Hey all! I'm back! I know this is a day later than expected, but I had a crazy-busy Saturday. I went to my first ever football game! It was a ton of fun, I'm glad they won. Ha, that rhymed. ANYWAY...here's chapter 3! This is where the REAL beginning of the plot starts, so I hope you all like it. Thanks to all who reviewed for the kind words! Also, a quick note: I recieved a review from an anonymous reader who was under the name akstar12, and was asked to respond. Sadly, as this person was anonymous, I cannot respond to them, but I want them to know that I really appreciate the kindness they've shown.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this story save the plot is mine.

Chapter 3: Quidditch Tryouts and Tears

Thankfully, the rest of Rose's first week back at Hogwarts was not as eventful as the first day. Professor Switch made up a seating chart that placed Rose and Scorpius on opposite sides of the classroom, making both of them very happy. The Weasleys and Potters learned to do their homework without too much complaint, and Rose managed to get a hold on her life again. The week passed by uneventfully, until finally, it was Saturday, the day of the Quidditch tryouts.

"Come on, Rose, you've got to eat."

"I'm fine, really."

"You need something in your stomach!"

"Lay off, Molly, I'm fine!"

Rose and Molly were in the Great Hall. Tryouts were due to start in twenty minutes, and Rose's stomach was nice and full-of butterflies. She'd gotten about five hours of sleep last night, and she couldn't eat today.

"Rose, relax!" Roxanne urged. "I'm sure you'll be fine!" Rose just shook her head and refused to touch the toast and sausage Molly piled on her plate.

Twenty minutes later, Rose had been coerced into eating a piece of toast and was currently standing nervously in the morning frost on the grassy field. James said he was trying out Chasers first, then Beaters, and finally Seekers. She and Albus stood together, both clutching their brooms, neither speaking. Finally, however, Rose could take it no more.

"Please say you won't be angry with me if I make the team," she begged her cousin, turning to him quite suddenly. Albus was taken aback.

"Of course not, Rose!" he replied, seeming genuinely shocked. "You're my cousin! Sure, I might be a little disappointed, but at least you got it!"

"Thanks, Albus," she murmured, hugging him briefly. "Just wanted to make sure." After that, the two of them talked very little, watching as their teammates were chosen. Sure enough, Lily was chosen to be the third Chaser, and Greg and Emily Wood, twin fourth years, were chosen as Beaters. They were good, Rose observed as they took their places in the stands.

"Seekers next!" James called, and Albus, Rose, Rachel Longbottom, and Darren Finnigan made their way onto the field.

"Alright, guys, let's start with a quick warm-up flight and then we'll go from there," James suggested. The four of them mounted their brooms and took off into the air. Rose felt the wind whip through her hair and felt a rush of fierce joy. She could do this. As she, Albus, Rachel, and Darren set off around the field, Rose caught sight of a blond-haired boy sitting in the stands. She gasped aloud. Was that really who she thought it was? She'd have to check on her way back around the field. Maybe it wasn't.

But as Rose flew past him again, she was sure. Scorpius Malfoy had come to watch the Quidditch tryouts. What was a Ravenclaw doing at the Gryffindor tryouts? It didn't make sense. Rose hoped he hadn't come to make fun of her. She had enough nerves without that prat being here as well.

"Alright, come on down everyone!" James called, and Rose snapped her focus back to the tryouts. She'd deal with Scorpius later.

"OK, we're just going to do a simple test. Dad said he did this for his tryout, and it must be a good one, because he was the best Seeker Hogwarts ever saw. I'm going to take one of you at a time, and just throw golf balls for you to catch. They're about the same size as the Snitch, so we'll see how fast you are. Darren, you can go first," he added. Darren looked nervous, but followed James onto the field nonetheless. He did fairly well. Of the 30 in the bag, he caught about 20. He fumbled a few Rose personally felt were pretty easy.

Rachel went next. She caught about 15, and took it in good graces when James asked her to leave the field. Rose gave her a small smile as she passed, which she returned.

Albus went next, and he caught about 25 of the 30. Rose felt much more nervous now. James was throwing the balls pretty hard, and while it didn't look that hard to Rose, she knew it would be a whole different thing once she got up there. If Darren Finnigan ever cleared off, that was.

"I'm telling you, I want another go," he yelled at James. "You just went easy on him because he's your brother!" James' whole face darkened.

"HOW DARE YOU?" he yelled. "I would never! Leave, now, before I hex you. You've got five seconds to clear off." He held up five fingers.

"I'm not going, I tell you!" Darren argued. "I'm getting another go!"

James lowered a finger.

"You'll have to drag me off!" Darren threatened.

James lowered a second finger.

Darren's next comment contained so many swear words Rose felt it unnecessary to ever repeat it.

James lowered two more fingers.

"I'll hex you first," Darren screamed, then pulled out his wand. Rose got to her own just in time.

"Expelliarmus!" she shrieked, and Darren's wand flew out of his hand. James pulled out his own wand and pointed it at Darren.

"Go. Now." This time, Darren heeded him and left after showing him the finger. Breathing heavily, James turned back to Rose. She took a couple of steps back, and his face softened.

