A/N Here's another chapter for all you who have been waiting for it patiently! As always, any kind of support is appreciated. A special thanks to nina98155 and AMBERJANUS for providing valuable ideas for the next chapter. And a shoutout to Long-Days-and-Nights and Shannykinz0327 for showing your support.

Disclaimer: The original characters of Harry Potter are express property of J. K. Rowling. I only own the story and the mistakes.


'I can't wait for this Sorting to be over,' said Rose impatiently, tapping her fingers on the table beside her polished plate.

They were assembled at the Great Hall and witnessing the famous Sorting ceremony. Professor Longbottom read out the names from a scroll of parchment and the particular boy or girl would stumble out of the line and put on the Sorting Hat. Then the Hat shouted out the House name he or she had been sorted into and the student would go and join the particular House table. Usually most students enjoyed the ceremony and cheered the new students quite enthusiastically, clapping and catcalling. James and Henry were the loudest of the Gryffindor lot. This time, however, the students appeared restless and agitated, discussing the sudden request of a dress-robe and wondering what important occasion would be announced after the feast.

Two more students got Sorted into Gryffindor. There was a moderate amount of applause. Rose tsked and started tapping her foot next. Scorpius craned his neck to find what Al was doing. Al waved back from the Ravenclaw table, pointed to the Sorting Hat and mimicked falling over in his sleep, making neighbouring Ravenclaws snigger. Scorpius mouthed 'me too' and turned to face the front.

There were only two more students to be Sorted.

'Williams, William,' called out Professor Longbottom.

A flaxen-haired boy marched up to the Hat like a rebel stepping up the gallows.

'HUFFLEPUFF!'

He walked off as 'Zimmerman, Louisa' walked up and put it on.

'RAVENCLAW!'

The cheering was deafening this time, making the poor girl blush and almost run off. She was greeted by the Ravenclaw Prefect, Virginia Walters and had her hand shaken by a dozen others.

'Why cant's they make the bloody announcement and be done with it,' Rose grumbled as the plates in front of them filled with mouth-watering delicacies. 'I can hardly eat anything in this suspense.'

'Much as I disapprove of a young lady swearing,' said Nearly Headless Nick, floating in to join the table, 'I can't help agreeing with Miss Rose this time. They are deliberated delaying the announcement.'

'Hello Nick!' said James, 'How's the Headless Hunt going?'

'As pathetically as ever,' sighed the Gryffindor ghost. 'I didn't know my own head could be so stubborn. It refuses to detach itself from my body. One would think one deserves a break once in every few centuries. But no. It was stuck on my shoulders the day I was born and it has vowed to stick to it till the day I die.'

'B-but you're already dead!' said Hazel Thompson, a newly Sorted Gryffindor.

'One hardly needs reminding of the fact,' said Nick, a bit offended. He started floating away to join the other ghosts.

'Don't worry,' Scorpius assured the distraught girl, 'he'll come around. He's a very friendly ghost.'

A sudden tinkling from the High table drew everybody's attention. The Hall grew quiet like a Silencing charm has been cast on it. Headmistress McGonagall slowly came to her feet and swept a sharp glance across the four tables. All had their eyes fixed on her.

'Now that we are Sorted, fed and rested, I would like to make a few important announcements,' she said. 'First of all, first years should remember that the Dark Forest is out of bounds for all students.' Her stern gaze swivelled towards James and Henry, who whispered 'bollocks' and looked guilty.

'Secondly, no magic is allowed between lessons, especially in the corridors, as Mr. Filch, our respected caretaker, has specifically asked me to notify the first year students and remind the rest of them.'

Rose started fidgeting again. 'I wish she would hurry up,' she muttered to Scorpius. He nodded, frowning, his eyes fixed on the headmistress.

