Author's Note: This story is dedicated to all of my friends that made me include themselves in it and to my BETA, who is doing a amazing job as a grammar freak :) I do not own anything, all rights go to the queen Jo. Read it, enjoy it and review it :)

Rose

If you walked through the dungeons on a normal day, you would rarely see students there, with the exception of a Slytherin here and there on their way to their common room. However, Professor Wilkins was late, so there were about 30 students gathered around outside his classroom. Those 30 students weren't simple students, unfortunately. We were Gryffindors way too close from Slytherins on a small space. Wilkins was out of his mind to let us stay there alone and to hope nothing would happen if he didn't show up quickly. Thankfully, he appeared before anyone was harmed and didn't bother to give us explanation; not that we were expecting any. Wilkins barely talked to the students outside class. He didn't exactly have the most cheerful expression and it scared us a bit, although there were absurd theories to explain why he acted that way. One of them was that he was a robot. When he passed by me, I wished I could say "You're late, Mr. Wilkins. 10 points from Slytherin", but mum asked me not to get into trouble anymore; like she hadn't broken almost every rule in school. Anyway, we entered the classroom as Wilkins grabbed a strange hat.

"Good afternoon. Today we'll be working on Shrinking Solution. As last class was a complete mess, I decided to pair you up myself. This hat will help me to sort your partner randomly. When I call your name, please gather with your new partner fast and silently," Wilkins announced putting papers with our names inside the hat and everybody started complaining. "Silence! Just a reminder, this will be your partner until the end of the semester."

We just kept complaining and the strange hat started to move and to vomit two papers at the same time, while Wilkins said the names written. I hoped to be paired up with any of my Gryffindor friends, or Albus. As the sorting went on, it was clear that nobody was staying with someone of their own house. Finally, my name was called and I got Malfoy. It wasn't my best option, but at least it wasn't Steph. I sat in a chair besides him and he didn't seem too bothered to be my partner either.

Before Christmas, Malfoy and I called a truce and we were trying to get along, just because Albus was annoyed with the situation. As we were good friends, we decided that Albus was worth the effort, but we just talked to each other when my cousin was with us. Besides, since Malfoy said that I should make a move on Brad, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was still meeting him to "study", though we didn't do that anymore. We've been meeting every day after class to talk about, basically, everything. He had become one of my best friends. It felt good being around him, but I still wasn't sure how exactly I felt about being his girlfriend. James recovered from his injury, but Miss Harris didn't allow him to play our rescheduled match and we ended up losing to Slytherin. It was terrible, but not as bad as that potion class we were having. Thankfully, we were already in March.

Wilkins continued the class and when he finished talking, he let us do the potion on our own. By the end of the class, Malfoy and I were just waiting for Wilkins to give us an O.

"Nice necklace," Malfoy said suddenly.

"Thanks, I guess," I replied. We barely talked and it was weird he had noticed my necklace. It was golden with a rose as a pendant. "It was a Christmas gift."

"Who gave it to you? Wait," he said smirking. "Let me guess. It was Hale, wasn't it?"

"Yes, Brad sent it to me. Are you going to give me any romantic advice on that as well?" I rolled my eyes.

"He wants you, Weasley," he shrugged.

"Awesome! That was exactly what I wanted to hear," I said sarcastically.

"What do we have here?" Wilkins approached looking into the cauldron.

He took a look at the potion. It was green as it should be. We had done it perfectly and he couldn't say it was wrong. Wilkins took quite a while, but he finally gave up finding any flaws. He gave us an O and continued to walk around the class. After he left, Steph came to us. She kissed Malfoy like she wanted to eat him; it was just gross.

"Don't forget, Scorp. Tomorrow night at Three Broomsticks," she said and giggled with her arms around his neck.

"I won't. I promise," he replied and she left when she saw Wilkins coming to her table.

"What's happening tomorrow night at Three Broomsticks?" I couldn't help but asking.

"We are celebrating our 7th month anniversary," he answered.

"Seven months already?" I asked and he nodded.

Wilkins announced that we were dismissed, so Malfoy waved me goodbye and I met Camille outside.

"Where's Julie?" I asked as the three of us were going to relax by the lake on that beautiful Friday afternoon.

"She's somewhere with Alex. I think she'll join us later," Camille replied.

"So, it's just you and me. Let's go," I said and we headed to the castle exit.

On our way out, we passed by many students and everyone seemed happier just because it was Friday. However, what really stopped us was someone calling my name through the hall. Camille and I turned around to see Brad running towards us.

"Hey, Rose," he said catching his breath. "Hi Camille."

"Hi Brad. Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. Can I talk to you for five minutes?" he asked smiling.

"I'll wait for you outside. I know when I'm being left out," Camille said. "Hale! You have five minutes. I'm counting," she smiled and left.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Are you free tomorrow night?"

"Yes. What do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking if you would like to grab something to eat at Three Broomsticks with me," he smiled again and I felt my heart melting.

"Well… Sure… Sounds great," I stuttered a bit.

"Okay, I'll meet you outside your common room at eight," he said.

"Tomorrow at eight it is, then," I manage to smile even though I was shaking inside.

"See you tomorrow," he said. "You better go. Camille is probably still counting our time."

I laughed and we went back to our own ways. I walked the rest of the way smiling, even though I tried to contain myself, so I wouldn't look too stupid. Camille was on our usual spot. I sat still containing my smile and laughter.

"Oh Merlin. What happened?" she asked.

"Camille," I said feeling my heart beating fast." He asked me out. We're going on a date tomorrow night."

