Rose ungracefully flopped down on the bench next to Scorpius at the Slytherin table. Her Ancient Runes teacher had held the class over by fifteen minutes because several people hadn't turned in their homework at the beginning of the period. It was an entirely unfair practice but used nonetheless.

"What's got your knickers in a twist?" he asked.

"I thought I told you that you shouldn't be concerned with my knickers," Rose said raising an eyebrow at him.

"I'm becoming more concerned every day."

Rose laughed loudly and poked him in the ribs. "Bloody Don Juan," Rose said as she buttered a steaming croissant and piled cold cuts onto it. "I think you are just being obnoxious because I've been resisting your advances all week."

"My advances?" he scoffed. "Have I told you that I fancied you like mad when we were in fifth year?" Rose shook her head causing her brown curls to swish around her face. Scorpius stilled. "It was you."

"What?"

"My Amortentia. It smelled like your hair…" He looked at her with wide eyes. Rose looked away and muttered something to her shoulder. "Pardon?"

"I said," she met his gaze with difficulty, "that mine smelled like you—like the cloves and cinnamon in your aftershave."

"Bloody hell," he said.

"Yeah."

"Don't you think that means something?"

"Of course it does, Scorpius," she said feeling her confidence swell in her chest. "I'm just not quite ready to explore what it is yet. I don't date boys who aren't my friends first. Besides, my family is important to me, and I need them to accept you for who you are."

"I know it sounds like some line, but I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. You calm me and make me believe that there's hope for me," he said quietly.

Rose laced her fingers with his. The rest of the people in the Great Hall faded away from her mind. "Of course there is," she replied steadily. "All you have to do is believe it."

"I talked to the Charms Professor yesterday about making up some work I skived off. She agreed with the condition that I also write a research paper for her to make up class participation portion of my grade, and I am going to speak with Professor Vector today after lunch."

"If I can help in any way, I will. I'm so proud of you for getting back on top of things," she said with a grin. "What career path are you trying for?"

"I want to be a Healer like my mum. I wrote to her earlier in the week about helping me find an internship and I received her reply last night. She said I'd have to drastically pull my grades up and achieve near perfect N.E.W.T.s to negate some awful marks from last term. She also said she wants to meet you when we go to Hogsmeade tomorrow."

Rose's smile brightened her whole face. "I am on the Healer path too, but I took Ancient Runes for my spare elective instead of Arithmancy. I would love to meet your mum. Maybe she could give me a few tips on applying for internships too?" Rose rambled excitedly. "Will your father be there?"

"He's working this weekend," Scorpius said with a shrug. "Mother usually works weekends as well, but she's got this one on-call. She suggested we meet her at Madam Puddinfoot's tea shop and I wrote back telling her that you wouldn't be caught dead in there and to meet us at The Three Broomsticks instead."

Rose rolled her eyes skyward. "I would have met her in that God-awful place. You didn't have to change plans for me."

Scorpius chuckled and released her hand from his. "Maybe your mum and dad could meet us tomorrow as well?" Scorpius said uncertainly. "I'd like to meet them… I think. "

"I'll write them during my free period after lunch," she said. They ate the rest of their meal in comfortable silence. Neither of them noticing the collective glare sent in their direction by a large portion of the older girls in Hogwarts.

Rose spent her free period researching for their potions project about Draught of the Living Death. They were to write specifically about the ingredient Aconite, and its origination as well as variations and the effects they had on the potion. It would not be a difficult project, but there was a wealth of information to sift through. She set aside four texts, two for herself and two for Scorpius to work through over the next couple days. They'd outlined the project during a free potions period on Wednesday and each were taking half the paper to write.

When she'd checked the books out, she returned to her desk near the window and got her parchment out to write to her mother. She hadn't heard from either of her parents since Albus had written to her father, and she hoped that it was a good sign that Aunt Ginny had stepped in upon receiving Rose's post.

Dear Mum,

I know dad received a letter from Albus. I don't know precisely what was in that letter, but I know that he alluded to me dating Scorpius Malfoy. The truth is that we are potions partners and we get along great outside of class. We have a lot in common and are growing into great friends. We aren't dating, but he and I have had a few discussions about the subject. We are meeting with his mum for lunch tomorrow at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade around noon. If you and dad are free, we would like for you to join us as well. Write back with your reply when you get this.

Love Always,

Rosie

She rolled the parchment up and sealed it with a spell before taking it straight to the Owlry.

