A/N Hello, fellow wizards! Thank you for your continued support. Here's another chapter. Do enjoy. And don't forget to review!


The summer was finally over. It was not such a bad vacation, though the constant stream of visiting Weasleys could be rather daunting sometimes. Albus and James had been keeping her company, pulling pranks on Hugo, playing two-a-team Quidditch and diminishing Grandma Weasley's supply of chocolate chip cookies.

Al had grown during the vacation. He had shot up a couple of inches and stood a head taller than her now. His voice had cracked too. Rose herself had changed. Her face had lost all the baby fat and now looked toned and more womanly. If only her hair would change into something manageable too.

Rose took a last look at the mirror, shut her trunk with a snap and dragged it down the stairs. Mom was shouting. Sounded like Hugo had once again managed to set off a few dungbombs near Crooshanks. He had presently taken refuge on top of the kitchen sink and refused to budge from the unwashed dishes.

Mom was glowering at Hugo when Rose arrived at the kitchen. 'Trunks not packed yet, and all this nonsense!' she was muttering angrily, while Dad sat at the table, jiggling the car keys.

Hugo would be starting school this year. Two years younger than Rose, he was already showing traits of a top class prankster. 'And why not,' thought Rose, 'as he considered James to be his role model!'

'Are you packed darling?' asked her dad.

'Yes Daddy.' She went and kissed Ron on the cheek and grabbed a sandwich.

'Sweet Merlin 'Mione! I swear our Rosie has grown up. Time to start worrying about guy issues, eh Rosie?'

'Dad!'

'Ron!'

Both the ladies exclaimed at the same time. Hugo was starting to snigger but quickly turned his attention to the sandwiches at a quelling look from his mother.

Half an hour later, after much scolding from Mom and grumbling from Hugo, the car stuffed with two trunks instead of one, they were on their way. Rose was already looking forward to this term. She could hardly wait to get to the Quidditch ground and try out her brand new Trailblazer 140. Shehad received it as a gift on her thirteenth birthday from Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny. It felt like Christmas had come early.

Mom and Dad were bickering in the front seat.

'C'mon 'Mione. Just a little.'

'No Ron!'

'It won't hurt. Nobody will know!' whined Dad. Rose sniggered silently.

'You are in a Muggle street, driving a Muggle car. Anybody would notice if a sedan turns into a sports car right in front of their eyes. And for Godric's sake, stop whining like a child!'

Dad continued to swear quietly as he drove along the relatively deserted streets and shops. Muggles walked past, busy with their cell-phones, others drove cars similar to theirs, though Rose strongly doubted they had seats as big as the Weasleys'. Another four persons would have easily fit into the back seat.

It was fifteen minutes to 11o'clock and they were running late. And to top that they were caught in a traffic snarl. Dad cast a hopeful glance at Mom.

'We are running late, dear. May be just a little?'

'Ok ok. Fine. But let's just stick to jumping to the front of the line.'

'You're the best,' said Dad, leaning towards Mom.

'Eww! Mom, Dad! Get a roommmph!

Rose elbowed Hugo in the stomach, chuckling with her parents. She liked it when they were in such an affectionate mood. She turned to the window, watching the buildings rush by, and heaved a sigh. Would she be as lucky?

'Honey, we've arrived,' informed her mother after about ten minutes. Rose took a deep breath and stepped out. This was it. She was going home again.


The steam from the engine had obscured almost everything. Scorpius could hardly make out the bobbing heads of the numerous fellow students passing him on their way to the Hogwarts Express. He looked at the wall-clock for the dozenth time. Five minutes to spare and still no sign of Al. No redhead either. They were late.

An unexpected thump on his back nearly sent him toppling.

'Hey Malfoy! How's it going?' James Potter yelled into his ears.

Scorpius rolled his eyes before turning, 'It was going great till you showed up.'

'Aww, you wound me Snowy…'

'Shut up!'

James sniggerd.

'Where's Al?' asked Scorpius.

'Still getting smothered by Mum. I escaped somehow,' James said, making a disgusted face.

Just then a redhead caught his eyes. His heart gave a curious thump. Two more redheads appeared. But his eyes were riveted towards the girl walking at the front. Rose had grown up. She looked…different. Somehow Scorpius could not associate this glorious curly haired girl with the 'Carrots' of his memory. She approached him.

'Hey Snowy! How was vacation?'

'Shut up, Carrots!' Scorp grinned.

'Oh! You've grown up. You sound grown up!'

'Look who's talking. I see a lady before me. Where is little Carrots? Eh?'

For the first time Rose blushed at his words in pleasure. Then she broke into a tinkling laugh. Scorpius sucked in a sharp breath.

'What happened to the old irritating Malfoy?! 'Cause that's the first time you complimented me!'

'I was not complimenting. Complaining more like.'

