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Chapter 7: A Mask that hides nothing

Fact #7: Rose Weasley doesn't care much about dressing up for balls; and surely not masquerade ones

"Tell me one good reason why I should go down into that hell hole?" Rose asked even as she looked at herself in the mirror. Diane walked over to the mirror and their eyes connected over it. The girl looked gorgeous but of course she'd have to goad her into attending the event. It was she who had organized the whole thing anyway. Diane felt quite like a mother, convincing her child that going to the big bad dentist was good. Sighing, she placed both her hands on Rose's shoulder and her chin over one of them.

Rose had always been something more than pretty; she'd had that fire that drew people to her. But of course she hid all that behind her studious quidditch freak persona. Now that Diane had managed to coax her into dressing up for one evening, her natural elegance shone through. She'd say her friend was perfect, but she'd be biased towards her. Her eyes were still too large for her face; her ears had a sharp edge to them which gave her otherwise sophisticated looking face a pixie like tilt, spoiling all her work wonderfully. No matter what Diane tried, she could never bring out a new and better version. She'd always be good old Rose. Even now, when Rose noticed her scrutiny, she smirked at her in that knowing way, looking more like a half made up devil rather than the Cinderella she had strived to achieve.

"Make sure you don't spoil your dress, much"

"I never agreed to go in the first place, Di" even as she said that, Diane knew she'd go. Because no matter what she was, Rose wasn't a slacker. She'd rather endure Unforgivables that slip up on her duties.

"I know you will. Now, you just need to put on those rings and the mask and you'd be drop dead"

"You scarily sound like my fairy godmother" Rose complained even as she complied. Diane sighed. She had had to pull every card to get Rose to simply not go in her school uniform. Not that Rose was averse to celebration; she managed pretty well with Quidditch parties. Diane knew there was something about balls she hated.

"You look smashing, Rose."

"As if that's going to make this easier. Let's go, or are we to cat walk down the stairs too?"

"If you keep that up, I just might change my mind about those red, pointy, three-inch heels" Rose's eyes comically widened and Diane shook her head in exasperation. Of all the things she could be afraid of.

"You go first since you're so eager to be early" Diane pushed Rose towards the door and Rose stood at the top of the stairs while she replied.

"Yeah. If you go first, my little cousin wouldn't even notice me" she smirked at Diane's flushed expression and walked swiftly down the stairs before she could protest.

"Hey Ally!"

"You look great, Rosie! Looks like Diane did some good with you"

"You can't call me that, and don't even remind me of those torturous hours. I have to manage the ball. See you later"

Rose stood before the closed doors of the Great Hall, fretting. She had seen Al and Diane walk in a few minutes ago and had hid behind a random tapestry. She could clearly hear the din from inside the room rise and subside like a rhythm. She must go in there and make sure that the party stayed alive and decent. She would have too, if McGonagall hadn't come to give her the devastating news.

"Ms Weasley, is that you?"

"Yes, Professor. Did you have some last minute things for me to do?" she asked rather eagerly but McGonagall shook her head.

"You've made perfect arrangements, Ms Weasley, I'm impressed. I actually came here to inform you of a Hogwarts tradition. You know it's been nearly fifty years since the school has hosted a Masquerade Ball"

"Yes, I do, Professor. I've read about it"

"Ah, then my job is made easier. I came to remind you of the traditional Heads dance that opens up the Ball"

"Heads dance, Professor?"

"Yes, Ms Weasley. You surely must have read about it in Hogwarts, a History? Right before the Yule Ball on…"

"Page 267. Yes, Professor, I remember. Thank you for reminding me"

"It's my pleasure, Rose. Enjoy your evening. After all the work you and Mr Malfoy have done, I dare say you deserve it" Rose wondered what the Headmistress would feel if she told her that all the discussions and arrangements had been made through owl post? She knew it was the silliest she had ever stooped to but it had been either that or meet him in person.

So now, Rose stood fidgeting with the elbow length netted glove Diane had pulled over her hands. She really did not understand the purpose of it at all. But of course, she hadn't dared make anymore comments to irk Diane.

There were only a few moments till the music band would start playing and Rose knew she'd have to go in there. Taking a deep breath that did nothing to steady her, she pushed the door open an inch and silently slid into the hall. Or tried to.

As the doors opened, every eye was turned to the just on time Head Girl. And Rose could see that there were more than a few eyebrows raised. She blushed. Okay, she may not act feminine or dress like a girl but that didn't mean she couldn't try sometime. Her eyes locked directly with his. She knew it was him, even with the mask and knew she did too.

