Parchment

A/N: Hello people! This is my second ever fanfic that I've written, and I hope you like it! =)

Disclaimer: Harry Potter will never belong to me, ever. *sob*

CHAPTER 1: Finding

"Finally we're out of here!" A tall ebony-haired teen looked up adoringly at the sky, "Being outside has never appealed so much to me!"

"Do shut up Albus," I rolled my eyes and struggled to hold on to the giant pile of books I was carrying. "We didn't even stay in Flourish and Blotts that long."

The rarely-seen sun peeked out behind the fluffy white clouds, shining upon the crooked streets of Diagon Alley. Crowds of people swarmed around the entrances of the shops within the alley. Parents were dragging curious young students around, checking the school list to buy the necessities. A large group of people cluttered around the entrance to a certain joke shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, staring in awe at the assortment of joke stuff. I smiled with glee at the increasingly successful business that my uncles Fred and George started.

"Could we have a rest? Please? Pleeeeeease? Pretty please with a cherry on top?" Albus begged. While I shook my head firmly, he frowned like a little boy that wasn't allowed cookies.

"Aww Rosie…you're my favourite cousin! We've been walking around Diagon Alley for hours! At least take a break!"

"We'll take a break after we've finished the list. There isn't much left to do; only get food for Brienn and Cela at Eeylops. I'm sure you want Cela to stop pecking you for owl nuts," I suggested.

"Fine, then," Albus pouted, "Don't take too long picking out owl food. I'm really hungry Rose." On cue, his stomach growled loudly, attracting the disgusted glares of passers-by. "Sorry about that."

I sighed exasperatedly and trudged off with Albus to Eeylops Owl Emporium. Not long later, we came out each carrying a large bag of owl food. We walked across the alley to get to Magical Menagerie, carrying out hooting owls and our school stuff. An incident revolving around two screeching owls and a kitten later, we emerged out covered in feathers. A sleek kitten with crimson and gold highlights pawed at the bag of owl nuts I was holding.

Al brushed off the feathers off his jacket, and flicked off a particular feather that was hanging on his eyebrow. I combed my hair with my fingers, making feathers flutter everywhere into the air.

"Could you believe that? I never saw a kitten get so angered up over an owl nut! When I accidentally dropped a nut, it started yowling and scratching at our owls! What a temper…like your dad," Al grinned as he recounted the incident thrice. I stifled a smile as I watched the storekeeper yelling frantically and trying to calm down the screeching animals.

"I know! That's why I bought it; it had the Weasley temper," I fluffed the orange streaked fur of said purring kitten in my arms. "What should I name you? Hmm…" I tapped my chin thoughtfully, "Why don't I name you Flame? You look like one, and you have the perfect temper! Good name, Al?"

"Whatever you say, Ms. Head Girl. But I guess it's okay."

"Thanks Al!" I hugged him, ruffling his hair, "Let's drop our school stuff to Mum, Dad, Uncle Harry, and Aunt Ginny before going to Fortescue's. Come on Al!" I dragged him along, and luckily he followed willingly.

After dumping the enormous pile of stuff to our exasperated parents, we headed off to buy ice cream, squeezing through chattering groups of people. "Which flavour would you like?" I asked Albus.

"You know the usual. Chocolate mixed with vanilla and strawberry, with mango syrup, and rainbow sprinkles," Al said to the ice cream seller and I once we arrived at Fortescue's. Flame stared around at the new surroundings, hissing at the owls flying up high in the air. It seemed like Flame has a dislike of owls.

"I would like a strawberry sorbet and chocolate with sprinkles please," I ordered the dessert politely at Franklin, the owner of Fortescue's.

"You wouldn't want an Albus?" Franklin winked at Al, who was currently attacking his ice cream with fervour.

"No thank you, Franklin." I wrinkled my nose with disgust at Albus, and paid for the desserts.

Sitting under the shade of an umbrella perched on the table, I placed my ice cream on the table, trying to hide the dessert from Flame's paws.

"What are your expectations next year? It's our last year ever at Hogwarts," Al questioned me, finished with his sundae already.

