opened again and Scorpius swept out. My mouth dropped open and my heart sunk. No, surely not.

I covered my mouth. Why was Scorpius meeting with a bunch of first years? And why did he make them promise not to tell anyone about the meeting? I peeked out from the shadows and tiptoed into the room. The chairs were all neatly pushed into tables, blackboard wiped clean.

Scorpius had a reputation for being cold and detached, but he wasn't a bully. But what else could he be doing? What could be so secret?

"Don't jump to conclusions," I muttered to myself as images of Scorpius initiating the first years into his cult flashed across my mind. The picture was frighteningly complete, incense sticks, headdresses, and all. "Do not jump to conclusions."

I looked around the classroom wildly, but no clue presented itself. Crucial pieces of the puzzle lay just out of reach.

I trudged out of the classroom, confused and heavy hearted.

Fortunately or unfortunately, contact with Scorpius was scarce the next few days. I teetered between asking him outright and stalking his every move. I settled for taking the long route past the old Transfiguration room to class.

I inadvertently struck gold when I heard crying from the History of Magic classroom. A prickle went up my spine. Could it be?

I burst into the room. One boy had his wand raised, in the middle of doing a spell. Another was bent over a book, scribbling furiously. A girl had her head in her arms, shoulders shaking as she sobbed. Scorpius sat next to her with an unprecedented look of patient concern. Four heads turned to me, all shocked and all slightly… guilty looking?

Caught in the act. But what act?

A beat of silence.

The three first years stared at me and then turned to Scorpius. Even the girl had stopped crying mid sob, mouth open and cheeks stained with tears.

Scorpius stood up, chair scraping against the wooden floors. "I made her cry," he declared, glaring as if daring the other three to contradict him.

I narrowed my eyes. "Okay…" I said, scanning the classroom. Something wasn't quite right here. On one hand, it made complete sense that Scorpius would make a little girl cry. On the other hand, it made absolutely no sense at all. "Why?"

"I…uh…" Scorpius' eyes slid sideways. "I yelled at her."

I walked slowly towards them. "Okay, why?"

Scorpius crossed his arms and frowned. "She, uh…annoyed me."

But Scorpius didn't look particularly annoyed. His jaw wasn't ticking as it usually did, no veins were pulsing. His shoulders were tensed, but he seemed more concerned than anything else. And uneasy, very uneasy. I glanced between Scorpius and the girl. Her face was still streaked with tears and she looked up at Scorpius with worry in her eyes. I turned to the two boys whose mouths hung slightly ajar as they watched on in interest and trepidation.

I snapped back to Scorpius and put my hand on my hips. "What is going on here?"

Scorpius released a breath and drew himself to his full height. "None of your business."

If he'd wanted to deter my interest at all, he'd picked the single worst phrase possible. "None of my business?" I lifted a single eyebrow. The boy was skating on thin ice and he knew it.

Scorpius glanced down at the girl before turning his eyes back on to me. There was no warmth in them. "Did I stutter?"

My jaw dropped open and my eyes flashed. Scorpius hadn't stuttered, but my heart did. And not in a good way. I stared at him in disbelief, trying to push through hurt and straight to anger. I'd witnessed his temper countless times before, but it was only then that I realised I had never been on the receiving end. And he hadn't even raised his voice, but it was a far cry from the Scorpius who'd given me his beanie. And the knife plunged all the deeper for it.

I shot him a withering look as I swept past him and approached the girl. "Why are you crying?"

She looked at me before glancing up at Scorpius. Her lip wobbled.

"I told you, it's none of your business," Scorpius cut in, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Stop!" The girl burst out before I could give him a piece of my mind. "It's not Scorpius' fault. He didn't make me cry!" And then the tears began in earnest. "I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I'm so sorry for making you fight, and I'm so sorry that I'm breaking our promise not to tell, but it's Rose Weasley and she's your friend and I know how much you care."

A pained look flashed across Scorpius' face. "Millie, no, you don't have to do this."

"I do, you're so good to us and it's so unfair that people think you're mean," the girl called Millie wailed, accepting a tissue from one of the boys.

