The first couple weeks of the new term were quite enjoyable. Fourth year seemed like it was going to be a good year. Rose and Albus were sitting by the fire in the Gryffindor common room. Rose was working on her potions essay, while Albus was, well…doing whatever Albus did, which was not homework. He rathered compare his answers to Rose after she was finished.

"You know, Albus, you should really try to do some work on your own. How do you expect to pass your OWLs next year?"

"Oh Rose, I know what I'm doing. Besides, that's not until next year. What we need to focus on is the fall formal. I need a date and I know exactly who I'm going to ask." Albus said smirking and crossing his arms.

Rose looked up at him, laughed, and then continued on her essay. "Oh yeah, and who would that be?"

"Sophie McNulty, fifth year." He said puffing out his chest. Rose continued laughing at her cousin.

"Well, good luck with that!" she said, pretending to salute him.

"Oh yeah laugh it up. You'll see. And what about you? Can't show up alone now can you?"

Rose shifted uncomfortably. "Like I said, I'm not going. I'll have far too much school work to worry about." Albus stood up and started moving towards his dormitory.

"Okay, okay fine. I won't argue with you." He said. He then bent down behind Rose's shoulder and whispered in her ear, "But I bet Scorpius will be mighty upset when you don't show." Rose shot around and looked at him with blood red cheeks. "Goodnight." Albus smiled and waved.

In the Slytherin common room:

Scorpius was sitting at one of the study tables reading his defense against the dark arts chapter. Tailia was next to him reading that weeks issue of the Daily Prophet. Scorpius could only think about Rose, and how he could ask her to the dance.

"Tailia, can I ask you something?" he looked up at her nervously.

"For the last time Malfoy, I won't do your homework for you." She said rolling her eyes.

"No, no. It's not that, see…I need some advice. From a girls point of view, you know?"

"Ahhh," she began, closing up the newspaper and smiling. "Go on then."

Scorpius cleared his throat. "Well, you see there's this girl…"

"Really? I had no idea." Tailia said laughing.

"Oh shut up Patil! Look, I want to ask her to the dance, but I don't think she likes me. What should I do?" Tailia continued smiling.

"Ah I see. And this girl, it wouldn't happen to be a Miss Weasley would it?"

"Wh…what? How?"

"Oh come off it. Everyone in the whole school knows. You two both like each other, that's painfully obvious, you're just too bloody stubborn to see it! But don't worry, I won't tell. I'm a blood purity crazed Slytherin like so many think. You two would work for each other. That is, if you actually told her how you felt."

"Don't you see? That's what I'm trying to do! Now will you help me or not?"

"Calm down Malfoy! I will, yes. Meet me up here every night around eight and we'll make you the fancy shmancy romantic type and get you your date."

"Thanks Patil! I owe you one!"

"Ha, you owe me fifty is more like it. Now get on out of here."

Scorpius jumped up from his seat and went up to get in bed. He was excited for the coming days, and most importantly for the dance that was approaching quickly.

The next morning, Scorpius was still giddy. He had Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Gryffindor's. He made sure he got their earlier, so he could see Rose. Tailia walked in with him and sat down. Scorpius was getting nervous and started fidgeting.

"Calm down Malfoy. Merlin. Okay, so don't get all scaredy dragon on me. When she walks in, ask her to sit with you understand?"

"Understood."

"Oy, I'm not getting paid enough for this." Tailia said, rolling her eyes as she walked away.

Rose and Albus walked in. Rose noticed Tailia and Scorpius talking. She got a sudden uncomfortable feeling. What were they doing together? She thought. Never the less, she and her cousin walked towards him. Scorpius looked up, surprised.

"Oh…uh hi Rose, Al. Won't you sit down?"

"Hi Scorpius." Rose said sitting down. Albus didn't sit down. When Rose wasn't looking he winked at Scorpius and went to sit at the next table. "Well, I guess he won't be joining us will he?" she added.

"Suppose not." Scorpius laughed. "So, Rose, how have you been? Enjoying your classes?"

"I am thanks. It's a bit challenging but that's how it's supposed to be, yeah?"

"Oh of course. I agree. But it'll be worth it. With the dance coming up and all. Should be fun, right?" he said nervously.

Rose's heartbeat quickened at the mention of it. "Perhaps…" she began slowly. "But I don't imagine I'll attend. Gotta stay on top of my studies don't I?"

Scorpius immediately deflated. "Oh yeah, I guess you're right." Despite the awkward moment, they kept a conversation going for the whole class. They even spent time after classes ended. The two of them along with Albus went down to Hagrid's for tea. After everyone was basically all in their dorms, Scorpius and Al gathered in the empty library for some wizard's chess.

"So, did you enjoy defense against the dark arts?" Albus questioned, winking.

"Oh shut up. I did enjoy it until Rose said she wasn't going to the ball!" Scorpius rested his head down on the table with a sour look on his face. "So I guess there's no point in any of this. You know I even have Patil trying to teach me how to ask her to the dance? Pathetic."

