I carefully selected a small jar of Unicorn Dust and leaned over the bubbling green potion. I shook it and the silvery grains fell into the cauldron. I peered into my potions textbook then watched with satisfaction as the potion turned to a perfect clear. If I didn't know what it was, I might have mistaken the potion for water. I was in the motion of putting down the Unicorn Dust when something bumped into me and I accidentally dropped the jar into the cool mixture. I clamped my hand to my mouth as the potion hissed and smoke seeped from the liquid. The potion bubbled and turned red. I whipped around to see who the culprit was. Scorpius stood there with a scandalized look on his face. He was holding a cardboard box.

"Sorry there, Rose." He said, wincing and honestly appearing sorry.

I scowled at him. "Maybe you could watch where your going next time?" I growled. I turned back around to deal with my little problem, I winced as a pint of potion sprang from the concoction and burned my hand. I rubbed it away and flipped through my textbook. It took Jill and I months to figure out this potion! It was for extra credit.

"Don't worry Rose. There'll always be next lesson." Scorpius reassured. If Scorpius wasn't holding a big box, I'm sure he would have ran his hand through his longish blond hair. Like he always does.

I rolled my eyes but didn't say anything. I knew better than to argue my point with a Slytherin. They all just call me uptight.

"Ha ha." I said hollowly.

I saw Scorpius walk around the table to the front of the classroom, where he and Albus were working on a polyjuice potion. Much simpler than my felix felicias brew. I shook my head and tried to undo the damage, taking a metal ladle and starting to fish for the mason jar. Which resided at the bottom of the cauldron. Jill came over holding a bottle, containing something that looked strangely like wings. I pulled the ladle from the cauldron, which was singed at the end and only the handle remained.

"What happened?" She asked indignantly, looking down at our pathetic potion.

"Don't ask." I tossed the useless spoon away and began to recount the event anyway. "... So yeah. We pretty much have to start over."

Jill sighed. "Crap. Okay, well we have five minutes left of class anyway, so we can do it next lesson."

I sighed. "Damn it!"

Jill smiled at me. "Don't worry partner! We can do this!"

It seems like everyone in my life is always telling me not to worry. Which only makes me worry more.

Jill began to collect the ingredients and haul them to the storage cupboard. Meanwhile I searched in my bag for my wand and pulled it out. I waved it over the cauldron and the mess disappeared. I gathered my books and slid them into my school bag. I sat back down in the tall stools that stood beside the scientific lab tables, and laid my head on the counter. I let my hair fall around my face like a curtain, the way it always does. Dear god... Today is not my day.

Beside me Albus sat down and rested his elbow on the table by my head.

"I need to talk with you." He whispered.

"Right now is not a good time." I whispered back. I felt tired, distraught, worried and stressed all at once. And not to mention the looming consciousness of my cousin Albus, and his strange behaviour, bugging my mind, willing it to make sense.

"This is important." He strained. I couldn't see his face through my main of curls, but his voice pleaded with me, like he was willing me to understand something important.

I turned my head to the side and looked at him questioningly through my red hair.

"What is it?" I asked impatiently.

Albus's green eyes flickered to where Scorpius sat before resuming it's intense watch on the ground. He began to fidget with his tie. "Ummm, well, I was wondering... I wanted to know if..." I picked up my head and raised my eyebrows. This was not the popular, confident guy I knew from Slytherin house.

However, Albus was interrupted by the return of Jillian. Successfully waving about a small vial, sloshing around inside was pink and thick liquid. What wasn't occupied by potion, was contaminated with swirly mist, also pink.

"Look what I have!" Jillian sang.

Albus suddenly looked very stricken, that's when I noticed his sweaty palms. Albus wiped his hands on his pants before standing up, nearly knocking his stool over. "Ummm, I'll talk to you later, Rose." Then Albus stroud past Jillian to where Scorpius was stirring their potion.

Jill raised an eyebrow. "What'd he want?"

"I don't know." I mumbled. Jillian shrugged and tucked her vial into her robe. I was about to ask what it was when suddenly, a loud echoing bell sounded in the dungeon.

"Class dismissed!" The teacher at the front called. Everyone was out of the classroom fast as lightning. Except Jill, who was hauling me to my feet and helping me out of the dungeon.

"Rose! Wake up!"

"I'm so tired..." I mumbled. My eyes were half closed, and I couldn't see well where we were headed, but I could feel stairs with my foot, and I began to climb them.

