A/N: Sorry this chapter is shorter than the others as well. But I like it too much to add more :)

I wanted to take this time to thank all of my amazing Reviewers so far! I'm way too lazy to list you all here, but you all know who you are :)

PS: Got my life's goal complete. Tyler Brunsman added me on Facebook. Yes that's right that particularly good finder/evil man himself from Starkid added me back! Win! (If you don't know who he is by now, he played Cedric Diggory in AVPM "Hufflepuff's are particularly good finders!" and Lucius Malfoy in AVPS "It sounded forced...") A dur dur dur to you all!

CHAPTER 7

"But Rose, you promised!" Scorpius whined, pulling on her arm. "Try-outs start in an hour!"

"Yeah Rose, you promised!" Albus said, pulling on her other arm, clearly mocking Scorpius.

"Fine! But only because you two are so incessant and will never leave me alone if I don't." Rose pulled out the Keeper gloves she had been given two years ago, that had only been fairly worn a few times. Pulling them on her hands, she fastened them up and held them in front of their faces. "Happy?"

"Yes, very, now let's go warm-up!" Scorpius grinned, and pulling her out of the Ravenclaw Common Room with Albus trailing behind.

There were a lot of people already on the Quidditch Pitch when they had arrived. Rose had retrieved her Lightning 260 from the Broom Cupboard, having been in there for a long time and rarely been used, it was slightly dusty. Cleaning it off, she followed Scorpius and Albus, who had retrieved their brooms as well.

On the ground in the pitch, they found around fourteen other hopeful try-outs, and the players who already filled positions on the team. Rose felt her stomach drop, there were at least six other people in Keeper Gear.

The Captain, also Beater for the team, was Ryan Burrow, a seventh year. There beside him stood two of his chasers, one being Scorpius, the other a seventh year whose name escaped her. Obviously a chaser position was open. On his other side stood Mandy Carmichael, the girl she had seen on Scorpius' lap the previous year. She must be the second beater. And then finally, Albus as Seeker.

So all of these students were either here for Chaser or Keeper. Great. Tightening her gloves, she put on her game face and began listening to what the Captain was saying.

" – We're going to start with the chasers, and I count eight of you here not in Keeper uniform. You'll be on one end of the field and I'll ask Mandy here, and myself, we will be aiming countless Bludgers at you. Avoid them all, and you move on."

The students trying for Keeper were aloud to sit on the sidelines and watch, so Rose grabbed a comfy piece of grass and watched the try-outs. Spotting Lorcan and Jacob in the group, she smiled and waved.

After about half an hour of dodging, only three students were left for Chaser. Two boys, one of them being Jacob, the other a sixth year, and the last a fifth year girl. Jacob was actually doing a really good job, and probably had a big chance looking at the other two. Lorcan had skulked off the field. But at least he had done pretty well, he'd only been hit by two bludgers, and the first one should hardly have counted as someone pushed him towards it, and that someone had immediately been hit with two bludgers from the Captain.

Next up was passing, so each of them took turns making passes to each other. Jacob made some pretty amazing passes, even the crowd was 'ooh-ing' and 'ah-ing'. Rose and everyone else wondered hard as to why he had never tried out before, and it was pretty clear who Ryan was going to pick. All that was left was shooting, and Rose was sure he would ace that. Unfortunately that was where the Keepers were asked to step in.

This was where the process would be long and annoying. Each Keeper try-out would face one new Chaser and the two chasers already on the team that would try and make five shots. But they would have to face all chaser hopefuls. In total, having to try and make fifteen saves. Rose's palms were sweating in her gloves as she was given the position of going fifth.

In turn, she watched four people go before her. A seventh year managed to make thirteen saves, the poor third year who went next only made eight and ended up leaving the pitch out of embarrassment at his last miss, a sixth year made twelve saves and a fifth year made twelve as well. Basically Rose had to get at least fourteen saves to even have a shot.

No problem, right?

Gripping her broom tightly, she rose to the sound of cheers from Albus and Scorpius, and groaned. Lovely. Maybe Scorpius would go easy on her a little?

