Albus remained unmoving on the grass as the team landed, huddling around him. The referee shot into the air, blowing the whistle furiously at the two Ravenclaw Beaters. Rose hadn't seen which one of them had sent the Bludger, but it looked like both of them were being reprimanded for it.

Rose hurried down from the stands and onto the field, followed closely by the twins. Cameron had already levitated Albus, who was out cold.

"We'll take him up to Madam Chang's," said Cameron, a wide grin stretched across his face. "She'll wake him right up."

The rest of the team accompanied them, all laughing and retelling the moment Albus had shown the referee that he had caught the Snitch.

"He's fine," said Lysander as Rose wrung her hands. "This sort of thing happens all the time. I'm surprised she doesn't just come down to the games and fix people up there."

"I heard she hates Quidditch," said Lorcan knowingly.

Lysander shot Rose a look that said clearly that he understood where Madam Chang was coming from. Rose couldn't argue- while the game had been exciting, and she was thrilled that Albus had won it for the team, she would've been much happier had he not been unconscious at that moment.

Madam Chang gasped upon seeing Albus. "Oh my!" she said, one hand fluttering over her mouth. "What happened to the boy?"

Rose sat on and unoccupied bed as Albus was placed on another. While Madam Chang leaned over Albus, the doors opened again. Professor McGonagall entered, her expression a mixture of displeasure and smug satisfaction.

"Congratulations to all of you," she said to the team. "Madam Chang, how is Mister Potter?"

At that moment, Albus gasped loudly and bolted upright in his bed. Everyone chuckled as he looked around, clearly confused.

"We won," said Cameron, clapping Albus on the back. "You did it, Al!"

"You took a Bludger to the back of the head, Mister Potter," said Professor McGonagall, her lips pursed. "Neither of the Ravenclaw Beaters would like to own up to hitting it at you after the whistle had been blown, so both will be punished accordingly."

A loud bang came from outside the door. Everyone turned and stared as James waltzed in, sticking his wand in his pocket.

"Hello Professor," he said to Professor McGonagall before hurrying to his brother's bed. "Al, I just got out of Randor's- we won?!"

"We won," said Albus weakly, touching the back of his head and wincing.

"Bludger," explained Cameron. "Looks like Knepper and Dennix are out of their last game."

James' jaw dropped, and he looked between Cameron and Albus in disbelief.

"Both of them?"

"Both of them," said Professor McGonagall, a small smile twitching at her lips. "What was that commotion in the corridor, Mister Potter?"

James smiled mischievously. "Ah, just a bit of unfinished business. So if they're both out, Hufflepuff is sure to win!"

Suspicious, Rose looked to the open door. At the very bottom, she caught sight of a white blonde snatch of hair.

"James Sirius Potter!" she cried, popping off of the bed. "You did not!"

Opening the door all the way, Rose revealed Scorpius, frozen and flat on his back.

"Scorpius," she said quietly, and kneeling by his side. "Can you hear me?"

Professor McGonagall came to stand by Roses side. "Did - Mister Potter -" Stopping her sentence with a huff, she flicked her wand at Scorpius' rigid body. He jerked sharply, then sat up, whipping his head around.

"It's okay, Scorpius," said Rose gently. "It was just James up to his old tricks. Are you all right?"

"You two, inside," ordered Professor McGonagall before Scorpius could respond. "And Mister Potter, to my office. Now!"

James shrugged and gave Scorpius a dirty look before following Professor McGonagall's sharp steps down the hall.

"What happened?" asked Rose.

"He came out of nowhere. I told him I didn't want to start a row, and next thing I knew, I was flat on my back."

Rose was saddened to realize that Scorpius looked ashamed. "You did the right thing, you know," she said as they reentered the hospital wing. "Not fighting with James, I mean."

Scorpius shrugged again. "Sure. Keep your head down, don't pick fights. That's me."

Albus had covered his face with his hands and was groaning. Rose caught a few words and pieced together that he was less than please with his brother's antics.

The rest of the team made their way out of the Hospital Wing, telling Albus that they needed to go set up the victory celebration. However, Madam Chang informed Albus that he was to spend a few more hours in the Hospital Wing so she could monitor him for further symptoms.

"But the party!" he groaned.

"There will be other parties," said Madam Chang firmly. "Get some rest, now. Perhaps you can leave later today."

As soon as she returned to her office, Albus swung his legs off the bed.

"Albus, where do you think you're going?" asked Rose, alarmed.

