AN

Thank you everyone who commented, it's really nice of you.

I'm sorry for the onlg wait for this chapter, I hope the content makes up for it.

Sixth Change – A Valentine Interest

Early one February evening found me in the Library and I was attempting to complete my Muggle Studies essay about Cinemas, but an insistent irritation was, well, irritating me.

I glanced up again at Malfoy and Goyle, the latter being the one who was causing such an annoyance to me. Sure she could be a nice girl (if she tried), but that giggle was seriously cutting through my eardrums and causing me some sort of brain damage, I swear.

I have no idea how Malfoy puts up with it, I have to say though, on his part he does look like he's trying to shut her up, but he's doing a fairly feeble attempt at it. I wish he'd try harder because I may have to go over there and cause her some brain damage.

I slowly counted to ten under my breath and closed my eyes momentarily. Slowly I opened them again and turned my attention back to the book propped open in front of me;

Admission to a movie may also be restricted by a rating system. According to such systems, children or teenagers below a certain age may be forbidden access to theatres –

I seriously think I'm going to go mad! If she doesn't stop that bloody laugh!

"Aw Scorpy, don't leave!" she moaned.

Please leave, oh please just leave, I silently begged.

Malfoy said something quietly but firmly, only to have her whine back. I heard the screech of a chair being pushed back and her disgruntled huff.

"Fine, I'll just leave you to your drawing, or what ever it is you're doing," she paused, I glanced up to see her 'seductively' lean into him and say in a low whisper, "but I'll see you in the common room tonight." It was less of a question and more of a statement.

"Just leave Goyle," his voice sounded strained.

She turned and left the Library, swaying her hips and making me feel a little sea sick just looking at her.

I heard the relived sigh from Malfoy and could not contain the small giggle that popped inside of me, I kept my eyes on the book in front of me, but I didn't take anything in, I just kept giggling like a little girl.

After that I eventually got my essay done, relatively well I think too.

Once my essay was done I spent another hour in the Library, reading my copy of Advanced Potion making, (disguised of course). I'd begun to make my own notes, copying down the spells and making a note of what they did.

Levicorpus, I knew what that one did having seen my father use it on Uncle Harry many years ago when Uncle Harry had put some spiders on my father's bed.

Sectumsempra, it took me a fair bit of researching, but I found out the outcome of that one. Well I don't think I'll ever be using that one!

Finally I gathered up my books, stretched slightly, (I had been sitting down for a good few hours) and decided to head back to my dormitory before dinner, glancing at Malfoy I saw he was still sat there, an odd studious expression on his face as he gazed down at whatever work was before him.

I turned to look forward only to find myself looking into the chest of some unknown person. I couldn't stop in time and ended up colliding with them, in the process I dropped all of the books I had and my neatly scripted essay.

I swore lightly under my breath and quickly snatched up the disguised Advanced Potion Making and the other books, but another hand picked up my essay.

I stood up straight and found myself looking at Marcus Sailsbury (Hufflepuff, my year), his hand holding my essay outstretched toward me.

"You have really neat hand writing you know," he said, I looked up at his plain blue eyes and saw a slight humour there.

"Thank you," I muttered and took my essay back, "sorry for knocking into you." I dropped my eye line, adjusting my books in my arms and preparing to leave, something about this conversation was making me uncomfortable.

"I didn't mind," he chuckled, "adds a bit of an, interest to the day." I did not like the way he said that, "Anyway, I'll see you around, it was nice, um, chatting, to you."

I heard a snort behind me, only to realise it was Malfoy, "Seriously Sailsbury, do you have nothing better to do on a Friday evening than chat up girls," it was heavily sarcastic and I could almost see the perfect eyebrow that was raised, "Talk about leagues." Malfoy let the insult hang and I guessed he was insulting both Marcus and me.

"I think I'm perfectly within my league, Malfoy!" Marcus spat the name out as if it was hurting his mouth, "and I'm perfectly within my rights to talk to Weasley."

I was getting a tad confused standing between the two males who seemed to be staring each other off over my head.

