"So," Scorpius said as we were walking through Hogsmeade. "What are you going to be dressed as for the ball tonight?"
"Oh no," I shook my head. "I'm not telling anyone, including you. Do you know how hard it's been too keep the secret from my friends? I don't want anyone to know. I'll be a complete stranger to anyone and everyone, so unless you can learn legilimency by tonight, you won't find out."
"Hmm, that is a problem," Scorpius said, pretending to think it over a lot.
"What about you?" I asked. "Who are you going to be?"
"No way," Scorpius said. "This is a two-way street. If you're not going to tell me, then I'm not going to tell you."
I stuck my tongue out at him and he did the same thing at me. We both burst out laughing two seconds later.
"We are so immature," he said.
"Hey, speak for yourself, Mr. I-Still believe-that-there-are-pretty-mermaids," she said. "And yes, I just like to push your buttons. Ok, I see your point. Anyway, changing the subject, did you see how close Al and Lindsay Smith have been getting? I can just hear the groans of all the girls who wish they were the girlfriend my incredibly gorgeous cousin."
"Yes," Scorpius said. "Jonathon Corner and I have been teasing him a lot. Course, we don't get to see him that often. He's always snogging her in one of those secret places of his." Scorpius shook his head. "The map really plays into his hands like that, I swear."
"Yes, well, Uncle Harry gave it to him," I said. "James was a bit cut up about it. Apparently, he thought that he should have gotten it, since he's the oldest and all, but seriously, I think that he was just being a little arrogant. Oh well. My family is just a bunch of misfit rule breakers."
"As are you," he agreed, "you devious, smart-alecy little Ravenclaw."
"Yes, well maybe I like being different. I'm not my father or my mother," I said. "And therefore I can be whoever I want."
"Here, here," said Scorpius. "Being different is better than being like everyone else. Why be the same when you can stand out, hm?"
"Yes," I said. "But you stand out because of your good looks. I, on the other hand-"
"You stand out because of your good looks," Scorpius said.
"How hard did you hit your head at that Quidditch match the other day?" I asked in a tone that questioned his sanity.
"Oh, come on, Rose," Scorpius said. "Jacob Thomas isn't the only boy vying for your attention. I've noticed it since third year. Did you honestly not know?"
"Ok, I'm taking you to Madame Pomfrey to get that head of yours checked out," I said, walking ahead of him.
"Besides Jacob, who have you dated?" Scorpius asked.
"Jason Roxburh, Danny Hill, Barnabus Jameson," I started listing. "Ok, I see what you mean. But why would anyone like me for the way I look? I'm so… plain!"
"Rose, as a friend, I feel that I have a right to tell you this," he said. "You are a lot of things; smart, funny and very talented, but you are never ever plain. I haven't met a more unique girl in my life. Now you go to that dance tonight and dance with any and every guy that you seem to like, ok?"
"Ok," I said meekly. "OK!"
"That's the Rose I know," he smiled.
Just then, with the sun setting behind him, I had the oddest thought. Merlin, he's cute. Not that I didn't know that he was good looking. I had just brought that up. I quickly shook my head. Scorpius was my friend. I have no feelings for him except for those of a friend. Besides, he doesn't like me that way. I mean, even though he just said that I was pretty and smart and funny and…… NO! Stop thinking like that, Rosie. It's not right. You just had a little too much sugar today. That's it. Now you march your butt right back to the common room this instant.
Ok, so I'm a little strict with myself inside my head.