The first new chaser was the other boy, whom Rose thought was named Bradley something or other. He was kind of a rubbish shooter from what Rose had gathered watching him before hand, and as the two other chasers were letting him take the majority of the shots – Scorpius and the other Chaser, Rose was sure his name was Joel, each shot one as well. So thankfully Rose managed to save all five of the shots.

Scorpius beamed at her as Jacob came up from below, ready for his turn.

Jacob, unfortunately got his first shot in, much to Rose's dismay, but Rose managed to block the other four. She couldn't miss any more now, or she would be royally screwed.

The third chaser, Leslie something-or-other, began her turn then. This turn went in such a blur, that by the time it was over, Rose barely registered that she had managed to save all five shots, and her last save was brilliant, having used her head whilst hanging sideways off of her broom to cleanly knock the ball straight to Scorpius.

Rose smiled so widely that she felt like her cheeks were going to rip apart. Who knew trying out would be so much fun? She knew she had a high chance of getting the position, too, as the only two people left, were a second year who looked terrified, and a third year who looked even more afraid and was stumbling over her own feet to get on her broom.

Sure enough, at the end of the try-outs, she had saved the most goals, and it was looking very promising for her and Jacob.

Albus hugged his cousin. He knew she was good; she just had to believe in herself. "Ryan will surely pick you! You should have seen his face when you made that last save! He was in awe!"

"Oh come on Al…I mean that seventh year was pretty amazing as well…" she said, as they walked down the hallways at random.

"Rose, I swear Ryan wasn't impressed with Chambers at all. He was a mess, only saved the other goals because they were mostly shot by the two pieces of rubbish who weren't Jacob. He didn't save one of Jacob's!"

"Fine, OK, just say I have a chance at this…"

"Which you definitely do," interrupted Scorpius smugly.

"Then how do I know it's not because you guys bribed him or something?"

"Trust me. Remember how my dad always spoke of this Oliver Wood guy?" Rose nodded, "Well Ryan Burrow is the same way. Lives, breathes, sleeps, eats and wears Quidditch. Twenty-four – seven. He would never take a bribe."

"Trust me, we tried," Rose glared at Scorpius, "I'm kidding!" he said, laughing as he held his hands up in surrender.

"Anyways, the list will be put up tonight after the team meeting at seven. Unfortunately we're like forced to give an oath not to tell anyone the results before it is posted. So sadly, we won't be able to let you know beforehand – "

"But we'll do our damndest to give you hints!" Scorpius interjected.

"Hints to what?" came a small voice from beside them. Rose smiled as she realized it was Lysander Scamander. He and his twin were exact opposites. Lorcan being vivacious and loud, while Lysander was quiet and reserved. It was a wonder they were both in Ravenclaw, as Lorcan was more of a Gryffindor or Slytherin, while Lysander was like a Hufflepuff, but their mother's genes were clearly prominent in them and their smarts and wits were high for their years.

"To who made the team little squirt!" Albus ruffled the kid's hair, even though we were only three years older then them, he acted as if they were little Clara's age, Hannah's baby girl, who would turn one this year.

Lysander fixed his hair and smirked, "I still can't believe Lorcan tried out. One, he's two young, and two, he's a rubbish chaser. He'd be a better beater, I always tell him. He'd be better off trying out next year when Ryan graduates. I bet Mandy will be Captain next year, and she just loves us!"

Lorcan popped up beside his brother then, blonde hair all mussed from playing, "Yes. Loves how much we annoy her she does. In fact, she's infatuated with telling us to shove off. It's as if she's dying for an excuse to talk to us," Lorcan grinned.

"Anyways Lorcan, we got to go. Mum just sent us a package, and hopefully it includes her latest article on the Snorkacks that she wrote!"

Pulling his brother's arm, the twins disappeared down a random hallway.

"Well look boys, your meeting starts in half an hour so you better make your way there. Meanwhile, I'm going to head up to the Tower and wait." Scorpius and Albus nodded, and Rose left them in what appeared to be the second floor corridor.

