Chapter IV: Year IV Part II

It really wasn't that difficult of a challenge. Or perhaps it was that luck was on their side. As Rose and Scorpius walked about in the forest, they suddenly heard a low moan. Or was it a grunt?

Half scared and half curious, the two were suddenly scared to bits when they found the noise coming from a giant – an angry giant – protecting his "treasure." Without realizing, Scorpius immediately stepped forward and put his arm protectively in front of Rose. But the girl was already drawing her wand, preparing a spell.

"Scorpius, I'll have you know that I am quite capable of defending us as good as you are." Now, what would work? Hadn't her father told her a story about a troll…how it was the beginning of Hermione becoming friends with him and Harry?

Scorpius was about to reply…

"HUNRRR?" The giant grunted as it suddenly stopped being angry and tilted his head, looking at Rose curiously. He reached his head down and seemed to be studying the girl, something apparently holding him back from reaching out and picking her up. What the two students did not know was that the giant was replaying a memory – rather slowly – in his thick head. Not to mention he didn't pick her up because Hagrid had grilled him over and over again about what students looked like and how he wasn't to touch – or harm – them.

The memory played itself through and the giant rose tall again, a goofy grin forming on his gigantic head. He turned around and reached into his massive pile again, and began throwing things here and there.

Rose and Scorpius had to duck as a couple of objects flew near them, one right over their heads.

"What's it doing?" Scorpius whispered as loud as he dared.

"I don't know…" Rose replied.

The giant stopped and made what seemed a happy sound, then turned to Rose and bent down. He handed her an oddly twisted thing made of metal.

"What is it?" Scorpius asked.

"I…I think it used to be part of a bi…no, I think perhaps a child's tricycle." She answered.

"A what?"

"A muggle toy…something like a broom but grounded."

Scorpius shook his head. Hadn't the word "bicycle" been on one of his muggle studies test options? He had no idea what it was then, and still was not too clear on the idea of "bicycle".

"Ring! Ring!" A sound interrupted his thoughts as Rose now had the object in her hands and had rang what he recognized as a small bell.

"Well I'll be…"

"We did it! We got something! We need to hurry back." She then looked up to the giant. "Thank you, thank you!"

The giant blushed then lowered his head down, throwing his cheek near Rose's head.

Rose blushed herself. Did he want her to…she didn't think anymore, was too happy that she and her partner had gotten the prize in less than two hours of searching. She kissed the giant's cheek. He made a loud gurgling sound then stood up and pranced around, careful not to step on the two.

The earth shook around the two students, and Scorpius clutched onto Rose to keep her from falling. She blushed again. "Thank you, Scorpius."

Now it was his turn to turn red. Not as red as her father sometimes did, but she could see it.

The two left, waving back at the giant, and made their way back to the fields where the professors presiding as officials were waiting. Scorpius sent a spark up from his wand, just as Harry Potter had done years during the Triwizard Tournament, letting everyone know they had won.

Their teammates were ecstatic! They danced around the two as others made their way back from the forest while the house elves were popping here and there preparing for a BBQ feast.

As the months passed, so did the scavenger hunt challenges. While Rose and Scorpius' team won the first, other teams won the second and third. But then it was their team's turn once again to win, thanks to two of the older students, and then once again Rose and Scorpius helped their team win the fifth challenge. Each team also had a collection of points, and their team was well above the rest.

The winter holidays had also come and gone, and both Rose and Scorpius had gone to visit their respective families.

Rose

"So what's this about you having to work with a Malfoy for the scavenger hunt?" Ron asked her one evening. Hugo snickered. Hermione elbowed her husband as she passed a plate of potatoes to her daughter.

"It was no big deal, we won the first and the last two." She grumbled as she took the plate from her mother.

Hermione smiled at her daughter. "I think it's a wonderful opportunity for your school. And for once, houses aren't working against each other."

Ron and Hugo both snorted, Hugo for somewhat different reasons than his dad.

"Well, just stay clear of the Malfoy's, Rose. You never know what….Ouch!" Hermione had hit him again, both children laughing at the site.

The next day Rose was making out her Christmas letters to send via owl. As she finished her list, she thought about sending one to Scorpius. Before changing her mind, she scribbled out a hasty note wishing him a happy Christmas, and sent it with the rest.

A knock came at her door.

"Come in!"

It was her mother. "Just came to see how you were doing with your list. All done I see."

Rose smiled at her mum. "Just now, I sent Hedwig II off a moment ago."

"Did you send one to Scorpius?"

Rose immediately blushed. "It was only…"

"I know, I know. You two are friends now, aren't you?"

"Yes, I suppose…mostly when our team meets, not anytime else."

"Well, that was very kind of you. His father…well, I'm sure he won't be upset."

"You mean the way dad is with Mr. Malfoy."

"You heard us the other night?"

Rose nodded. She thought something had might have happened at her mum's work again, or perhaps he was still mad at something Malfoy had done last summer. Something that had her dad fuming for weeks, but she never knew what it was.

"Don't worry, your dad understands that Mr. Malfoy and I are civil with each other. He doesn't like it, probably never will."

"And that's okay with you?" Rose asked.

"Of course. He's your dad…I love him."

Scorpius

Scorpius' holidays were filled with attending his parents' social events and being buried in gifts from them as well as from his grandparents.

