A/N Hi there! I'm so grateful to all those who read and appreciated my humble offering. A shoutout to Hou5eMou5e, ClickytheNikki and Keisha M for showing your support. And to the two guests and schnici , you made my day by posting such lovely reviews. I'll be trying my best to update as quickly as I can. Till then, enjoy this chapter and leave your reviews if you love/hate it.

A few things to consider before we proceed. In the story I've shown that nobody (the new generation) knows Snape loved Harry's mother, Lily. I like to think that Harry wanted to respect Snape's wish. He would request all those who heard him during the Voldemort-Harry wand fight scene in the seventh book to keep that secret a secret. Another thing I like to think is that Harry would have gone back to Snape's childhood home to salvage whatever he can find and preserve. But somehow all is lost but a few books. He gives them to the Ministry without telling them the owner's name (Snape may have requested him. Do you smell a plot for a new oneshot here? I think I do). Hence the mention of the Half-blood Prince.

Now that these things are clarified, let us proceed to the story...

Disclaimer: The original characters of Harry Potter are the express property of J. K. Rowling . I only own the story, the mistakes and the cover picture (if any of you are wondering about it, yes I drew it myself)

The dungeon was positively freezing. Scorpius rubbed his hands together to stop them from getting numb. He knew how important it was to have fully functional hands while making potions. If your hand shook during adding beetle eyes to the cauldron, it might spill some and lead to disastrous results. He rubbed his hands again and looked around.

Students were taking out their potion books and laying out the equipments for the lesson. Silver knives for cutting roots, scales to measure ingredients, glass pipes to stir, phials and vials to store the finished product. Some were busy lighting the fire under their pewter cauldrons. Rose, Al and he were huddled near the teacher's desk. Rose was busy unrolling a piece of parchment and readying her quill to take down notes. It was the only subject that she was not so good at, though not for lack of trying. Scorpius helped her whenever he could, sometimes giving her instructions from the corner of his mouth. Al was busy reading.

'What are you reading?' asked Scorpius. 'The preface?' he raised an eyebrow when Al showed him.

'Yeah. It's very interesting. It says most of the potions that are included are improvements of the original versions. And these came as scribbled notes from potion books owned by someone who called himself 'the Half-blood Prince'. The author also says these 'notes' were disapproved by the Ministry before one of them followed the instructions and was surprised by the quality of the potion.'

He squinted at the print, 'it also says here that all the potion instructions are Ministry approved now.'

'The Half-blood Prince!' Rose grabbed her own copy of Magic in a Cauldron and began reading. 'Hmm – must be someone who did not want fame and yet liked intrigue.'

'They say Severus Snape was a brilliant Potion master,' Scorpius said.

'Yes, but he was horrible to Mom and Dad and Uncle Harry. He hated Gryffindors,' said Rose.

'He was the Slytherin Head before good old Sluggy came along,' smirked Scorpius. 'That explains a lot.'

'If you two gits haven't noticed, I'm named after him,' deadpanned Al.

'Sorry Al, old boy,' said Scorpius, as Rose chuckled. 'Didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Snape was a great man though. History books say as much.'

'Yes,' said Al eagerly, warming up to the topic, 'I read about him quite a lot. He was a Deatheater before he came back to our side. Nobody knows what brought about that sudden change – though an old newspaper speculated that it was because Voldemort had killed the lady he loved – it did not mention the woman's name. From then on he pretended to be on the Dark Side, and all the time he was actually spying on Voldemort for Dumbledore.'

'So romantic,' sighed Rose. 'I wish someone would love me like that.'

'He sounds like this Half-blood Prince guy. Doesn't like fame and leaves people guessing why he came back to the good side,' Scorpius remarked.

'Severus Snape was no prince. I couldn't find his family tree, but this I can say with surety,' said Al.

The dungeon door opened at that moment and Professor Slughorn bounced into the classroom, chortling and rubbing his hands in anticipation.

''Morning class,' he called out cheerfully. 'Today we will be brewing a potion named the Hilarior Potione. Now who knows what it does? Ah – Miss Weasley – '

'It's a potion that induces the person to feel cheerful.'

'Excellent! Five points to Gryffindor. Now, today we will be brewing this dangerous potion and discussing its side-effects. Don't underestimate this little potion,' he said, when some girls chuckled at the 'dangerous' epithet. 'Who can tell me why I called it dangerous?'