"So mate. Surprised you didn't tell her how you tried to beg and plead with Burrow, attempting to bribe him with anything you could afford…"

"Shut up Al, I would have felt horrible if I had forced her to go through with it and she never made the team."

"Whatever you say Scorpius. It's a good thing he refused, Rose would have been furious," Al said, laughing at his friend as they made their way to the room that the meeting was assigned to.

Ryan stood before them. "So guys, for Chaser, what are you thinking? Bradley, Jacob, or Leslie? Scorpius and Al, don't be biased to Jacob, consider all options."

"Well – " began Mandy, "That Bradley kid was great, except for shooting, and that's what's most important. And Leslie was good, but she wasn't a strong player. I think Jacob was the best. Anyone else?"

Nods went around the room, and sure enough, everyone voted unanimously for Jacob.

"Now Keeper. We had two good prospects. Chambers and Weasley. Keep in mind, Weasley saved fourteen out of fifteen goals, while Chambers only had twelve. And Weasley's father was Keeper once for Gryffindor, and he won them a lot of games. Chambers only tie was that his father was a chaser for Ravenclaw for one year as a spare."

…

Rose groaned as she heard the five members of the Quidditch team enter the Common Room. She and Jacob had been sitting in quiet anticipation for an hour now. It had taken them that long to make the decision. Maybe they had decided Chambers had better form than her, or was more experienced?

Huffing, her and Jacob sat up, watching as Ryan posted a sheet of paper on the bulletin board across from them.

Throwing themselves from their chair, they rushed across the room and somehow made it before anyone else.

The piece of paper was labelled Ravenclaw Quidditch Team (2020-2021).

Biting her lip, she read down the list:

Captain, Beater – Ryan Burrow
Beater – Mandy Carmichael
Chaser – Scorpius Malfoy
Chaser – Joel Fawcett
Chaser – Jacob Turpin

At this, Rose squealed out of happiness for her friend, but continued to read:

Seeker – Albus Potter
Keeper – Rose Weasley

Rose squealed even louder, and wrapped her arms around the nearest person, which happened to be Jacob, and began laughing as he spun her around in the excitement.

From across the room, Scorpius' gaze hardened into a glare, and Albus had to put a hand on his shoulder to steady him from attacking. Surely Rose had just grabbed the nearest person?

Ryan spoke up then, "Congratulations to our newest Team members, Rose Weasley, and Jacob Turpin!" he said, and everyone in the room applauded. Jacob wrapped an arm around Rose's shoulders, a grin plastered on his face. Rose, as always, was oblivious to all that was going on around her, and only thinking about how she had made the team.

"I'm going to go owl my dad, see you guys later!" she said, running to her room, she grabbed a piece of parchment, her quill and an ink pot and scurried off to the Owlery.

Dear Dad – and mum of course!

Thought you'd love to know that today I made the House team!
I'm Ravenclaw's newest Keeper, just like you dad!
And I think that this guy Jacob, who is my friend and also just made the team, might like me…

She put a charm on that line so only her mother could read it.

Anyways, hope you guys are swell!

Love,
Rose

Tying it to her owl's leg, she sent her letter, then headed back to the Common Room as it was nearing nine o'clock.

"Scorpius. It's just Jacob. He's cool, it could be worse…" Albus tried to calm his friend, who was currently wringing his hands in his lap, as if he was preventing him from hitting something. Probably exactly what he was doing. Rose had just passed them, waving good night and headed up to bed.

"But still, she didn't push him off. You heard the whispers, everyone thinks they're together!" Scorpius sunk further in his seat. "Jacob knows. Did you see the smirk that he gave me?"

"Scorpius, he's gloating. It's what Jacob does. The whole Quidditch thing is probably just getting to his head, that's all." Albus was trying desperately to cheer up his friend, but it was to no use.

"Man, I almost lost her last year, and I'll be damned if I lose her again. Jacob better watch his back. Even if he is a good guy, I'm watching him like a hawk."

