A/N: This chapter is dedicated to anavihs, who begged and pleaded for me to post it. :)

However, the next chapter is going to be quite large, and I haven't even started writing it, so it may take me a few days to get it posted. Just so you're all aware.

Chapter 3: The Proposition

Sixth Year, April 3

"Rosie, you have to go!"

Scorpius had just arrived at his usual place in the library—behind a bookshelf very near Rose, when he heard a harsh whisper coming from their table.

"No, Albus, I don't," she answered in a dull voice.

Scorpius peeked through the books and saw Rose and her cousin sitting across from each other. Rose, as usual, had her nose stuck in a book. Albus, sitting forward in his chair, had reached over to lower the book from her face.

"You're the oldest child of two thirds of the reason that the war was won! You have to go!"

Ah, Scorpius understood now. Every five years on May 2, there was a ball at Hogwarts to commemorate the victory over Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Only the fifth years and above were invited, so this was the first time that the current group of sixth years would be allowed to attend.

Rose glared at her cousin. "There were more than three people that fought in the war, Albus. Neville, Luna, the Finnigans, our entire family—"

"You know what I mean," Albus seethed, leaning back into his seat and folding his arms. "Imagine what your parents would say if you didn't show up!"

Rose raised the book back up to her face. "My mother would understand that I need to study."

Albus, clearly frustrated, swiftly reached over the desk and lowered the book again. "All you do is study, Rose! You probably read every bloody book in this library! You already know everything!"

Rose released her book from Albus' grasp, shut it, and then slammed it on the table. Scorpius was shocked. He knew that she was much more candid when speaking with Albus, but he had never seen her so forceful with him before. "I am not going," she annunciated each word, making sure there was no mistake.

Albus leaned back into his chair and crossed his arms again like a scolded child. After a moment, however, his eyes widened, as if an idea suddenly appeared. He leaned towards Rose and whispered, "Is this about-"

"This isn't about anyone or anything!" Rose nearly shouted. She quickly lowered her head in embarrassment. She glanced around the library to make sure no unwanted attention was suddenly upon her, and then gave her cousin a pleading gaze. "Will you please just drop it?"

"Whatever, Rose," Albus said, standing up. "You're going to regret not going, especially when your dad asks where you were." With that, he walked away.

Scorpius covered his head with his cloak as Al passed the bookshelf he was hidden behind. When he was sure that his friend was gone, he lowered his cloak and looked through the gap in the books. He saw Rose, eyes closed, take a deep breath. After a few seconds she shook her head, then opened her eyes, flipped her book open, and continued reading.

Scorpius leaned back against the shelf behind him. He hadn't really thought too much about the upcoming ball, and was now contemplating on what he was going to do. Albus hadn't kept quiet about the number of girls who asked about the young blonde, so Scorpius was aware of how easily he could obtain a date. His heart sank, though, when he thought about not being there with Rose. He knew he wouldn't be happy or be able to enjoy himself at all unless there was a certain beautiful redhead on his arm that evening.

Mind made up, he took a deep breath, steeling himself. All right, Malfoy, Gryffindor courage, Gryffindor courage…

Scorpius stepped out from behind the bookshelf, walked over to the table, and sat down. Rose's eyes grew wide and her brow furrowed when she realized who was sitting across from her.

"Good evening, Rose," he greeted gently.

Rose gave Scorpius a slight nod, the puzzled look never leaving her face.

After a moment of staring at her, Scorpius realized he was completely at a loss for words. Maybe I should have thought about what I was going to say before coming over here… He looked around the library, trying to find something, anything to talk about, when his eyes landed on the book that hid half of Rose's face. "What are you reading?"

"Standard Book of Spells," Rose answered shortly.

"Charming," Scorpius replied, smiling at his stupid joke. He noticed Rose's eyes squint a little, signifying to him that a small grin was hiding somewhere behind that book.

She laid the Charms manual down. Success! "Was there something I could help you with, Scorpius?"

Scorpius sat up straighter, and nervously clasped his hands together. This is it! Don't mess this up! You're a Malfoy—smooth, suave, confident. "Rose," he began, his voice cracking. Real suave, Casanova… He tried again. "Rose, I was… well the… you see, the V-Victory Ball is coming up and…" He glanced up at Rose half way through his botched proposition. What he expected to see was a young woman, turning red with embarrassment and fidgeting in discomfort. What he saw was nearly the complete opposite. Rose's face had turned red, but for an entirely different reason.

"Did… did Albus…" she began, her voice quiet and tight, her eyes nearly bugging out of her head in anger. "I can't believe… that little git! I swear to Merlin I'm going to-"

Scorpius put his hands out in front of him quickly. "Rose, stop!" She looked like she was about to jump out of her chair, find her cousin, and maim him beyond repair. Scorpius needed to continue quickly before his act of bravery resulted in his best friend meeting his maker. "Albus didn't send me. I came of my own volition."

Rose froze. Her red face quickly paled. Her eyes stared unblinkingly at him for a moment before she looked down at the table, then around the library, down at her hands, at the other students, anywhere but at Scorpius.

"Oh! I… I…" she sputtered, hastily moving her shaky hands to straighten the utensils around her, which resulted in her knocking a stack of scrolls off the table and upsetting her ink well.

Before she could continue to destroy her supplies, Scorpius laid each of his hands on each of hers. Rose quickly glanced down at their hands before slowly raising her wide eyes to meet his.

"I want to go to the ball with you," he told her calmly. Rose bowed her head, letting her hair veil her face. Scorpius leaned forward and lowered his head, trying to find her eyes again, but was only met with red locks. He sat back up. "You don't have to answer now. In fact, I'd prefer if you didn't, because I probably wouldn't like your answer," he chuckled lightly. Rose didn't move a muscle. The young Malfoy took a breath to strengthen his resolve before continuing. "I know the ball isn't your idea of an enjoyable evening, but I have to ask, because I can't imagine myself going with anyone but you."

Rose's breath sped up, indicated by the hair in front of her mouth moving in and out rapidly.
Scorpius released her hands, which she pulled against her body and put into her lap.

He leaned back and examined her curtained form. Scorpius knew as soon as he thought of the idea that this wouldn't be easy. Asking her about a charms question? Hardly a problem. See if he could copy her notes? Not a qualm. But ask a painfully shy Rose to dress up and willingly be seen by others? It was like teaching a Mandrake to sing. But when he remembered last year- the way her smile reached her eyes as he approached her and her light laughter when he would say something silly- he knew that some things, or someone, rather, were worth fighting for.

He stood up from the table and pushed in his chair. "I'm going to be outside the Ravenclaw common room at 7:30 on May 2 in case you decide that you want to come with me. If you don't show up, I'll go straight back to Gryffindor Tower, settle by the fire with a book, and we'll never speak of this again." He turned around to walk away, but before he could get too far, he turned back to the young woman. "Rose?" Rose lifted her head just slightly, letting Scorpius know that she could see him through her strands. "I really want to go to the ball."

And with that, he left a very flustered Rose in his wake.