A/N: This is my first fanfic, it's rather rushed but hopefully I'll get better. Reviews appreciated

Disclaimer: This is for the whole story: I don't own these characters. I wish wish wish that I did, but sadly no.

A familiar pair of shoes clicked on the marble behind her.

"Malfoy," she said without turning around.

A very pale Scorpius walked past her quickly, not even acknowledging her presence. His face was white and his eyes were downcast.

Rose frowned at Scorpius. "Something that matter?"

"No." and with that he ran off. Rose stared after him, something must be up, he hadn't even insulted Rose today and she had definitely seen him at least twice.

Rose was walking to the library after dinner. Her cousin Albus had promised to meet her there in an hour so they could complete their potions work, but Rose wanted to do a bit of research for her transfigurations essay first. She rounded a corner glancing out the window at the rain when she heard it. A small sniff, a deep, shuddering breath.

"Malfoy?" she exclaimed at the boy sitting on the stairs.

"What do you want?" he asked angrily, ashamed at being caught without his mask.

"Ummm, are you ok?" she asked rather awkwardly. She was trying to be nice, but it was hard to believe that this was Scorpius Malfoy. She'd only been at Hogwarts for three months and they were already worst enemies.

He turned away. "I don't want to talk about it" he said furiously. Rose wanted to leave. She really did not want to stay, but for some unfathomable reason, she did.

"Alright Ma- Scorpius, what's wrong," she said once they were comfortably seated in the room of requirement. Now his breath shook and his normally calm demeanour was broken. She could see just how vulnerable this boy was.

"My Dad's been pretty bad lately, with his illness and all.. so Grandfather has been looking after me. Ever since mum died-" his voice cracked and a small tear squeezed it's way out of his eye.

"Well, Dad won't be out of hospital any time soon. Grandfather has been... difficult. He's still angry that I'm in Ravenclaw and not Slytherin-" he choked, looking miserable. Rose put her arm around him comfortingly, "It's ok Scorpius, you can tell me,"

Scorpius looked at Rose, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm scared Rose," he whispered. "What if Dad never gets better? What if- what if," he burst into tears. Rose didn't know what to do. This was the boy of pure evil she'd heard so much about from her father. The boy who she'd been exchanging insults with on a daily basis. But looking at him now, he just looked like a lonely, scared kid.

An hour or so later, a flushed looking Rose rushed into the library, stopping only at the disapproving glare of Madam Pince; the librarian. Row upon row of books towered over her as she searched for her cousin. Students sat at tables chatting and trying to find the ingredients for complicated potions or the theory of Defence Against The Dark Arts.

At last she found her cousin pouring over a book in a far corner.

"Hey Al," she panted as she flung her backpack on the table with resounding thud. "Sorry, I'm late I had to- go back for my transfiguration's book. I must've left it in class,"

Albus knew she was lying but accepted the excuse without question. Albus knew when Rose didn't want to say anything and now was one of those times. "No problem," he smiled. "I've just got started on the introduction, is this right? Wormwood is used..."

"Rose! Al! Wait up!" called a voice from behind as they trudged back to the Gryffindor common room, homework complete. They waited for James to catch up, shivering as they did so. The weather was getting colder as they neared Christmas. Wind was howling outside and the windows shook as the rain pounded against it.

"Hey James, what's up?" asked Rose.

"Just wanted to warn you away from the charms corridor, peeves is throwing a fit," he smiled mischievously. "Oh and don't eat anything Cade offers you tomorrow. Actually, you can Al. I don't mind if you sprout wings, maybe it'll help you to actually fly!" and with that, he was off.

"Don't mind him, he's just jealous you're better than him" Rose offered. Al just laughed, "Of course he is, I'll show him next year! Oh, your shoulder is wet Rose,"

"Oh, er I must've splashed some water on it in the toilets. Now come on. I'm freezing!"

The next day at breakfast, Rose spotted Scorpius over by the Ravenclaw table. He looked slightly more cheerful and was chatting away with his best friend Danchel. The ceiling was dark and cloudy and Rose was glad she brought her extra thick cloak as she had Herbology later.

"Hey Rose," Bethan said, sidling over to make room for her, "you finish Snape's essay yet?"

ooooo

They were still discussing potions as they left the hall, heading towards Charms. Bethen was Rose's best friend, Lydan and Genna were also her close friends, but Bethen had known Rose since she was seven. Just as they had caught up with their other house members, Scorpius and his classmates passed them. Scorpius smiled sheepishly at Rose but said nothing. She smiled back.

"Wow," said Lydan, "he didn't even insult you today, I even think he might've smiled!"

"Don't be silly," scorned Genna, "Malfoy doesn't smile, everyone knows that"