Hello readers,

Do I even have the words to express how sorry I am? I cannot believe I have not updated since October 1st! I. AM. SO. SORRY. I've just been so busy, with school and extra curriculars, and bloody hell I am just so bloody sorry. I have no excuse. In all honesty, I've had most of this chapter written for a couple months, but I hadn't posted it until now because I intended to make it a minimum of 3000 words. The reader who I talk about below told me that the story could go a lot further with chapters that are longer than approx. 3000 words. And I totally agreed! So I have been trying to write and write, but I have been having the worst writer's block EVER. I knew exactly what I wanted to write, but I just couldn't put it into words. I would have waited to post it until I was all done, but a couple of my readers have threatened to defriend/kill/disown me if I didn't post by today. So here it is. Not really finished like I intended, but don't worry, I can just continue it in the next chapter. So anyways, for any of you readers still out there, please know that I am so deeply, incredibly sorry and please do not abandon me and especially do not abandon this story. I WILL be updating more frequently than every four months. THAT IS A PROMISE.

Now here's the question part for you guys: Do you guys want me to write shorter chapters (approx. 1500 words) and update more frequently (as in, once a month at the least), or longer chapters (minimum of 3000 words) and update much more irregularly (once every two months at the most, maybe even once every three months)?

Now, I know that sounds like I'll hardly ever be updating, but I just don't want to promise something I'm not positive I'll be able to keep. :/ You know what I mean? Hopefully I'll be able to update more frequently than that (no matter the length of the chapter!), but I just don't want to promise. Anyways, I'm really, really, really, REALLY sorry.

Now, I'd like to address a review that I got on the previous chapter. I absolutely loved this review because it is so honest, but delivered in the nicest way possible. I think MsEan had terrific questions about the story and I thought it would be important to share the answers that I PMed to her with everyone…

(1) Q: Why would Hermione give Rose, 'Tonks' as a middle name? I always thought Hermione would name Rose after herself or Prof. McGonagall (Minerva), the middle name I mean. Tonks and Hermione had a good relationship but not THAT good, they were okay. However, if Hermione named Rose after herself, well that'll be self explanatory, not really rocket science, OR Prof. McGonagall, because isn't she Hermione's favorite professor, and she look-up to her?

A: Ah yes. Very good point. Well, my line of thinking was as follows: First, obviously James Sirius, Albus Severus, and Lily Luna were all named after important people in, or involved in, Harry Potter's life. With James Sirius' name alone giving memory to two-fourths of the Marauder friends (James, Sirius, Peter Pettigrew (even though he DEFINITELY doesn't count-TRAITOR!, and Remus Lupin), I felt it would be important to acknowledge the last of the friends-Remus. As you may, or may not, find out later, Hugo Weasley's middle name is Remus. Even though neither Ron nor Hermione were extremely close to Remus, both Ron and Hermione felt it was necessary to acknowledge two of the many wonderful heroes who died fighting in the Second War-Remus and Tonks. Remus and Tonks were very important members of the Order of the Phoenix, as well as important heroes in the Second War. Just as Ginny and Harry felt it was important to name their children after Harry's parents, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Sirius Black—who all died for the greater good—Ron and Hermione felt it would be important to have their children's middle names be the names of two wonderful heroes. One could say, well why is Lily Potter II's middle name Luna if Luna didn't die? My response: That is J.K. Rowling's secret. I honestly have no idea. I would presume it is because Luna was such a valuable fighter in the Second Wizarding War.

Although it is not a very good excuse, one of the additional reasons I made Rose's middle name Tonks was because it was getting very late and I had promised to post the chapter by that night, so I was kind of rushing to finish it a little bit. I know that's a pretty terrible excuse, but it's the truth. BUT what I said above is still true as well.

(2) Q: How come Al, Dil, Scor, and probably the whole SEVENTH YEAR students don't know ANY non-verbal spells, what have they been teaching in Hogwarts in the next generation nowadays then? *laughs*

A: Very interesting question. I'll give you my honest answer: It was quite late when I wrote that chapter so I MOMENTARILY forget that one cannot perform a nonverbal spell without a wand. (I know, I should be expelled from Hogwarts.) Deliriously thinking that one could perform a nonverbal without a wand, I needed a reason as to why Scorpius did not fight back. Additionally, I also failed to remember that students are taught nonverbals in their 6th year at Hogwarts. (I know, expel me again from Hogwarts.) I am extremely sorry for my extreme blunderings. As previously mentioned in response to question one, it was getting very late and I had to finish the chapter quickly so I was kind of rushing to just finish it. I'm really sorry. :/

(3) Q: Could you make your chapters longer? Your story it has A LOT of potential, and well, it's whole potential will not be reached if every chapters are approximately 1500+ words only.

A: Well, we all saw what happened when, with my busy life and long writer's block, I tried to make the chapter longer. So again, back to the question: Do you guys want me to write shorter chapters (approx. 1500 words) and update more frequently (as in, once a month at the least), or longer chapters (minimum of 3000 words) and update much more irregularly (once every two months at the most, maybe even once every three months)?

