A/N some verbal abuse here –fighting and arguing. Lots of insults. :P

Dumbledore hummed as he walked up to check on Rose. For some reason, she wasn't focussing as much as she used to. She seemed really tired some mornings, like she hadn't been to sleep at all. He walked up the corridor, and paused at the shard of crystal in the wall. Opening the secret door, he walked in. Walking past the Meeting Room and the Sphere, he strode into Rose's bedroom to wish her good night, as he was going away and would be back very late.

The first thing he noticed was that Rose looked a bit pink, like she had just done something very quickly. The second was the pink crystal she was holding in her hands, like she had just used it. The third, however, caught his eye; and was the most suspicious by far.

There was a gaping hole in her wall.

Far too late, Rose drew in air very quickly and whipped around. She had forgotten to close it again! There was sunlight pouring into her bedroom and it lit up her whole room. She gulped visibly.

Oh…dear…Lord, she thought to herself. In the depths of her mind, she faintly heard Harry thinking 'What?' She didn't bother answering him.

Dumbledore looked at her. His light blue eyes peered out over his half-moon spectacles, and he surveyed her thoroughly. There was an odd look in his eyes, which Rose had never seen before. He was not disappointed – that she could have handled. He looked sad; like some poor old man sitting in the park whose ducks had swam off before he could finish feeding them breadcrumbs.

Her heart fell to her stomach with a thud. He blinked, and closed the door behind him. He walked over to her and sat down on the bed.

"And what might you be up to, my dear?" he said softly. A normal person would not have noticed it, but Rose was extrasensory. She could just hear the hurt in his voice, like he knew she was doing something he would not approve of.

She swallowed. "Um…just…ah…" she faltered. How could she lie to him? He would know instantly.

She took a breath, and looked him square in the eyes. She quickly weighed up all her options. Fess up and get in trouble, lie and betray his trust, or somehow find another way out.

"I'm a troubled teen. You may not want to know what I'm up to. What with the growing up issues and the hormones, I'm bound to be less than a saint on occasion. Not that I'm a bad person or did anything sinner-esque, but…hey, teenager…"

She had quickly decided that she might get out of this with a sympathy vote. Make out that it was acceptable to be a rebel.

"After all, Professor; you were a teen once, too," she reminded him with a wink.

Professor Dumbledore blinked and smiled, a twinkle in his eye again. Indeed, the old man in the park had his ducks come back.

"Sweetheart, this may sound odd considering how old I look," he chuckled, "But I wasn't born yesterday. I used that excuse on my parents and elders, and it never worked for me either. Now, I respect what you are doing. I just wish you would tell me."

Again, Rose felt the guilt come back full force. "It's not that I don't trust you," she burst out. "I…hey," she said suddenly, defensively.

"I wasn't doing anything wrong. You never said I couldn't have friends. You just never said I could…so I took the initiative," she finished brightly, beaming at him.

SCORE! She thought. Can we say loophole? Harry, I think I'm off the hook.

Dumbledore just nodded as if he already knew. "Go on," he prodded gently.

She coloured. "Well, you did say I should work more with Draco and Aurora," she said, wrinkling her nose with distaste at the mention of the blonde boy's name.

"Yes…"

"And, well, Lindsey already knew about me, so he's been up here."

"I see. That's allright."

"And…Well, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Harry may have been up here as well."

At this, Rose cringed inwardly, waiting for his shocked reprimand. It never came. Instead, he just nodded serenely. She stopped and looked at him. He put together the tips of his long, tapering fingers.

"Well, I had suspected as much. Did you tell Harry about you two being twins?" he said.

Rose looked down sheepishly. "Ah…yes, actually. I did."

Dumbledore 'mmm'ed. "And did you tell him about me?"

Rose looked up into Dumbledore's big blue eyes and held his penetrating gaze. She slowly shook her head.

"No. I didn't. I thought you would like to tell him," she said softly.

Professor Dumbledore smiled and stood up. "Very well. I suppose the eight of you were working on deciphering the Prophecy?" he said knowledgeably.

