Rose spent the majority of Sunday morning finishing the novel Aunt Luna had given her, only to be frustrated beyond belief upon discovering that it was the first in a series. The Dark wizard managed to get himself blown up, but there was no resolution about if the ghost sister was going to try and kill the "cold-hearted, imbecilic child" sister and the "misguided, naiive" fiancee. She would have to get the next one to find out.

Albus joined her in the common room after grabbing a late breakfast. Quite to Rose's surprise, he brought his Transfiguration textbook and returned to the previous night's assignment.

"It's not that bad," he admitted when he caught her staring. "I mean, it's not as fun as Charms, but it's better than Potions."

"True," said Rose slowly, still suspicious. But Albus just went back to his work, and she decided not to question it further.

The Slytherin tryouts had already begun, but Rose had difficulty following their progress from her perch by the common room window. All of the players were in the air at once playing a mock game. After a few minutes, Rose found Scorpius flying towards a goal post, his light hair shining in the sun. He shot and scored a goal, then rolled his broom over in celebration.

When James reluctantly brought his Transfiguration textbook down to the common room, Rose knew it was only a matter of minutes before he and Albus got sidetracked again. To Albus' credit, he insisted on finishing his section on transfiguring food before setting his book aside and returning to the debate on who would be added to the Quidditch team.

"I'm still gonna kill Ethan for not showing up," said James, shaking his head. "He says he's too busy, but I think he needs to get his priorities in line."

"Maybe it'll be one of the second years," suggested Albus. "Remember he kept that one girl behind, and she was pretty good. And we need more young players— everyone's going to be leaving next year."

"Too new," said James with a huff, "and she's small, but almost too small, you know? It's like putting Rose on the team."

"I can hear you," she said, not looking up from her book.

The list went up right before dinner. As the afternoon had worn on, more of the Gryffindors filled the common room until it was unusually crowded. Louis played Exploding Snap with his sister in the corner, occasionally tossing one card in the air and hitting it with a spell to make it burst.

"It's sort of like he's studying," offered Lysander, watching Louis hit one smoldering card with a thin jet of water.

Finally, Cameron slid through the portrait hole, pinned a piece of parchment to the notice board (which had been given a wide berth), and then left once more. There was a pause, then everyone began crowding around the board.

Rose remained in her seat, watching the throng of students pushing to see who had made the team. From within the crowd, she heard one girl begin to scream with excitement.

"I did it!" she cried, then screamed wordlessly.

Albus worked his way through the crowd back to his chair, looking mildly confused.

"Juliana Beryl," he explained, shaking his head.

"Is she good?" asked Rose.

"I honestly don't remember," admitted Albus. "I saw her but didn't think Cameron would be considering her. She's a fifth year, and pretty tall."

"You thought it would be someone younger, like you were," said Rose. "Well, I hope she's a good fit."

Albus shrugged.

"How was it seeing your name on the list?" asked Rose. "Does it finally feel real?"

Albus' face lit up and he nodded excitedly. "I still have to write to Dad," he said breathily. "I didn't want— if something had changed, you know, and if I had already told him— you know how he can be."

"I certainly do," she agreed. "How has he taken things with Lily?"

"Could be worse," said Albus mildly. "He told James and I to watch her, make sure she's keeping out of trouble. Mum wrote and told me to make sure she's making friends, which doesn't seem to be a problem for her."

"Well, you can let her know at dinner that you're officially on the team," said Rose. "Let's go down once James has had his fill of staring at that list."

It took James another few minutes to pull himself away from the group of students still examining the team roster. He nodded when Rose asked if he was ready for dinner, but remained thoughtfully silent during their walk to the Great Hall. He didn't speak until they had all sat at the table.

"Interesting," he said at last. "I suppose she's good. Just…a bit old to be starting out, don't you think?"

"That's what I was wondering about," said Albus. "Suppose we can ask her soon enough."

"Where is everyone?" asked Rose, looking around the Hall. It was quieter than usual, and all four house tables were sparsely populated.

"All the lists go up at once," explained Albus, "so that one captain can't hear who another captain picked and base his team around that."

The first big group to arrive was Hufflepuff. They were all chattering excitedly about their new team as they sat at their table. The Ravenclaws arrived shortly after, keeping their voices low and shooting furtive glances around at the other students.

"Oh, we'll know soon enough anyway," said James, rolling his eyes dramatically. "It's not like anything around here stays secret for very long."