"Maybe you should skip Divination." Jillian suggested.

"Really? Could I?"

"Yes Rose, you've been like this all day. You need a nap." We arrived at the top of the stairs and Jill led me forward.

"But I was studying all night for our Transfiguration test!" I whinned.

"We had that test this morning Rose."

"Oh..."

"In here!"

Jill's arm had been under my shoulders, she seemed to have led me not very far down one corridor to see a large painting of lady Abigail the third, which was on the fifth floor. The painting was framed with gold, and under Abigail's portrait, there was a small plaque. 'Miss Abigail the third, daughter of Abigail the second'. That's all it said. The Abigail in the portrait waved and smiled happily.

"Cornish Pixies." Jillian said to the woman.

The girl nodded and the portrait swung open like a door.

Jill stepped inside and I followed. All of a sudden I was mesmerized by my surroundings, green wallpaper lined a cylindrical room, also adorned with gold framed portraits of random lords and ladies. In the centre of the room, sat a gorgeous antique sofa and matching armchairs, draped across them were plush throw blankets and pillows. A circular persian rug took up the entire floor, and the small part of the wall that wasn't covered in portraits, was taken up by a green Slytherin banner. Two grand oak doors stood on either side of the room, beside each of them were matching tall bookcases.

"Where are we?" I asked sleepily. Already thinking about the glorious nap I could have on the emerald sofa.

"We are in the Slytherin head of house dormitory." Jillian stated proudly.

"What? How do you know the password?"

"Albus told me."

"Why would he tell you and not me? I'm his cousin!"

Jillian only laughed. "Sleep tight. The heads of houses don't get back here until four. I'll come get you." Jillian turned to leave and I stumbled to the sofa.

"Thank you!" I said blissfully. Just longing for the kink in my neck and throbbing memory to go away. All my acute consciousness of tests, exams, expectations, work, friends and responsibilities, never went away. I was exhausted. As Jillian shut the portrait behind her, I kicked off my shoes, dumped my bag, and collapsed on the sofa. My eyes were already closing when I saw a white tabby cat, stalking a mouse in the corner of the room. I pulled the blanket over my body and the closest pillow under my head. I willed the grand chandelier above to turn off and as it did, I was already half asleep.

...

Several hours later, or merely seconds later, I couldn't really tell. There came a loud banging coming from the portrait. I leaned away from my comfortable sleeping place, and fell to the persian carpet. More banging proceeded the first one.

"Coming!" I groaned in the direction of the sound. It took all my will power to slowly drag myself up, I slouched to the entranceway. Only when I yawned, I actually came to my senses. Stricken with horror and taking in the Slytherin head of house common room, did I run back to the sofa and dove under it, grabbing my bag by the strap and pulling it under with me. Just as I did, the portrait swung open. From my awkward position I could see black loafers stepping across the room and past the sofa. The person walked around the room for a very long time. Seeming to be collecting things from the bookcases. Finally, the male, it appeared, sat down on one of the green armchairs and only then did I get a glimpse of his face.

Blond tousled hair, pale green eyes, fine stature, long nose, square jaw and attractive shoulders and arms.

God damn it... Scorpius Malfoy.

I stared at him as he flipped open a leather bound book. Dear god, dear god, dear god... Please don't let him see me!

And then my nose started to itch, the tingling flew up the bridge of my nose and the power became to overwhelming. I sneezed. I Immediately avoiding eye contact. Damn!

I heard a faint chuckle as Scorpius stood and walked to the sofa. He crouched to look under the couch.

"Well, well. What do we have here?" Scorpius laughed. "A stowaway?"

"Just pretend you didn't see me." I said. Looking away again.

"C'mon." Scorpius held out his hand, I waited a moment before taking it. Scorpius lifted me up and I dusted myself off. "What were you doing down there?" He asked.

"I was hiding." I looked down at my failure of a hiding space.

"From who?"

"You apparently."

"Why?"

"I thought I was going to get in trouble." I stretched my arms over my head. Forgetting how tired I still was.

"From me?"

"I didn't know it was you. And how come you were in here anyway? Jill said you didn't get back till four?" I crossed my arms.

"I needed to use the books." Scorpius gestured to the leather bound textbook still laying on the chair. Scorpius is one of the head of house for Slytherin, along with Noreen Zabini.

"Oh."

A few moments of awkward silence ensued. Scorpius watched me the whole time. I watched tentatively back.

