Chapter 6: Masquerade Night

Halloween. All the students were ecstatic except the first, second and third years. They weren't allowed to participate in the Halloween night activities. Other than that, everyone else was happy except for Rose Weasley and Scorpius Malfoy.

Scorpius was in the Slytherin common room with Idris, Claudette and Sanura. They all decided to dress in pure black dress robes and dresses. Scorpius sat on the sofa, staring into the fire as he held his mask in his hands.

Claudette squealed happily as she examined herself in the mirror. "Most people look horrible in lace but I look good!"

"Yeah, yeah." Sanura rolled her eyes and leaned against an arm chair. Claudette looked back at her and glared.

Sanura looked back at her and raised an eyebrow. "The ball isn't for another…"

She checked the grand clock near the bookcase.

"Seven hours."

"I can't wait though." Claudette sighed, looking back into the mirror. "Maybe I'll meet my prince charming."

Idris groaned in agitation. "Nobody cares Claudette."

Claudette turned to him. "You're just being sour because Rose likes Scorpius and not you. Get over it man, there are plenty of other fish in the sea."

"You've never had a boyfriend so you can't talk." Idris glared. "You only dated Scorpius for a month during on summer but then Sanura ruined it for you by forcefully kissing him, do you remember that Claude?"

Scorpius looked at Idris. "You decide to bring that up now?"

Idris just shrugged and sat down at the wizarding chess table. Claudette looked away quickly when her gaze shifted to Scorpius. Sanura smirked to herself happily. Scorpius sighed and stood up. He walked out of the common room and headed towards the Heads' common room.

When he reached the portrait, he found Sir Calhoun was not present. He looked around irritably at the other portraits. They all stared at him silently.

"Have any of you seen Sir Calhoun?" He asked calmly.

They all continued to stare at him then looked at Sir Calhoun's frame. Scorpius knocked on the wall.

"Weasley." He glared impatiently. "She must've dismissed Sir Calhoun."

Suddenly and unexpectedly, a man in the portrait appeared but it is not Sir Calhoun. "Hello ole chap!" Scorpius jumped away, being startled by the sound of his voice. "Who the hell….what the heck are you? Where is Sir Calhoun?"

"He's off today, so Miss Weasley, lovely woman I must say, let me being in charge," the man stated matter of factly. Scorpius rolled his eyes impatiently.

"So, how do I get in?"

The man smirked warmly and did a little skip and hop. He hummed happily to himself. "To get in the Heads' commons you'll need to…"

"Need to what?" Scorpius asked impatiently.

The man smirked as he pulled out a flask and gulped down some rum. His laughter cackled loudly. Scorpius glared clenching his fists.

"What's the BLOODY SODDING password?" He shouted so loudly all the portraits jumped and hid in fear. The man sat up and looked at Scorpius.

"You must…remove…" The man started.

"For Christ's sake, hurry it up old man!"

"Remove all of your clothes!" The man shouted with enthusiasm and laughter and fell over. Scorpius turned bright red and glared furiously.

"WHAT?!"

The man sat up again, grinning. "That's the rule mister."

"This is ridiculous!" Scorpius looked around furiously. "I am going to kill Weasley; how could she do this to me…I'll report her to Headmistress McGonagall. She's plotting to exploit me and…well some girls have already seen it."

The man yawns with boredom. "Done talking to yourself lad?"

"Please let me in," beckoned Scorpius. "I am the Head Boy, I have authority over this portion of the building!"

The man pondered to himself. He put a finger to his chin as he was in deep though. "Alright…I've come to a decision…no!"

The man cackled with laughter once again. Scorpius fumed silently. "You're the most annoying portrait in this castle! You're worst than that mother with that crying baby near the Gryffindor entrance. Sod off and let me in!"

"No." The man said in a serious tone. Scorpius looked around to make sure no one was near. He glared at all of the portraits surrounding him. "Tell anyone about this and I shall burn every one of your down to crisps."

He started removing all of his clothing except his boxers. "There, now let me in."

The wall moved aside and Scorpius walked in silently. Lily stepped out of Rose's bedroom. She paused when her eyes landed on Scorpius. He paused and looked at her casually.

"Like what you see Potter?" He grinned with that crooked grin. Lily shook her head nervously.

"Oh god why am I standing here," she muttered to herself. She looked down, shielding her eyes as she ran out of the Heads' commons. She found his clothes on the floor and tossed it into the common room. Scorpius caught them swiftly with one hand and disappeared into his bedroom.