More students arrived in smaller groups, filling the four tables. Rose had continued to watch the main doors, so as soon as Scorpius entered, she searched his face for any clue of how his tryouts had gone. He was talking with another boy and did not look around as they went to sit at the Slytherin table.

"C'mon," muttered Rose, standing slightly to see over the other students' heads.

"What're you doing?" asked James.

"She's too tiny to see across the room," said Lysander as he sat. "Congratulations to the both of you. Can't say I'm surprised."

Scorpius finally looked away from his conversation and scanned the room. When he met Rose's eyes, he grinned and nodded slightly, then turned back to his housemates.

Rose gave Albus a thumbs up as she settled back onto the bench. He looked confused for a moment, then his eyes widened in realization.

"Really?" he said.

"Yes!" said Rose.

"I'm sitting right here!" cried James. "Stop acting like I'm too dense to notice you two being all dodgy."

"Sorry," said Albus sheepishly. "We were waiting to hear if Scorpius was still on the team."

James snorted but did not reply.

"How are you liking Professor Ardenia?" asked Lysander, ignoring James' shift in mood.

"She's interesting," said Rose. "So far I don't really— I mean, it's not that I'm saying I don't believe in it, but—"

"It takes a while," said Lysander, smiling. "Don't worry about believing in the Divination aspect of it just yet. There's a lot more to it that is less debatable."

Rose tried to keep this in mind when examining her Arithmancy homework, but the numbers that corresponded to each of her friends seemed more like random assignments than true correlations to their personalities. She made it through three of them before setting the assignment aside once more and joining Lysander for a few rounds of cards.

Breakfast the next morning was a hurried affair. Rose was distracted and kept referring to her class schedule, which lay open on her lap. She didn't know why, but there were the faint flutterings of nerves deep in her stomach. Today was her first Charms lesson with the new professor, and though she knew there was no reason to be nervous, the nerves remained. She had a respect for Professor Flitwick that had been engrained in her from years of family stories; this stranger had large shoes to step into.

The room was already full of a nervous energy when Rose entered. Everyone had arrived early to get a glimpse of their newest professor. Rose had written to her mother asking if she knew anything about the Charms replacement but had yet to hear back.

Albus seemed more nervous than excited and continuously shifted his textbook, as if trying to make it lay perfectly straight on the long table. Rose watched him as he nudged it to the right, then back to the left.

"I liked Flitwick," he blurted out suddenly. His cheeks were flushed pink, and his eyes remained on his book.

"I'm sure Professor Halberton will be fine," said Rose reassuringly. She tried to heed her own words and stamp out the last flutterings of her own nerves.

"It's just— I'm actually good at Charms," said Albus desperately, "and— and what if she's different and then I'm not good at it anymore?"

There was a hysterical edge to his voice now. Rose put a hand on his and waited until he looked at her.

"A new professor isn't going to change the fact that you're good at this," she said gently. "You're good at Charms because of you, not because of anything Professor Flitwick did."

Albus mumbled something incoherent, dropping his gaze again, but he began to breathe more evenly. Instead of shifting his book around, he flipped it open and stared at the pages intently.

The class turned each time the door swung open, and everyone echoed seeing that it was just another student. Finally, when Rose was starting to wonder if their new professor was actually going to be late to their first lesson, the door opened once more— and there she was.

Professor Halberton was beautiful. Rose doubted that anyone's first impression was anything besides that. Even as she took a few steps into the room, Rose's mind could not move on from how strikingly lovely the woman before her was.

Long, golden hair fell in waves down her back; her face was lit by a smile and two gleaming blue eyes, separated by a tiny up-turned nose. She set her bag down on her desk, and only then did Rose realize she had stopped breathing.

Rose glanced around the room and saw almost everyone staring raptly at their new professor as she unpacked her bag.

"So sorry to keep you all waiting," trilled Professor Halberton, looking up at the transfixed students. "I had to finish my meeting with Professor McGonagall. Have you been waiting long?"

A few students shook their heads. No one spoke.

Professor Halberton paused, looking at the class with a frown, then sighed and drew her wand. She traced a figure in the air, and suddenly it was as if the room was a bit dimmer. Rose realized a moment later that the light had remained steady, but Professor Halberton had somehow shifted. She looked approximately the same, but Rose would no longer call her beautiful. Yes, she had the same blonde hair; her eyes were still blue; her nose still petite; her lips still full— yet somehow, the pieces no longer added up as they had before.

"There we go," said Professor Halberton, still frowning slightly. "That will work better for all of us."

"Did you have a Glamour Charm on?" asked one of the Ravenclaw girls curiously.