"So?" Scorpius took a brave step closer. "Ready for that kiss?" Scorpius's face didn't hold his usual cocky grin, instead his face was overtaken by a new look, almost shy and questioning.

I laughed, also a new reaction, usually I might have slapped him for his boldness. "Scorpius, haven't you ever thought it might be a little awkward if we got together, considering your so close with my family?"

Scorpius looked away, over my head, his eyebrows furrowed. "No. If anything I might be considered more family. I'm over every weekend anyway. Just another reason to come." Scorpius stepped closer again. "You know, Albus being the first reason."

"Don't you think it be awkward? You being so close with our family and all." I asked. Then Scorpius made a confused face and I hastily explained further. "You know, if we got together. Which likely won't happen."

Scorpius shook his head. "No, only gives me another reason to be there. Besides Albus of course."

I nodded solemnly, looking down. "Strange."

"What?"

"I always thought all those threats from my dad might have finally taken effect."

"Nah." Scorpius smirked. "I never really was worried about him. Harry'll never let him hurt me."

I smiled at that. "Oh you don't know, maybe he bought a gun..." I trailed off mysteriously, watching Scorpius's face pale and tug on his green bowtie nervously. "Did he really?"

"No." I said. "Just pulling on your leg." In an attempt to get away from the situation, I moved around him and slipped my feet into my classic Mary Janes. I bent over to tie the laces.

"Hey, before you go?"

I straightened up to see Scorpius holding the white tabby cat in his arms.

"Ummm, maybe... Uh..." Scorpius petted the cat, looking at his feet.

"Scorpius Malfoy." I said. "Are you stuttering?" Only in rare occasions did I get to tease Scorpius.

Scorpius scrunched his nose and shook it at me, making eye contact. "Let me finish. O.k, I haven't been doing so well in Potions, and I was wondering if you could maybe tutor me. Just for the midterm."

I laughed lightly, Scorpius never needed help in any class, he always seemed to pass fine with a wise crack and a smile. Not with Professor Burnley. Nothing was worse than him. Two essays a week, one hour of homework every night, the expectations in Potions these days were ridiculous. Even I had my difficulties with the class.

"Sure." I said.

"Great!" Scorpius beamed. "When do you want to meet?"

"Ummm..."

"How about tomorrow in the library?"

"Tomorrow works. But not the library. Not to study Potions."

"Slytherin common room?"

"Not allowed."

"Here?"

"Still not allowed."

"Astronomy tower?"

I choked, on what I don't know. "Hell no." I said. The astronomy tower was used daily by come and goers. Usually for secret (ha, ha, not secret) make out sessions. No way, was I going there with Scorpius Malfoy.

"Why not? Geez Rose, I can't take you anywhere."

"Were just studying."

"O.k, how about the Room of Requirement?"

I thought about it. "Fine."

"Deal?" Scorpius held out his hand for a shake. I looked at it curiously before taking his hand and shaking it.

"Deal." I said, slightly more timid than I might have preferred.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Scorpius's eyes lit like he just realized today was christmas. "Were holding hands!" He exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes. "You just had to make something weird out of this didn't you."

"Yes." Scorpius adjusted his hand so our fingers intertwined. His hand was warm and calloused. I felt my face heat up as Scorpius began to lead me to the portrait door. "Let's go!" He said firmly.

"Wait!" I hurried back, dragging Scorpius with me, to get my school bag from under the sofa. "Okay, now I'm ready."

Scorpius nodded and started to pull me to the portrait. Not really wanting to break our hands from each other, I followed. We skipped together through corridors till we came to the great hall. We flounced side by side like school girls, laughing and talking, to where Jillian and Albus were conversing at the dinner table. I couldn't help but notice Albus's eyes widen when he saw our hands holding each others. Jill was also ogling them. As if I had come out of a trance, I shook my hand loose and smiled apologetically at Scorpius, he looked disappointed for a moment but his usual smile returned when Albus stood up and walked briskly to the Slytherin table, not looking either of us in the eye.

"What's wrong with him?" Scorpius asked. Without waiting for an answer Scorpius followed Al to his table, but not before stealing a kiss on my forehead. I wiped it off instinctively and sat down beside Jillian.

"Your forehead." She started, pointing at my face. "Is no longer a virgin."

"All of me is virgin." I said, gesturing to all of me.

"That is irrelevant."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "How did you get into Ravenclaw?"

Jillian shrugged. "It still remains a mystery."