Lastly, I'd like to say that since this is my first story that I've actually done for fun, besides just school stories, there are undoubtedly going to be some plot holes, grammatical errors, and just plain stupid mistakes. Looking back at my story, I can already see tiny plot holes and mistakes made here and there. All I can say is two cheesy phrases: "I'm only human," and, "Practice makes perfect. :)

One reason why I wanted to tell all of you my answers to these wonderful questions is that I wanted to apologize for any "plot holes, grammatical errors, and just plain stupid mistakes" that I have made in this story thus far. It is my first story so I'm just warming up. Thank you all for reading my story anyhow! It means so much to me

To reiterate once again, I AM SO SORRY. THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. (Hopefully… but really, I will try my hardest to update as often as possible!)

Okay, I will stop talking now. Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Thank you for those still reading this story! I HAVE NOT/NOR WILL NOT GIVE UP ON THIS.

~mrsscorpiusmalfoyyy

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 14: Silences, Naivete, and Punishments

"I. Cannot. Believe. My. Eyes," a deep voice seethed. The four friends whipped around to see, much to their horror, none other than Headmistress McGonagoll standing before them, looking ready to kill.

"Four against one?" McGonagoll fumed in a deadly voice. "Two of those four being the Head Boy and Girl? I would never have believed it in a million years. My office. Now."

I'd rather she screamed, Rose thought to herself miserably, reluctantly following McGonagoll to what she was sure was to be her doom.

Professor McGonagoll seemed to be restraining herself. She repeatedly opened her mouth as if she were about to shout, but closed it before any sound came out.

After several torturous minutes, she finally spoke: "I am utterly speechless. NEVER," she began raising her voice now, "have I EVER seen such horrific behavior! Especially from not ONE, but BOTH of the heads of school! I am APPALLED! EXPLAIN YOURSELVES."

The four friends looked at each other with identical looks of terror.

After several moments of no one saying anything, Rose finally got the courage to speak: "Professor McGonagoll, it is all my fault," she said with a large lump in her throat. She felt like crying.

Trying her best to control her emotions—McGonagoll was not the type to take pity—Rose thought it best to take the honest approach and tell McGonagoll everything.

Rose had told McGonagoll everything, from how long she'd loved Scorpius, to her passionate snogging with him at the beginning of the year party, to her heart being broken, to her trying to use Malcolm to get over the love of her life, to how he cheated on her.

When she finished telling her story in a very hurried rush, Rose let out a huge breathe: She had almost forgotten to breathe because she felt about ready to explode with anxiety.

Rose felt like she was going to die: Surely one's heart isn't supposed to beat this fast? I think I'm having a heart attack…

After several more moments of uncomfortable silence, McGonagoll sighed and sat down at her desk. She had been standing as stiff as a board the entire time and seemed relieved for a chance to sit down.

"Ms. Weasley," she said in a tired voice. "When I said explain yourselves, I did not mean you had to tell me every single detail of your life since the beginning of the school year. Some things are better kept private," McGonagoll said in an emotionless tone, while Rose blushed scarlet.

Scorpius thought he saw a small smile flit across her face as she said this.

"Listen," Professor McGonagoll addressed the four friends. "I really appreciate Rose's honesty. Even if she did tell me more than I would have liked to know, perhaps it is helpful that I know the challenges that all of you have been facing this year. However, what you four did is still completely unacceptable and quite frankly, at this moment, I am ashamed that you four are in Gryffindor House."

This speech was followed by an awful silence that seemed unlikely to end anytime soon. Out of the corner of his eyes, Albus saw Rose hastily wiping her eyes, and couldn't help but feel like punching himself.

"Professor McGonagoll?" Al spoke up. Professor McGonagoll looked up from her desk. "I just wanted to say that you shouldn't take away Scorpius and Rose's Head positions. I was the one who persuaded them, er, guilt-tripped them into helping give Finnigan what he rightfully deserved. I was the one who came up with the plan. You'll never find two better Heads and, although they may deserve punishment, they don't deserve to have their positions taken away."

Dillon saw McGonagoll's eyes bulge, undoubtedly because she was surprised because Albus had taken on a very serious tone, something he does very rarely.

Right as she was about to respond, Dillon interjected: "Professor McGonagoll, I agree with Albus completely. Rose and Scorpius are the best Heads you will ever find and they do not deserve to have their positions taken away. But Albus was wrong in saying it was just him: I also helped come up with the idea. I'm just as much at fault."

McGonagoll opened her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted yet again, this time by Scorpius.

"Professor, I'm just as much to blame as Albus and Dillon." This caused quiet outcries of frustration from Al and Dil. "If you think that taking away my position is what I deserve, then so be it," Scorpius said solemnly.

McGonagoll didn't even try to open her mouth this time, expecting one of the four to interrupt her. She was unsurprised when Rose cut into the conversation: "Same with me, Professor. I'm just as much to blame. And if—"

"Listen," the Headmistress said in a harsh voice. "And NO interruptions," she added at the indignant looks on their faces. "What you did is very wrong, and I hope you all know that. No matter how much someone upsets you, violence is never the answer, especially when the game is so unequal. Four to one? You should be ashamed of yourselves."