Rose was thankful that the band started playing then as the occupants turned to their respective dates. But she wasn't feeling that much grateful when she saw Scorpius head towards her. Through the mask, she could see that he wasn't very pleased with the prospect of dancing with her either, which made her feel a wee bit better about it. When he reached her, he simply leant a hand in her direction, and she raised her eyebrows. She wasn't going to make anything easier for him.

"Dance with me?" his voice was gruff and if it hadn't been for the hint of question, it would have seemed like a command. Since she didn't have a choice and it was just for one dance anyway, she placed her hand in his and saw Scorpius' eyebrow rise at the accessory. He seemed to gather his wits after a few seconds and drew her to the dance floor.

Once they were at the middle of the floor, he placed his hands fleetingly over her waist and she lifted hers to rest on his shoulder. Of course she should have known they'd start off with a slow song. Rose could hear her thought reflected in his single muttered oath, but before she could think anymore, she was standing close to him, swaying with the music. Too close; not close enough. Two parts of her brain fought with the other and it must have reflected in her eyes because Scorpius' eyes lightened up with curiosity.

Of course he had known she'd look stunning. He'd have been a fool not to know that there was a beautiful woman behind all those prickly layers she put on before him. But that hadn't prepared him for the sight of her in that goddamned red dress. Diane must have spent quite a lot of time to find a shade that did not clash with her hair which fell straight down her back without the restricting band that she insisted on wearing. Her face was clear of any kind of make up, highlighting the large doe eyes and her natural pallor. As they danced, the rings she wore swayed, distracting him. He felt oddly possessive of her, and would have been glad to simply hold her within his arms for the rest of the night, but of course Al intercepted.

"Are you thinking of dancing with her all night, Scor?" his eyes glinted with mischief as he cut in and took a hold of her hand, leading her away and only then did Rose realize that they had been dancing for more than a few dances. Enough to turn inquisitive eyes.

"Thanks, Al. You saved me"

"Didn't look like you needed saving. The two of you seemed to be enjoying yourselves" seeing her smile turn into a glare, he grinned back at her.

"I was not. You know how I feel about him, Al"

"That, I certainly do. And of course I know how he feels about you too" his voice was somber which made Rose edgy.

"Al, I don't need to know" her voice sounded desperate but Al knew someone had to push her to the truth sometime. They had moped around long enough.

"I think you do, Rose. I have no idea what happened between the two of you. Diane refused point blank to tell me what the matter was but I don't think anything is worth this tirade the both of you are putting up. No, Rose just listen to me. I know you don't need to hear this from me, of all people. But, I can see clearly that this is hurting you as much as it's paining him."

"He should have thought of this before, shouldn't he have?" her tone was biting and seeing Al's struck expression, she bit her tongue. She shouldn't be taking her anger out on Al.

"He apologized, didn't he?"

"Oh yes. What should I do? Grovel at his feet for it? He might have said he was sorry, Al, but he didn't mean it. Not one bit. There could be nothing worse than that, Al" seeing Al's embarrassed expression, Rose turned in the direction his eyes seemed to be fixed on. Scorpius was standing there, the half fledged grin on his face frozen. She had no doubt he would have heard all that she had said. Al looked visibly flustered and walked away without even attempting for an excuse but Rose didn't seem to mind. Her eyes were fixed on Scorpius. Her heart beat was erratic, her fingers felt like icicles and of course, there was the ever present butterflies. But she didn't notice anything much, beside his eyes. For all her anxiety, his eyes were pronounced for their lack of emotion. He did not know how to feel about anything. He knew things wouldn't settle themselves. Not when Rose was concerned. She believed in getting things out in the open and coming out with a solution, even if it didn't please everybody. He had seen it when she had conducted the prefects meetings. She had thought he was lounging about while she did all the work but he had only been observing her; the way she operated, the direction of her thoughts and the manner in which she went about expressing them.

He knew reasonably well what she was feeling, but he knew not what to do about it. On one hand, it stung that she did not believe him or his apology. But could he blame her, when it had been he who had acted so crudely?

They were standing in the middle of the Great Hall amidst the cheering going on, but to them it was all dead silent.

"Can we take a walk?"

"Okay!"

They walked out of the castle and for once, neither felt like breaking the heavy silence that hung over them; because both of them were afraid of what would ensue if they did.

A/n: Review!