'And thirdly –' McGonagall paused. Students were sitting up a little straighter, some craning to catch a glimpse of the High table. '– the most important announcement that you all have been waiting for. I'm proud to announce that our school will be hosting the quadrennial Cedric Diggory Memorial Service this year. However,' she held out her hands to quieten the sudden buzz of whispers that had started, 'this year also happens to be the twenty-fifth anniversary of Cedric Diggory's death. So in his honour, we have decided to throw a ball on Christmas this time.'

The whispers had started again, this time with renewed urgency.

'A ball?'

'On Christmas?'

'I bet there'll be dancing.'

'Wow!'

'I would request all of you,' continued McGonagall in a louder tone, 'to be on your best behaviour as there are guests involved. Some of the most prestigious dignitaries would be gracing our school with their presence. And I don't want anyone of you to create a bad impression on them.' She swept a stern look across the tables. Then she smiled. 'Prefects, please lead your new charges to their respective dormitories. I'm sure they are all tired. And the rest of you, off to bed.'

ooooo

'A Cedric Diggory Memorial ball! Wow!' said Al, as they climbed the stairs together. He had joined them as soon as the students started filling out. 'He's a fascinating character.'

Rose rolled her eyes. 'There we go again. The history geek.'

Scorpius frowned, 'Fascinating? How so?'

'He was one of the school champions during the last Triwizard Tournament that was held in this school. Dad was in his fourth year during that time. It was the only instance when the Goblet of Fire chose four champions instead of three.'

When the other two looked puzzled he explained, 'The Triwizard Tournament is held between three magical schools, and the Goblet of Fire chooses one student from each school as its champion to compete against one another in the three tasks that is set. But the last time the tournament was held, the Goblet was Confunded into choosing a fourth champion – Dad.'

'Wow,' breathed Scorpius. Rose was listening too.

'Yes. Two Hogwarts champions. Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter. Cedric was a seventh year. He was a very popular student – brilliant in studies, a loyal friend, Quidditch Captain, mild mannered, good-looking – Dad said he was very popular among the girls – many wept when he was killed – Dad never talks much of how he was murdered – '

'Voldemort,' whispered Rose.

'Yes. Dad says it's too traumatic to recall all that. All I know is Cedric and my Dad were transported to the graveyard by the Triwizard Cup portkey and Cedric was killed there. His death is believed to be the cornerstone marking the beginning of the Second Wizarding War, as it was the day Voldemort was resurrected. Since then Diggory's death has been celebrated as an occasion to promote unity and friendship between wizards and witches across continents. It was a tradition Dumbledore had started. Two years after the Great War ended, Hogwarts hosted the first of these services. It has been doing so every four years ever since.' Al stopped and drew in a breath.

'Wow,' said Rose quietly. 'All I knew was he was handsome and he was murdered by Voldemort.'

Scorpius's mouth hung open. 'How do you know all this stuff?' he asked.

Al shrugged, 'I love reading about the past.'

'You sure do,' he said, as they parted on the landing.

ooooo

'So –' said Amanda, as she and Rose walked to their Transfiguration class, '– any idea who you'll be going to the ball with?'

'Amanda. The ball is ages away,' said Rose, dragging her heavy satchel with one hand while trying to read her Transfiguration essay held in the other.

'I know. But everybody is busy asking everybody else,' said Amanda.

'Well, unlike everyone else, I have better things to do.'

'But if we don't ask now we'll be the only persons without a date,' argued Amanda.

Rose gave an exasperated sigh. Amanda had a habit of pestering her till she gave her a suitable answer. 'Please come to the point, Amy. I know you are trying to tell me something, but I'm not in a state of mind to puzzle it out by myself.'

'Very well then,' said Amanda, taking a deep breath, 'would you mind if I were to ask James?'

'James?'

'Your cousin, James Potter,' Amanda blushed.

'James?' repeated Rose, this time with the hint of a snort. 'No. Why would I mind? Go ahead. And Good luck.'

'Good luck with what?' Scorpius had joined them.

'Nothing!' squeaked Amanda, flushing red.

