Hi guys! I really wanted to update before I go on holiday tomorrow so I could explain my absence over the upcoming two weeks. Because of that, I've just thrown this rather short chapter today, so please forgive me for any flaws you find in this piece of writing.

DISCLAIMER: Not mine!

When Monday morning arrived, Rose had obviously finished packing and had all her homework completed and ready to take back to school, because she was Rose. She would have happily spent the morning pondering as to whether Sven has reached Scorpius safely and whether the Slytherin would endeavour to reply; what he would say if he did and how Rose could get a message back to him, but this was not to be. Instead she had to join in the packing frenzy that was taking place as Hugo hadn't packed the afternoon before as Hermione had told him to. This meant that the family spent the morning rushing about the house, trying to ensure that he hadn't forgotten anything. Clearly he hadn't figured out how to use the list and Hermione wasn't prepared to tell him. Rose wondered why.

By some miracle, at 11am, they were all ready to go. Hermione lined them all up by the fireplace and carried the pot of Floo powder, making Ron take a handful first. The lanky red-haired man had to duck quite a bit to fit into the fireplace as he threw the powder in the air and shouted: "The Burrow!" A flash of green flame enveloped Ron and he disappeared, before the fire died down.

Rose followed her father into the fireplace and repeated the process. She felt the familiar whirl as she was spun through the Floo Network, trying not to inhale any soot as she went, until she almost fell out the other end onto the familiar carpet of the Burrow. Rose barely had time to stand up and brush herself off, before she was engulfed in someone's arms. The person was shorter than Rose and quite plump, and smelt of baking bread.

"Rose, dear! It's so lovely to see you!" Mrs Weasley cried, hugging her granddaughter so tightly that Rose couldn't even lift her arms to return the hug.

Instead, she just gasped: "You too, Grandma! I've missed you."

"Oh, you've grown taller since the summer!" Molly exclaimed, releasing Rose from the suffocating embrace. "You're towering over me now! You'll be as tall as your father if we don't watch out!"

Rose laughed. "I don't think that will be a problem any time soon."

"Hey, you're not going to forget your old Grandad, are you?" Joked Arthur Weasley from his chair in the corner, as Hugo fell out of the fireplace. Rose ran over and bent down to hug her grandfather as another kerfuffle over her brother's arrival broke out. Arthur wasn't too good on his feet nowadays, so the family tried to avoid getting him up more often than necessary, despite his bedroom still being upstairs.

"It's great to see you, Grandpa." Rose smiled softly, as she was very fond of the Muggle-loving old man whose mischievous nature hadn't faded with age.

"You're Grandma's right- you are taller. In fact you're beginning to look like quite a young lady! But be warned- we'll be interviewing every single boy in that queue of people wanting to court you. Only the best for my Rosie!" She blushed awkwardly and forced a laugh, imagining her grandfather's reaction if Scorpius was in this imaginary queue of his.

Next she turned to see her Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny, with James and Al stood behind them faking a nonchalant conversation, clearly in aid of ignoring Rose. Hugo was high-fiving them, whilst Lily was next to her parents grinning at her elder cousin. "Hey, Lils, how's it going?" Rose asked, hugging the younger girl.

"No to too bad, thanks. James and Al keep trying to prank me, but they're rubbish compared to Fred and Roxanne, and usually I'm too smart even for them."

Rose laughed. "Good!" She said, before turning to her Aunt and Uncle as Hermione stepped from the fireplace and into the room.

Ginny hugged her niece promptly. "It's good to see you again Rose! Hermione has been sending us owls about how you and Hugo are doing, but I want to hear all about the Tournament from you personally. Al's being a bit funny about it and won't tell us much, but word is that you are doing very well." Her Aunt nudged her and lowered her voice. "I also hear you've been put in a pretty bad team. Lucy is clever and tries her best, but I know you two don't get on very well, and Scorpius Malfoy! I can imagine working with him is nothing short of hell, if he's anything like his father, so good on you, girl."

Rose smiled awkwardly, just before Harry interrupted. "I don't know, Gin, Draco was smart and cunning at least, which are useful qualities in a teammate. And I doubt anyone could be as bad as him and Lucius. Maybe Scorpius is better than the rest of them. Astoria may have been a good influence on him."

Ginny looked at him doubtfully. "Maybe." Then to Rose. "Is he? Nicer than his father, I mean."

"Erm... Oh, well, I've never really met Draco Malfoy so I can't really comment." Rose told them.

"But you've heard about him from us, and none of the stories were exaggerated, so you can take an educated guess." Rose's Aunt pressed.

"Well, I suppose Scorpius isn't as bad as all that. He is very intelligent sometimes, like you said his Dad was, and cunning too. But he isn't as cruel as he used to be. He's been nicer this year- kinder, I suppose. And a better team player than I expected, though sometimes I suppose he has his own intentions at heart, but he's very good at hiding them. That's another thing- he's very secretive, so it's hard to tell what he truly thinks or feels, or whether he wants to help you or himself."