Saturday morning was overcast and a little chilly, so Rose wore a thick jumper and brought her mittens and Ravenclaw scarf down to the Great Hall. She and Scorpius were planning on leaving just after breakfast so that they could scan the bookshop for a N.E.W.T. study guide and then work a little bit before lunch time.

She was early as usual to breakfast, so she plaited her hair while waiting for the meal to be served. It wasn't long before warm cinnamon buns and large bowls of hot cereal appeared on the table in front of her. Rose was surprised when Scorpius slid into the seat next to her only a moment later.

"You're early," she teased good-naturedly. It had been a while since she'd seen him early for anything without being coaxed.

"I'm a little nervous," he confessed. "Did you receive a reply from your mum and dad last night?"

"No, I haven't yet, but I am expecting one this morning," Rose said between bites. "I'm a little nervous too."

"My mum will like you just fine," he said reassuringly.

"It's my dad I'm worried about," Rose said. "He's normally very friendly and warm, but whenever someone mentions you or your dad, well…"

"Old grudges live long," Scorpius said. "My father isn't overly pleased either, but mum said he wasn't against my being friends with you."

Rose flushed deeply. Trying to keep her voice light, she asked, "And what about more?"

"I didn't bring it up. I wasn't sure exactly how you felt," Scorpius said as he poured milk into two glasses. "I don't think he'll have a problem, but if he does… We'll cross that bridge when it comes, okay? And first we've got to get past your father."

Rose groaned. Every time an owl swooped into Great Hall, Rose's heart leapt into her throat, but none of the owls had been her Great Horned Owl, Devony. "Calm down," Scorpius said lightly. "There is no sense in getting worked up over this."

"Easy for you to say," she muttered darkly. "Your parents seem to be behaving like rational adults."

Scorpius laughed and handed her a second roll off his plate. "Let's talk about something else."

"It looks like it's going to rain," Rose replied.

"I noticed that. We'll have to get to the Broomsticks early to get a seat big enough for five."

"I thought we were going to talk about something else?" Rose said and they both laughed anxiously. A large horned owl swooped down and landed on the table in front of her. Rose stared at Devony for a moment before hurridly reaching out and relieving her of her post. Scorpius broke a piece of his roll off and offered it to the owl. She nipped gently at his fingers for more icing and gave a soft hoot.

Rose broke the seal on the parchment as her bird took flight ruffling Scorpius' loose hair with the force of her wings. She scanned the parchment twice and then looked up, a small smile forming on her lips. "Mum says they'll be there at noon and she is looking forward to meeting you."

"What kind of joke are we? We'll be spending one of our last Hogsmeade weekends studying and meeting with our parents."

Rose laughed and bumped his shoulder with hers. "We're the smart ones, remember?" she said, her brown eyes twinkling gaily.

Half an hour later, they walked down the path to Hogsmeade side by side. Chatting about their goals for the school year and how Rose might help Scorpius make up work and achieve his. They talked animatedly about what it was about the profession of Healing that appealed to them and found that they had much in common. While Rose wanted to go into Spell Damage and Reversal, Scorpius was interested in being a family Healer more in the private sector. His mum's hectic schedule at the hospital had convinced him of this.

"I feel so much better having someone to talk to about all this," Scorpius said as the stopped outside the book shop. "Over the past week, I feel like I've gotten to know myself better." He swept back a lock of her hair that had escaped its confines then leaned over and brushed his lips across her cold-flushed cheek. "Thank you. Even if things don't work out the way we want, just know that you've made a huge difference in my life in the short week since we've been on speaking terms again."

Rose's eyes were locked on his and she could feel her heart pitter-pattering in her chest. She couldn't doubt the sincerity in his eyes or the feelings that were swelling inside of her. She was afraid that the dam would burst and release a torrent of emotion that she wasn't ready to confront quite yet. In that moment, she didn't know what would happen if her father and family continued to dislike Scorpius on principle. Was she willing to risk that relationship for this one? She wasn't sure, but the fact that she was considering it scared her. "Any time," she muttered looking away and breaking the connection.

He put a hand on the small of her back and led her into the shop. The bell tinkled over head and Rose turned immediately toward the academic section of the book store with Scorpius following closely. They looked for several minutes at the different texts contemplating the merits of each book. Rose finally settled on three books and took them to the cashier while Scorpius continued to browse.

"Which of these do you think would be best for total N.E.W.T. level review? We're on a tight schedule and need something broad, but thorough."