Rose punched him hard on the arm. He laughed out loud, rubbing his arm. There was the Rose he remembered. Fiery and sharp-witted. Not the graceful girl from a few minutes ago.

Rose shoved him and said, 'Shut up and help me with the trunk.' Then she got into the compartment and went to find seats, leaving him dragging the more than usually heavy trunk behind him.

'Need any help with that?'

Scorpius turned around to find Al standing and grinning toothily.

'Where have you been?! I thought you had decided to skip school this year!'

Al snorted, 'And I missed you too.'

'No honestly man. Where have you been?'

'Just talking to dad about the new broom. I have dropped big hints about what I would like as a Christmas gift this time,' he winked.

'Oh c'mon. Not the Trailblazer 140?!' Scorp asked, as they hefted Rose's trunk onto the train.

'Yep.'

Scorp shook his head slowly. 'I wish I could ask my dad too. But…'

Al put his arms around his shoulders. He was the only friend who understood why Scorp had left the sentence hanging.

'Hey. You can always ride Rosie's broom. She got one of those. As a birthday present. From her uncle and aunt. Can you imagine that?!' Al shook his head disbelievingly.

Scorp gasped. 'You mean the broom?!'

'Yes.'

They looked at each other and slowly their lips curled into mischievous smirks.

'Are you thinking what I'm thinking?'

'Ohh yes…'

They both turned towards the compartment and yelled, 'Hey Rosie!'

'What!'

'Can we ride your broom?'

'No.'


Brooms were the farthest thing from Rose's mind when she woke up next morning. Subjects to choose. Routines to make. Professors to consult. She was a nervous wreck. Her entire career depended on what she chose today. The counseling was to commence immediately after the breakfast in the respective House Head's office. She swung her satchel onto one shoulder and dragged her tired feet to the Great Hall. Al and Malfoy were sharing notes and talking animatedly over breakfast. She ignored her House table and made a beeline for them.

''Morning boys,' she said, stifling a yawn with her hand.

'Hey coz. Nice of you to drop in. Guess you couldn't sleep last night?'

She chose to ignore the enquiry. 'So…' she sat down and pulled Al's plate towards her, 'have you guys chosen which subjects you'd study? 'Cause classes start tomorrow.'

'Have you already?!' Malfoy asked.

'Actually I'm very confused.'

'That explains the sleepless night,' murmured Malfoy.

She put down her half-eaten toast and pulled out a list. 'Here. Hold this,' she thrust a list onto Al's hands. Malfoy peered over his shoulders.

'There are hardly any subjects left out!'

'I know. But all of them sound interesting.'

'Seriously Weasley?! Muggle Studies?!'

'What! Mom told me it was interesting to study Muggles from the wizarding perspective…'

Scorpius scoffed. 'Yeah right.'

'And how exactly do you propose to attend all the classes?' Al added, agreeing with Malfoy. 'You know they won't be able to provide you with a time-turner.'

'I know,' replied Rose, heaving a sigh. 'Mom told me how they were all destroyed when they fought the Death-Eaters in the Ministry.'

'Really?! She discussed this with you?! What happened? I mean the details,' Scorpius leant towards her in his eagerness.

'Stop drooling Scorp,' Al sniggered. 'It's no big deal.'

'No big deal?! Do you realize they were only two years older than us when they took on the entire—' Malfoy came to a sudden stuttering halt and turned pale. A very awkward pause ensued. His grandfather was among the death eaters that had attacked them and killed Sirius Black.

He cleared his throat and grabbed his satchel, 'See you at the counseling,' he mumbled, walking off hurriedly.

Rose watched him dash past their house table, hardly acknowledging his friends. She turned to Al.

'Why does he behave like that every time his family is mentioned? I mean we all know he is not made of the same stuff as his grandfather.'

'It's his problem to deal. We mustn't pry.'

'You bet I would! Look at him. He is your friend, Al. Help him,' she pleaded.

Al quirked a brow. 'What is this? Why are you suddenly so concerned about him? Or do you want to tell me that you have decided to start an organization helping grieving war victims? Home for Emotionally Lame People. H-E-L-P!'

'You are a bigger git than I realized.'

'You know I am not. Trust me Rosie. Don't go meddling into things you don't know anything about. You might not like the outcome. I am speaking from experience,' Albus slung the satchel onto his back and trudged off, whistling.

Boys, she muttered. You can never understand them. And they say girls are complicated.

She stuffed the last crumbs of toast into her mouth, dusted her hands and shuffled towards the Gryffindor common room. She was so engrossed in thought that she failed to notice a crowd gathered around the notice-board till she smacked into someone's back. Apologizing profusely she looked up. Some new notice had appeared. She pushed past the others and stood before the notice-board.

QUIDDITCH TRIALS!