Rose was about to answer when she stopped, her mouth open. "What was that you said?" she asked slowly. "The…eight of us?" the corner of her lips were slowly turning upwards into a wide, Julia Roberts-style grin. "Eight…"

She shook her head to snap back to reality. "Ah, yes! Yes, we were working on the prophecy."

He smiled. "And I believe I just helped. Now, child: please don't fear being caught by me anymore. The others shall be allowed to continue visiting. I must ask you, though – DO NOT open the walls again. It's not safe. I am your guardian, and I insist upon it being closed for your own safety. I'll see you tomorrow, then, sweetheart. Be good."

She smiled hugely and stood up, wrapping her arms around the old man.

"Bye." He walked to the door, and she followed him, waving.

"Love you!"

He smiled and waved. "Love you too, sweetheart."

Rose closed her door and walked back into her room, sitting cross-legged on her bed. She heaved a sigh of relief. How unbelievable, she had gotten off the hook!

Her Great-Grandpa was cool, for an old guy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next day came and classes were looming after a busy night. The seven students who were out late last night – Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Lindsey, Aurora and Draco – all felt like a bomb had hit them.

Ginny groaned and dragged herself down to the Great Hall for breakfast. She sat down heavily at the Gryffindor table and cradled her head in her hands, barely noticing when Lindsey sat down next to her. It took her three whole minutes to realise that she was trying to take a bite out of her plate instead of her toast.

The others were just as bad. Over at the Slytherin table, Pansy was cooing over Draco in a way that made a few other girls sick from watching. Either that or they were just jealous, as he was actually quite popular with some girls – even if most thought he was evil. Draco himself looked quite disgusted, and had to move away quite quickly. Aurora almost fell asleep at the breakfast table, and would have fallen into her bowl of porridge if Harry hadn't rescued her as he 'coincidently' walked past their table.

First lesson for the Gryffindor and Slytherin sixth years was Defence Against the Dark Arts. They had a new teacher this year – or, rather, an old one. This year, Professor Lupin had returned. Some parents weren't all that pleased; however, most of these 'disapproving' parents had children in Slytherin and were currently in Azkaban for being convicted Death Eaters. Thus, the movement was passed.

Lupin was very happy to be back, although he was still sad about what happened to Sirius. He was eager to be posted at Hogwarts if only to keep an eye on Harry. During class, Lupin noticed that six of his students were almost asleep, so he decided to be kind and make that lesson an easy one. He cleared his throat.

"Class, today we are going to explore some dark practices. To begin with, please turn to page one hundred and thirty-three of your texts." He waited until all the students were ready before continuing.

"We are going to start a unit on Tarot, which, in this context, has nothing to do with Divination whatsoever. This is a practice which helps one to learn more about a person."

Lavender and Parvati dropped their jaws simultaneously. "But we have studied this!" Parvati cried. Lavender nodded. "Professor Trelawney showed us how the Death omens are found, and when to stay low, and lots of interesting things about Tarot," she said triumphantly.

Professor Lupin frowned and took off his glasses to clean them with his robes. "Yes, well…this course will be taking a slightly different direction. For example, the Death card does not actually represent death. It stands for a time of change, or a challenge."

Aurora was in the back row on the Slytherin side, and sucked in her breath. "The Tarot speaks volumes without words. The Queen of Cups is open and fluid, like... She speaks her mind but is easily hurt… others seek to corrupt her." She seemed to drift off, once again. Draco sighed deeply.

"Sir, do you mind if I take Aurora outside for a minute? I don't think she's feeling all that well."

Lupin, having been told of the predicament Aurora was in by Professor Dumbledore, nodded absently. Draco gently took Aurora by the elbow, who was now giggling faintly to herself, and led her outside; ignoring the questioning looks sent his way by most of the students. Once outside, he conjured up some water to spurt out of the tip of his wand into her face. She jumped, obviously startled, then looked around and slumped.

"I did it again, didn't I?" she asked glumly. "I am such a nutcase. Why Dumbledore keeps me here, I'll never know."

She rolled her eyes, clearly frustrated with herself, and walked back inside. Draco closed his eyes and ran a hand through his platinum hair. Up til last summer, life at Hogwarts had been pretty easy. Now he had to worry about OWLs results, Voldemort, Aurora, his Father, and that prophecy was really starting to irk him. That, and now he had not one, but two Potters to infuriate him. He snorted. Yep, life sure was fun. Not.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dumbledore was in his office, humming slightly to himself when he heard a noise behind him. Turning around, he saw that someone was about to come into his fireplace.

