"Ladies and gents, wizards and witches, Hogwarts' winter play productions is proud to present, a tragedy by Ms. Luna Lovegood, directed by James Potter; Where fireflies are laid to rest."

The audience applauded as a slow, melancholic music enveloped the Great hall and snowflakes seemed to fall from the magical ceiling.

"Not too long ago, when blood was thicker than friendship or love, a witch and a wizard of two, very different ancestry lived in England."


"Darling!" Hermione spotted her only girl and hugged her. "How I missed you dearly."

"Mum! I thought you would never arrive! Where's dad?"

"Over there with your uncle Harry," Hermione suddenly dropped her voice. "You know how he feels about social gatherings."

"Yeah, I know that, for sure." They both laughed as Ron Weasley, complete with a handle brush moustache, walked towards where they were.

"Rose," he greeted his daughter. "What's this I hear about you and that Malfoy boy?"

"What is it that you heard, father?"

"Whatever it is, I forbid it, you hear?!" Ron looked silly with his red ears and red moustache that the mother and daughter couldn't help but giggle.

"Dad, Scorpius and I are just playing opposite each other in this play."

"That's perfectly acceptable, Ron." Hermione defended.

"Sure, tolerate this Hermione. Things like these should be nipped right in the bud!"

"You're overreacting, honestly!"

"Ron! Stop embarrassing my niece in front of everybody." Ginny Potter interrupted after hi-fiving Rose. "She can date whomsoever she wants as long as they're boys. My poor niece, you're the reason why she's all tomboy, Ron."

"I wonder who else will be coming." Said Rose to her serene-faced mother.

"You'll see." She replied with a smile.


"Once was a pureblood and the other, a muggle-born. Even before they have met, Fate decreed that they were not meant to be because of their conflicting heritage."

Rose appeared in all her manliness, looking arrogant and noble, stationary while she was levitated onto the stage. Scorpius looked like he was going to throw up.

"What beauty!" cried Marcus. "There is one I have not seen before. Tell me, servant, what is yonder maiden's name?"

A student dressed as a house elf approached Madeleine.

"My master asks of your name, maiden, speak of your reply."

"I do not feel compelled to give what is demanded of me by this master of yours, dear elf. How cruel it must be for you to feel otherwise. Do you want to be set free?"

At this, the audience laughed.

"No, foolish girl, I only want to know your name."

"It is Madeleine." The elf went back to Marcus.

"Her name is Madeleine, sir. Her actions are so peculiar that I feel she is not of proper descent."

"I care not," Marcus said in a dreamy state. "Send an invitation to my ball for I wish to speak with her personally."


Rose led her parents inside the Great Hall and they were the both of them astounded by the magnificence they beheld.

"This is an excellent piece of charm work!" Hermione remarked. "And you say this was done by seventh years?"

"Hermione! Ron!" Seamus Finnigan called out to his former classmates. "How nice it is to see you 'gain! Me daughter, Amy's in the play too, did you know?"

"Yes, how wonderful."

"Say, where is Harry? I heard he's got 'em heart-"

"Not in front of Rose, Seamus." Ron hissed.

"Oh look, Ron, Cormac McLaggen is here." Hermione interjected amusedly. Ron turned beet red.

"How's it going there?" he winked at Rose. "My son Barney tells me of you a lot, Ms. Weasley."

"Does he now?" Rose faked a smile.

"See now, Hermione, even though it never went well with us, our children are handling it well, aren't they?" McLaggen Sr. chuckled heartily as he patted the back of Ron and Hermione's shoulder before he walked away.

"You used to date Barney McLaggen's dad?"

"It was mainly to annoy your father, it wasn't serious or anything."

"Rose," Ron looked like a boiling pot. "I've just decided you can hang out with the Malfoy kid, just ditch McLaggen's boy, you understand?"


"A ball!" Madeleine exclaimed.

"Will you be attending it, Madeleine?"

"I'm not sure, Cravinston. What is the purpose of going to this ball? I know that I won't enjoy it with all the arrogant aristocrats covering most of the ground."

"Then I shall come with you, I'm sure we'll find someone that we know."

The scene changed into an enchanting garden filled with little lights. Madeleine enters and gazes at the lights.

"How charming they are." Said Marcus as she approached the lady.

"O yes, fireflies are." Madeleine replied. "When I was a young girl, I used to play with them in our garden. i found them so interesting because my mother used to tell me that when a firefly dies, they turn into a star in the sky."

"That's a fascinating way to look at it."

"Now, I wonder, where really are fireflies laid to rest?"

"I wouldn't know, but look closely, these aren't fireflies, these are fairies."