Interested students are

requested to submit their names to

the team captain

or

the Head of the House

by five o'clock.

Trials begin at three-thirty sharp

next Friday.

Great. Just great. One more thing to worry about.

oooooo

Scorpius sat at the edge of the lake, flinging pebbles into the smooth surface of the water and watching the ripples distort his reflection. He needed some time away from the chaos of the castle. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere nobody would find him. He needed to gather his scattered thoughts. The entire day had gone in such a blur, he hadn't had time enough to catch his breath. He flung another pebble into the water. He had chosen random subjects without giving any thoughts. Ancient runes, Arithmency, Astrology…he had forgotten the rest.

Plonk.

But what did it matter anyway? He would still be Lucius Malfoy's grandson…

Plonk.

…no matter how hard he studied and how brilliantly he performed…

Plonk.

…no matter what he achieved…

Plonk.

…he'd always be branded as the child of a Death-eater…

Plink.

…judged and alienated wherever he went, whatever he did…

Plonk.

… and it was bloody unfair!

Plonk. Plonk. Plonk.

He wiped his nose discreetly on his sleeves. A sudden rustling caught his attention. He stiffened.

'Hey.'

Rose Weasley.

He pasted a smirk on his face and turned around.

'Don't tell me you've come here to pity me?'

'No.'

'Then why are you here? I'm not good company right now.'

Rose sat down beside him. 'Actually I needed some time alone.'

'Then perhaps I'm intruding,' Scorpius made to get up.

'No no. Stay. You're not intruding.'

They sat together in silence. Scorpius kept stealing quick glances through the corner of his eyes. Rose sighed deeply. 'Here,' he suddenly offered the pebbles, 'Throw them into the water. It helps clear your mind.'

Some time passed. Then Scorpius broke the silence once again, 'So… what is the matter?'

'I can't take all this pressure. Feels like my head is going to split open.'

'Judging that it's your head we are talking about, I'm actually surprised it's still in one piece,' Scorpius smirked.

'Hmmmph.'

'What! No biting retorts?! Have I finally managed to wear you down?'

Rose pulled her legs close and rested her chin on her knees. 'I'm too tired.'

Scorpius frowned, 'Are you alright? Should I go away?'

'No. I'm fine. I just…' she shook her head, 'I don't know what I'm supposed to do! All my life I've been trying to achieve something, but there is always someone who had done it before me…' she trailed of, gazing into the distance.

'Like?'

'Like getting top marks in every subject. But apparently my mother had been good too.'

'So you decide to master all the subjects?! That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard!'

'No it's not!'

'Yes it is. Tell me exactly why you would do that.'

'Because I want to move out of her shadow. I want to make a name for myself. I don't want to be recognized only as the daughter of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. I want to be…' she struggled to find words. 'You won't understand,' she finished lamely.

'Won't I?'

Rose looked up, surprised. Malfoy had a dangerous gleam in his eyes. He spoke again, low and vicious, 'Do you think I haven't faced the same problems? That people fail to see me as just another person? All my life I have been cast about, ridiculed, judged and treated like a war criminal. No matter what I do, I can never outrun my tainted legacy. I was and always will be Lucius Malfoy's grandson.' He laughed derisively.

Rose was staring at him with wide eyes. She blinked.

Scorpius huffed out a sigh, 'You do not know half of being in someone's shadows.'

'We are similar in some ways then,' she said cautiously.

Scorpius took a deep, cleansing breath. ' I'm sorry for bursting out like that.'

'It's alright. Feeling better?'

'Actually yes!'

'Good.' They sat together in companionable silence, watching the clouds reflected on the glassy surface of the lake.

'Merlin's beard! I completely forgot the Quidditch trials!' exclaimed Rose all of a sudden, scrambling up.

'What?! Are they today?'

'Nope. Next Friday. But we need to submit our names to the Captain within five o'clock. And it's quarter to five already. You coming?'

Scorpius dusted his pants. 'Tell you what. Why don't you bring your broom to the ground?'

'I might.'

'You will?! Really?! Can I have a go at it?'

'Hmmm. I might consider the proposal if you ask nicely,' Rose gave him a devilish grin.

'May I have a ride, Miss Weasley? Please?'

Rose raised an eyebrow.

'Pretty please?'

Rose was trying really hard to keep a straight face but failing miserably.

'Pretty please with a red bow on top?' Scorpius batted his eyelashes.

Rose burst out laughing. 'Al-lright, you may,' she said, hiccupping. Scorpius gave a delighted whoop, as they walked towards the castle, discussing the features of her broom.

Behind a cluster of trees, Al shook his head ruefully. He should never have doubted Rose, he chastised himself. There goes my five galleons, won nice and clean by Rosie, he mused as he walked towards the Quidditch ground, his hands buried deep in his pockets.

oooooo