Groaning, Albus rubbed a hand over his eyes, then proceeded to drag Scorpius up to bed.

…

"Scorpius. I'm asking you. Not Jacob, not Sarah. You. Are you going to come, or what?"

Scorpius still couldn't believe it. Rose was inviting him to her house for Christmas. Granted, he was afraid to spend two weeks in a house with a man who hated him, but he would take his chances. He was sure he was only a last minute choice, and it was probably only out of pity.

Jacob and Rose had been dating now since the try-outs, but he was going away for the holidays. Something to do with his father's parents.

"Rose, how do I know you're not just asking me out of pity, plus the fact that you have no one else to ask? I mean, Jacob's going to Switzerland, Sarah is going to Spain, and my parents are leaving me here as they traipse off to Japan for two weeks."

"Look, Scorpius. Even if those were the reasons, I know you would say yes. So hurry up and agree with me so I can owl mum."

Scorpius groaned, "Fine, I'll go. But only because I don't want to be stuck here with Tyler. By myself."

Rose grinned, and rushed off to the Owlery.

Holding his head in his hands he let out a loud sigh.

"What's got your knickers in a twist Scorp?" came a voice from behind him. Turning Scorpius saw Tyler.

"You know what," was all he replied with.

Tyler patted him on the back, "Bro, if it makes you feel any better, Jacob's been saying how he doesn't like the way you glare at him all the time, and he's thinking of breaking up with her. He said something about 'rather have you as a friend' or some other bollucks." Tyler gave him a weird look. "If you ask me, from what he said, I think he's going gay on me."

Scorpius looked at him, and Tyler actually recoiled from the intensity in his eyes. "Are you serious? He's going to break her heart because of me? Merlin, Tyler, you've got to stop him! Hell, I've got to stop him! Where is he?"

"Er…Quidditch pitch I think. Said he needed to work out some plays…"

"Thanks man!" Scorpius cried as he ran out of the Common Room, the Eagle yelling at him for slamming the door and running.

Once Scorpius reached the pitch he stopped running, having to bend over to capture his breath and wipe some sweat from his brow. Sure enough, there was Jacob flying around the pitch, swerving and manoeuvring his broom in various play formations.

"Hey! Turpin!"

Jacob looked down at him, and the expression on his face turned into a grimace.

"What Malfoy?" he called.

"Get your sodding arse down here for a moment, I need to speak with you!"

Jacob clearly was annoyed that his practising was being interrupted, but he tipped his broom down and landed beside him.

"Yes?" he asked, annoyance in his voice.

"Tyler told me about how your planning to dump Rose!" Scorpius fixed a glare on his face.

"For exactly that reason," Jacob replied, pointing at Scorpius' face. Scorpius dropped the glare.

"Look man, I'll give it up. Just don't break Rose's heart because I would hate myself if I was the cause of her pain," Scorpius' eyes glazed over as he felt pain stabbing him from the inside. It hurt him to admit this, but it was true.

"Seriously? Jeez man, how much do you like the girl to do that?" Jacob rolled his eyes. "Maybe I should just step out of the way. I mean everyone knows she likes you too, I just thought I had a chance, you know? Look, if she means that much to you, I'll leave her be."

"No man. You've got it all wrong. You don't need to step out of the way. I do. It's like they say, you need to put the person you care about before yourself."

And with that, Scorpius turned and left, making his way back to the castle and leaving a very confused Jacob behind.

…

Rose wiped her eyes. She had just gone to say good bye to Jacob, when he dropped that infamous four word sentence on her.

"Hey Rose…" he said, a sad little smile on his face. Probably didn't want to say good bye.

"Hi Jacob! I hope you have fun in Switzerland, will you owl me?"

"Er Rose. Look, we need to talk," he said, staring at his shoes the whole time as if they were the most interesting thing in the entire world.

"Oh. You're not going now? I'm sure mum won't mind extra company! I can send an owl; it would get there before we would – "

"Look Rose. This has been great and all. But the whole point of liking someone, is putting them before yourself."