"Other than being the top student of the year and getting the highest grades on NEWTs, I have no idea," I shrugged. "What's yours?"

"Having as much fun as I can, and getting the perfect girlfriend," Albus said simply, "Typical me."

Before I could reply, another shadow fell over our table, and the owner of the shadow drawled, "So you're Head Girl?" I knew that voice; I'd know it from a mile away: Scorpius Malfoy.

"Yes, Malfoy," I spat the name out, and turned around to face him. Sure enough, there he was, same as usual, but with slight changes.

I looked him up and down disapprovingly; he seemed to have gotten fitter, and leaner, probably from Quidditch training. And his eyes, not the silver grey anymore, but a shinier, mercury grey. And his lips…Wait; Wasn't I supposed to hate him? I needed to erase that from my thoughts: I did not think about his highly kissable lips.

Crap. There wasn't some mental problem in me, right? Mum and Dad would've known about that, me having a mental problem. Then why was I thinking abo-about that, Malfoy's mouth?

"Staring at awe at my awesome body?" Malfoy chuckled. He saw me staring at him. Better clean that up quickly.

"Sod off Malfoy, before I ruin your oh-so perfect face," I replied irritably. Al chuckled at the sidelines; I forgot that he was there, watching us. Malfoy nodded and smiled at him, a silent greeting.

"Amazing," Malfoy clapped mockingly, "Even the nerdiest girl of Hogwarts agrees that I am good-looking." I growled in frustration. Flame started to eat my ice cream, unaware of the fight going on between his owner and her rival.

"You're insufferable, Malfoy," I hissed, before picking up my bag and a grumpy Flame who didn't finish his ice cream. Luckily I paid for the desserts, so now I could leave quicker without Malfoy bugging me. "Come on, Albus!"

"Right away, Rosie! See you at Hogwarts, Scorpius," Albus waved at Malfoy. Luckily, Albus had enough sense to follow my directions on one of my rages at Malfoy, after years of experience. I huffed, and stormed through the street.

"Hey, Rose?" I turned to glare at Al, "If you don't mind, I'm going to see the new Wildfire up at Quality Quidditch Supplies," he said timidly. I sighed, knowing it was no use venting out my tantrum at Al, and called for him to meet up later. I doubt he heard me though, since right after I agreed he sprinted off instantly.

I checked my supplies list again. "Damn! I forgot to buy parchment and extra quills!" I cried out loud. Hurrying to the stationery shop right next to Quality Quidditch Supplies, I looked around the aisles, searching for parchment.

A bright store tag caught my eye, and I noticed that there was a sale for some parchment. Glancing at the price, and at the stack of parchment, I nodded approvingly, and took a stack. I stopped by the quills section, and decided on buying a pheasant quill, rather than the more expensive peacock one.

Hurrying back outside to the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley after paying for the parchment and quill, I called out, "Albus?" Not surprisingly, there was no reply of, "Rosie!" He must've been too distracted by the new Wildfire again. Leaning against the wall corner next to Quality Quidditch Supplies, I waited for him to come out.

"Are you sure about that?" a girl, probably about my age, asked. She could be standing near the deserted alleyway next to me.

"Yes, Mirea, I swear I saw her taking that stack and paying for it!" a boy replied exasperatedly. The sentences caught my ears, and I leaned in subconsciously, trying to understand what they were talking about.

"Brilliant, Tiro. Now we wait for the next part," the girl, Mirea, giggled.

ARGH! Before I started wondering about the conversation, my foot tripped over a rock and I fell down on my knee, right in front of the two people. I guessed my feet were also walking subconsciously closer to the two people so I could hear clearer. Cursing almost silently, I turned my head to look at them. A girl, with blonde curly hair, and a guy with dark, dark brown hair with blonde highlights stared back at me with suspicion and astonishment.

"I, um, tripped over a rock. Sorry about my clumsiness," I said awkwardly. Quickly turning away from the forms of the disturbed people, I instantly went off searching for Albus.

A/N: So how did you think my first chapter went? Please Review! =) And many thanks to my wonderful beta, LittleLissi. Have you read her fanfiction, The Magic Word is Sorry, Not Please? It's absolutely brilliant! =)

Dess