'Amy was discussing dates for the ball,' smirked Rose.

'Dates? Now?'

'Yeah. I too had the same reaction,' she chuckled.

They walked into the classroom and took their seats. This was a combined class. With the Slytherins. As always, some of them were ready with snide remarks and whispers as Rose slid into the seat beside Amanda.

'Who are you going with to the ball, Weasley?' said Daphne Nott, a fellow fourth year Slytherin.

'Has anybody even asked you, Weasley?' smirked Corbus Goyle.

Scorpius glared back from his seat, 'Leave her alone.'

'Oooo. The Malfoy scum to the rescue of the damsel in distress.'

Rose slowly walked up to Goyle and stage-whispered, 'Well, this damsel in distress is quite capable of hexing you so well that your own mother would not recognize you, let alone a 'date' to the ball. This is just a warning. Next time you feel like growing some ugly rash all over your face, just call my friend scum.' She gave him a sickly sweet smile and calmly resumed her seat.

The poor boy could only open and close his mouth like a fish, trying hard to process what she had said, while the rest of the class sniggered. Nobody else dared to pass any snide comment after that. They all knew Rose would follow her threat to the letter.

'You need not have done that,' admonished Scorpius, even though he could not control the smile creeping into his face.

'You bet I did. They should know better to pick on you.'

'Thanks Rose.'

She shrugged and smiled as Professor McGonagall strode into the classroom and rapped sharply on the desk with her wand.

ooooo

The weather was starting to get slightly chilly, though Captain Zach insisted it was perfect for practising Quidditch. The team stayed outside long hours, learning twenty new maneuvers the captain had come up with during the summer break and complaining under their breath. She, however, refused to get daunted and yelled encouragements across the pitch to whoever would listen.

'I'm sure they'll need to collect me in a dustpan,' James said one day during practice. 'All my limbs are ready to fall off any moment.'

The term was getting tougher by the day. New spells that were difficult to master were nothing compared to the amount of homework the teachers had set them. Only the Care for Magical Creatures classes were somewhat a relief. Professor Hagrid had assigned them each a Niffler and all they were required o do is observe their behaviour and take notes on it.

Rose and Scorpius were busy looking up the ingredients for a Forgetful Potion when Al slid onto the seat opposite Rose and whispered, 'I have some news.'

Rose looked up from her parchment and Scorpius turned to him after quietly closing the heavy book.

'I heard Professor Flitwick talking to Professor Longbottom. They were discussing the ball. And guess what, they were discussing who would be invited.'

'Did you hear the names?' asked Scorpius.

'Yes. It seems the once famous Bulgarian Seeker, Vickor Krum is invited.'

'WHAT!'

Rose clapped a hand on her mouth as soon as the words were out. All of them pretended to be busy looking up answers in the books or scribbling notes on parchments when Madam Pince hurried over to discover the source of that 'abominable screech'.

'Merlin's beard, Rosie. You'll get us kicked out of the library,' Al put a hand to his chest.

'Sorry,' she whispered, 'I couldn't contain my excitement. I have a huge crush on him.'

Scorpius shook his head. 'He was a Quidditch player, Carrots. Was. He is forty-two now.'

'So what! I love him.' She narrowed her eyes when he sniggered and tried to pass it off as a cough, 'Don't you dare laugh, Scorpius Malfoy. I'm going to jinx you if you don't stop sniggering at once.'

'Anyway, who else is invited?' Scorpius turned to Al.

'Amos Diggory.'

'And?'

'I couldn't catch the rest. Some French bloke named Delacour or something like that.'

'Fleur Delacour?' said Rose suddenly.

'Who?' Scorpius and Al turned to her.

'Aunt Fleur,' she said, going quiet all of a sudden. 'Oh my God, Al. They are inviting all the champions of the last Triwizard tournament to the memorial. Which means – '

'Dad would be here,' Al looked at the two. They had identical expressions of awe on their faces.

ooooo

To be continued…

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