He got up from his chair and walked over to the fireplace, where he knelt in front of it. He waited as a head slowly appeared in the hearth.

First he noted the sharply angled face. Then the piercing grey eyes. Last, he noted the long white-blonde hair.

Dumbledore stiffened, and stood up. He clasped his hands in front of him and waited. "Lucius. How good to see you again." He said calmly.

Lucius was a clever man, and he knew how to work people and not lose his cool. "Dumbledore. Good morning," he began pleasantly, apart from the sharp edge to his words. "I trust you are well?"

The old man smiled inwardly. So, this is how he wanted to play it then? "Well, a little older than last time we met, but nonetheless well," he said smoothly. The blonde man's head in the fireplace smiled coldly.

"To business. I was wondering if I could have a chat with my son, please, and my niece."

Dumbledore didn't miss a beat. He smiled. "I'm sorry, Mr Malfoy, but they are both in the middle of classes right now."

"Well then I need to speak with them as soon as possible." The voice was at a dangerously even level, like he was carefully controlling his temper.

Professor Dumbledore stared at him. "I'm sorry, but I cannot allow it," he said firmly.

Lucius Malfoy knew he couldn't argue with the man. He would, however, get his way. In a rush of flames, he disappeared from the grate.

Dumbledore cursed silently to himself. 'Rose?' He called in his mind.

Yes, Grandpa? Came the answer.

'I need you to inform Minerva and Remus immediately that there may be a threat with Lucius Malfoy,' he thought hurriedly.

In a second, she was gone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Remus Lupin was startled. Professor Lupin, Dumbledore says that there may be a situation with Mr Malfoy, she said quickly. Lupin was in the middle of a lecture on Tarot when he heard the message. He calmly went on with his lesson, so as not to alarm the students.

Harry sat up in his seat and shot Lupin a look. Harry heard every word that was said. So, Mr Malfoy was here. He must be after Draco and Aurora! He thought miserably, his heart twisting uncomfortably when he thought about that bastard hurting the innocent blonde girl. He looked over his shoulder inconspicuously, and noted that Aurora was fine. She was sitting in her seat, looking a little annoyed with her drifting-off earlier, but apart from that, she was fine.

No one noticed that Draco wasn't back yet.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the hall, Draco was just about to re-enter the classroom when he thought he heard something behind him. He spun to thew source of the sound, but there was nothing. He waited for a second, and picked up a movement in his peripheral. He scowled. Not knowing was like not being in control, a thought he didn't like to entertain.

He stood up, drawing himself to his full height (rather tall indeed, actually) and took out his wand.

He gasped slightly when he heard it again. "Hello?" he called uncertainly. "Who's there?" he said, his voice growing stronger and more confident. His heart began to beat more quickly. There it was again!

Draco whipped around with a speed only Seekers have just in time to see the thing move from sight. He gulped. It was long…and tall…and it had the head of a lion. But wait! It wasn't a lion. The body was different, paler and had shaggier fur. The tail was different too, almost like a dragon's with spikes all down the green scales.

He gasped. The thing was a Chimaera! How the hell did it get into Hogwarts?

Heart racing, he took a step back. The thing turned and looked him square in the eye, and growled deeply, taking a small, slow step forward. It was looking at him calculatingly, like it was really after him. Predator and Prey. That's what it came down to. Draco steeled himself, and cast the first spell that entered his mind.

"Impedimenta!" he cried, stumbling backwards beginning a hasty retreat away from the classrooms, so as not to endanger any of the other students. He knew he had to get to Dumbledore immediately. Racing through the halls, he knew from the growls and heavy footsteps following him that the creature was pursuing him. He soared up the stairs towards the Headmaster's office, but the chimaera was gaining on him. He was running down a corridor at top-speed when he saw Dumbledore standing in the hall.

"Professor!" he choked out. "Chimaera – it's right behind me!" he panted, trying desperately to catch his breath. Dumbledore's normally cheery eyes were filled with anger, and the blue pools suddenly turned into cold chips.

