Thank you to everyone who reads this for sticking by it despite my shocking updating, I appreciate it guys.

The Gryffindor common room was buzzing with gossip about the "turncoat Potter" and most of the Weasley-Potter clan sat in the comfy armchairs by the fire which they'd occupied since Dominique Weasley had joined her sister in Gryffindor.

Rose was supposed to be working on her Care of Magical creatures sketch but instead glowered down at a short, well thumbed piece of parchment as all her family, except Albus, gathered around her armchair.

James glowered at the fire "I can't fucking believe it"

Rose just stared down at the letter, feeling betrayed "I...I..."

Dear Rose

Your Uncle Harry has just told me and your Dad what happened. Now I know what your first instincts are Rose, your just like your father. But remember that whatever his choices Albus is still your cousin and you love him so don't do something you'll regret Rosie. And I sincerely hope that the Gryffindor-Slytherin relations aren't as bad as you all make out, it's not like Al has become a deatheater.

As for the idea that Miss Zabini is giving him a love potion, I sincerely doubt that that is the case Rose. I worked with her father for a while at the Ministry and he seemed a perfectly straight laced man and I doubt his daughter is any different. I think you're just looking for somebody to pin the blame on Rose and it won't work.

Oh and tell Hugo that your Dad managed to get tickets for the England match against France the first weekend back so the whole families going.

Have a nice last week of school

Love Mum XXX

"What's Aunt Hermione playing at?" demanded an outraged Lily.

"Lily" Roxanne said warningly, all too familiar with her cousin's temper "Calm down"

"Well then" Fred said bracingly "Stop trying to drag Al back kicking and screaming, seems doable to me"

James glared at his cousin "We are not leaving him in that...snake pit"

"But..." Hugo Weasley began quietly, moving to stand behind his sister "If my Mum doesn't think that Al being in Slytherin is such a bad thing, then surely...I mean they aren't all bad"

Rose shook her head "But this is Mum, she hates Slytherin's"

Hugo shook his head "No she doesn't and..." he glanced at Lily cautiously "Neither do I, this whole thing is ridiculous"

James opened his mouth to protest loudly but Fred interrupted "Think about it James, I don't like most Slytherin's any more than you do but this is Al we're talking about. Your little brother, he's not going to have turned evil overnight."

"But" Lily dropped dramatically onto a faded sofa "Al, a Slytherin. He's going to start hanging out with" She pulled a pained face "Lucy"

"Well is he going to have much choice?" Roxanne said rationally "With you all treating him like a leper?"

Rose flushed angrily "You didn't see him today. He looked utterly o.k with his new friends to me"

Hugo looked his sister in the eye "Yeah but you didn't go up to him did you? Did you even look him in the eye?"

Rose looked away first and Lily jumped in on her behalf "Shut up Hugo"

"Hey guys" Fred said quickly "Chillax a bit"

Roxanne nodded "I've got to go guys, Head girl stuff"

James grinned "Like getting it off in a broom cupboard with Stevie Wood?"

"Ha ha" She gave him the finger before walking off through the portrait hole.

Rose stood up and grabbed her bag "I'm going to bed"

"Night" Hugo said and was greeted with a frosty silence for his trouble.

Rose stormed up to her dormitory where Tilly was already perched on her bed with a hairbrush and Lauren was brushing her teeth "Rose?"

"I don't get it" Rose fumed "Mum hates the Malfoys and Zabini's and all those stupid stuck up..."

Tilly suddenly threw the hairbrush down on her bed "Maybe, just maybe..." she fumed "Your Mum is putting Al's happiness above on her own petty dislike. Did you ever think of that, hmm? Of course you didn't. Now as far as I'm concerned Evelyn Zabini has never done anything to me apart from to accidently spill some ink on me in our second year. And she apologised for that so just grow up Rose!"

Rose and Lauren gawped at the usually quiet Tilly; Rose found her voice first "Tilly..."

The other girl seemed to deflate in front of them "Look Rose, I'm sorry that Al switched houses but he was trying to make a point and I got it. Slytherin's don't actually deserve all the crap we give them"

The tense silence was broken by Amy and Sandra bursting in, both giggling like mad.

Rose jumped at the chance to change the conversation "What's so funny?"

"Well" Sandra began with a smirk.

"You can't tell them" Amy squealed "It's too embarrassing"

"What's so embarrassing about it?" Sandra demanded "Anyway..."

"No!" Amy said more forcefully "You cannot tell them, I forbid you and you pinkie swore not to say anything anyway"

"But" Sandra put her hands on her hips determinately.

"Forget it" Lauren said dryly "Any interest I had is long gone"

"Anyway..." Tilly said softly "Shouldn't we be getting to bed?"

"Yeah" Amy yawned "Ugh we've got Muggle Studies tomorrow don't we?"

Lauren groaned "And we've only got one more lesson before we have to present, I've hardly done anything"

"Same here" Rose said with a sinking feeling in her stomach "Oh well it's only Muggle Studies"

"We've done quite a bit" Tilly said proudly "And think we've only got to remember it"

"What?" Lauren said sharply "I thought we could read it of a bit of parchment"

"Nuh uh" Sandra raised her eyebrows "Of course you can't"

"Damm it" Lauren looked at the others "How am I going to do that?"

Sandra shrugged "Wing I guess, now turn of the lights guys I'm tired"

"Sorry your highness" Amy muttered as she blew her candle out.

The others followed suit until Rose was left staring at the silhouette of her friends beds and wondering how to apologise to her cousin.