Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, except the plot and some ocs later on. All belongs to the wonderful JK Rowling.

"Hey, did you hear?" Lily hissed to Rose at breakfast the first morning after Christmas vacation ended.

Rose stared back at her cousin. She reached a hand up to her face, something she took a habit of doing ever since her…attack, and felt the scar that now was inerasable from her cheek. She hated Bellatrix. Not just Bellatrix. Malfoy, too. Yes, she had resumed calling him Malfoy. "Hear what, Lil?"

The younger Potter's look was filled with disgust. "Apparently, a girl from Durmstrang decided to transfer here after Christmas. She's in her seventh year, too. I really don't see the point. They're automatically letting her into Slytherin without a Sorting or anything!"

Al joined in the conversation, shooting a dirty look at Scorpius from the other side of the hall. "I wonder who it is?" He asked sarcastically. "Look, speak of the devil."

The three and Hugo turned their heads to see said girl standing at the entrance to the Great Hall, smirking. "Oh, Scorp!" Her voice rang out. A few students sniggered. "Long time no see, eh?" She headed straight for the Slytherin table, stopping next to Rose en route. "Oh, if it isn't the Weasel girl. How do you like that scar? It looks good on you. Why don't you thank me? Why am I talking to someone lowly as you, anyway?" The Slytherins burst out laughing. All except Scorpius. Rose didn't notice the blank expression on Scorpius's face.

The fury in Rose's eyes was evident. "In your dreams, Oden," she growled, "I'll thank you the day you decide to commit suicide."

"Ooooh!" The Gryffindors cheered.

Professor Morgan, the Headmistress, came over to see what the argument was about. "That's enough, all of you!" She said sharply. "This, everyone, is Bellatrix Oden. She transferred legally, so please, no questions. If anyone has any concerns regarding her sudden change in education, tell me privately."

"Can I tell you now that she broke my sister's heart, Professor?" Hugo asked loudly. Rose shot him a glance but didn't speak.

The professor turned to Rose. "Do you have a problem with her here, Miss Weasley?"

Bellatrix's eyes on Rose's caused her to answer softly with a shake of her head, "None at all, Professor Morgan. I'm perfectly fine with her here."

She nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent, then."

"There's nothing excellent about Bellatrix Oden coming here!" Al said vehemently, watching as Professor Morgan led Bellatrix to where the Slytherins sat. "She's obviously trying to get closer to Scorpius Malfoy!"

Rose took a large sip of Pumpkin Juice. "And, Al, do I look like I care? No." She stood up.

"Hey, Sis, where are you going?" Hugo called after her.

She stared blankly at him. "To study. I heard Professor Dillon might give us a pop quiz today."

Hugo gaped, turning to Lily as Rose hurried away, her book bag on her shoulder. "Will he?"

Lily shrugged in response. "Dunno. It's probably just your sister's excuse to leave before—oh, Merlin—that happens." She nodded to where Bellatrix was making a huge scene of her kissing Scorpius, who was searching for a way to escape.

Al watched them, his hands clutching into fists. "Once a Malfoy, always a Malfoy. We should've known something like this would happen."

"And Rosie's feelings wouldn't be hurt like this," Lily agreed with a sigh. "Well, I did warn her, though this isn't what I expected. Won't you look at that?"

"Look at what, Lils?" Albus asked, following the direction Lily was pointing her fork.

A boy from the Ravenclaw table had stood up, too. He seemed to be pondering whether to leave or not. "Hey, you don't think that guy's interested in my sister, do you?" Hugo wondered out loud.

"Well, obviously," Lily replied. "That's Benjamin Davies. He dated me for a couple of weeks before dumping me."

There was a sudden clatter as plates fell to the floor. "WHAT?" Al roared, his fist still on the table from striking it, "HOW DARE SOMEONE DUMP MY SISTER SO—SO—SO—"

Lily produced her wand, muttered, "Reparo!" before interrupting her brother loudly, "Al, calm down before Filch decides to show up, for Merlin's sake. Besides, I don't mind. I never liked him much either. While we were together, he was always saying how hot my cousin is."

"Really?" Hugo demanded.

His friend, Daniel Longbottom (Neville's second child), said regretfully, "I feel sorry for you, mate. Not even knowing just how hot your sister is. She's absolutely gorgeous. I would date her myself, but it would be sort of awkward, you know. It wouldn't be a surprise for guys to start chasing her after hearing the rumor about her and Malfoy breaking up. I mean, what does—did—she see in that Malfoy boy? He's a prat, leaving her for some girl from who-knows-where."

By now, the Great Hall was clearing. Lily swung her bag over her shoulder. "Nice talking to you lot. Better get to class. And, Hugo, good luck if Professor Dillon decides to give you that pop quiz."

He looked mystified. "Good luck? Good luck? Lils, you're in his class too! With me!"

She grinned. "Wait, you're right. How can I forget?"

Al patted Lily on the shoulder. "Vacation causes amnesia, dear baby sister."

"I am not your 'dear baby sister'!"

The Wealseys and Potters escaped from the hall before Filch could figure out there was a problem.

As Rose walked briskly down the hall to Potions a month after Bellatrix's first day at Hogwarts, a voice called after her, "Hey, Rose!"

She stopped, not turning around. Whoever was behind her jogged to catch up. "Er, are you busy?"

Rose studied the boy in front of her. She remembered Lily telling her about him, and he matched Lily's description. Messy light brown hair, piercing blue eyes, a perfect build (in Rose's opinion, he wasn't nearly as good-looking as Scorpius was, though she was never going to admit it)…Benjamin Davies. "What does it look like?" Rose asked coldly, "I'm going to class. If you want to say something, hurry up."

"Woah, Rose. I know you're not very happy after the incident with Malfoy, but, can't you lighten up?"

She scowled in reply. "Don't tell me what to do," she snapped. "And if you want to be friendly with me, never mention him in front of me again. Understand?"

He nodded, slightly puzzled but eager to become closer to her. "So, um, do you have any plans for Hogsmeade in three weeks? I mean, well, we could go together."

Rose frowned. "Don't you have a Quidditch game that weekend with Slytherin? You should be practicing, not asking me out on dates."

He turned red. "Er, yes, you're right. Some other time, then, perhaps?"

"Perhaps," she agreed, her focus no longer on him but on the couple that had just walked past.

Benjamin beamed at her, oblivious to Scorpius and Bellatrix. "Great! I'll see you later. And, I know this is a bit early and very sudden, but, um, do you mind if I…"

Rose had no time to reply as he leaned down, kissing her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Scorpius watching them. She had always known the last thing he wanted was to marry Bellatrix, though as she blabbered on about pure-bloods, he dropped his bag onto the floor, put both his hands on her shoulders, and kissed her.

Very quickly, Rose broke away from Benjamin. She could feel hot tears forming in her eyes as she fled the hall, Scorpius's gaze bearing into her back. It wasn't that all this time, she hated Scorpius, or Bellatrix. She did hate them. She really did. But who she hated the most was herself, because she realized that she was still in love with Scorpius.

And when Benjamin Davies had kissed her, she felt nothing. Nothing at all compared to the ones with…him.

A/n: Very interesting chapter, I should say... And for your information, Rose and Scorpius will not be together for at least a few more chapters. Hehe.

I apologize for the lack of updating. I didn't have any internet for a few days.

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