"I knew he was up to something," she replied smiling. "What are you going to wear? I'll help you to get ready, Rose. I'll make you look irresistible."

"We're just friends and it won't be a fancy dinner," I said.

"You won't be just friends after tomorrow night," Camille laughed and Julie finally appeared.

"What are you laughing at?" Julie asked sitting with us.

I told Julie what had happened and she and Camille spent the whole afternoon discussing what I should wear. At dinner time, Camille sat besides James, something she started doing quite often since we got back from winter holidays, and she told him everything. Anyways, he listened to her carefully and it was weird to see how close they were getting. They started spending more time together and there was something else than just friendship; I could tell. James made his usual threats to Brad, but he seemed okay with the date.

On the next day, after lunch, Julie, Camille and I used our free time to what Julie called "spa day". She made some beauty creams for the skin and hair. We made our nails and we had loads of fun together. Julie and Camille helped me to get ready. They chose the outfit together, but Camille did my makeup and Julie my hair. I told them I could've done it myself and they replied they didn't want me looking like I usually do. However, they did a pretty good job, I had to admit. In the end, I was wearing a blue dress with thin straps, a black leather jacket and black boots, even though Camille tried really hard to make me wear heels. Julie dried my hair so it fell on smooth waves on my shoulders and I had a bit of makeup "just to highlight my eyes and lips" were Camille's exact words.

When the clock announced the hour, I gave the girls a quick hug and left the common room. Brad was already waiting for me. He smiled and gave me a small kiss on the cheek.

"You look lovely," he said.

"You don't look bad either," I replied.

"Shall we?" he asked and I nodded.

We went to Three Broomsticks and the place wasn't as crowded as I had expected. We sat on a reserved table, near a corner. The waitress came and we just asked for butterbeers.

"I'm glad you said yes," Brad said.

"I see no reason why I wouldn't," I replied.

"Did you know your cousin talked to me this morning?"

"You mean James? What did he want?"

"He asked me to take care of you, otherwise he was going to kick my ass," he smiled.

"I'm sorry about that. James is too overprotective. I hope he wasn't rude or anything. I'll talk to him later," I said a bit embarrassed.

"Don't be sorry. James is just doing his job as a kind of older brother. I have a younger sister and I'll probably do the same for her," he replied.

"You never mentioned a younger sister," I said.

"Her name is Laura and she's attending to Hogwarts next year. She's quite anxious about it."

"I know how that is like. Before Hugo started his first year, he wouldn't stop babbling about Hogwarts. It was very annoying."

"Laura never stops asking questions about school, but I don't mind, because we have a good relationship."

"That's great. I get along with my brother just because mum forced us to learn how to love each other and surprisingly, it worked," I said.

He laughed and we decided to order. It was when the door opened and a hysterical laughter filled the room. Everybody, including us, in the pub looked at the couple that just entered. It was Malfoy and Steph. Damn.

"Great! How did I forget they were going to be here?" I mumbled to myself.

They passed by our table, but probably didn't see us.

"You knew they were coming here?" Brad heard me.

"Yes, Malfoy told me," I admitted.

"If you feel bothered, we can go someplace else," Brad started. "Wait, did you just say that Malfoy told you he would be here with girlfriend? Since when does he tell you stuff?"

"Since we were partnered up on potions class, which was yesterday," I said.

"Are you ok with them here?" he asked.

"Yes, sure. I don't mind. Why don't we enjoy dinner?" I forced a smile and for some reason I felt like I had told a lie. Maybe I wasn't so sure if I didn't care that Malfoy was sitting a few tables away from us with his girlfriend.

Thankfully, I was able to ignore Malfoy and Steph most of the time and I had a great time with Brad. On our way back to the castle, we didn't talk much. However, when we got to the Fat Lady portrait, he stopped and I turned to him. He seemed nervous.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Instead of answering, he leaned forward and kissed me. I kissed him back.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a while, Rose," he said when we let go. "I like you, very much."

"I was hoping you had the guts to do that," I smiled. "I like you a lot too."

"Can I ask you something?" he took my hand and my heart raced. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

The time stopped after he said that. I felt my heart beating so fast and loud, that I thought he was able to hear it. Then, the shock passed and I realized I had to give him an answer.

"Yes!" I said and I leaned to kiss him, but the portrait opened.

"I see you brought her right on time," James said coming out of the common room.

"James, what are you doing?" I asked.

"Don't worry, Rose. I was just about to leave," Brad answered.

"Good night, Hale," James crossed his arms.

I waved him goodbye and he left. James and I entered our common room and I turned to him.

"Ok, what the hell was that?" I asked a bit loud and a few students looked at us.

"Nothing, I was just making sure he had passed on the test," James shrugged.

"Test? Are you out of your mind?" I said angrily.

"I told you, mate," Sloan got up from his seat to try to calm us down. "You should've told her."

"Don't worry, Rose. The lad did well. He passed," James smiled.

"Well, good, because he's my boyfriend. Like it or not," I replied and left for the girls dormitory.

"She so owned it, mate," I heard Sloan mocking.

"Shut up," James replied.

I met Camille and Julie and I told them everything. We laughed and they were glad everything worked out. For the rest of the semester, I could easily manage the classes and tests and a boyfriend. I sent a letter home telling what happened and mum replied saying that I shouldn't send letters like that anymore because dad almost had a heart attack. Malfoy mocked me saying he was right all along and he admitted he had seen us on Three Broomsticks. I had a great last months of classes and in a blink of an eye, we were already going back home for summer.