Malfoy just smirked, "Well if you want her so much just ask her to sleep with you and be done with it."

My eyes widened and I looked up at Marcus in shock, to my utmost disgust he just grinned expectantly down at me. "Seriously?" I asked, my own eyebrow raised. I didn't let him answer and just simply left the Library, hurrying back to my dorm, and hearing Malfoy chuckling behind me.

I didn't go to dinner that evening, I didn't think I could stand the embarrassment of seeing Sailsbury (yes I'd gone back to last name terms with him after his undoubtedly male ways). I don't think any of the male population can hold themselves together when the mention of sex is anywhere near them.

Saturday was a Hogsmeade day, seeing as it was Valentine's week starting Monday, with the Ball on the Saturday evening.

After the outcomes of the last ball, I'd decided I wasn't needed, but I'd arranged a meeting with Sandra Brigen, the head girl, to discuss an idea I'd had in regards to the ticket fail.

"Miss Weasley, I'm glad you came and asked me about this," Sandra said kindly, sitting down opposite me in the Transfiguration room.

"I'm sorry if you were planning to go to Hogsmeade, this won't take too long I promise." I found myself able to talk freely with the Ravenclaw girl.

"No, don't worry, this is more important, and besides, I've already got my dress for the ball."

I smiled weakly at her, avoiding telling her I wouldn't be there.

"Now, the theme of the ball is masked, so it is gong to be harder to forbid younger students from coming," Sandra nodded, encouraging me to continue, "we can't simply cast a age boundary line over the entrance because some are in younger years, but have a plus one ticket and so have a right to be there."

Sandra nodded again, "I see what you mean, what do you propose we do?"

"Well if we can't charm the door to not accept ages, can we charm it instead to only accept ticket holders?"

Sandra smiled, "That's genius, are you sure you're not in Ravenclaw?"

I blushed, "No, Gryffindor for me."

"Well the tickets are already charmed; they have the spell on them that causes the mask."

I frowned at her, a masking spell, "the masking is being done by a spell?"

"Yes, they cause people around to not be able to recognise the face of the person under the spell. Flitwick found it for me, we have it triggered to 'turn off' at midnight so everyone can see who their dancing with."

"That's genius," I smiled at the blonde before me, "when is the spell activated?"

"At nine, half an hour before the ball starts," she grinned, "I suppose I should say, I'll see you there, but under the circumstances, I actually wont. Thanks for the idea Rose, I'll mention to McGonagall who came up with it."

I sighed in relief, she wouldn't know if I wasn't there, and now I'd given this idea I didn't feel so guilty about not going.

Although, somewhere deep down inside me there was a small voice wishing, just wishing, that maybe My Prince would make me his plus one.

After Sandra had left I found myself alone, not much of a surprise there, in McGonagall's classroom.

I stayed sat there, my legs tucked up, idly day dreaming about a masked Prince asking me to dance at the Valentine Ball.

I was startled out of my imagination by McGonagall, Malfoy and Sailsbury entering the room, McGonagall leading the other two with a disapproving scowl.

She blinked a few times when she saw me, her eyebrows finding residence in her hair line and her face softening as her eyes made contact with my own dazed owns. "Miss Weasley, did you need to speak to me?" her tone was kind and gentle; Malfoy was frowning in confusion, a perfect eyebrow raised, while Sailsbury dropped a slow wink in my direction earning a scowl from Malfoy.

"Um no, I was just doing some studying in here, but I'll head on to the Library, I'm sure it's quietened down now people have left for Hogsmeade."

McGonagall smiled sympathetically at me, obviously pleased that I'd formed a long sentence in her presence that wasn't to do with what topic we were studying in class. She glanced at the two boys standing behind her, "It would seem that not everyone even made it as far as Hogsmeade before causing trouble."