The shop keeper called his assistant from the back and Rose was surprised to learn that it was a boy from Ravenclaw who'd been a couple years ahead of her. "It's been so long since I've taken those tests," the older man said gruffly. "Michael, can you help this young lady out? She needs something thorough and fast paced."

"I'd have never thought you'd wait until last minute to study for N.E.W.T.s Rose," Michael Corner said with a grin. The shop keeper went around the corner to help another student who was looking for a replacement Potions text.

"I haven't," she said peevishly meeting the boy's dark, almond shaped eyes. "I'm just need a study guide to go over all the basics so that I make sure I'm not forgetting anything."

"I have lunch in an hour, what do you say to meeting me at the pub and we can catch up?" He smiled widely at her and Rose resisted the urge to vomit. He'd always been like this in school—a shameless flirt. When she was younger Rose had thought he was good looking but very arrogant. When he'd gotten to be a sixth yearn and made the Quidditch team, Corner had turned into a bit of a womanizer. He'd date one girl and snog another, and flirt with several more.

"I'm having lunch with someone already," she said shortly.

"Aw come on," he said. "We never went out while we were in school together."

Rose raised her eyebrow at him and glanced over his shoulder wishing that Scorpius would hurry up. "About the books, which do you think would be best for a short-time revision?"

Michael smiled slyly. "We can discuss it over lunch?"

Finally, Scorpius came from behind the bookcase and grinned at her, "I think this one might be really good, Rose." His smile faltered momentarily. Rose felt her stomach flip as Scorpius made his way to her side and put a proprietary arm around her. "Corner," Scorpius said coolly as he nodded his head in greeting.

"Malfoy," Corner sneered. His eyes settled on Rose and she felt herself shrink away slightly.

Rose took the book from Scorpius and tried to ignore the pissing match going on between the two males. Scorpius should know he'd won fair and square without trying, but she couldn't say so, so she leaned her weight against him. "I was just asking Michael which of these books would be best for short-term revision, since he's taken the N.E.W.T.s recently."

Reluctantly, Michael picked up each of the three books and looked through them with a critical eye. "I think this would be the most helpful for your core classes, but the other two are broader and cover all the subjects equally."

"What do you think, Scorpius?" Rose asked tilting her face up to his.

"I think the N.E.W.T.s for Trolls is out. It seems a little too broad and the title is just plain insulting to your intelligence," Scorpius replied with an almost seductive smirk while doing his best to ignore Michael Corner completely.

Rose nodded. It took her a moment to take her eyes away from his mouth and bring her attention ack to the topic at hand. "We'll take Preparation for the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test: The Abbreviated Edition," she turned under Scorpius arm and realized that all of her front was pressed against his side. "Did you want this one too?" she motioned to the lime green book she was still holding.

"Yes, it focuses mostly on Charms, Potions and Herbology. My mum said that those are the three scores that they weigh the most heavily when choosing interns and students for the Healing Academy."

"We'll have to adjust my revising schedule," Rose said as Scorpius set a few coins on the countertop to pay. "Ravenclaw and Slytherin are playing for the Quidditch cup next Saturday, so we'll have plenty of time once Quidditch is over. Of course, we'll still have to go around my Head Girl duties," Rose prattled as Scorpius steered her out of the store. She failed to notice the dark look he sent over his shoulder at the Asian boy working in the shop.

They made a quick stop-off at Honeydukes where Scorpius purchased a box of chocolate covered honeycomb and Rose replenished her stock of sugar quills and chocolate frogs before heading to the Three Broomsticks. It was still well before lunchtime, but the crowd was growing quickly. Scorpius stood on his tip-toes and scanned looking for a table. "Back in the corner," he said loudly over the din of the pub. "There's booth that will work out perfectly."

Once seated, the pair ordered Butterbeer and an appetizer of onion rings. Rose pulled a quill and timetable out of her rucksack. She studied it carefully, "I think that until next week, after Ravenclaw annihilates Slytherin in the Quidditch cup, we'll have to do most of our revising on our own. I can rearrange my patrol duties to nights after my Quidditch practice, and that would free up two nights, but you have Quidditch on one of those nights." She bit her lip as she studied the parchment intently waving her wand. She didn't even notice when a large tankard of Butterbeer was placed on the table in front of her. Scorpius muttered approval and drug things back and forth across the parchment by wandtip.

Finally, when she was satisfied, Rose pushed the parchment over so that it was more fully in front of Scorpius for him to inspect. "You're brilliant," he said flashing a grin in her direction.