Professor Halberton laughed. "I didn't before," she said, "but I do now. They're just as effective in the reverse, you know, though not nearly as popular."

The Ravenclaw girl stared at her, apparently unaware that her mouth was hanging open.

"Veela blood," explained Professor Halberton, her tone now precise and business-like. "Half, to be precise. Unusual for the child to have manageable magic, I know, yet here I am."

"But—"

"And perhaps later this year, we may discuss Glamour Charms," continued their professor firmly, "but until then, I can't imagine this being a relevant conversation. Professor Flitwick left me a stunning amount of information on what you've covered, but I'd rather hear from you about what you feel the need to review before we dive into some new material. Well?"

No one tried to ask about Professor Halberton's remarkable parentage for the rest of the lesson. The class remained quiet as they packed, but excited chatter broke out as soon as they left the classroom.

"Remarkable," said Rose, "just remarkable! Aunt Fleur is, what, a quarter Veela? An eighth?"

"Dunno," said Albus vaguely. "I— I'll catch up with you later, alright?"

Before she had a chance to respond, Albus turned and hurriedly walked back up the corridor towards the Charms classroom. Rose rolled her eyes— she supposed a good number of the boys would be seeking remedial Charms lessons this year.

She didn't see Albus until lunch, and he brushed off questions about what he had been up to when he left her after class. Rose decided not to press the matter. At least he no longer seemed anxious about liking their new professor.

James and Albus were openly disappointed with how few Quidditch practices they were having each week. Apparently Professor Evariste had learned about how hard Cameron had worked the team the year before and had set a maximum of three practices per week. He had also set a curfew for Cameron, who had kept the team out into the nighttime hours on a number of occasions.

"What if we're not ready in time?" complained James that Thursday evening. He had his Potions textbook open in front of him, but he kept glancing out the window at the figures flying around in the dim light. "Hufflepuff's out there again, and we're not losing to them two years in a row."

"You'll be fine," said Rose, setting down her quill. "Really, it means you'll be less tired when it's time to actually play another team. And if you're out on the pitch every night, when is anyone else supposed to practice?"

James gave her a look suggesting that that was precisely his point.

"Writing to Mum?" asked Lysander, leaning over Rose's shoulder. She hurriedly covered her half-written letter, feeling a blush rise in her cheeks.

"Yes," she said quickly, "so?"

Lysander chuckled. "Sorry," he said, "didn't mean to pry. Can you ask if she has any more of those honeysuckle candies that she could send? Someone seems to have eaten all of mine."

James chose this moment to dive back into his Potions book, his brow furrowing with intense concentration.

"I'll ask her," said Rose, returning to her letter. She hadn't wanted Lysander to see that she was writing to Aunt Luna about the novel she had gotten for her birthday. Rose didn't want to wait until returning home for Christmas to start the next in the series, but the Hogwarts library didn't have them in its fiction section.

Louis slipped back through the portrait hole just as Rose was getting ready to go to bed. His face was flushed, but he was grinning happily.

"Happy birthday, Louis," said Rose, grabbing her bag from next to the chair. "Have a good night?"

"Saw Ari for a bit," he said, still grinning. "Got detention for being out too late, but it was worth it."

"Good, then," said Rose. Louis always seemed to be in and out of detention. He seemed far happier than the previous year, which Rose knew was because of his return to the Quidditch team, but he seemed to be getting himself in just as much trouble.

Rose set her bag down on her bed and began unpacking it. Tia was sitting on her bed, applying a deep purple cream to her hair. Across the room, Kara and Mary were speaking in furtive whispers, occasionally glancing over at Loren's bed before continuing their hissed conversation.

A small brown owl swept through the open window next to Tia's bed and landed next to Rose's schoolbag. Its wings continued to beat frantically as Rose untied the letter from its legs.

"Someone sent you a hummingbird," laughed Tia, capping her tub of hair cream. "Who's it from?"

Rose examined the handwriting on the front and grinned.

"Just my mum," she said, opening it quickly. The owl, rather than exiting through the window, hopped over to Rose's bedside table and promptly fell asleep.

Rose,

Congratulations on the start of a new year! We would love to stop in and catch up with you sometime if you're not too busy. We'll be in the area for the next month. Does October work for you?

We have so much to tell you! Hope you haven't been too lost without us.

GG

"I guess the owl is staying here tonight?" said Tia wryly, eying the small creature with distrust.

"Apparently," said Rose, taking a fresh sheet of parchment from her bag. "I'll send it back first thing in the morning. Poor little guy seems tired."