I laughed and immediately noticed a fresh chicken pot pie in front of me. "Huh," I said sarcastically. "How did they know? I'm starving!"

I probably could have eaten the entire pie but Jill stopped me after the third slice.

Mid-way through dinner, Spencer appeared. Out of breath and thoroughly excited. Spencer took off his glasses and scratched his nose.

"Guys!" Spencer spread his hands, a sign which usually means an explanation is about to break out. "Guys you'll never guess what happened!"

Jillian looked up at him from her half finished cheese burger. "What Spencer?"

"I asked her out!"

Jillian and I looked at each other, our eyebrows raised, then back at Spencer.

"Who is it?" Jillian asked.

"Amelia Longbottom!"

"No way!" I screamed. I haven't talked to Amelia in years, she never really bothered after me after second year, I still don't know why.

"Yeah!" Spencer said quietly, now twisting his hands together. Like he just transformed into one of the seven dwarfs, Bashful. "That's the girl I've had a crush on forever."

"Why didn't we know!" Jillian said indignantly.

"I didn't want you to freak out." Spencer said, as he did he took a slice of chicken pot pie from my pan. I pouted, that was my pie.

"When have we ever freaked out?" Jillian asked sipping her pumpkin juice, which may or may not be spiked with firewhiskey. And I may or may not have helped steal from Stewart Langley.

Spencer brought out his hand and started listing things Jillian and I freak out about. "That time Professor Longbottom decided to make inter-house studying groups. When you found out Scorpius was supposed to to pose for a model photo shoot, but ended up not going. And when the new season of Doctor Who came out! Remember that one time when they forgot to give Rose an exact due date on the Transfiguration project! And remember when Jillian-"

"Okay, okay." Jillian interrupting, waving away Spencer's accusations. "That's enough."

"-lost her toothpaste but didn't know, and used-"

At that point Jillian threw a bun at Spencer, it hit him on his shoulder. "Well then." He said unhappily.

I smiled and turned my attention to my chicken pot pie. Chicken pot pie, chicken noodle soup, white hot chocolate, jelly slugs, melted cheese on broccoli and plain apples were my all time favourite foods in the world. Hot, delicious, flavoured foods, (and apples). Yum! More than several times I have gone into the Room of Requirement and been disappointed to find that it cannot materialize food. I always have to bring my own skittles and popcorn when I'm in a book reading marathon. Jillian never likes to read books, so I read with Spencer. I read mysteries, Spencer prefers science-fiction or fantasy. I haven't seen a lot of Spencer these days, never do really. He's always out of reach. Until now, for a long time I thought Spencer had a crush on Jillian, but now Amelia is in the picture. Another friend out of reach, ever since she decided not to be my friend. Also her being in Gryffindor. Although that never stops Scorpius and Albus from conversing with us every minute of the day. It's even worse in the summer, thanks to Hugo. Albus, Scorpius and Hue (my nickname for him) went out for games of quidditch in the orchard behind our house. Godrics Hollow. How I miss home...

Jillian snapped her fingers in my face and I was forced to look up at her.

"What do you think?" She prompted.

"Sorry, about what?" I said.

"Blue, or green?"

"Blue." I answered immediately.

"Coca cola or pepsi?"

"Cola."

"Bros before hoes?" Jill raised her eyebrows and cocked her head to the side. This was an actual question. Not a survey.

"Never." I said, smiling now. "What was that about?"

"Were testing your personality." Jill said simply.

"Why? You can't test a personality." I argued. "it's not an experiment. It's there either you like it or not, as it is."

"Were testing how predictable you are."

"Okay..." I said, now unsure of what was to come. Jillian wasn't exactly sane.

"Let's play a game!" She suggested, clapping her hands together. "I'll say a word, and you say the first word that pops into your head."

"Okay..." I said again.

"Okay!" She said. "Wizards?"

"Magic." I responded immediately.

"School?"

"Grades..."

"Parents?"

"Strict."

"Friends?"

"Weird."

"Scorpius!"

"Hot... Wait, no!" Then I added, "relentless! I meant relentless!"

"Too late!" Jillian smirked. "It's going in the books!"

I groaned just as I spotted Scorpius and Albus walking out of the great hall. Scorpius made eye contact with me and waved. I felt my cheeks heat up. Albus realized that Scorpius wasn't following and impatiently pulled on his elbow. Scorpius let in and the pair strolled out once more. Albus looking especially ticked off.