Ginny and Harry were nodding along. "But is he a bully? Does he discriminate against anyone who isn't pureblood? Does he still hate you and the others like he used to?" Ginny questioned.

Rose wanted to answer truthfully, but not make Scorpius look bad or seem as though she any feelings for him stronger than toleration. "He used to be and do all those things." Rose began, choosing her words carefully. "But this year something's changed. He's generally been nicer and I don't think I've seen him bully at all. Plus, his grudge against our family seems to have lessened dramatically. Yes, he was a pain at the start of the year when he first found out he would have to work with two Weasley's, but he's mellowed since. I'm not entirely sure why he's been different, or how his family feel about it, though."

Ginny seemed almost disappointed that Rose had no tales of Scorpius' cruel endeavours, and that she didn't seem to hate him. "Well, if he's not giving you too much grief, then I suppose I shouldn't be worried."

Rose gave what felt like the millionth awkward laugh. "No, don't be. I can take care of myself."

"Excellent." Her Uncle smiled at her. "Anyway, if you're right and his is quite a bit nicer than his father, then we'd better make the most of it. A friendship between our families would save us a lot of time and energy spent arguing with them."

Rose smiled and nodded as she reversed away from her Aunt and Uncle, before she said anything that would land her in another awkward conversation. She moved to the corner of the room, where she could watch the two families greet each other- all hugs and kisses and exclamations of how the children had grown, so Rose smiled and nodded when appropriate, before noticing Teddy's absence.

"Grandma, where's Teddy?" Rose asked Molly when her grandmother had a free moment.

"Oh, goodness!" Molly exclaimed. "I think he's still in his room, or hopefully moving out so your parents can have it. I haven't had chance to call him down."

"Don't worry, I'll go." Rose smiled; glad to have an excuse to leave the hubbub and accusing eyes of almost half her family. James, Al, her father, Hugo and Aunt Ginny all seemed to be annoyed with her, and this would only get worse once Roxanne and Lucy arrived. Rose shuddered at the thought.

She reached the door she knew to be Teddy's bedroom and knocked on it. "Teddy?" She asked. "It's Rose! You've got to put up with me for a week now!"

"Oh, Merlin, no!" The young man exclaimed, as he opened the door.

"Teddy!" Rose exclaimed, hugging him round the waist, as he patted her back awkwardly. Teddy was like her older brother, but a nice one, who stood up for her when she was in arguments with anyone, other than Victoire, who always was his priority. But after his girlfriend, Rose was second closest to him, although all the cousins got along with him well. Lily loved him too, despite them being at opposite ends of the family age-wise, and the boys got on with him quite well, as he was a great laugh and always willing to play or referee a Quidditch match.

"Hey, Rosie! How you doing, kid?" Teddy asked her,

"So-so." She told him. "Have you changed your hair again?" she asked, eager to steer the conversation away from herself.

"I grew it a bit and made it slightly more turquoise. Victoire likes it, and that's good enough for me." Teddy grinned and looked like the love struck young man he was.

"I'll probably regret asking this, but how are you two?"

"How are we? Never been better! Vicky's just finished her gap year and she's looking to get a job. Just in Madam Malkins to start with, but she's so bright she could be anything she wants to be. And she will, in time, but she's way to modest and won't put herself out there. I think 20 years of being made to feel inadequate by her mother had left her lacking in self confidence. I mean, I keep telling her she's beautiful, and intelligent, and funny and witty and imaginative, but she doesn't believe me! Anyway, and I'm hoping to move out soon- I've loved living here, but I don't want to be a burden on your grandparents now I'm old enough to look after myself- and maybe I'll move closer to Vicky. Or even move in with her, if she would like to, but obviously that's a discussion for another day. Don't tell anyone I've mentioned that- I haven't told Molly and Arthur, or even mentioned it to Vicky! It's between you and me, Rosie, ok?"

"Yeah, ok, Teddy." Rose grinned at his enthusiasm. "Anyway, I came up here to ask you to come downstairs. Hugo and my parents are here too, and so are Uncle Harry and company. Grandma wants you to be sociable, so I said I'd come and ask you to join us."

"James, Al, Lily and Hugo are here too? Why have these pearls of wisdom not been shared with me yet?" Teddy exclaimed in excitement. "Come on, Rosie! Why are we still up here? There are cousins to catch up with!" Teddy grabbed Rose's hand and pulled her back towards the scene she had been so keen to escape from. Rose had no choice but to follow him, albeit reluctantly.

There you have it! Sorry it's short and filler-style with no input from Scorpius, but hopefully when I write the next chapter it will be 1) longer 2) more interesting and 3) containing more Scorose.

Please remember to favourite/follow me/the fic if you haven't already or you won't get an update when I post the next chapter. And if you don't mind dropping me a review, that would be amazing!

Keep reading!
Lucy x