The family was having a quiet dinner at home for once, the night before Christmas, when an owl came pecking at the large window overhead.

"Let it in," His father ordered the house elves. They released the wards and let a beautiful snowy-white owl come flying in. The owl was graceful and released a letter which fluttered to the youngest Malfoy at the table.

Draco smiled as he watched his son look at the letter curiously, then open it. At first he thought it was from one of Scorpius' few close friends, but then saw the blush appear on his son's face. "Ah, I knew it was only a matter of time. The Malfoy fan club starting already?"

Lucius balked at his son, then turned to Scorpius. "Well, who is it from, boy."

"Just a friend. From the scavenger team."

Scorpius' mom smiled. She knew about Rose, and was happy that her son was finally getting to know the girl. The last time she had gone to meet her husband for lunch at it Ministry office, she had arrived early in order to stop by Hermione Granger-Weasley's office. The two had talked at length about their children, as they did every now and then. Especially since the previous summer.

"Hmph. Can't believe the school has lowered their standards even lower than they had when Draco was attending." Lucius said with a sneer.

"Now, now father, I think it was a splendid idea." Draco, who still had now idea about Rose being on his son's team, turned to his son. "So who is the lady?"

"No one." Scorpius mumbled. "May I be excused?" The others nodded, seeing as his plate was clean. Scorpius ran straight for his room, his precious letter still held in his hand. He lay face down on his bed and opened it again.

Dear Scorpius,

Just wanted to say again how much I have been enjoying working on our team's success in the scavenger hunt. I hope you are having a grand time during the holidays. It's very busy here, I'm sure you are well aware that I have quite the large family not to mention their group of friends. Wishing you the best Christmas,

Rose Weasley

Scorpius grinned and read the letter again before preparing for bed. He was just about to turn when he realized he hadn't sent Rose anything. But he had gotten her a present, one he had planned to give her when they returned to school. Getting out a parchment and quill, he quickly scribbled a letter and sent it off with the wrapped box.

Dear Rose,

Hopefully these will help keep you warm with the nasty weather coming next week. Yes, things are quite busy here as well with all of the parties mum and dad drag me to – and boring! Can't wait for school to start. Happy Christmas,

Scorpius Malfoy

He smiled as he sent his eagle owl off with the gift, having left her own poor owl for his mother to take care of (which she did; Ava Serene Malfoy was a lady, after all). He couldn't help but think how nice the lady-like mittens would look on Rose's hands, fitting to her red hair and golden eyes. They were a pale green with gold threads at the cuffs.

Just over a week later Scorpius smiled as he saw Rose saying goodbye to her parents at the train station. She was wearing the mittens he gave her, even though it wasn't that cold out.

Only two tasks remained for the hunt, as fifth and seventh year students needed the time to study for their respective OWLS and NEWTS. During the next hunt, yet another team won the challenge and Team III (Rose and Scorpius' team) came in a respectful third. They were still on top with points, but Team V was coming in close having gotten second this time and done fairly well throughout the challenges.

However, the final challenge was the best. The scavenger hunt took place in Hogsmead and Rose's knowledge of the Shrieking Shack helped bring her team to victory. Team III won easily, Team V took second. The winning team celebrated after dinner.

The year end feast

The Weasley and Malfoy families were some of the first to arrive, no doubt since their children had been on the winning teams. Rose and Scorpius had mutually decided on their own not to appear friendly with one another for the sake of their fathers. The two men had politely, yet reluctantly, nodded to one another in the hall. Hermione and Ava sighed and gave each other a friendly smile.

As the Weasley family headed toward the Gryffindor table, Rose suddenly remembered something she had left in her dorm room. Excusing herself, she quickly ran up to retrieve the item.

Meanwhile the students and their parents were starting to move about the room, talking and chatting with each other. Ron found himself busy talking to Dean and Luna, as George and his wife joined them. Scorpius' mom was busy talking to the Headmistress and shot a glare at her son's head of house once the woman finally had the nerve to look her way.

Draco found the opportunity to greet Hermione alone as she went to make sure the house elves had all the help they needed (not that they needed any help with their own magic).

"You're looking quite lovely today, Granger." He still refused to call by any other name, except when they were working together at the Ministry.

"Malfoy, you shouldn't creep up on me like that." She said with her hands on her hips.

He smiled at her. "I just wanted to thank you again." He hadn't seen her much this last year, having spent more time at home rebuilding his marriage while taking care of the Malfoy business.

"You don't…"

"Yes, I do. You helped me get my wife back. And for that I shall ever be grateful."

"Where is…"

"The blasted Pearling? Hopefully drowning in the lake."

Hermione laughed. "You really shouldn't say things like that. Well, maybe…"

He laughed as well.

Rose was nearly running as she hurried to make it back to the feast. She saw her mother speaking with Mr. Malfoy and stopped in her tracks. Scurrying softly to a nearby wall, she listened in.

"I do hope you enjoyed the flowers I sent."

"Oh, now you're being rude." Her mother said in mock anger. "You know very well how those must have appeared to Ron.

Rose gasped inwardly. Her mom and Malfoy's dad? What was going on? Misinterpreting what she saw, the girl ran back to her dorms and cried the next two hours.

Next up: Year V! Don't worry, I'll backtrack a little. :)