This time, both Al's and Rose's hands shot up.

'Mister Potter – wonderful, wonderful – how is your dad?'

'Fine, sir.'

'And your mother? Does she still write for the Sports column?'

'Yes sir, she does.'

'Lovely – now then – the answer, if you please, Mister Potter.'

'Hilarior Potione can be dangerous if one does not know its dosage and drinks too much. It can prove fatal by inducing too much laughter. There is an instance recorded in Brewing Medicinal Potions, where the wizard administered a wrong dosage laughed so much that his jaws had to be reset once the effects wore off,' Al rattled off.

'Brilliant! Ten points to Ravenclaw for such a thorough answer.'

The Ravenclaws cheered. Al grinned at them and winked. Rose elbowed him.

'I hate it when you get more points,' she grumbled good-naturedly.

'Sorry, honey. I'm a Ravenclaw,' Al gave her a devious smile. Scorpius snorted.

'And I hate it when you don't raise your hand. I know you knew the answer,' she kicked Scorp under the table. 'I hate it when you refuse to compete.'

'What for?' he drawled, 'I know I can easily get more than ten points for brewing it correctly.'

'Huh!'

'Want to bet on it?'

'Arrogant know-all,' muttered Rose, trying to control her twitching lips.

The Professor waved his hands and writings appeared on the blackboard. 'Everyone look here. The ingredient's are on the board. All you have to do is follow the instructions. And if you brew it correctly, it would resemble a sunny yellow colour and emit spiraling smoke. There is another half an hour left. I estimate your potions would be ready by then. Now get to work – get to work – the best potion earns extra twenty points.'

Immediately the dungeon filled with sounds of scraping stools, tinkle of glass vials, rasp of parchments and the general flurry of students trying to outdo each other. Fires were lit and cauldrons bubbled. Al pretended to turn his back to prevent Scorpius from spying.

Scorpius smirked, 'Do your best. I'll still win.'

'You're on.'

Scorpius cut the roots of wormwood into thin slices; then ground the porcupine quills into dust before adding a few drops of the bile of a codfish and the dried petals of a moonbeam (it was a flower that bloomed only in moonlight, hence the name). Then he stirred it three times in a clockwise manner before lowering the flames and sprinkling some lacewing powder. Rose took frequent peeks at his potion. Her hair was getting bushier with the fumes and she struggled to keep up with him.

'Here, take some of my sliced wormwood roots,' he offered. She sent him a gratified smile and attempted to swipe away the errant curls from her eyes.

Suddenly Scorpius found his hand reach out to tuck them behind her ear. She glanced up, surprised.

Their eyes met. And held – for a moment –

'Can you pass me your knife?' Al asked.

Both of them jerked back, too aware of the awkwardness of the situation. Rose blushed and got busy stirring her cauldron, while Scorpius fumbled with the handle of the knife, almost dropping it in the process.

'Give it here, Butterfinger, before you skewer someone with it,' Al grabbed and knife and raised his eyebrow.

Scorpius stirred the contents one more time and checked for the telltale signs. The potion was as sunny in colour as it could be and emitted shimmering spiral fumes. He took down notes and waited patiently.

'Alright, everybody stop doing whatever you're doing. I am hoping if you've brewed the potion correctly, it would be done by now,' said Professor Slughorn.

Al put down his glass pipe and tried peeking at Scorpius's cauldron while the professor slowly strolled between the students and bent down to check the progress. He gave Al's cauldron a stir and nodded appreciatively. He gave Rose's cauldron a sniff and smiled at her. Finally he came up to Scorpius's cauldron.

'My boy,' he chortled, 'are you finished already?'

'Yes sir,' he calmly replied.

'Let me see, let me see,' the professor bent to take a look. His face lit up.

'Why, my boy – you've done it again!' he slapped Scorpius on the back, 'Twenty points to Gryffindor for brewing the potion correctly. You've a talent for this.' He added in a quieter tone, 'Do come to my office sometime. We can discuss if you want to make it a career option. I have important connections that can help you.'

'See?' he smirked, when the three were packing their things after the bell and gone off. 'I told you I'd win anyway.'

Al groaned. Rose beamed at him.

Scorpius felt like he had slain a dragon.

ooooo

'Who are you going with?'