"In here, boy," he said quickly, and pushed Draco inside a room. Unaware of what was happening, Draco felt Dumbledore close the door behind him, and leant back upon the wall, hand to his chest, trying to catch his breath. His eyes were tightly shut, and he forced himself to regain composure.

"Um…what are you doing here?" came a strangled voice from in front of him. Without opening his eyes, Draco groaned.

"Oh, no. Not you. First a chimaera, then this. What next?" he said, and slowly opened his eyes, looking around to make sure.

Yes, it was true. Dumbledore had pushed him inside the Meeting Room, and told him to stay there. He sighed and looked over at Rose – then stopped when he noticed that she was lying in an disheveled heap on the floor, looking very upset and surprised.

"Uh…why are you on the floor?" he asked, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. She narrowed her eyes and sniffed, desperately trying to hold onto the last scrap of dignity she had. Rose pushed her bright hair out of her face and pulled her dress back down, covering what had not been before. Slowly, she sat up with a pained expression.

"I was practising my levitating when I heard you come in. When you slammed the door, my concentration broke and I fell. Thank you very much," she said caustically.

"Well, perhaps if you weren't so clumsy it wouldn't have happened," he said smoothly. "Most people grow out of it when they're eight or so."

She began to go pink. "Yeah? Well…so's your face!" she cried.

He just laughed. "Oh, really? And when was the last time that insult was used?"

"Shut up and get a life, you albino rat!"

"Oh, yeah? Why don't you make me? Oh, that's right, you'd have to defrost first. Must be hard, being such a frigid bitch all the time."

She gasped with anger and got up painfully.

"What is your problem? I mean, there is something seriously scary loose in the school, Voldemort is after you, and everyone in the world minus your cousin thinks you're an obnoxious prick; and all you can do is be nasty about it and insult me! What the hell is your problem?" she screamed, taking threatening steps towards him so that they were about three feet apart.

"The only problem I have at the moment is that the chimaera was probably sent by my father to kill me, and I'm stuck in here with YOU!" He yelled back, taking a step forward and shortening the distance between them.

"You arrogant prick!"

"You are such a cow!"

"Stuck up asshole!"

"Frigid Bitch!"

"SHUT UP! I HATE YOU!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, leaning forward to emphasise her point

"I HATE YOU TOO!" he roared back, never one to back down from a fight; although he made it a rule never to hit girls (despite how much he wanted to in this situation). He looked at her with utter loathing, his fear of the chimaera turned into hot hatred.

They glared at each other so venomously that there were sparks flying from both their eyes.

But these sparks weren't just from anger.

In a instant, Draco dove forward and his mouth bore hungrily down on hers. At exactly the same time, Rose gasped, jumped up and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him closer. He wrapped his arms around her waist tightly and kissed her even more deeply, leaning forward over her small frame. She stood on tiptoe to reach him and kissed him with all the strength she had. With a small moan, he pressed his tongue against her lips. Only too willing, she parted her lips quickly and they began to French kiss as their tongues battled for dominance.

Thus began the Grand Finals in tonsil hockey.

They were making out for about ten seconds before pulling apart, and jumping to opposite sides of the room like they suffered an electric shock from each other. Which, actually, wasn't far from the truth.

There they stood, he looking down at her with surprise and she looking up at him with wide eyes.

"We so need to get out of here," he said with conviction.

"Uh huh," she said weakly, horrified at what she had done. How could she have sunk so low? In one movement, they both darted to the door.

Chimaera or no chimaera, they were NOT staying in the same room together.

A/N

Hey people!!!!!!! Ooh, I know lots of you Buffy fans will recognise this. gleeful giggle hell yeah! I love electric relationships.

I dedicate this to Aleana, whose name I cannot spell. You are the best reviewer I have ever met!!!! Kudos to you!!!!

To all you others, PLEASE review.

Sorry I haven't posted for sooooo long, but I haven't had a computer for over a month. I'll try to keep it coming!!!!!

To Perry, who may never read this (for she is slack) : jeez you are slack!!!

Ooh and check out my new BtVS/HP fic. It's a work in progress ; )

Thanks everyone. PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!

Rose-Riddle3223