Later on that day, it was an hour before the ball and the musical band was setting up in the Great Hall. Headmistress McGonagall was standing in front the doors, making sure everything was in order.

"I haven't been this excited since the Yule Ball," she said happily to Filch. He nodded in agreement and petted Mrs. Norris, who apparently was still alive. [A/N: LOL!]

Rose arrived in front the entrance. She wore a white gown that had black lace flowers adorned on it. The dress was strapless and flared out perfectly around her waist and legs as it lightly touched the floor. Her mask was a light gold color that just covered around her eyes. Her hair was pulled back and cascaded down her back in thick, soft curly locks. Her lipstick was a light shade of pink and red. She smiled at Headmistress McGonagall and Filch.

"Well don't you look gorgeous? Who may you be?" McGonagall asked politely. Rose simply smiled. "A brave lioness."

Music started to erupt from the Great Hall. Soon students came flooding down the corridor. Everyone was chattering with one another, dancing and eating the food. Hugo found miniature sausages and started scoffing them down quickly. Rose looked over at him and laughed.

"Hungry much?" She asked him quietly.

Hugo turned and looked at her. "Rose?"

"Shh…" She whispered and smiled. "Can't reveal yourself until eleven o'clock."

Scorpius entered the Great Hall, wearing the Phantom of the Opera mask. All of the females looked at him, staring with small smiles on their faces. A girl nudged Sanura gently.

"That must be Scorpius," the girl said as Sanura walked over.

She smiled as she walked along beside Scorpius. "You look really handsome tonight."

Scorpius nodded and walked away. Sanura stood there fuming and walked away; making sure no one witnessed the situation between her and Scorpius. Rose filled her cup with fruit punch and walked off, passing Scorpius. Scorpius paused as he caught her scent. His eyes followed her as he watched her attentively. A few guys approached her but she kept turning them down. She sipped her punch happily and sat down at a table. Scorpius walked over slowly as a slow song started to play. [A/N: I know just at the right moment, the slow song comes on.] He held out his hand and grinned. She looked up at him and smiled. Scorpius smiled back. "May I have this dance?" Rose nodded and took his hand. He led her to the dance floor. He put his hand upon her waist and held her hand as she blushed and looked down.

"I'm not a good dancer," she said glancing up at him, watching her feet as well.

Scorpius grinned. "That's fine by me." He hoisted her up so she could stand on his feet. She smiled and they danced slowly throughout the night. A few girls staring in awe at the sweet couple dancing. Sanura watched, drinking her punch quickly and then stormed out of the Great Hall.

The song soon ended and Rose had her head laid on his shoulder. He slowly put her down; making sure her feet touched the floor again. She looked up at him and smiled more.

"Who are you? You're not like most guys here." She stared up at him, his eyes keeping her in place.

"I'm just a guy." He stated, grinning. "But what about you, I'm sure we haven't met before."

Rose laughed softly. "I doubt it."

Rose's POV

This world makes strange but extraordinary things happen. I thought this night I'd just be a very disappointed hostess but it turned out to be the exact opposite. Just one moment, one little dance and I think I found someone who is adorably sweet, caring and respectful. I still have feelings for Scorpius but this guy is nothing like him. Can this night be anymore perfect?

I cannot wait until eleven o'clock. I am highly anxious about the identity of this prince charming. Though, he does seem oddly familiar. I swear I've heard his voice somewhere and his arms, they also feel…familiar. Why am I being a pest? I'll just enjoy this night with no regrets.

Scorpius' POV

The best thing about this masquerade ball is that I can be myself without being myself. I thought it'd be like all the other social events I've been to. I stand there while a crowd of girls gawk at me like I'm the greatest man in the universe. But no one knows who I am, which is great. It gives me a chance to act normal without being normal, if you catch my drift. Sanura almost ruined the night for me though. But I got away from as fast I could.

Then after I met her. This one girl, she stood out from all the rest. She was the only female bold enough to wear white and black. She looked so elegant, mature and beautiful. It's hard to believe a girl like her even went to our school. I thought I captured every beauty in this place, aside from Rose Weasley of course. I definitely screwed up with her. She definitely wasn't going to speak to me again either. But this one girl. One woman, to be exact. She changed everything. I had to know her. I had to dance with her. Maybe, just maybe, at eleven o'clock all of that will change. I have to know who she is.

Author's Note: I know. I should continue this chapter but I felt this was the perfect way to end this chapter. Keep an eye out for Chapter 7. :D