Rose turned from her homework. Lily had availed herself of the chair near the fireplace and was swinging her legs as she stroked her owl, Bronawl.

'No one,' she answered, turning back to her homework.

'You better ask now, or you'll be left out.'

'There's plenty of time.'

'I wish somebody would ask me,' Lily sighed. 'I so want to go to the ball. There will be music – and dancing – ' she twirled across the room.

Some seventh year Gryffindors smiled at her antics. Rose watched her trying to do a pirouette and laughed. 'Ask Hugo to take you to the ball,' she suggested.

'Hugo has already asked a Slytherin girl. She's pretty,' Lily rolled her eyes.

'What?'

'Selwina Lewis. She is not a bad person. Hugo has a huge crush on her.'

Rose could only gape at her.

'Rosie!' Al stumbled out of the portrait hole all of a sudden. 'I need your help!'

'Huh?' Rose closed her mouth and blinked.

'I need your help!'

'Help?' Lily narrowed her eyes.

Al frowned. 'I need to practise dancing.'

Rose raised her eyebrows. 'You asked somebody?'

'Yes.'

'Who?'

'Your friend, Amanda.'

Rose's mouth dropped open. 'B-but she said she would ask James!'

Al scowled, 'Great to know I'm her second choice.'

Lily laughed. 'She has it bad for the Potter boys,' she sang.

'Shut up!'

'When did you ask her?' asked Rose.

'Just after the Herbology class today.'

'I see. That's why she was smiling so widely when she came back.'

Al ran his hand through his black hair. 'So will you help me?'

'Ok. How about after lunch?'

'Will do.'

Al went away. Rose returned to her homework. But try as she might, she couldn't concentrate. It seemed like everybody had already asked someone out. Except her. Who should she ask? She tried to go through all the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw boys she knew to choose someone to be her ball date. But each time she tried, a blonde-haired faceless someone intruded in her thoughts. She gave up finally, closed her books and went down to lunch.

ooooo

Scorpius frowned at the giggling bunch of girls that were following him everywhere. They had followed him to the owlery and then to the library. Each time he looked up, one of them would break into giggles and the rest would join in. It was annoying.

He took another swig of his pumpkin juice and resumed eating.

Al slid into the seat beside him and forked some bacon into his mouth. 'I did it,' he smiled with his mouth full.

'Did what, exactly?'

'Asked someone out.'

James and Henry sauntered towards them. 'Bravo, little brother! Give yourself a trophy!'

'Who are you going with?' asked Henry.

'Amanda Frowell.'

'Hey! Don't steal away our maidens!' James mock-drew a sword and slashed it in the air.

'I'm only returning the favour, big brother,' Al smirked.

'What do you mean?' asked Scorpius and Henry together.

Al chuckled deviously, 'He asked out our Prefect, Virginia Walters.'

'Whoa man! Why did you keep this from us?' Henry turned to James with a devilish grin on his face.

James rolled his eyes as Al and Scorpius chuckled. The seniors left, Henry swaying his hips exaggeratedly before running away, James in hot pursuit.

Al turned to Scorpius, 'Do you know how to dance?'

'A little. Why?'

'Good. You too can help. I asked Rose to help partner me. You can instruct us.'

'When?'

'After lunch. Rose promised to meet me in one of the empty classrooms.'

'Fine. I'm done here. Let's go.'

They found Rose and Lily waiting in an empty classroom on the third floor just off the charms corridor.

'You need dance lessons too, Snowy?' Rose quirked her eyebrow.

'No Carrots. I'm here to teach you.'

Rose laughed, 'I don't need teaching. I know how to waltz.'

'You do? You impress me!' he teased.

Al crossed his arms. 'If you two are done, what am I supposed to do now?'

'Watch us,' said Scorpius, before turning to Rose. 'Milady?'

Rose grinned and took his proffered hand. She laid her left arm on his shoulder as he clasped the other in his warm grasp.

'You must hold the lady like this,' Scorp demonstrated, 'so that her entire arm is rested on yours as she clasps your shoulder for support. Be her support.'

'Be her support,' Al repeated as he observed them.

'A waltz is danced to the beat of three,' Scorp continued. 'Like this – one, two, three – one, two, three – one, two, three,' he executed a few steps, leading Rose across the room with the ease of an expert dancer. He twirled her, then took a few turns and finished with a bow as Rose curtseyed.

