Star-Crossed Rivals

Rose and Scorpius were destined to hate each other. She was a Weasley, he was a Malfoy. Children of the longest-rivalling families in the Wizarding World. And when they're both at Hogwarts, it's bound to lead to chaos. Right? Definitely. And when both are sorted into their family houses, it's the same old story - Gryffindor vs Slytherin. But with Rose and Scorpius involved, things can never be so normal.

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters. If I did, I would be rich and famous and blonde, meeting famous people. But sadly, it wasn't to be.

UNDERLANDERfromtheOVERLAND – we'll just have to wait and see, won't we ;) you're alright at predicting....

Soccergirl0809 – thanks. I didn't think you guys would, because it's not as full as my other chapters?

UltimateMizzim – that's so nice :) you have no idea how much that means to me.

AN: This is a short one too ;/ They'll be short for a while, my apologies. But seeing as it's May Day Weekend (=D), I will be updating one a day to celebrate :)

Hope you enjoy, READ AND REVIEW! :D 3

Chapter Eleven: Escaping From The Savages

(Rose POV)

I ran as fast as I possibly could, though it wasn't easy in the heels I was wearing. I had no idea how Annabel could do it. She always teasingly called me a wuss. My heels were three inch, hers four – and yet she could still run in them like she was wearing trainers. Me, on the other hand? I struggled quite a bit.

I pulled the deathly heels off my feet and ran in my stockinged feet. There was sharp pain in my feet as they connected with the hard floor, but I didn't care. I had to get out of here as fast as I possibly could. I had to go somewhere the boys wouldn't follow me.

The library.

The library was my sanctuary. I didn't come here after every fight I had with Malfoy – no, I went to the tree by the Black Lake for that – but I came here whenever I felt down. So basically, whenever my friends were on dates and I was alone – or Malfoy had said something that had really gotten to me.

I hadn't seen him as much this year. I'd caught the odd glimpse of him, we shared loads of classes after all, but I hadn't fought with him since the encounter on the train. Merlin. Had I actually gone mental?! I wanted to get in a fight with Malfoy?! Seriously? I needed to get to the library now.

There was something that cheered me up about the library. I just loved the smell of parchment. I loved the feeling when I left the library carrying ten or more books for what I called 'light reading'. It also made me feel a bit closer to my mum. In our mansion in London we had a giant room filled from ceiling-to-floor with crowded bookcases. Mum would often let me Floo there after I'd had a fight with Hugo (very rarely, me and Hugh are very close) or one of my friends. Then I'd spend hours in there, cheering up and reading through some of the books one by one.

As I reached the library, I saw a figure hunched over a pile of homework. I tensed. Could it be? Someone else was here? A guy was here? Where could I possibly go now?!

I relaxed as the guy moved and the candlelight hit his hair. His platinum-blonde hair. I could recognise that hair anywhere. Malfoy. At least I could trust Malfoy to not drool over me. And I really wanted to know how he felt about my male followers. Did he find it funny like Rochelle and Alice? Or stupid like me?

I moved closer to him, not making a noise because of my shoeless state. I suddenly felt like I was naked. I felt so vulnerable, but I had no idea why. I mean, it was only Malfoy. My relationship with him was like Uncle Harry's and Voldemort's. Okay... maybe I'm exaggerating, but I don't need to impress Malfoy.

I breathed out and dumped my bag on the chair next to him, making him jump. I dumped my shoes on the table and sat down at the chair opposite him. "Thank goodness it's only you, Malfoy!" I sighed, stretching my arms. "I can count on you to treat me the same as you always do." His lips curved into a smile, but he stayed silent.

I grabbed a book, a piece of parchment and my quill from my bag; and started my History of Magic essay. It was on The Battle of the Astronomy Tower. Where Draco Malfoy had almost ended up killing Albus Dumbledore, but Severus Snape did it instead. Where the Death Eaters were let into Hogwarts.

I'd heard this story many times myself, from Uncle Harry and Professor McGonagall (she was disappointed at my fights with Malfoy, but she was my godmother, and never ticked me off as fiercely as she did anyone else). But for some reason, the recent events of my life (boys screaming sexist things at me and randomly asking me out) were making it impossible for me to write an essay right now.

I put my quill down on the table and sighed irritably. Malfoy stopped working too and looked me in the eye. "You alright, Weasley?" he said, sounding half sarcastic and half concerned. I wasn't sure which half he intended to use, so I simply cocked my head to one side and asked him a simple question. "Do I seem any different to you this year?"

His grey eyes immediately began travelling the length of my body, making me shiver. It was different to the disgusting shivering I did when boys in my year and the year above called out crude comments. It was almost like... he was undressing me with his eyes. But not in a repulsive way... like he was looking into my soul...

"Honestly, Weasley?" he said, leaning back on his chair. "You honestly want my opinion?" I nodded, and held my breath, waiting for the worst to hit me.

"Well, you haven't changed," he declared. His lips curved into a smile and he continued. "You just seem more annoyingly confident..." I felt my own lips curving into a smile. More confident? Really? "... and you seem happier, I guess." I burst out laughing. Happier? More like I was tired of being boring Rose. "And... you've bought that new skirt. It's shorter. And shows off your legs. The heels help too."

I went from mild laughter to hysterics. Seriously?! It showed off my legs?! And Scorpius Malfoy had noticed?! Wait...

"I haven't bought a short skirt!" I giggled, tossing my hair over my shoulders. I leaned forward to look into his grey eyes. "It's the same skirt I've had since first year!" I laughed hardly as his cheek s flushed pink and he mumbled, "I didn't mean to say that out loud."

"Well, isn't this a change, Malfoy!" I teased, leaning forward on my elbows. "For once you're the one that's gone pink and has said something stupid?" I winked at him and laughed. "Now I see why you enjoy it when I get all flustered! This is fun!"

He seemed shocked into silence for a minute, but then he stuck out his tongue at me and pushed his hair out of his eyes. "How could I not?" he shot back teasingly. "I was looking for things to insult you with!" I laughed and this time he was laughing with me.

I caught sight of the time on my watch. "C'mon," I said, slipping my shoes on my feet and packing away my things. "It's nearly time for the Prefect rounds. We'd better get going." Malfoy looked at the watch on my wrist to confirm my statement and he began to pack his bags. "Nice watch, Weasley," he said, tapping it with one long finger.

"Thanks," I said graciously. I smiled as I looked down at it. "My Grandpa Arthur gave it to me when I was a kid. He has one like it, and I'd steal his all the time." Malfoy laughed kindly and turned to me. "It was nice having your company, Weasley."

"Thanks," I repeated, a warm feeling spreading across my body. "And thanks for being here, y'know? I really needed someone I could vent all my feelings to." Malfoy smiled and me and winked. "I still hate you, y'know?" he said, a teasing tone to his voice.

I punched his arm softly and smirked at him. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Malfoy."