"Oh come on then. Quit with the pity party! I love you two but you all can be so thick. You both want to go with each other but won't do anything about it. Now, I know my cousin, and she's head over heels for you, but she'll never admit it. You'll have to be the one to do something."

"What would you have me do?"

"Well, keep working with Patil if you need. I'm sure she knows what she's doing. But then eventually you're going to have to buck up and ask her mate. You hear?"

"Yeah, you're right Al! Thanks!"

So for the next week, that's exactly what Scorpius did. They became known as "gentleman" lessons to Tailia. She made fun of Scorpius every time. Finally it was time again for another Hogsmeade visit. Early that morning, as the students were at their tables eating breakfast, Rose spotted Scorpius across the way and approached him.

"Hello Scorp." She said, smiling and waving. His other Slytherin friends looked up, as he did.

"Hi ya Rose!" he said with a mouth full of eggs. Tailia snickered at this.

Ignoring this, Rose continued. "Al and I…well, I was wondering if you'd like to join us today, you know to go to Hogsmeade?"

"Oh…I'd love to Rose, I would. But see, uh…me and Patil here have some potions homework to finish up." Rose instantly looked disappointed. "But hey….I'll see you all when you get back, yeah?"

"Oh yeah, sure." She said half smiling, as she walked away.

Later that night, as Rose was getting ready for bed, she pulled out her diary and began to write.

Dear diary,

I get the feeling that something is wrong with Scorpius. He hasn't spent hardly any time with me…or Albus for the last couple of weeks. He didn't even come to Hogsmeade. He's always with his house mates now. Especially that Tailia Patil. I really don't like it. But why? What am I saying? It shouldn't bother me, should it? Oh I don't know. I just know they spend every minute together and I'd rather it be me. I really hope they don't go to the formal together. I so want to go with him. Or worse, what if he fancies her? Oh no. Alright, it's time. I've got to do something about my feelings. I've got to tell him how I feel before it's too late. I can't be scared anymore.

The next day, Rose set that plan in motion. While they were waiting to go into defense against the dark arts, she approached Scorpius nervously.

"Hi Scorpius." He straightened up happily.

"Hey Rose! He smiled. Oh that smile.

"I was wondering, would you want to meet me down at the black lake tonight, around seven maybe? We can skip rocks or play fireball or something." She said, trying not to sound desperate.

Scorpius' cheeks were reddening, but he was over joyed. I should be done talking to Patil by then. He thought. "Sure! That sounds brilliant, I'll be there!"

"Great!" she said smiling. "It's set then!"

Rose could hardly contain her excitement throughout the rest of the day, but the later it got, the more nervous she got. The thought of confessing her feelings to the boy she had been friends with for so long, terrified her. But at the same time, it was long overdue. That night, at dinner, she ate quickly, went back up to the common room and worked on her appearance. Everything had to be perfect. She only had two hours to get ready and be down there, she thought. Finally, she made her way down the stairs, to the main floor and out the door. It was a cool evening, but bearable. She couldn't focus on anything else but what she had to do.

When seven o'clock came, she felt as if her stomach was in her throat. Any moment now, the boy she cared for most immensely would join her where she stood. But after about ten minutes the feeling began to become lighter, and lighter. Another ten minutes passed. It was getting dark now. Where could he be? Has he really forgotten? Nonsense, she thought. She just had to wait it out. But when the clock reached seven forty five, and it was nearly impossible to see, Rose began back up towards the castle. I can't believe the fool I was! Of course he wouldn't come! He's probably somewhere snogging Patil, no doubt. With this thought, tears streamed down Rose's cheeks. She had never been stood up before, and now that she had, it didn't feel good at all.

When she walked through the doors she immediately saw Albus, talking to James. He saw her and came in her direction.

"Hey there Rosie! What…what's the matter Rose? What happened?"

She quickly wiped her eyes so he wouldn't notice anything. "Nothing, nothing Albus. Scorpius; do you know where he is?"

"Oh…uh…he said he had to erm, study or something. He and Patil are partners in potions I think. They had some…homework." Albus knew what they were doing. But he couldn't let Rose know Scorpius wanted to ask her to the formal.

"Right." She said flatly. She bid her cousin goodbye and headed up the stairs. A few flights up she heard someone coming down.

"Rose! Rose there you are!" Scorpius began. "I'm so sorry I'm late. Lost track of time with that homework and all. Rose? Are you okay?"

Her eyes began to water again. "You can quit the act Scorpius."

"What? What act?"

"I know you don't have homework."

"Rose…just tell me what's wrong. I really am sorry!"

"You know? Just for one second I thought…That it was me… You know what? Never mind. It's not like it really matters anymore does it? I'm sorry I bothered you. Don't worry about me anymore." She pushed past him and continued her way up, really beginning to cry now.

"Rose…please. Talk to me." But she didn't. Not even a look back.