Rose looked at Jacob, confusion etched upon her face. "Huh? Jacob I don't know what you're – "

"Roseweneedtobreakup," he said so fast she could barely catch it.

"What?"

"Rose, we need to – break up," he said slower, and grasping onto my hand. "I know this might be confusing, but I just can't go out with you when I have this nagging thing on my mind. It's something I've known about. Well, everyone does, except for you. And I just can't be your boyfriend knowing that was going on. I'm sorry if I've hurt you, I'll make it up to you, I promise! I hope we can still be friends…"

Rose stared at him. "Oh…" was all she could say as she felt tears form in her eyes. "Yeah, we can still be friends." Turning away she walked slowly to the train.

And now here she was, sitting alone in a compartment once again, her face against the cool glass, and looking at the wintery country side.

"Rose! There you are!" Rose turned to see Albus in the doorway, and behind him a sullen looking Scorpius. "You invite someone for Christmas, and you don't even sit with them, how rude – "

Albus stopped talking when he noticed the tears on Rose's face.

"Oh Rosie, what happened? Did you miss the snack trolley again? I've got some leftover Drooble's Best Blowing gum, or some Cauldron Cakes."

"That's not it Al," she said, her voice cracking.

The boys entered and sat on either side of her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder as she cried harder. "Jacob … b-b-broke up-p w-with m-me…"

Scorpius' gaze hardened as Albus only hugged Rose tighter.

"Did he say why?" Albus asked.

"Something about 'putting the person you like before yourself' or something like that…I don't know…" she said as her tears cleared up. Surprisingly most of the pain had already vanished. For now it was mostly out of embarrassment.

Scorpius had to use all of his willpower not to pound Jacob into smithereens; his fists clenched and un-clenched. He had used Scorpius' own words to break up with her? That toe-rag! All Scorpius could do was just hug Rose tight, ignoring the fact of why she was hurting in the first place. For now, she was in his arms, and that was all that mattered.

Rose let out a squeak; Scorpius was holding her way too tightly. "Can't – breathe – "

"Sorry Rose!" he said, before hugging her lightly once and then letting go.

"Thanks boys, I needed that. Really." Rose smiled at her two best friends. What would she ever do without them? "Look I'll be fine, I promise. I'm more in shock then hurt. I guess we didn't have the best relationship in the world, in fact, it wasn't much different then the friendship we had already had…Anyways, I'm not going to bore you with the girly talk, I'll save that for Sarah. For now, let's talk Quidditch."

Albus grinned, he was glad to have his Rose back. But Scorpius could see the pain evident in Rose's eyes. Rose gave him a look as if she wanted him to drop it, then turned to Albus, stealing a Cauldron Cake.

"I still can't believe the first game of the year was wasted on Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff…James obliterated Summerby. That was obviously going to happen!" Rose grinned triumphantly.

"Hang on now; don't they have a really strong team this year? We might have competition in March when we play them…Good thing we play Slytherin first. Their team has done terrible since they let Warrington be Captain!"

"I know, it should have been Vaisey, except she was accidently hit with that memory charm last year, and is now residing in St. Mungo's without a clue in the world who she is, let alone what Quidditch is. They say she has a mentor. Mum and dad said they knew him, some Lockhart fellow. He was the Defence Professor in their second year, but something happened and he lost his memory. I'm pretty sure dad said his broken wand backfired Obliviate at him while they were rescuing Aunt Ginny from the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. He was too afraid to go further in, and thought he'd erase dad's and Uncle Harry's memories and say they'd gone mad!"

"Oh I remember that story Rose!" Albus grinned, "And somehow, in the end, Voldemort had been involved with one of his crazy horcruxes."

"I wish our lives at Hogwarts were that exciting. Granted, I'd rather not face death, but the craziest thing that has happened so far was those spiders in first year. Oh! And having Felicity as a roommate."

Albus snorted, while Scorpius just grinned.

A/N: So? Like it? Hate it? You decide and let me know!