Loren sat up out of bed, causing a sudden stop to Mary and Kara's whispers.

"I think Payton's going to ask Professor Halberton to our first Hogsmeade weekend," she declared with an angry pout, then flopped back onto her pillow.

Rose exchanged an amused look with Tia.

"I don't think that would do him much good," said Rose. "Professors aren't exactly allowed to fraternize with students. I'm sure everyone will have to make do with having her along as a chaperone."

"I wouldn't be surprised if she stays behind," mused Kara. "I mean, even with her glamours, it's a bit distracting, no? They all know how gorgeous she is now anyway."

"Not much she can do about it," said Rose neutrally. She had grown up with her Aunt Fleur, who, as a quarter-Veela, was stunning in her own right. Meeting Fleur's mother had been an intimidating experience, certainly; the older witch carried a grandiose air of both knowledge and power that did nothing to dim her undeniable beauty. Even the lines that had made their home on her face had only served to accentuate her natural features.

"They'll all learn to control themselves around beautiful women," said Tia, rolling her eyes, "and I'm sure we'll have plenty of chances to laugh at them along the way." Glancing to Rose, she added in an undertone, "Though if Halberton ever finds herself in need of an escort for the afternoon, you bet I'll be the first to volunteer."

Rose gaped as Tia winked at her. It took her a moment to process her friends' words, and once she did, she flashed her a quick thumbs up and a nod. Seeing Rose's shock, Tia laughed and shook her head.

As the girls settled into bed for the night, Rose uncorked her inkwell and scribbled a quick reply to the letter she had received.

Gemma, Genna:

So good to hear from you! How about October 13th? It's a Saturday, so I won't have to worry about classes. Albus might have Quidditch practice but I'll see if he can come. We can meet in the library.

Rose

Rose ended up spending a good chunk of her free time in the library as September wore on. Adding two classes to her schedule meant more homework than she had been expecting. She often found Scorpius working on an assignment for one of his three additional courses and was once again satisfied with her decision to only add two. He seemed harried by the additions, and had confided to Rose that the Slytherin Quidditch team was training even harder this year because of Cameron's new limitations.

"I'm thrilled to be back, of course," he said with a yawn one afternoon, "but I think we could do with less practicing. We've only been here a month and I'm tuckered out."

She found herself in the library once more on the first Tuesday of October. She still hadn't heard back from Aunt Luna, and not having something fun to read to get a break from her schoolwork was driving her mad. She had resigned herself to beginning another new series, fully aware that it would probably suck her in just like the previous one had. That was the danger of reading for fun.

Ariana Burrow was sitting at one of the other tables, paging through a large, ancient-looking tome. She looked up and smiled at Rose, snapping the book closed. Both girls coughed as a small pile of dust sprung into the air.

"I forgot these old books do that," said Ariana, "sorry! I try to read the newer printings, but no one has reprinted this since the 1700s."

"It's beautiful," said Rose, looking at the markings on the cover. "Runes?"

"Unfortunately," sighed Ariana. "Don't get me wrong, I think it's fascinating, but it's gotten a lot harder this year. I did well enough on my O.W.L. exam, but now that I'm at the N.E.W.T. level, it's beginning to stress me out."

Rose moved her bag to Ariana's table and pulled out one of the chairs. "I just started this year," she said. "Professor Stramus is… interesting."

"That's one way to put it!" laughed Ariana. "She's brilliant, but blunt."

"I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon enough," said Rose with a sigh. "It's mostly memorization, which I'm usually good at, but some of it's just so boring!"

"Oh, absolutely," said Ariana, tracing some of the runes on the cover of her book. "And I just can't concentrate on it tonight. Louis got himself thrown in detention. Again."

"Again?" repeated Rose. "I thought he was done for now."

"He blew up a platter during lunch," said Ariana. "He was trying to show his friends something, I don't remember what. It hardly matters."

"I'm sorry," said Rose. "He can be a bit…thick, at times."

"Oh, I know. It's so funny, everyone keeps apologizing to me, as though it's some huge tragedy." She smiled, and added, "Or that it's somehow my problem to be worried about, what'll happen if he doesn't get his behavior in check."

Rose shrugged. "He's my cousin," she said.

"And my boyfriend," said Ariana pointedly, "not my puppy. If he piddles on someone's rug, it's not my fault. Or yours."

Laughter came from behind Rose. She turned and saw Clare, the library assistant, trying to muffle her giggles from behind the counter. She tried to turn her laughter into a coughing fit and quickly busied herself with paperwork.