Scorpius closed his eyes as he took a step back and raised his hands to his head.

"I'm crying because I'm so bad at Transfiguration, Scorpius was helping me. He helps all of us."

A breath of disbelief, relief, remorse escaped my mouth. "What?"

"He helps me and Sam with Transfiguration, and Wesley with Charms."

Scorpius let out a groan and leant his forehead against a wall.

I turned to Scorpius. "Why didn't you tell me this? Why didn't you just tell me?" I cried.

Scorpius didn't respond, just started pounding his fist gently against the wall.

"Because it's embarrassing for us to have tutoring," Millie said.

"And he says it's embarrassing that he tutors," one of the boys piped up.

I sat myself down in an empty chair. "Merlin's beard," I said, shaking my head. "I'm a fool, Scorpius is a fool, we're all fools." I floated somewhere in between elation and frustration and shame.

"That's why we're here," said the other boy glumly.

"I'm so sorry," I said.

Scorpius finally turned around. "I'm sorry too, I didn't mean to snap at you…"

I slumped in my chair. "I shouldn't have doubted you."

"I did lie to your face," Scorpius pointed out.

I ran a hand through my hair. "How long have you been doing this?"

"About two months?" Scorpius replied.

"Three," Millie corrected. "It's been so helpful, I wouldn't have passed my Transfiguration test if it wasn't for Scorpius."

"I got an E on my essay last week!" Wesley waved it in the air.

Scorpius just shrugged. "We only meet once a week."

"If Scorpius hadn't yelled at Kenneth Sands, he'd still be trying to hex me every other day," Sam piped in cheerfully.

Scorpius loosened his tie. "Alright, alright, that's enough. We're done for today."

The three first years started packing up their things. Millie sidled up to me. "He's actually a nice person, don't let him fool you."

I smiled at her, touched and bemused at her insistence. "I know he is."

"And he's actually quite patient when he wants to be," Millie continued earnestly.

I chuckled. "Okay."

"And he's so good at Transfiguration and Charms," she gushed.

Ah, a fellow admirer. A kindred spirit. I looked at Scorpius and saw him through Millie's eyes. Tall and striking, he moved with a conviction that instilled a sense of confidence within you, that you were in safe hands. Sure, being good looking was always attractive, but competence could never be underestimated. If I was a first year and a guy like Scorpius willingly helped me with Transfiguration every week, I'd be in love with him too. Heck, I was a 7th year and I was already half way there. I leaned in conspiratorially. "Did you know, he's a good dancer as well?"

Millie's eyes lit up. "He is?" She turned to Scorpius just as I realised my mistake. I opened my mouth to hush her, but she beat me to the punch. "Scorpius, you can dance?"

Scorpius shot her a weird look. "No? Why would you ask that?"

"Rose says you can dance!"

I closed my eyes and released a low sigh. How many of these first year Transfiguration textbooks would it take to knock me out clean? I needed something fast, yet effective. Preferably with as little pain as possible. But mostly fast.

"I don't dance," Scorpius dismissed, stacking his books. "Why would Rose know? The only time I would ever dance is if…" Realisation dawned. Scorpius looked at me sharply.

I flushed.

Why had I overheard their conversation last week? Why had I investigated the crying? Why oh why oh why?

Scorpius ran a hand through his hair. "I think…Rose and I need to talk. I'll see you next week, Millie." He handed her the rest of her books.

Millie looked between me and Scorpius, eyes wide. "Okay, see you." She turned to look at us curiously once more before leaving the room.

A/N: Good news and bad news, folks!

Good news: I'm travelling through Europe the next six weeks! :)

Bad news: Therefore, there will be no update until I get back :(

Good news: I got this chapter up before I left! :) You guys have no idea what a close thing it was (...I'd already started planning the apology in my head). Thank you to everyone who sent me lovely messages and reviews when I needed it most, it was the motivation that got me to push through and just get this chapter done.

More good news: I'll still be contactable while I'm away. Best place is probably Tumblr, my username is Bumbledbee there as well. If you have any questions or just want to chat, hit me up! :)