'Whoa – ' Al gaped at them. Lily clapped.

'Where did you learn to dance like that?' asked Rose, wide-eyed.

'My father said it was a necessary part of being a Malfoy. I took lessons when I was little,' he shrugged.

Al still had his mouth hanging open.

'Ok, now it's your turn,' said Scorpius, letting go of Rose and walking up to Al. He placed Al facing his back and asked him to mimic his steps.

'You place your left leg forward– thus – then you pivot on your left leg and take a side-step with your right – like this – next, you step back with your right leg and again take a side-step with your left – and the process is repeated.'

Al fumbled a little.

'Always remember. Step forward with your left, step back with your right.'

They practised it together for some time. Al was starting to get a hang of the thing.

'Very well. Now do it as a pair,' instructed Scorpius. Al gulped.

'Are you ready to get your feet stamped on, coz?' he joked.

'I won't mind if you promise to help me with my History of Magic essay,' Rose winked and clasped his hands.

'Can I dance with you, Scorp?' asked Lily eagerly.

'Alright, come here,' Scorpius smiled.

They chanted 'one-two-three – one-two-three' and danced to the beat till they were exhausted and grinning from ear to ear.

'Phewww, it was fun!' exclaimed Rose. 'Though my poor toes are complaining.'

'I'm sorry,' Al laughed. He turned to Scorpius, who was still twirling Lily, much to her delight, 'what say we meet here tomorrow again and practise our steps?'

Scorpius shrugged. Lily clapped her hands, 'Yes please do. I am having so much fun. Scorp dances so well!'

Scorpius smiled. Lily was a dear girl.

'Save me a dance at the ball, poppet,' he winked at her.

She winked back, 'I will.'

ooooo

Words somehow got out in the Gryffindor common room that Scorpius Malfoy was giving dancing lessons. James and Henry were the first to request him to teach them to dance too. Then the rest of the boys flocked him along with Captain Zach. 'Please,' they begged.

'You have to ask Albus,' he said, as he hurried out of the common room.

Al had no problem with others practising. 'I could learn to stir ourselves through the crowd,' he said.

So the dance lessons continued—during the afternoon, before lessons, anytime they found some free time.

For the thousandth time, Scorpius partnered Rose. They floated across the room, circumventing the other dancing couples and instructing them all the while. James and Henry were partnering each other and fooling around as usual. James pretended to kiss Henry as he did an exaggerated imitations of a girl by swaying his hips. The rest of them were laughing at their antics.

'Will you two stop doing that?' asked Rose, trying to be stern but failing miserably.

'Yes ma'am.' They mock-saluted and resumed their practice.

Al was dancing with Lily. She was graceful and danced with the natural ease of a born dancer.

Rose turned to her dance partner. He had one stubborn lock of hair falling over his eyes that made him look so adorable. Rose had the strange urge to sweep it away.

'What are you smiling about?'

Rose jolted out of her thoughts. Scorp was looking at her and had a smile lingering on corner of his lips. She blinked and looked away. Good lord! What was wrong with her?

'Now you're blushing!' Scorpius gave a low chuckle.

'I'm flushed from all the dancing,' she said quickly, before she lost control and blurted out something that would embarrass them both.

'Oh. Sorry. You feel so natural in my arm – ' now it was Scorp's turn to blush.

Rose gave him a startled look.

He stammered, 'I-I mean you're such a good dancer that I didn't feel we were dancing. I mean it was as easy as breathing.'

Rose smiled, 'Then why don't we just partner each other at the ball?'

'You asking me to be your date?' he gave a surprised laugh.

'If you put it that way, yes,' she grinned mischieviously.

'Great,' he grinned. 'Now I only need to let it slip that I'm taken and that giggling gaggle will leave me alone.'

' The gig-what-what?

'The giggling gaggle. They follow me everywhere I go. They are an absolute nightmare. Last night I had to practically hide in the toilet to avoid them. And don't you dare laugh – '

It only made Rose laugh more. She clutched her tummy and broke into fresh peals of laughter. The rest of the couples looked at them and went back to practising. It was a common sight.

'So,' said Rose, when she could finally utter coherent words, 'I'm just a means to an end?'

Scorpius gave her his famous Malfoyesque smirk.

'If you put it that way, yes.'

oooooo

To be continued...

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