"What a silly mistake then." They laughed together and looked into each other's eyes.

"Would you like to come inside?"

"I would follow."

The scene changed into a dark, candle-lit chamber.

"Where is Lady Madeleine, servant?" asked Marcus.

"I saw her enter with a Lord Cravinston, sir."

"Cravinston? What is she doing with him?"

"You know Lord Cravinston, sir?"

"Of course, he's famous for slaying the evil sorceress Helga the Horrible."

"What? A fellow wizard slaying his own kind? Why he is not better than any common muggle."

"Is that what you think of my friend, sir?"

"Lady Madeleine."

"Remind your servant to hold his tongue about these matters, sir. For his behavior is unacceptable."

"You are no better than I in this house, you filthy little mudblood!" spat the house elf.

"Let's go Madeleine; this ball is not for sane people." Cravinston and Madeleine strode away, looking daggers at Marcus and his servant.

"She's a mudblood?" Marcus stood with his mouth ajar.

"Did I hear you say mudblood? A mudblood in my manor?"

"No, father, there is none."

"How repulsive! They should be hunted down, you hear me, Marcus?"

The scene changed into a scene where Madeleine and Winston are sitting down on a mound of grass in a field. Marcus gallops around on his horse.

"Look here, filths of different natures have come together. I'm sure she'd be happy to have a pureblood like you, Winston, after all, she is a mudblood!"

"Lay off, Marcus, before I'm forced to curse you!" Winston drew his wand from his sleeves.

"You better watch yourself before I catch you off-guard, Winston."


"Harry," Hermione hugged her beloved friend tenderly. "Congratulations on the giant success of your suggestion. I heard that it did promote inter-house relations this year. That's great isn't it? Who would've thought this day at Hogwarts would come?"

"Well, the problem is not really with the children, as I have observed. It is with some parents who are—" he turned to Ron who was looking like he could kill as he watched Rose arrange the wig on Scorpius' head. "A little reluctant with letting their children mingle with people whom they have very bad prejudices towards."

"Yes, exactly! I heard from James that the play he picked was perfect for diminishing the underlying prejudices with blood and stuff."

"Speaking of prejudices, look at the man who's full of them, Malfoy!" Harry called out. "Fancy seeing you here. How's the business doing?"

"Potter, I didn't know you were still well enough to roam about."

"It's not like I lost my legs, you know."

"Granger," he remarked as he saw Hermione there.

"It's been Weasley for nearly twenty years now, actually."

"Oh, my bad." He patched up. "Old habits die hard, I must say. I have met your daughter, by the way. She is a charming young lady and a friend of my son, Scorpius."

"Good thing you don't teach your children about pureblood arrogance." Ron interrupted.

"Ah, Weasley, still haven't changed, I see." Draco drolled on as he eyed Ron's moustache. "I see you have grown quite fond of the bushy look."

"How did you meet Rose, Draco?" Hermione inquired casually.

"Scorpius brought her to the Three Broomsticks when I came to visit him last October. I told him to bring a friend along."

"So," Hermione looked at the blond figure curiously. "Rose and Scorpius, huh?"

"She says she's just playing opposite the Scorpius kid," he eyed Hermione lethally. "She's too young for these things, Hermione."

"I met Viktor Krum when I was 14."

"Yes, tell us more, because we just love hearing about your past boyfriends." Ron remarked, Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Weasley." Said Malfoy before he turned to join Rose and his son.

"Malfoy hasn't changed a bit." Ron spat out.

"No, Ron, you haven't changed a bit." Hermione scolded her husband. "When are you going to start acting like a father to Rose and stop being an obsessed psychopath about her life? She's a teenager! I'm sure you felt annoyed too when Molly poked her nose in your business when you were a boy."

Ron did what any other respectable forty year-old would do, he pouted.


"You toad! Leave Winston alone! I have had enough of your arrogance, Marcus! Expelliarmus!"

"How dare you shoot a curse at me!?"

"How dare I? How dare you walk these grounds to insult and hurt us for no reason at all?"

"Insufferable know-it-all!"

"Shut your mouth, ferret face!"

"He's not worth it, Madeleine, let's go."

"Oh, am I not, Cravinston? Then who do you think is? That pathetic Winston!? He's not half the man I am!"

"What are you trying to say, Marcus?"

"Nothing, nothing, I'm not trying to convince Madeleine that I'm a better, more attractive and successful wizard than Winston and that she should leave him. No, I most certainly am not!"

"It's a shame then, because even if you did, I will not be convinced so."

"You're better off without him!"