I stood, grabbing my book bag that I always had with me, and hurried from the room. I caught the start of what would be McGonagall's rant, "What in Merlin's name would invoke you to hex him Mr Malfoy…"

I found myself grinning as I headed in the general direction of the kitchens, a mug of hot chocolate would be nice right about now, it is also nice when Slytherins were punished for their wrongs, regardless of which Slytherin they are.

Sunday brought about a Quidditch practice, so at nine in the morning I was clutching my Firebolt Sparks in the crisp chill that February seemed to favour, and having another day dream as Albus proceeded to talk to the beaters about some new tactic.

He'd already done the Chaser tactics (him being the Keeper we'd luckily missed out on that one) and I was absently awaiting my talk on Seeker moves.

"Rose!" he barked not unkindly, "I want you to listen to this…"

Eventually we took to the air and I spent a happy few hours chasing the snitch and weaving between players avoiding the quaffle (yes, I did say quaffle, apparently it was safer in practice to avoid a quaffle being thrown at you than the bludgers, my nosebleed begs to differ).

I trudged back to my dorm in the late afternoon worn out and ready for a nice shower to ease my aching muscles. Unceremoniously throwing my training gear on my bed and grabbing my towel I headed to the solace of the bathroom. The water seemed to cool my burning skin and throbbing muscles, offering me the release I needed.

After washing my hair and leaving the bathroom smelling of my lavender shampoo I padded softly back to my room wrapped in the warmth of the school towels.

I changed into some cotton trousers and a thin strapped top before pulling my black school robe on to cover them and, too tired to dry it, tugged my hair into two loose plaits, tucking them under so they wouldn't go down my back.

I headed on down to dinner then, glad to welcome the substance into my system after the draining day.

That night as I lay there thoughts of school mingling around in my mind, I found my last conscious thought to be of the prince, My Prince.

I woke to an unnerving sight, a pair of large deep black orbs scrutinising me, from only a few inches away from my own brown eyes.

I jumped back, swearing lightly under my breath. There sat on my bedside table was a pitch black owl, his head cocked to the side as he looked at me, I'm using 'he' here as if I know it's male, I thought, chuckling slightly, over my initial shock now. The owl held out his laden leg, a small brown parcel and note secured with a white silk ribbon.

I grinned, feeling elated as I gently got them free. I soothed the feathery head for bringing me such goodness and he took a small affectionate nip to my finger.

The parcel contained another silver charm, this one a wand, it was so intricately sculpted I could see the wood grain in the metal.

Smiling I clipped it on my bracelet next to the book, admiring it for a few moments before turning to the note.

Oh can't you see

When you're looking at me

The way that I see you

The way that I do ……

He'd written me a poem; he'd actually written me a poem. I stared in disbelief at it before I even took in what it was saying.

This parchment held my first ever love note, My Prince had written a poem about me. I felt the happy tears choke in my throat, this person was gradually stealing my heart to him and at the moment I really didn't mind.

With a euphoric heart and a flittering smile I made my way to breakfast, the black owl resting on my shoulder until I reached the entrance hall.

He took off as four Slytherins came at me from the direction of the dungeons; Mclaggen, Baker, Pritchard and Malfoy - in other words, 'Triple J' and their sometimes forth member.

"Would you look at that, Weasley isn't dirt, she just attracts it," McLaggen sneered from behind me to his companions.

I heard their chuckle but carried on walking to breakfast, letting the bird take flight out of the main doors and probably to the owlery.

Baker, the slightly slower of the of the group said stupidly, "but doesn't Malfoy have like a dark owl?"

There was the distinctive sound of someone being hit with a book and then a foul curse.

"Yes," said McLaggen, his voice heavily irritated, "but Malfoy isn't a blood traitor." I heard an annoyed grunt which I could only assume came from Baker.

I suddenly didn't feel so happy anymore and the thoughts of food just made me feel sick. I spun around before I reached the door and headed back up to the Gryffindor tower, I could do with some quiet time before I had potions.

Of course I deserved to be taunted like that, I'd turned away from my new 'family', what with me also being a half-blood when my pureblood Slytherin step-siblings still had a pureblood 'father'.