"Don't be like that, Rosie. I was just mad. Come on, it's your turn now." She nodded, and they took to the skies. James reached into the bag and pulled out a golf ball, then chucked it off behind him. Rose, caught off guard, didn't make it there in time and the ball hit the ground. Blushing furiously, Rose could hear everyone in the stands laughing, particularly Scorpius. Determined to show them all she really was good, she rose into the air again. This time, when James chucked the ball, it wasn't a few moments later that she caught it.

That stopped the whispers in the crowd.

Rose's tryout continued in much the same way. Once, James decided to be cocky and chuck the ball at the crowd. Rose dived after it and saved Taylor Longbottom a broken nose.

All in all, Rose saved 29 of the 30 balls James threw. When she caught the last one, the crowd applauded, even Albus down on the field. James flew over to hug her.

"I present the new Gryffindor Seeker!" he announced, holding her hand high above their heads. Rose blushed, but smiled and nodded all the same. "Great job, Rose," he muttered to her in an undertone. Rose smiled back at him.

"I was really nervous," she admitted. "That's why I missed the first one. You caught me off guard." He chuckled.

"Well, it didn't matter in the end, did it? You're Seeker now, congrats. Come meet the team with me." Rose followed him to the ground, where the rest of the team had already congregated.

"Brilliant, Rose," Fred praised her, and Lily gave her a hug. Rose smiled and thanked both of them before turning back to James.

"Right. Well done, all of you. It's good to have some new blood on the team, shake things up a bit. Our first practice will be on Wednesday, at seven, so mind you get here on time and not dawdle." Rose had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. James, lecturing them about being on time? It was ridiculous. But James loved Quidditch, and therefore it was probably the only thing he was ever on time for.

"We'll be there, mate," Fred assured him, clapping him on the back as the rest of the team murmured assent.

"Great. Let's get changed then, and I think it's nearly lunchtime, so..." The team laughed, then headed to the locker rooms. Rose waved at Molly to let her know to go ahead and not wait for her, then ducked into the changing rooms.

When she emerged about ten minutes later, she was alone and the stands were deserted. She hefted her broomstick over one shoulder and set off across the sunlit grounds.

The emerald green trees of the Forbidden Forest swayed in the gentle breeze, and the lake sparkled a gorgeous turquoise. Rose found herself reveling in the beauty and serenity of nature. She enjoyed it much more than the hustle and bustle and stress of the castle, with homework and classes and-

"Weaselbee!"

Oh, no. Not him, not him, not him. Rose stopped and stood stock still. Please let it not be him...

"Weaselbee! Can you hear me?" Rose still didn't move.

"Rose!"

Only the shock of hearing her name come out of Scorpius Malfoy's mouth made Rose turn around. She didn't think he knew her real name! He always called her 'Weaselbee' or something equally stupid that he'd made up.

"What?" she asked, too shocked to sound angry.

"Just wanted to talk about Quidditch tryouts, that's all," he shrugged, as though bitter enemies often talked about Quidditch tryouts. Rose just stared at him.

"OK...what about them?"

"Well, you know how you missed that one?" he began, and Rose tensed up. If he was here to hassle her again...

"Yes," she answered shortly.

"Well, I just wanted to point out that you've got to always be ready for stuff like that. The Snitch could come at any moment in the game, so you've got to be looking around all the time."

"I know that, Scorpius," she retorted, then stopped, surprised. She'd just said his name as well. He looked as stunned as she did for a moment, then continued, a slight smirk on his face.

"Well, I just thought you'd want some tips from an expert Seeker," he replied casually, sweeping his hair back. Rose's mouth dropped.

"And since when are you an expert Seeker?"

"Since about second year. I was the youngest player ever-"

"No, you're not," Rose cut him off. Scorpius shook his head.

"Yes, Weaselbee, I was. First years can't play, so obviously-"

"I'm telling you, you're wrong! When my Uncle Harry was at Hogwarts, he was the youngest House player in a century! He was a first year when he was chosen to play," she announced proudly. "You said you were a second year, Scorpion. He was a first year. And as I recall," she added, taking a step closer to him, "he loves to tell the story of the time his team won the Quidditch Cup-and who was it they were playing?" Scorpius's eyes were slits. "That's right - your Dad!" Rose finished triumphantly.

"Well, obviously, you've inherited your father's Quidditch genes," he shot back. "Your mum was too afraid to go on a broomstick, and from what my father's told me, your father wasn't a very good Quidditch player, either, which is shown by your poor talent on the field! Bet that was your first time on a broomstick, wasn't it?"

"It was not!" Rose screamed, feeling tears prick at her eyes. "Since you're so interested, I practiced all summer this year and last, but didn't have the opportunity to try out for the team last year! I'm usually the first one picked when my family plays Quidditch during our reunions and such! What do you have to say to that, eh?"

"It doesn't show," Scorpius answered snidely. "Your team should be a pushover this year if you're my opposition."

He knew instantly he'd gone too far. Rose, who was immensely proud of her new position and the skill which had gotten her there, immediately burst into tears. Scorpius stood, stunned. He'd never seen her cry before, and (shamed as he was to admit it) it pulled at his heartstrings a little.

"Wha-Rose?" he asked weakly.

"Go away!" she sobbed. "You're such a horrid person, Malfoy, I hate you!" And with that, she ran back up to the castle, using her sleeve to mop at her eyes as she went.

Bit of a cliffhanger, but you all know I'm notorious for cliffys. Gotta love 'em! Anyway, I hope you liked it. Please leave a review!

Lovelovelove -D-