"The party, of course! C'mon."

He ignored all of Rose's protestations and strode from the room, swinging his arms as if to prove his good health. After a moment, Rose followed with Scorpius.

"You boys," she sighed, shaking her head as Scorpius grinned. "If you pass out again, I am not responsible."

"I won't pass out" said Albus. "I'm as good as new. Better, really."

Reached the staircase, Scorpius said, "And this is where I leave you." He executed a mocking bow. "I must return to the dungeons."

"Ah, land of the noble and mighty Slytherins." said Albus. "Have fun watching them mock me."

"Only if you enjoy watching James reenact our anti-climactic duel."

The Gryffindor common room was already riotous when the two returned. There was an uproar when Albus slid through the portrait hole. Rose soon saw him atop the shoulders of two seventh years, looking like a newly-crowned prince. Grabbing a pastry from a nearby platter, she claimed one of the more comfortable chairs and watched as the students demanded that Albus retell the story of how they had won.

"It was easy, really," he said, sounding much more like boisterous James than his normal reserved self. "I realized after a while that everyone had forgotten about me. They thought that when I saw the Snitch, I would do something really obvious, like diving for it. So when I saw it, I just...moved really slowly. Their Seeker was at the other end of the pitch, and everyone was distracted by the Beaters-"

"Oi!" cried Cameron enthusiastically, raising his fist into the air. He seemed quite proud of how his little argument with the Ravenclaw Beaters had turned out.

"So I just reached out and grabbed it. It didn't even try to fly away, it was just hovering there."

Sometime over the following hour, James returned with a basket overflowing with food. He tossed it into the swarm of people who reached for it. Meeting Roses eyes, he tapped his pocket, where the corner of a piece of parchment was barely visible.

Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs had served them well again. Rose was happy that James had not gotten the map taken away – it could prove useful in the future. Still, she was furious that he had attacked Scorpius with absolutely no provocation. Their feud had lasted long enough.

Louis plopped down next to Rose as James disappeared into the mass of people. His eyes were glazed over, and he sighed deeply, letting his entire chest deflate with the action.

"You look like a wreck," said Rose honestly. "What's the matter?"

Louis combed through his hair absently. "Nothing," he said, speaking slowly and carefully. "Just stressed. Looks like Baby Al did great."

She wouldn't let him distract her so easily. "Stress? With what?"

"School. Schoolwork. My O.W.L.s are coming up."

The Ordinary Wizarding Levels had most of the fifth years in the same state as Louis, Rose had noticed. They were a breeze compared to the N.E.W.T.s, or it the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests, which students took their seventh year.

"I'll brew up something to perk you right up," said Rose, thinking through her beginners' potions book. "How about an Energizing Elixir? Would a bit more energy help?"

Nodding slowly, Louis looked like he was trying to smile, but his mouth would not make the motion.

"I'll brew one up for you tomorrow," she said. It was Saturday, so she would have no classes to worry about the next day. "You should go to bed early tonight, get some rest."

The smile finally appeared. "I'm meeting Arianna to study, actually," he said. "She's determined to get my mind in shape for these tests."

"So you'll need the potion," replied Rose. "Just don't take too much at once or you won't be able to sleep."

Stretching, Louis said, "Thank you, Rosie. I'm off for now to get some of that food James nicked. You want any?"

"No, thank you."

The day wore into the night. Rose eventually tuned out the partying and began studying for her Charms final. They had just gone over Freezing Charms, with the main target being the Adarna Professor Evariste had released upon the school.

The next day, Rose let herself sleep in for an extra hour before rising to examine her Potions textbook. The page she was looking for was already bookmarked as a potion she wanted to try.

The ingredient list, however, posed a challenge. It required a scoop of black beetle eyes, was Rose had just run out of. Rose briefly considered going to Slughorn's office, but then she remembered how he had fallen into the habit of reminding her of Lily's antics at the beginning of the year. Suddenly, a recent conversation with Deasia popped into her head, and Rose smiled. It was time to visit Enchanting Enhancements.

The room was radically different than last time Rose had been in there. Panels of velvet in deep reds and blues were hanging from the ceiling, blocking out the natural light. Candles floated near the ceiling, reminding Rose of the Great Hall.

Mindel was standing by the entrance. "Welcome to Enchanting Enhancements," she said automatically. "I am - Rose!"

"Hello, Mindel." said Rose, smiling at the bubbly girl. "I was wondering if you had any black beetle eyes. I need them for a potion."

