Thank you all for the great reviews! Yep, it looks like Scorpius might have a little crush... he is getting older, after all. This is sort of a filler/transition chapter. But woo is the next one going to be a big one! Hang in there if you're not a fan of this chapter. It's speeding up in chapter 15! Enjoy! :)

From that time on, the Gryffindors all held a new respect for little Scorpius Malfoy. Apparently seeing the level of torturous bullying for themselves gave them enough reason to realize that he wasn't bringing it upon himself—that people out there really were completely wicked. Meals in the Great Hall became much smoother. Even when Albus and James would lead the table in uproarious laughter, some students still found it interesting to talk to the little blonde boy as well. He didn't mind being included gradually. At least he was being included.

Zabini and the other kids responsible for the beheading of the snake were suspended for two weeks, and given detention for the rest of that school year—every Saturday they saw was faced with cauldron scrubbing, library book reshelving, Quidditch lawn mowing, and various other tasks teachers needed to be completed. Rose wasn't as unfortunate. She did have to do detentions for the rest of her third year, but she wasn't in as much trouble as the other kids. She was only defending her friend when he couldn't do it for himself. She and Scorpius became even better friends than ever before; he told her about how she would always be his hero and his model for bravery. Suddenly their academic rivalry became less intense, and they often found themselves laughing at their own mistakes on tests and assignments. It wasn't so stiff anymore. However, things with Chrysanthemum were different.

Scorpius had really taken a liking to her—totally different than how it was with Rose. Rose was nothing more than a friend (and quickly becoming a best friend, at that) but Chrissy…well, he just left it at the fact that he simply couldn't take his eyes off her, and whenever the fourth-years were all gathered together into one group he always found himself searching for her, even when he didn't realize he was. Neither knew how to act on these feelings though. To her, Scorpius just always seemed so delicate and nervous—if she made a move too fast or just confessed her liking for him, he might panic. To him, Chrissy was so popular; she was the head journalist for the school's newspaper, she could write spellbinding things and have everyone love them, and sometimes a first-year would even ask for her autograph. How could he ask out someone like that? When he himself couldn't eat a normal-sized plate of dinner like every other boy? He didn't deserve her. He'd made up his mind.

Scorpius mulled everything over in his mind as he lay restless in bed one night. All he and Chrissy ever really shared were sweet smiles in the hall, or shy giggles whenever a teacher would praise their works. Occasionally, she'd wave over from the Slytherin table at him—something that instantly brightened any day of his, no matter what circumstances were weighing him down. Sure, he was getting better with his eating problem. At least he could now eat at least one full meal a day. The other two just settled as reduced portions or delayed consumption because of a chronic upset stomach. Would just a few innocent greetings be sufficient enough for him to really clearly decide if she liked him that way?

Scorpius figured telling his parents about these concerns wouldn't really help—his mother would freak and ask deep questions about Chrissy (maybe even contact her) and his father probably could do the same. But Scorpius knew from past experiences to not keep his worries bottled in. And that was why he decided to go to Albus's bed.

The small blonde boy slipped out of his blankets and padded across the short distance between his own fourposter and Albus's. The cold November air made him shiver. Quietly, he crawled into the curtains and laid down beside the sleeping body of his friend. "Albus?" he whispered, gently shaking his arm. "Albus?" The black-haired boy stirred, inhaling deeply as his mind became conscious of being awake again. "Scorpius? Is that you?" he asked. It was difficult to see in the darkness. The blonde huddled closer and nodded. "Hey, what's the matter? Do you feel alright? Stomachache? Headache? Did you have a nightmare?" Albus worriedly rambled through the list of implications Scorpius might be encountering. Scorpius sighed sadly. "No, I can't sleep because something's bothering me." he whispered. Albus leaned over and put an arm around him gently, understanding that this may be very deep if it was denying him the ability to rest. "Well you came to the right place. Why don't you talk about it to me?" he encouraged.

"…But what if I keep you up and you're tired tomorrow?"

"I sleep through Professor Binn's class whether I get ten hours of sleep or two the previous night. He knows, and doesn't even bother to stop me. Don't worry about that."

"Right…well, I was a little concerned about Chrysanthemum Creevey—"

"Is that the one who looks at you with hearts in her eyes?"

"…W-What?"

"That Slytherin girl with the brown hair—it used to be kind of plain and medium-length, but did you see how she grew it out and does things with it now?"

"Well…I guess now that you mention it…she does look a little different….What did you mean when you said she looks at me with hearts in her eyes?"

"You know, whenever you guys pass or even when a professor bloody says your name she blushes and tries not to smile. Haven't you noticed? I think she's doing her hair and stuff now to impress you."

"Really?"

"Think about it—before, she used to wear it down and flat around her face. But after you two had that moment after the Cup last year, she went home over the summer and grew it out. Now she puts it up, curls it, all that girly stuff. There has to be a reason."