I may deserve it, but on no level did I welcome it, there was no way I liked this treatment. It hurt because I knew I couldn't have my family back, it hurt because there was nothing to do, it hurt because I was human, it hurt because I had feelings just like anyone else.

I spent another silent potions lesson, carefully avoiding the 'non-blood-traitor-ing' Malfoy and not even being able to smile at Albus when he greeted me.

The next morning brought a creepily exciting déjà vu as I gazed into the dark eyes of the black Owl. This time the charm was a broom, I chuckled as I clipped it on, My Prince obviously reminding me of my making it onto the team.

I was anxious to open the note, scared that he had written another poem, yet excited in case he had. It took me a few moments to notice this one followed on from the previous note;

……And Oh can't you feel

My heart's appeal

To your beautiful smile

Your unique style……

I gushed, my cheeks filling with blood and, despite being the only one awake, I tilted my head to let my fringe shyly cover my eyes.

I let the owl out of my window before heading for breakfast, not eager for another incident like yesterday. It was needless as they emerged well after I'd started sipping my orange juice, my back turned firmly toward them so I wouldn't see the looks of disgust they threw my way.

Wednesday morning I could hardly wake up early enough, but the owl still beat me, proudly standing on my bedside table; one leg stuck out holding the small parcel and note; and I swear he was smirking at me. Could owls even smirk? Well I think he was, laughing at me because I still didn't get up before him.

I had a quill charm that morning and I fingered it lightly as I read through the next stanza.

… And Oh can't you hear

What rings in my ear

Your sweet tender tone

That I want for my own…

The dots at the end just heightened my anticipation, and even a run in with the steps couldn't bring me totally down.

Well not all the way down, but I think the blood stain on the flagstones in the dungeon corridor will be there for a while.

I swear I didn't know that when they hexed me and my arm broke that the broken bone would pierce the skin. It hurt a fair amount, but pain doesn't mean much to me anymore, because up until recently I couldn't even hurt inside.

But now after My Prince had shown me such compassion that I didn't even know anyone could feel for me, it just lifted my heart and made me think that maybe he was just that one special person whom I could love.

Thursday morning, I still didn't wake before the black owl, there it perched, gazing calmly down at me and I swear it had a twinkle in its eyes that was mocking me. I ruffled his feathers slightly, earning a playful nip, and I slipped off the brown paper containing my new silver representation of fire. A small scribbled note of the inside of the brown read, 'a flame for the flaming red-head', I don't know why from him hearing red-head just made me grin, but from anyone else it made me angry.

Friday morning again I could not awake before the owl, but now I didn't mind, I just eagerly clipped my new charm to my bracelet.

It was heart, this time I almost forgot to read the next stanza of the poem, my own heart was pounding so heavily in my chest as I couldn't tear my eyes away from the polished silver.

He'd given me a heart, his heart.

And Oh can't you smell

Your captivating spell

An intoxicating trail

That makes me go frail

I had a free first and I spent a happy hour in the company of the proud black owl whilst I did a potions essay sat on my bed, still grinning when I made my way down to Potions.

"What are you so happy about?" Albus asked as he passed my desk.

"Oh nothing," I said quietly, quickly hiding the smile. But as soon as his back was to me the smile crept back again.

Oddly Malfoy leaned toward my desk, a small smirk on his lips, "he's right, you look unusually happy."

I smiled slightly in his direction.

"It suits you."

Whoa! Where did that come from? "Um, thanks." I said, but had already gone back to his desk; I think I may have imagined him saying it.

I think this day will stay in my memory for many years to come, because this day was the first day I was ever asked to a ball.

Yes, my Prince had a note waiting for me on my pillow when I got to bed that night.

To my darling Rose

I would be honoured if you would accompany me to the masked ball on Saturday night.

If you wish to mean yes, then please wear something blue tomorrow.

I will be waiting.

Please make me happy.

Love, your Prince

AN

Thank you all for reading so far.

Any comments on how to make it better are much appreciated.

The next chapter will be up soon!

Thanks

SB