"You have to go and visit Riss," said Mindel with a sparkling clear grin. She gestured to where the toilet stalls once stood openly. It was now curtained section under a sign reading Potions.

Rose approached it with caution, remembering the unfriendly Riss from her initial visit. She pulled back the curtains and stepped into a separate candlelit section nervously.

"Hello, Rose," said a voice from the shadows. "I knew you'd be back."

"Hello, Riss," said Rose to the room, still unable to see where Riss stood. "Do you have black beetle eyes for sale?"

A hand appeared from the darkness and held up one finger. "Hush. Listen, there he is now."

Rose heard a familiar voice from beyond the curtains. Curious, she drew one back a tad and peeked out.

Louis strolled up to the main counter, which stood where the sinks used to be. He dropped a velvet bag on the table and nudged it towards Deasia with his wand.

"Good morning, Mister Weasley," said Deasia pleasantly. "Might assume I am getting you your usual selection?"

"Please," said Louis. He ran his fingers through his hair, ruffling it.

Deasia began humming as she looked through an assortment of jars and tins. "Ah," she said, opening a jar, "here we are."

Using her hands, she began to scoop the contents of the jar into an empty velvet bag. Once the bag was full, she pulled the drawstring closed and placed it in front of Louis.

"Do I need to go over the limitations and risks with you once more?" she asked playfully.

"Nah, I'm good," said Louis. "Thanks. Gotta run, seeing Arianna."

"Tell her I say hello!" said Deasia with a sweet smile.

Louis, the full bag in his pocket, waved at one of the other girls and left.

"I didn't know he was a customer here," said Rose, turning. Riss was leaning against one of the stall doors, holding a small silk bag.

"You wouldn't expect to see most people here," said Riss darkly, "yet here we are. I have your beetle eyes."

"Thanks," said Rose, a bit unnerved. "How much do I owe you?"

"I don't handle the money," said Riss. "Mindel will take care of that. Enjoy."

Mindel was waiting just beyond the curtains. "I hope you found everything you needed?"

"Yes," said Rose, "I did, do you -"

"Rose!" cried Deasia of from behind the counter. "Oh, Rose, I haven't seen you in ages! Come over here!"

Rose approached the counter. "Hi," she said, suddenly shy. "How are you?"

Deasia grinned. "I've been great!" she said. "Just waiting to hear more about the exhibition. Oh, I do hope that it's not cancelled, we've all been working far too hard."

"I agree," said Rose.

"My mum sent me this," said Deasia, sticking out her hand. Rose took her hand lightly in her own, examining the shining silver ring that twisted around two of her fingers. It was in the unmistakable form of a dragon.

"That's beautiful," said Rose.

"Thank you! It's-"

"Get her money and let her go!" called Riss from behind the curtain.

Rose released Deasia's hand, and Deasia rolled her eyes. "Yes, Riss," she called back dutifully. "Now, what'll you be getting today?"

"Black beetle eyes."

Deasia took the pouch and placed it on a small set of scales.

"Seven knuts," she said.

Rose handed over the money and took the pouch back from Deasia.

"See you soon!" chirped Deasia.

"Soon," said Rose. "Thanks, Mindel."

The other girl waved as Rose left the converted bathroom.

Rose thought about Louis on the way back to the common room. He appeared to be a regular customer of Enchanting Enhancements. It shouldn't have come as such a shock- after all, Rose had gone to purchase potions ingredients, and Louis had his O.W.L.s coming up. This was certainly more convenient than writing to her mother for more ingredients, and even though Louis was old enough to go to Hogsmeade, those trips were only once every two months.

When she returned to her dormitory, she was shocked to find it empty. She had grown used to the other girls sleeping in much longer than herself, especially on the weekends. Rose was grateful for the silence as she arranged the rest of the potion's ingredients and began to work. That is, she was grateful for the silence until an unwelcome thought slid into her head.

If Louis had been picking up ingredients for a potion, then why hadn't he been in the Potions section with Rose?

As she continued to work on the potion, her hands began to prickle. With a groan, Rose examined the skin, which had begun to turn red. Two minutes later, she had a spattering of small bumps on her fingers and part of her palms.

"I am sick and tired of this," she grumbled, digging in her trunk until she found the lotion Madam Chang had given to her. She slathered some on both of her hands, rubbing it halfway up her forearms just to be safe. Glaring at the assorted ingredients she had been handling, she found her dragonskin gloves and grudgingly put them on.