Author's Note: Don't mean to seem pushy or desperate or anything like that, but… only 2 reviews last chapter? Seriously? You guys can do better than that. I know you can, because I've received ten reviews in previously chapters. I don't want to seem unreasonable, but… if I don't get at least five reviews this chapter (5.8 per chapter is my current average for this story), I am holding this story hostage for as long as I see fit. SO REVIEW! I'm trying to get to 200, and I have 175 right now. Plus, there's only two or three chapters left after this one. Anyways, please tell me if I'm being unfair. I just want to meet my goal of 200 reviews is all, and you must understand, 2 reviews is awfully disappointing if you've been spoiled by getting at least five every chapter. Well, that's it for now I guess… Oh, and thanks to the two people who did review last chapter, and anyone who has ever reviewed for that matter. :)

Chapter 31: The Whomping Willow

(Scorpius' pov)

Why is it that whenever you want time to slow down, it always seems to speed up? By April, it had finally hit me that I only had about two and a half months left of seeing Rose every day, unless our parents let us rent a flat together or something, but I highly doubted that. Sure, Ron had warmed up to me, but he wasn't that accepting.

Also, this was the time of year that professors assigned either really big projects or final tests before NEWTs. These projects and tests were even worse for seventh years, because they were more difficult, and often worth more of our final grade. Of course, Defense Against the Dark Arts class was no exception.

Even in April, students were anxious to be out of school, causing the DADA room to be full of noise. It was so chaotic in there, it took Professor Clearton awhile to get our attention. Professor Clearton was in his early fifties, but he seemed younger, with his dark, curly hair that had not one speck of gray in it, and just his personality in general. Even though he was our Deputy Headmaster, husband of our stricter Headmistress, Headmistress Clearton, and Head of Gryffindor, he was still a good teacher, and taught his students with a firm-but-gentle hand. He never raised his voice, and only scolded students when the need presented itself. Normally, students had the utmost respect for him, and paid close attention whenever he stood at the front of the class. This particular day though, things were different, as students were too involved with their own conversation to even notice Professor Clearton, causing him to do something he didn't do on a normal basis.

"QUIET!" Professor Clearton yelled, causing many students to jump. At least it got everyone's attention. "That's much better. As you all know, the end of the year is fast approaching, and I would like to take the time to introduce a end-of-school project. We are going to have a little debate here in class. Your assignment is to take any topic we learned about in class from first year until now, and present an argument about it, either for or against whatever it is you're presenting. I'll explain more after I pass these out."

With that, Professor Clearton took a moment to give each student a piece of parchment, on which the project directions were printed.

Defense Against the Dark Arts

Professor Clearton

End-of-the-year Seventh-Year Project

Directions: Students will choose a topic of anything we've covered during the year and present an argument, either for or against the topic.

Example: Because Corporal Patronuses are so difficult to conjure, it is impossible for an underage wizard to succeed in doing so.

Presentation: State argument: Are you for or against whatever it is you are discussing?

Example: I am against the argument that because Corporal Patronuses are so difficult to conjure….

State three points: You must use facts in this portion of the assignment.

DUE Monday, 6/5/24

Worth 200 points

"So," Professor Clearton began as he returned to the front of the room, "as stated your topic can be about anything we learned this year, except for the example I gave. Your presentation is due the sixth of May, a little less than a month from now. I hope that by the sixteenth we can begin to review for your NEWTs. Today's assignment is to brainstorm a list of at least three ideas. I want a half an hour of quiet work time. You may begin. Let me know if there are any questions."

Right away, I set to work. I had no idea what topic to choose, but by the time the half hour had passed, I had already jotted down four ideas.

Professor Clearton suddenly cleared his throat to get the class's attention. "Alright, if you are finished, you may talk quietly with your neighbor for the rest of the class period." Immediately, everyone started whispering to one another. "Is everyone done?"

The class nodded, and Professor Clearton frowned. "Hmm… I was sure that was going to take longer. I'm sorry, I don't have anything else planned for today."

"Professor Clearton, may we go outside?" asked a Hufflepuff girl.

Professor Clearton smiled. "That's not a bad idea. Let's go."

Within minutes, the entire class was outside. It was a nice day, so other classes were out as well. Rose, Albus, Alana, Sahara, Ben, Luke, Sahara's new boyfriend – Will Macmillion – and I sat underneath a tree and talked. Suddenly, trouble arose.

"Hey, look over there." Albus exclaimed, pointing to a first year a short distance away.

The first year's name was Millie Seasmen, and well… she wasn't quite right in the head. A year older than other people in her year, Millie was once thought to be a squib. She had been proven to have magically abilities since then, yet something still wasn't quite right with her, as she never spoke, not even to the Professors, and she did dangerous and often idiotic things without even thinking about them. This time, she was headed straight for the Whomping Willow.

"Millie, no!" Rose shrieked, leaping to her feet and racing towards the young girl. "You'll get hurt."

Rose reached Millie just in time to push her out of the way and get whacked to the ground herself by one of the willow's long, strong branches.

"Rose!" I yelled, and raced towards my girlfriend, hoping she wasn't seriously hurt.

(Rose's pov)

I knew I shouldn't go anywhere near the Whomping Willow, because it was so dangerous. But little, absent-minded Millie wouldn't have been hurt if I hadn't, so as Head Girl, it was my responsibility to save her. As soon as the Whomping Willow's branch hit me, I could hear the crack of one of the bones in my left arm breaking and felt a sharp pain soon afterwards. To make matters worse, the impact of hitting the ground knocked all the wind out of me.

"Rose! Are you alright?" Scorpius asked when he reached me.

"I'm fine." I said, gasping for breath. "I think I broke my arm, though."

Carefully, Scorpius helped me to my feet, and we painfully made our way back to the castle. Once we got to the hospital wing, Scorpius explained what had happened to Madam Pomfrey. The elderly placed me in a hospital bed and measured out a potion that was unusual for the type of situation I was in. "Excuse me, Madam Pomfrey, but I have a broken arm, and that potion is normally used for extremely high fevers. Shouldn't we be using SkelGro?"

Madam Pomfrey looked at the potion and frowned. "I'm sorry, dear, I'm eighty-years-old, and my memory's starting to leave me. I must have grabbed the wrong vile. I'll be right back." Madam Pomfrey disappeared from the room and returned with the SkelGro. "I must say, dear, you seem to have a talent with these things. Have you considered becoming a healer?"

"Yes, actually, I have." I replied, and drank my potion.

"I'm glad to hear it." the Matron said with a smile. "You'd make a fantastic healer one day. Now, I'll let you rest for a few hours before sending releasing you."

With that, Madam Pomfrey left the room.

"Why'd you do it?" asked Scorpius, who was sitting in the chair near the head of my bed?"

"Do what, save Millie from the willow? I just didn't want her to get hurt."

Scorpius smiled. "And that's one of the many reasons why I love you." he said, kissing me on the cheek.

I smiled back because, really, it was nothing. I was just following my heart and doing what I felt was right. And that was good enough for me.

Author's note: Once again, PLEASE review.

And just a reminder to answer my poll on my profile if you haven't already. :)