Rose rubbed the trophy in her hands violently, hating every minute of this stupid detention. This was clearly a massive waste of her time. Deep down she knew that she was at as much fault as the next student (which would be Cora Humphrey, by the way, who seemed equally irritated with the task at hand). But she still wished that McGonagall could have gone easier on her since she was obviously her favourite. She was a model student. And ironically, that was the first time she had been out of bed when she should not have been, that too for a Slytherin party, hanging out with Scorpius Malfoy. She shuddered at the line of thoughts her mind had picked to follow at that moment, and paled a little as she realised how self-absorbed she was being, as always. Everyone was at detention at that moment. And they would all continue to be so until McGonagall was satisfied with the whole business.

Bartholomew, who was supposed to have been cleaning the broom closet on the second floor sauntered into the trophy room, and swatted Cora on the butt with his washcloth. Cora stopped in her tracks, turned around and glared daggers at him. He just grinned in response.

"Not a good time, Brat." Cora ground out.

"Oh, come on, Corey. I'm bored." Bart complained. "This whole business is nothing but a waste of my precious time. Won't you indulge me with your delightful wit? Hmm?"

"Your precious time, huh?" Cora spat. And then got closer to him, hissing something that Rose couldn't quite catch.

She had never seen those two having a civil conversation ever. They were always arguing. In fact, it almost seemed like Bart liked provoking her into a fight. And Cora liked putting him in his place, too. It had sometimes made her wonder if there was more to those two. It was odd, though. Who fights that much for no reason, anyway?

Her question was answered by a presence by her side, reminding her that she wasn't so different from those two.

"Eavesdropping, are we now?" Scorpius murmured.

Rose scoffed in response. "It's hard not to when they are fighting right in front of me."

Scorpius' lips curled into a delicious grin, "They are always like that. Just ignore them."

Rose leaned against one of the trophy racks and sighed, "So? Is this where Old Filch has stationed you for duty tonight?" She asked, "I didn't see you here earlier."

"Yeah. But I was way over there," He pointed towards the opposite side of the room, where a couple of fifth years were scuttling about. Lily was one of them, who was looking at Rose with interest. Rose waved at her in greeting. Lily just winked and smiled coyly at her in response.

Rose didn't even want to know what that was about. But Scorpius seemed to know all about it, apparently. Because he was suddenly looking very pale.

"What?" Rose asked her in confusion. "What is it?"

Scorpius averted his eyes from hers, looking around at no one in particular. "It's nothing."

"Obviously, it's something."

"It's just Lily being a prat." He said shortly.

"Oh well," Rose shook her head with an utter sense of resignation. "Colour me surprise."

"Umm, y-"

His sentence was cut short by Cody Winslow, the fourth year Ravenclaw suddenly appearing in the doorway, out of breath. "Get to work, you lot. Old Filch-"

"Catch your breath, mate." Scorpius said mildly.

Cody just shook his head in response. "There's no time for that. Old Filch is on a quest to inspect our work."

That made everyone moving frantically. Filch showed up walking at a snail's pace, snarling at the world in general, followed by Hagrid.

"Did I hear ya lot chatting here?" he asked the room.

Nobody chose to answer, of course. Nobody liked Old Filch. He was a bitter old man.

"Come on, . Don't yeh see these youn'uns goin' at it with yer precious trophies, eh? Let's leave'em alone, I say!" Hagrid said hastily, winking at Scorpius in the process. Scorpius gave him a small smile in response and got back to his work.

Filch stood there for a bit, glaring at everyone, as if to make sure Hagrid was telling the truth, then left muttering under his breath.

Scorpius sighed in relief. Crisis averted, in more than one way. He snuck a glance at Lily and found her smirking at him. That little brat! He wasn't sure how she had figured it out. But he was not going to let her get to him that easily. He decided that he would avoid all contact with Lily during the remainder of the evening.

They all continued to work on for the next forty minutes or so with minimal interaction, when McGonagall herself showed up to relieve them off their detention for the night.

"That's quite enough, I suppose." The Headmistress said. "Off to bed now, children!"

Everyone looked at the Headmistress curiously as they left the room. Scorpius placed his rag carefully in a bucket and made his way to leave, when McGonagall said to him in a quiet voice, "Not you, . There is something that you and I must discuss at once."

Lily was not an athlete. She had started Quidditch as a desperate attempt to be neck to neck with her brothers, which if she knew anything about her father, she would have known not to do so in the first place. As the youngest Potter child, she was in a whole different league in his father's eyes, which was something her mother strongly disapproved of. All these years of spoilage had turned her into what James often liked to call "a lazy brat" (one thing both Potter boys agreed on). And it wasn't entirely untrue either. Lily was lazy, at least when it came to physical activity. Her friends were jealous of her, and would often say that her fast metabolism was her saving grace.

