A/N: Okay, I have something uber-important to tell all you readers. I know this story has gotten almost 400 hits, but I haven't had a single review. I don't know if the story is bad or good, but I really want some kind of feedback, as long as it's not flaming, constructive criticism is fine. Even if you review just telling me you liked the story, or whatever, I'd be happy – Now, I'm just really sad I haven't gotten any reviews yet. I really didn't want to do this, because I always thought it was unfair to bribe readers, but I'm not going to post the next chapter (Chapter 4) until I have at least 5 reviews. I hate to do this, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

On a lighter note, here's chapter three. Enjoy! (:

Chapter Three: Of Lists and Letters

--

I've ran the possibilities over in my head countless times.

So far, I've concluded that whoever likes me is one of Al's friends. Unfortunately, he has a lot of friends.

Either that, or he was lying about the whole thing. With Albus, the conniving Slytherin he is, that is definitely a possibility.

So after hours of drastic 'research' I have a list. With commentary.

Option #1: He made it up to mess with my head. Very likely.

Option #2: Gregory Zabini, Slytherin 7th year. Again, very likely. He's pretty close to Albus, and he used to stare at me all the time last year. Of course, he kind of stares at everyone – his mouth is always lopsided during classes with drool dribbling down his chin. Ew. Maybe not so likely.

Option #3: Zachary Corner, a 7th year. He knows Albus. A little. He's a Ravenclaw. A very hot Ravenclaw. Okay, probably not Zachary.

Option #4: Dylan Baddock, 7th year Slytherin. He's okay looking, shiny brown hair. Vivid blue eyes. Don't know why he's in Slytherin, though. Very possible. I'm crossing my fingers – after all, he is the next best looking boy in the school, only second to Zachary of course.

Option #5: Jeremy Flint, Slytherin; he idolizes Albus to no extent. Had a minor crush on me while I was in third year – and he was in first. God, I hope not.

Option #6: Vincent Goyle, Slytherin 7th year. He's friends with Albus, but it's probably not him, considering he loathes all Gryffindors. Moving on.

Option #7: Michael Nott, another 7th year Slytherin. Not very possible. Plus he has a big nose, and that is just a huge turn-off.

Option #8: Cole Pucey. One year behind me, but he is very tall for his age, so it could work. He's handsome enough, I suppose.

Option #9: Scorpius Malfoy, obviously a Slytherin and a 7th year. Not likely because everytime we're in the same room he takes a jab at me. That's even worse than a big nose. Well, okay, maybe not.

So I was definitely facing a dilemma. It wasn't a very attractive list, save for Zachary and Dylan, and I knew it probably wasn't either of them. Well, a girl can dream.

I sigh, and tuck the list under my pillow for safe keeping. I can guarantee that by the end of this week Albus will definitely be on the receiving end of one of my bat-bogey hexes. Serves him right for traumatizing me like this.

"Are you coming to breakfast?" Constance asks quietly. I smile at her; she's been making an extra effort to be nice to me since Ava left. I never really noticed Constance much before; I mean, she was so shy. But now we're actually starting to become friends.

"Of course," I reply, "Just one second." I pull on my shoes and run a brush through my auburn hair one last time, before we slowly head down to the Great Hall.

We take our seats quietly at the Gryffindor table, quickly blending in. Sneakily, I look over at the Slytherin table, scanning the possible suspects. No clues there. Then, I sneak a look at Albus. He looks miserable, with black circles under his eyes and his head is plopped down on the table.

I should be the one looking like that – after all, Ava was my best friend.

Then again, Albus was always overly dramatic.

After I've finished my eggs and toast, I excuse myself from the table and head over to the Slytherin table.

"You look sad," I comment sliding in next to Albus.

"Yes," he says.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," I apologize.

"Yea, me too," he says.

"Got any plans for three o'clock?" I ask. He shakes his head no. "Good, meet me in the library and we can talk."

"Rose, I don't wanna talk –" But I pay him no mind and leave the table, heading out of the Great Hall so I can go to Potions.

--

At three o'clock sharp, I enter the library, under the watchful eye of Madam Pince. She's so old now, especially because she was the librarian at school when my parents were here. I suspect she'll end up like Professor Binns, and be a ghost librarian, but I'm obviously not going to tell her that.

Five minutes later, Albus decides to grace me with his presence.

"Hello Rose," he greets stiffly. I stare at him as he sits down across from me.

"What's up with you?" I ask.

He shrugs. Okay, no answer then.

"You wanna talk about me first, or about you?" I ask. He makes a face.

"How 'bout neither?" he asks.

"Okay, you. Look Albus, you can't sulk your whole life. Snap out of it. Just, write her some mushy-gushy letter or something."

His mouth opens. "I can write her letters?" he asks.

I roll my eyes. "Duh, idiot, she's not under quarantine, you know."

"That's bloody brilliant!" He says loudly, causing Madam Pince to send a glare in his direction. He grins sheepishly. "I gotta go, Rose, and write a letter, oh, I can't believe ..."

"Wait! What about me?" I call after him, but he's already running out of the library. I sigh, and pull out a piece of parchment. Might as well write a letter.

Dear Ava,

How is, um, rehab? I hope you're recovering and not sneaking out to any wild parties. Sorry, bad joke.

Albus has been miserable without you, just so you know. He's driving me up the wall, but I suppose you don't care.

I really miss you. I seriously need a best friend here to talk about stuff with. I'm not sure if you want to hear all my problems, but I'll load them on you anyway, and you can write me a letter back with all your problems (and hopefully some answers for me).

I think I might be failing History of Magic. Like seriously. We're learning something I don't even understand, or else I'm just not paying enough attention. You know, it's really hard to pay attention in that class. Right now, I rather envy you – no history of magic.

I also have a boy dilemma. I can hear you now – "Rose Weasley? Interested in boys?" Ha ha, and it's not funny. I was having an argument with Albus the other day, and he told me that he knew who liked me. At first, it didn't bother me, but now, it's eating away at me.

I made a list of possible boys, but I don't know who. I need some girl time right now.

Missing You,

Rose

I roll up the parchment and seal it before standing up and making my way out of the library.

Once I reach the owelry, I call to my owl, Ailey.

"Fancy meeting you here," a voice says, not exactly rudely, but not exactly nicely either. I turn around.

"Hello, Scorpius," I answer.

"Rose," he nods his head, "Sending a letter then?" he asks.

I nod. "You?"

"Of course. Just an update to my mum and dad." Is Scorpius actually being civil with me? "What about you?"

"Letter to a friend," I say, and he nods.

"Is that your owl?" he asks.

"Yes, her name is Ailey."

"Ailey ... interesting name," he remarks.

"Well then, let's hear your owl's name,"

"Jasper," he says, petting the pure black owl behind the ears affectionately, "He's very well behaved." I look down at my own light brown small owl, who's chirping madly and nibbling at my finger.

"Oh," I say, and I see a hint of a smirk appearing at his lips. "Well then, I'll just be sending my letter."

I address my bird quietly, "To Ava at St. Mungo's, and fast, Ailey, make sure you get a reply," before sending her out the window.

I look over at Scorpius, who's just sending Jasper out the window as well.

We both move for the door at the same time – except only one person can fit through the door at a time. Of course, our arms brush.

He jumps back. "Ladies first," he says, and I quickly leave the owelry.

For some odd reason, my arm is tingling like mad, and I can't wrap my head around the fact that I just had my first ever decent conversation with Scorpius Malfoy.

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A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. 5 reviews and I'll post Chapter 4!

Lots of love,

Paige