"We'll have more blocks freed up when Quidditch ends, of course, and I've scheduled in a couple hours of free time around all our other schoolwork," she said swishing her wand at the parchment so the blocks flipped around and were renamed. He was beaming at her and she felt her insides squirming uncomfortably. Rose caught a flash of red hair in the crowd and focused instead on her brother dragging her cousin Lily through the crowd toward their table. "Mind if we sit here? Everywhere else is filled up," Hugo said as he flopped down

Rose glanced around and noticed that while she'd been concentrating, the pub had indeed become rather busy.

"If you wanted to be alone," Lily said slyly, "You should have chosen a table without so many extra seats."

For the first time, Rose and Scorpius seemed to become aware of how close they were sitting. They were pressed together from thigh to shoulder and had been muttering back and forth with their heads bent over the piece of parchment. Scorpius scooted his hip over a few centimeters and Rose blushed.

"We were working on a revising timetable."

"Swotty Ravenclaw," Hugo said affectionately.

Rose ignored him as she checked her watch. "We're actually sitting at such a big table because Mum and Dad are meeting us in about twenty minutes, along with Mrs. Malfoy."

"Our parents?" Hugo said glancing toward Scorpius.

"No, the Pope's," Rose said rolling her eyes.

"Doing this thing proper, eh Malfoy?" Hugo said teasingly.

And for all the rotten things Albus had been saying to her, she was eternally grateful for her brother's attitude toward Scorpius. And Lily's too, for that matter. Neither had made a snide remark about him as of yet, though Lily was giving him odd starry-eyed glances. "Well, there are only six seats, and you two would make seven," Rose said apologetically. "I hate for you to miss the show, but you should order your food and watch for your own table."

"Oh Merlin, here comes Potter," Scorpius said under his breath.

Lily Potter's eyes flashed dangerously as she spotted her brother swaggering in their direction. "Mum told me what he did. He's a complete berk! You'd think he was jealous of you spending your time with someone other than him or something." Rose and Scorpius both cringed and Hugo laughed.

When Albus stopped next to the table and testily demanded that Lily budge over to make room for him, Rose almost laughed. He looked like a sulking three-year old. Lily glared at him, but didn't move. "You aren't wanted here."

"Mum cuffed my ears outside of Quality Quidditch Supplies an hour ago and demanded that I make up with Rose, so if you don't budge your skinny arse over, I am going to sit on you," Albus said crossly.

"That sounds like a convincing apology," Scorpius drawled his bored mask slipping into place. Rose had completely forgotten that less than a week ago, this was the face he looked at her with. He was cool and aloof. She was glad to be passed it.

"I don't know what you see in him, Rose. He's a complete nancy-boy," Albus said heatedly looking back and forth between them. "He wears a sodding earring for Merlin's sake!"

Rose blew out a sigh. "Look, if you came to apologize, fine. Get on with it and leave us alone. I'm tired of you insulting me and my friend just because you think you're God's gift to wizarding kind. You're one step above a Troll, Albus." Besides, the earring was kind of growing on her.

"Barely," Scorpius muttered under his breath.

They paused as the barmaid brought food for Lily and Hugo. They thanked her politely and went back to watching the byplay intently.

"I am sick and tired of you acting like an overgrown child and carrying around a years-old grudge that isn't even yours to carry. And while we're on the subject of things I am tired of," Rose said hotly, "I am tired of you publicly humiliating me in front of all your friends. It's a piss-poor thing to do to the girl who's been your best friend since you were in nappies!"

"Oh God!" Albus moaned clapping his hands over his ears and banging his head down on the table loudly. "You sound like my mum!"

But Rose wasn't through yet. "Just because you were put into Gryffindor where nearly every Weasley and Potter has ever been and you have friends and family galore, doesn't give you a right to ridicule me because I work hard for what I get. I was thrust into a House where I knew nobody, Albus, nobody. I was alone, and I've remained that way because half the time I can't figure out if people are using me because I am part of the Weasley family or they just want to copy off my homework. Now that I've made a friend who I like, trust and have loads in common with, I don't what you to go and fuck it up!"

Rose looked around and noticed that her brother had his mouth hanging open because she'd cursed, Lily was smiling smugly and Scorpius was looking at her like she was his dream come true. Albus, on the other hand, still had his head on the table. She heard someone clapping and looked up to see a woman dressed in a sky blue turtleneck and khaki slacks moving gracefully toward her.