Rose, however, was a born athlete. She had loved to run and play since she was a little girl.

That could have been Rose's saving grace in their current predicament. Because Rose had run off the moment McGonagall uttered the word "go". Of course, Rose had figured out Lily was up to something. She wasn't daft. She should've known better, though. Because nothing could beat a Lily on a mission.

"Slow-" Lily wheezed. "Slow down, Rose!"

Rose, who knew when she was beaten, slowed down and groaned audibly.

Lily joined her and looked at her with raised eyebrows. "Did you think I was going to just let you run off like that?"

"No, but a girl can hope, can't she?" Rose said crossly.

"Rosie, Rosie, Rosie," Lily said in a singsong voice. "Don't you know? Running away is a proof of guilt." She smiled a shit eating grin that always made Rose break a sweat. Because it was never a good sign.

"Seriously, Lil. Can we chat later?" Rose said quickly. "I am so tired."

"Oh, no, no. Dear cousin. Not that easily." Lily said. Then she smiled a real smile, her whole Cheshire Cat routine fading a little. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. I just came to say that your secret is safe."

Rose just frowned in confusion. "What in Godric's name are you on about, Lily?"

"Come on, Rose. Don't play coy with your favourite cousin now." Lily said airily. "I know all about your late night rendezvous with a certain dishy little Slytherin."

Rose's face was stricken with a mixture of fear and confusion. Although, the fear of what, she knew not. But the confusion cleared up pretty soon as she joined the dots mentally. And then said, "It wasn't how Viola's told you. Scorpius just needed some help going to the dungeons. That's all there was to it."

"Ooooh. It's Scorpius now, huh?" Lily grinned.

"It's not like that. We are just friends."

"Ooooh! Just f-"

"Oh, come off it, you." Rose grumbled.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry." Lily held up her hands in submission. "I was just teasing you."

"Yes, well. There's nothing to tease about, really."

"I know." Lily sighed. "Look, all I am saying is, I asked Viola to keep her mouth shut about whatever she thinks she saw. But I will say this. Even if it were true, I would support you, you know. No matter who that boy would be. I know that you don't like to date much. But I think you're terrific, Rose. And you should date more."

Rose just sighed in resignation. "Thanks, Lil. It's just- I'm not very good with that kind of thing. I mean, what if I don't find anyone? Or worse! What if I find someone who turns out to be just awful!"

Lily didn't say anything right away. After a moment of thinking, she looked at Rose with a sense of newfound purpose. "I have someone who is just perfect for you."

"Who?"

"What do you think of Lorcan Scamander?"

"Mr Malfoy," McGonagall nodded at Scorpius in acknowledgement, "Thank you for staying back."

Scorpius smiled at her politely and said, "Professor, how may I help?"

It had taken some time, but she had grown fond of this boy. Underneath the heavy burden of being the Headmistress of Hogwarts, she was just an old woman who had seen many ups and down in her time. Many of the downs had involved the family of the wonderful boy standing in front of her. But he had successfully broken down all those prejudices in her mind, prejudices she wasn't particularly proud of possessing.

"It has come to my attention that your mother is terrible ill, Mr Malfoy." She began quietly. "And I understand that you wish to see her, but your affairs here are responsible for holding you back from asking me for permission."

"My f- I believe," Scorpius corrected. "That if I leave my schoolwork unattended, it will cause her further distress."

"Your education is important, Mr Malfoy. But family is more important." McGonagall began. "You may go and visit your mother for a week. I will lend you my fireplace to floo to your home. Your father has been notified of your arrival, so there is nothing to worry about. Your classwork will be owled to you by one of your classmates. You may leave tomorrow if you wish."

"But we have Mr Potter's Patronus lesson next Thursday." Scorpius managed to choke out.

"It's a four-hour-long class," McGonagall said dismissively. "It shouldn't be difficult for you to return for that class and then go back."

"Yes, Professor." Scorpius nodded and then blurted a hasty, "Thank you."

"You're quite welcome, Scorpius." She smiled a rare smile. "Alright, now. Off you go."

"Good night, Professor." Scorpius smiled in return as he left the room.

He was finally going to see his mum. And he had no one but Rose Weasley to be thankful to.

A/N: Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Just a little treat from yours truly (which admittedly, did not have any romantic bits at all, but still). I hope you liked the chapter. Please, review/comment!

To the guest reviewer: I love Lily, too. And I am worried that this is quickly turning into a Lily/Lorcan fic. But I like where it's going for now (am I allowed to say that? I dunno). Thanks for the review!