"Stop fraternizing with my bride-to-be, Marcus!"

"I am doing no such thing!

"All of you just stop!" Cravinston panted heavily. "I have been putting up with you people too much that I have failed to show Lady Antoinette how much I care for her."

"You are in love with my sister?"

"Aye, Winston that I am. I do not care what you think anymore, I do not care what people would think of us. I just know one thing; I love her and I am ready to fight for her. I would like to abandon this silly thing between us for it is wasting my precious time."

Madeleine, Winston and Cravinston exit the scene, leaving Marcus dramatically in the spotlight.

"Cravinston, despite the fact that I know I will loathe myself for saying so, you are completely right! My own love shouldn't be suppressed just because Madeleine is a muggle-born and I, a pureblood. I shouldn't care what Father says."

Rose stared at the disbelieving audience. Their faces were dumbstruck by Marcus' confession.

"Oh, cruel Fate!" Marcus cried out. "Why must I fall in love like this? I have made her hate myself! If only I have told her the first time I saw her how taken I am with her, then we would have had time to be with each other. She would have had time to learn to love me and not be with that Winston!"

The audience had their mouths hanging open by this time.


"Rose." Scorpius called out.

"Yes?"

"I'd like you to meet my mother." Scorpius reluctantly said. Obviously, his mother persuaded him to be introduced to Rose.

"Good evening, Mrs. Malfoy." Said Rose in her fake, lady-like manner.

"Good evening, dear, Scorpy has told me a lot about you." Rose suppressed a guffaw at the mention of the name 'Scorpy.'

Mrs. Malfoy looked like a very pleasant woman. She was not like Mr. Malfoy who had a certain austere air to him. She reminded her of her Aunt Luna who had a little eccentricity to her personality.

"I'm sure you and Scorpy have talked a lot about that play, then, ma'am." She managed to reply. Scorpius looked daggers at her.

"To be honest, no. He does not talk about the play at all in his letters." Mrs. Malfoy smiled a little. "But his father has mentioned that he was playing a woman, I'm sure that was the reason why he didn't want to talk about it."

"Oh, no doubt it is." Rose replied.

"You're a very pretty girl." Mrs. Malfoy suddenly remarked from out of the blue. "You look like that woman my husband used to have a picture of before I married him."

"Really? That's interesting." In fact it really was interesting for Rose because she remembered when Mr. Malfoy said she looked a lot like her mother. Mr. Malfoy used to have a picture of her mother?

"So, where are you spending Christmas, Rose, dear."

"Same as every year, at grandma and grandpa's."

"That's nice," Mrs. Malfoy thought. "We're having a little party ourselves on the twenty-sixth. How would you like to come?"

"I think I would ask my parents for permission first, Mrs. Malfoy, but I would love to come."

"That's great; Mr. Malfoy would be delighted with your presence there," Mrs. Malfoy suddenly lowered her tone. "Especially since his parents need a little amusement every now and then. Poor old folk, Lucius and Narcissa have been stuck inside their manor for a decade now."

"Lucius Malfoy?"

"Don't worry, dear, he's as harmless as a fish now." Mrs. Malfoy laughed girlishly. "They're beautiful people, really, if they just kept their mouths shut."

"Rose." Draco suddenly arrived with a glass of eggnog in one hand. "How lovely it is to see you again."

"Mr. Malfoy," Rose was becoming tired of her acting. "Mrs. Malfoy was just telling me of your party on the twenty-sixth."

"Oh, yes, it would be marvelous if you'd attend."

"I'll be sure to ask mum and dad." Rose looked at Scorpius. He looked like a tamed puppy whenever his parents are around. She found that amusing. "But how about Scorpy? Can he come to our party? Just for a little bit, I know he'd want to spend Christmas with you."

"Certainly, if Weasley would allow it." Draco gestured at Ron.

"I'll make sure he does." Rose raised her eyebrow at her father's flaming face.


"Is all that true, Marcus?" Madeleine re-entered the stage.

"Madeleine!"

"Is this why you kept tormenting Winston and me?"

"Madeleine, I would rather have fallen in love with a pack of dancing hippogriffs with rabies than with a witch of your descent."

"You fell in love with me? I never thought that your arrogant self could tolerate my very presence."

"I did not choose to love you."

"Do you really expect me to believe that, Marcus?"

"Truly, I did not. I just found out that all those insults and hatred I harbored for you were rooted from my ever-growing admiration for your beauty and your wit."

"Even if I did have the same feelings for you, Marcus, this is not appropriate. Our families would never allow us."

"Do you?"