"How do you know all this?"

"Trust me, I have a sister and two female cousins. Victoire Weasley did the exact same thing to get Teddy to like her when they went to school—makeup, nice robes, hair. It's a weird science, let me tell you, but it's something all the girls understand."

"Are you sure it's not just because she's so popular in journalism?"

"Yeah right! Most of her publications are based upon you! She may do it subtly, but she's really trying to get your attention."

"You think?"

"I know it. Honestly—and if you repeat this to another living soul I'll have to kill you—Rose has a little crush on a fifth-year. She thinks I don't know, but she always picks where we sit at meals based upon where he is. Potions? Psh, she's too busy brewing up new fragrances to wear that he'd like. Like I said, it's a science to them, but to us it's just a phenomenon. We'll never understand it."

"I guess that's why I can't figure out what's so special about now. I've been around her for four years, how come she's just noticing me in my fourth year?"

"Maybe she likes how brave you are."

Scorpius was puzzled by this. She didn't know of his mental state, or of his constant battle against his stomach—so how could she see his courage? Albus seemed to read his thoughts as always. "Because you're starting to look better. You're not so paled and hallowed anymore. You're getting heartier, and everyone can see it. You just look…happy." he explained with a pat on the shoulder of his friend. Scorpius smiled. "Thanks, Albus." he murmured. A little silence passed, and Scorpius almost thought the Potter boy had fallen back asleep. But a sudden gasp made him realize he was incorrect. "Scorpius, now's your chance! The Yule Ball's coming up this year! You have to ask her to it—it's like one of the most romantic experiences at Hogwarts! Ask her and then she'll know you've noticed her improvements, just as she noticed yours!" he cried out. A few fellow Gryffindors could be heard stirring after being awakened by Albus's excitement. Scorpius nodded slowly. "R-Right…I can do that….I think…." he mumbled, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Albus nudged him. "I'll be right there if you need help."

So the next day, Scorpius trembled as he walked by the Great Lake. He'd passed Chrissy a note in The Care of Magical Creatures asking if she'd meet him there directly after lunch, but he gave it to her hastily and didn't even look back to see if she'd nodded or agreed to it.

So he was forced to wait.

He went to the shade of the big oak tree as he lingered, trying everything to keep calm and settle the butterflies in his tummy. Ok, if she didn't show up, it wouldn't be the end of the world. He hadn't hinted anything in the note, so there was nothing to be embarrassed about. …Right? Scorpius plucked a small purple flower from the grass, twirling it in his nervous fingers. It was taking so long. Finally, he saw a brown-haired girl hurrying her way along the stone pathway, occasionally glancing up to make sure he wasn't running away from her. "Hi, Scorpius." she said breathily. Apparently she'd been in quite the hurry to get to him. He blushed deeply. "Hello, Chrissy. Er—Chrysanthemum." he stammered. A short silence ensued. Should he just put it out there right away? Or warm up to it? "Hey listen I was wondering if you'd like to go to the Yule Ball with me but if you don't I understand and that's fine I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to go unless someone else asked you of course and you would—"

"Scorpius, I would love to."

"R-Really? You really would?"

"Of course. I'm so glad you asked me. I didn't want to have to show up alone or stay in my dorm all night."

"Did someone else ask you already though?" the last thing he needed was for another person to have reason to bully him.

"Not at all. You're my first and only."

Something about that statement made her blush, so she looked down and giggled nervously. Scorpius glanced upward. Albus and the others were sitting under a tree a ways away in case he needed anything. Just looking at his group of friends gave him renewed courage. He gently tucked the purple flower behind her neatly done hair. "That makes me very happy to hear that. I'm quite lucky to have such a pretty girl accept me on the first try." he murmured, trying to be grown-up and not sound like a little child. Chrissy blushed again, but this time she looked into his eyes. He really enjoyed her. Within a split second, she threw her arms around his neck. Scorpius wrapped his own arms around her back too, trying to stay brave and feel like a normal teenager.

Apparently Albus had seen the hug, because Scorpius saw him give a big thumbs-up in his direction over the top of Chrissy's head. He grinned. The blushing girl thanked him once more, and the two departed ways to their separate groups. Albus thumped him on the back. "Well done, mate! I knew you could do it!" he exclaimed. Rose smiled too. "She's a very nice girl, and I think she deserves you. You selected a very good place to ask, I might add." she complimented. Lily and Hugo giggled. "Scorpius has a girlfriend!" they chanted simultaneously. The blonde boy blushed a bright red, but it didn't sound so bad—maybe things with Chrissy would work out. Maybe she would let him be her boyfriend. As the group made their way to Divination class, he was lost in a daydream about what it would be like to walk hand-in-hand with her everywhere, to take her on dates, to maybe even kiss her…