Chapter 7

I was sitting on my bed, the curtains drawn, absolutely fuming. How could she do this to me? She knew how I was about Scorpius, and I already had a detention on her account. I punched my pillow, imagining that it was Scorpius's fat (not really; actually, his face was rather angular), lying, pureblood-fanatic face, and I remembered what my dad had told me on my first day at Hogwarts.

"So that's little Scorpius? Be sure to beat him in every test, Rosie. And don't get too friendly with him. Grandpa Weasley would never forgive you if you married a Malfoy."

He had been right. My first year, we had gotten into a fistfight when he had said that my family was a bunch of filthy blood traitors. (Admittedly, I had said his family was a bunch of Death Eaters first, but it was true!) Second year, we had been paired together for a Transfiguration project. Apparently McGonagall had thought that working together would make us less hostile. We wound up getting a T on the project because we had started a shouting match during the presentation ("AT LEAST MY FAMILY CAN AFFORD ALL OF THEIR CHILDREN!") ("AT LEAST MY FAMILY DIDN'T HUNDREDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE!"). I could see that this year was going to be no different.

Gradually, the rest of the girls came in. I heard Roxanne talking to Allie, and I feigned sleep as they peeked in my curtains. Soon I drifted off, still in my robes, dreaming about beating Scorpius in every test.

The next day at breakfast, Allie tried to sit next to me. I moved to the Ravenclaw table and sat with Albus and Clarice. I didn't really know why; I wasn't even all that mad at her anymore. But I am a Weasley, and Weasleys hold grudges. If you don't believe me, ask my dad. He wouldn't talk to my mum for weeks in sixth year after he found out that she had kissed this Quidditch player called Viktor Krum in fourth year. And she and Dad hadn't even been dating at that point. Of course, I wouldn't go to that extreme, but you get my drift.

"Rose, what are you doing today?"

Clarice's voice pierced my thoughts. "Huh? Oh, today's Saturday, isn't it? Uh, I guess I should probably get a head start on my homework, but other than that I don't really know."

"Do you want to come to the greenhouse with me and Albus? My dad asked us to help him clean up." She grimaced a little bit there. I knew that she wasn't particularly fond of Herbology but was expected to get high marks because her dad was the professor.

"Sure. When are you going?"

"How 'bout we meet up there at ten?"

"Fine by me. See you then." I quickly finished my breakfast and went upstairs to start my homework. I didn't get far; at 9:50 I put away my books (all I had finished was Defense) and started towards the greenhouse.

As I passed the Quidditch field, I spotted two people flying in and out of the hoops. Maniacs. The Quidditch season hadn't even started yet and wasn't going to for another three weeks.

When I finally reached the greenhouse, I could see the silhouettes of Albus and Clarice throwing dirt at each other. Despite what I had told Allie, I still thought they would be a cute couple. Just as I walked into the greenhouse, Albus threw a lump of dirt at Clarice. She ducked, and guess who it hit? Me, of course.

"Albus," I growled. His grin fell off his face, and he started to look rather nervous, making me want to crack up, but I maintained an scowling face.

"Er, Rose, um, you do know I didn't mean to hit you? I was aiming for Clarice," his voice trailed away as he saw me pick up a handful of dirt. "No, you really don't want to do that…" SPLAT! Too late. The clod hit him right in the middle of his face, knocking his glasses askew.

I pulled out my wand, pointed it at my face, and muttered, "Tergeo." The dirt was immediately siphoned away. Albus and Clarice did the same.

"I'm going to get you back for that, Rose," he said, trying and failing miserably to hide a smile.

"No, no, we're even now. If you try to get me back, I'll have to get you back."

He thought for a minute. "Good point. Honestly, Rose, why aren't you in Ravenclaw?"

"You're the second person this week to say that."

"Well maybe there's a reason for that. Come on, we're supposed to be cleaning up."

I rolled my eyes. "Al, you and Clarice are the ones who started the dirt fight."

Clarice interrupted. "Not true. It was all Albus."

"No it wasn't! You were the one who…"

"GUYS!" They fell silent. I pointed my wand at one of the broken pots. "Reparo." It flew back together.

We spent the rest of the morning in lighthearted repartee, and I quickly forgot all about Allie.