"I-I'm not sure. Winston and I are…"

"Winston doesn't love you the way I do, Madeleine. Your relationship is just so conveniently placed that it can't be challenged. But ours, I'm ready to fight for ours, even if you are a mudblood."

"There!" Madeleine said abruptly. "That is the reason I am not sure of my feelings. My heart was softened by your confession but hardened once again with your overwhelming pride and arrogance towards my blood. Is that all that matters? Blood? Even if I was born of muggles, I am as magical as any witch or wizard of my age!"

"Alas, my father has taught me nothing but of these prejudices!"

"Look!" Madeleine pulled out a dagger from her stays and pierced her skin with it. Scarlet blood trickled down her arms, an effect created by the seventh years. "My blood is just as red as yours! No difference! How can you say that your blood is purer than mine?"

The audience hung on intently to every line they said. Draco Malfoy, for some reason, looked uncomfortable in his seat.

"Madeleine I-" Marcus slowly approached her and touched the 'wound'. "My father always said that your blood had poison to it."

At that moment, Winston suddenly appeared and saw Madeleine's blood dripping on the floor. He saw Marcus touching the wound and was thoroughly angered.

"How dare you wound my beloved Madeleine? You, sir, are a cur! I challenge you to a wizard's duel!"

"If it's a duel you want, then it's a duel you will get!" they started firing up spells as the seventh years made the illusions of the supposed 'attacks'.

"Men! What is this madness?" Cravinston entered with Antoinette in his arms. "Anne, comfort Lady Madeleine as I silence these beasts."

"Lady Madeleine, are you alright?"

"Yes, Antoinette. Oh, Cravinston might get hurt!"

"Stop this madness, you fools!" Cravinston cried out. "How dare you duel in front of a lady?"

As Cravinston tried to separate the angry bulls, a stray curse hit him square on the chest. The audience all gasped at Cravinston's fall.

"Cravinston!" cried the ladies. Antoinette and Madeleine approached the limp form of Cravinston. The two men stopped firing curses and looked at the scene.

"You two are fools!" Antoinette cried.

Everyone mourned for Lord Cravinston's death.


"Mum, dad!" James called out. "You should all come and sit now, the show's about to start."

"James, where's Al?" Ginny asked.

"He's in the dressing room now, preparing."

"Is that so? Then we should all find seats now, shouldn't we?" Harry said with a good-natured smile.

"Harry! Ginny!" Luna Lovegood appeared through the crowd.

"Luna, how splendid it is!" Ginny kissed her old friend on the cheek.

"I am sure you'll be mightily surprised by what James has put up!" Luna grinned dreamily.

"Oh, there's my beloved brother!" Ginny suddenly spotted Ron and Hermione with Rose.

"…and don't you let me catch you talking with that man again!" Ron scolded.

"Dad, Mr. Malfoy's my friend's father. How can I not talk to him?"

"Ron, stop your nonsense!" Hermione scolded back. "I've been meaning to ask you, Rose, dear. Where's your brother? I have not seen him since I got here."

"He's been too busy to hang with me, mum. Ravenclaws are such snooty kids." Rose remarked, seeing as she rarely saw her brother. "Ask Lily, maybe she hangs around Hugo."

At that moment, Lily approached their crowd.

"Lily, have you seen Hugo around?"

"He's been busy concocting potions for the past few months. I think his ambition is to be a potions master someday." Lily giggled. "But we know that won't every happen."

"Was he the one who caused the polyjuice potion explosion last month?"

"Yup."

"Lay off him. He's having his fun." Ron reasoned out.

"How come he gets to do what he wants? That's unfair, dad!" Rose pouted.

"Rose, what are you still doing here?" James demanded. "The show's going to start in ten minutes!"

"Oh, shoot!" Rose ran towards the backstage to change into her costume.


The curtain opens to Cravinston's funeral. Marcus approaches Madeleine.

"I am sorry that I have hurt you, Madeleine. I was just driven mad by the knowledge that I can't have you. Now, I realize that it wasn't because of your blood, but because of mine. I am unworthy to love you.

"Marcus-"

"Let this parting kiss close this chapter in our lives." Rose pulled Scorpius' chin close to her lips, good thing we have the same height. "and let this love be put to where fireflies are laid to rest."

At that split second where their lips were to touch, a cloud of smoke enveloped the stage and the sound of the narrator's voice boomed.

"With that, Marcus realized that love and friendship are thicker than blood. He has rid himself of that silly prejudice and married another woman. Madeleine married Winston and they continued to live peacefully."

The curtains drew itself and the audience applauded the magnificent play.


The audience sat down excitedly as the curtains opened to begin the play.