The four friends hung their heads for what seemed to be the hundredth time.

"However, I understand that the four of you have had quite the rocky couple of months so far this year, and while that does not absolve you from what you did, I realize that these couple of months have been hard on all of you. Seeing as there seems to have been some guilt-tripping and/or persuading to participate in this "raid", I have decided that I am simply not the right person to determine you're punishments."

She finished her lecture so abruptly that Rose was waiting for her to continue. When she didn't, Al, Dil, Scorp, and Rose looked at each other questioningly.

"Wait, what?" Albus said. "Who then?"

Professor McGonagoll grinned in a slightly sadistic kind of way: "Your parents."

"As we were walking up here, I notified all of them to come to my office in about half an hour to discuss your behavior. Little did I know that they would be the ones determining your punishments…" McGonagoll looked at her watch. "And seeing as it's been almost thirty minutes, they should be arriving any second now," she said glancing up at the fireplace.

"Wait, what? You notified them on our way up here?" Dillon said confusedly, looking at his friends who shrugged their shoulders unknowingly. "But… how—" Dillon was interrupted by the flames in the fireplace turning a magnificent emerald.

The room suddenly became very quiet as everyone's attention was drawn to a black-headed figure emerging out of the fireplace.

Harry Potter emerged out of the fireplace, a blank expression etched across his face.

Seeing his father, Albus paled quickly and suddenly developed a great interest in the intricate design of the rug.

Within seconds, Ginny Potter stepped out of the fire to stand next to her husband, looking very serious.

Next to arrive were Dillon's parents, Blaise Zambini and Lauren Zambini, both looking stern.

Rose, biting her lip so hard that it had begun to bleed, watched anxiously for the arrival of her parents.

Rose's mum was the first to arrive, looking worried, but also a little curious. They still don't know what I did! Rose thought desperately. Oh no…

A moment later, Ron Weasley stepped out of the fireplace, wiping the ashes off of his trousers. He stood up straighter, allowing Rose to get a full view of his face and see something she would never have expected: He had a look of naivete stretched across his face.

Naïve? Rose thought worriedly. She began to panic. Bloody hell, he doesn't know what he's in for…

Scorpius sat, staring fixedly at the fireplace, anticipating his parents' arrivals… Or parent's arrival? Scorpius thought. Will my father even bother to show?

And sooner than later, the beautiful blonde haired Astoria Malfoy stepped out of the fireplace.

Scorpius risked a glance at his mother's face, only to see her giving him a look that clearly said, "He's not coming."

Scorpius barely had time to revert his eyes back to the ground before Ronald Weasley cleared his throat awkwardly.

All head's swiveled towards him and he said, in a jolly, innocent way: "So, are we here to discuss how Rose has received yet another award for her exemplary behavior?"

Rose let out a quiet groan and buried her head in her hands: Her father was positively beaming.

"Well, not exactly…" Headmistress McGonagoll said in a stern, and slightly uncomfortable tone, put-off by Ron's naivete.

"Why would we be here then, Ron?" Blaise Zambini said smirking in a facetious kind of manner.

Headmaster McGonagoll cleared her throat awkwardly and all heads swiveled back towards her.

"I regret to inform you, Ronald," McGonagoll said sternly, "that you are in my office today to discuss your respective child's behavior."

Rose peeked at her father through her fingers, only to see her father wearing an expression somewhere between sadness and disappointment.

And with that, McGonagoll launched into retelling the story to the four sets of parents.

Rose was very grateful that Professor McGonagoll had dumbed down the story of the make-out session with Scorpius. None-the-less, any time Rose was somehow romantically linked with Scorpius (or Malcolm) in the recounting of the events, Ron paled considerably and clenched and unclenched his fists peridically.

She was very good at keeping an emotionless attitude when recounting the events, but Rose could tell that she became slightly uncomfortable when discussing the dramatic teenage problems that occurred over the last month.

After she finished the story, an awkward silence ensued, no one speaking for several minutes.

After letting the story digest for a few minutes, Professor McGonagoll cleared her throat once more and said: "Well then, as I said at the end of the story, I feel you, as the parents of these four students, are the proper people to decide your child's punishment. However, if I believe the punishment too severe, or not severe enough, I have the power to veto the punishment. I will now leave you all here to discuss amongst yourselves. Seeing as it is now nearing 10 o'clock, I will back in one hour, so please have your decision made by then."

Quickly and quietly, the Headmaster left her office.

After another long stretch of painful silence, Hermione broke the quietness by abruptly saying: "I think that they should have their Head positions taken away."

Dun dun dunnnnn... What will the punishment be? Stay tuned to find out soon! Again, REALLY SORRY. :( I cannot express how sorry I truly am! And if you didn't read my A.N. at the beginning of this chapter, which I don't blame you for because it was so bloody long, please answer this question: Do you guys want me to write shorter chapters (approx. 1500 words) and update more frequently (as in, once a month at the least), or longer chapters (minimum of 3000 words) and update much more irregularly (once every two months at the most, maybe even once every three months)? I hope to update sooner than that but I don't want to promise anything I'm not positive I can keep! SORRY :(

~mrsscorpiusmalfoyyy