My first class that next day was Potions, and I was very excited. At a NEWT level, I would be brewing potions that were way more complicated than I was used to and I was ready for the challenge. Sarah and I walked together to class.

"You're not going to abandon me to sit with Albus are you? " I asked.

"Never! It will be just like last year, you'll be my table partner for every class including the ones that Al is in. Except this year Dom won't be joining us." Dom had decided not to take potions. She was planning to become a journalist at the Daily Prophet. Sarah and I, however, were both set on being healers. For me, I want to make medicines for unsolvable cases, so Potions was very important.

Professor Slughorn greeted us when we walked in. "Good morning Miss Anara, Miss Weasley. Early as usual I see! Did you have a good summer?"

"Yes professor," we said in unison.

"Good, good. Your family is doing well Miss Weasley? I suspect your mother has her hands full what with that big scandal in the Wizengamot Department... "

"Yes sir," I said, "She's being kept busy."

A few other students trickled in, preventing Professor Slughorn from getting details on the scandal. A while later Scorpius and Albus walked in along with Missy and Jessamine. I scowled and I saw Sarah beside me freeze up.

"There's two empty tables over there that we could sit at boys," said Jessamine, batting her eyelashes which she had to have used some type of lengthening spell on.

"Actually," said Albus, "I think I'll go sit at the table by my girlfriend..." and he brushed past them and sat at the table next to Sarah.

Sarah sat straight up and smiled at him, giving him a hug hello.

"Hey Malfoy," I yelled at him, "You better sit by us too. That way I have a great view of you failing to beat me."

Malfoy smirked and strode over to sit my Albus. Jessamine and Missy stood mouths agape in disgust.

Professor Slughorn stood up at the front of the class and said, "Alright let's get class started. Miss Penhallow and Miss Hale would you please find yourself a seat." The girls gave one last glare our direction before stalking off to the other side of the dungeon.

...

At lunch that day, James was at the table talking to Lily about Quidditch tryouts.

"Seriously, Lil you have to try out this year! We need a top notch team if we are going to beat Hufflepuff. And Roxy has been training all summer, so we'll need a chaser who can keep up with her at the Ravenclaw match!"

"Yeah Lily, Quidditch is in your blood!" piped up Fred, "Just look at your parents! Your mom was a professional Quidditch player, and your dad was the youngest seeker of the century!"

Lily shrugged. "I don't know. I don't like how intense it all is. I'd rather play for fun. Plus won't it look suspicious if three of the seven players are from the same family?"

James was about to burst a blood vessel. "Lil, there's already too many of us playing Quidditch, what could one more hurt? And this summer when we played, you were great a getting goals of Perry and that's what we are going to need to beat Hufflepuff! I was watching him, and I think I know some of his tricks now, I could teach you how to avoid them!"

I laughed, "You were scouting out our cousin. Our THIRTEEN year old cousin? While we were playing for fun at Nana's?"

"See that's what I mean!" said Lily, "You're too intense!"

As the two kept arguing, Dom sat down on the bench beside me.

"Where's Sarah?" she asked, as she reached for the plate of sandwiches in front me, "And did the post come today?"

"Sitting with Albus. And no it probably won't come until tomorrow at breakfast. Are you expecting something?"

"No. Just wondering."

I squinted my eyes at her, knowing she was lying. But I really didn't feel like questioning her, so I decided to drop it. For now.

...

After dinner that night I went to one of my favorite places in the castle; the library.

I walked around the familiar shelves until I reached the fiction books. Then I ran my hand across the spines, looking for the perfect one. Most people when choosing a book pick the ones that stand out; the ones that are bright colored or have shiny lettering.

I however choose the ones that are worn and hidden amongst the newer books.

I chose one that was dark green. In faded black lettering it read Harriet the Brave. I took the book off the shelf, went and found my favorite chair that was in the far corner of the library. It was secluded and quiet.

But I barely got a half of a chapter read before I was interrupted.

"Fancy seeing you here Weasley."

I was so absorbed in my reading that I didn't hear Malfoy approach me.

Without glancing up, I held out my finger to tell him to hold on for a moment. I finished the sentence I was on, tucked in the ribbon to mark my page, and closed my book.

Malfoy had his arms crossed with a small smile, almost like he knew a secret that I didn't. I tried not to focus on how good his arms looks with his sleeved rolled up and his arms crossed, and instead looked him directly in the eye and said:

"Hello Malfoy. I was just enjoying something for once, so you seem to be right on schedule."

Malfoy grinned, "Am I really that predictable? I better step up my game, I do want to keep you on your toes."

I sighed, "Is there anything else you want say Malfoy? I think I better get going up to my dormitory anyways. Haven't started the Defense homework yet."

"Wow I must be getting predictable, you seem bored of me insulting you. Now I will definitely have to change it up a bit."

That scared me. But instead of reacting, I just got to my feet. "See you tomorrow Malfoy."

As I was walking past him, I tripped on a loose floorboard I did not see before. But before I could even process what was happening, Malfoy's hand shot out and caught my waist.

He pulled me back up and towards him.

"Be careful Rose," Scorpius said, his eyes locked on mine, hand still on my waist, "You don't need another concussion."

I stared into his eyes for what seemed like forever, but in reality was only a few seconds. Finally I came to my senses, and stepped out of his grasp.

"Thanks. See yeah." I turned and walked briskly away clutching the book to chest, away from Scorpius Malfoy.