Author's Note: Hey Folks, and welcome to my Scorpius/Rose fanfiction! I really hope you enjoy it. But before we begin, I'll just run through a few things.

Story Structure: The majority of this story will take place in the last two years of Scorpius and Rose's schooling (ie. 6th and 7th year). However, because I couldn't possibly begin the story straight at 6th year without some sort of character development, I have included several chapters detailing their 1st through to 5th years which hopefully gives some insight into their personalities, and interactions prior to the real story kicking off. This may mean the story is a little slow at first, but stay with me people! It will pick up, which brings me to…

Updates: I will be updating with the chapters I have already written once a week (usually on the weekend). I currently have around 10 chapters written. As hard as I try, I can't guarantee that I'll be able to keep up with weekly updates once I catch up with my own writing, although this is helped immensely by…

Reviews: Yes, I love them, we all love them, what writer doesn't? Reviews are like my fuel, I live off them. If I don't get enough, my creativity and desire to write starts to die ('urge to kill rising…'). Saying that, I hate begging for reviews and you'll probably find I don't mention them for the rest of this story. Neither am I very good at replying to them, because I'm busy and scatter brained and yeah…but I can guarantee that the more reviews I get, the more inspired I will be to finish this story in a timely manner. If I don't get enough reviews, I probably won't be bothered to continue past what I've already written.

Rating: Yes, the big one. Currently on T, but will probably up the rating at some point in the story. But, kiddies, this is not a porno, sorry to disappoint. There may or may not be explicit sex, I haven't decided yet. Reviews would definitely sway me ;)

POV: All Rose so far. However, I may write some in Scorpius' POV as the story progresses, if it flows well and I feel like it. If you're desperately burning for Scorpius, or anything else for that matter, leave a review and I'll consider it.

Ummm…so I think that's it. Oh yeah, and:

Disclaimer: Everything except a few minor characters and the plot belongs solely to JK Rowling; full credit to her genius. I, sadly, make no profit from this whatsoever.

Enjoy!

Roses Are Red

First Year

Rose Weasley sat on the Hogwarts train for the first time of her life, fidgeting nervously with a strand of her long auburn hair. Albus Potter sat across from her, looking as wretched as she felt. He couldn't sit still, and kept removing his glasses and polishing them, then repeating the movements as if in a trance.

"Albus, you shouldn't worry, I'm sure you won't be in Slytherin," Rose told him in what she presumed to be a comforting manner. She shot him a warm smile but to her surprise her cousin looked at her fiercely, his eyes flashing.

"And so what if I am?" he challenged. "What if I want to be in Slytherin?"

"I – " Rose was at a loss for words. Hadn't he been jumping up and down denying the possibility of becoming a Slytherin just moments ago, in front of everyone? Had he gone temporarily insane? "Well I…"

"Gee, sorry Rose," Albus said, his eyes softening as he watched her flounder. "I didn't mean to snap. I just…don't think it would be that bad." He lifted his chin proudly. "Severus Snape was in Slytherin, and he was one of the bravest men Dad knew."

"What's that about Slytherin?" came a voice next to them. Both Albus and Rose jumped and turned their heads; neither had noticed the figure standing in the doorway to their compartment. He had a proud, handsome face, framed with a shock of white-blonde hair and penetrating grey eyes. Rose recognised him instantly as Scorpius Malfoy, and her head rang with her father's words.

"Nothing," she said stiffly, turning away. But Albus didn't seem to share her sentiments. He shifted over and gestured for Scorpius to join them. The young wizard did so, looking uncomfortable.

"I'm thinking it wouldn't be so bad to be in Slytherin," Albus explained. "I mean, my whole family's in Gryffindor, so that's where I'd probably end up, but still…"

"Well, my whole family's from Slytherin," said Scorpius. He shot an uncertain glance at Rose.

"Yeah, and they're a perfect example of why Slytherin is the worst House in Hogwarts," she said unkindly.

"Rose!" Albus gave her a reproaching look.

"Well it's true," she shot back. "His kind are no good. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll leave the two of you to your pureblood love-fest!" With as much dignity as she could muster, she stood up and swept herself out of the compartment.

If there was one downside to being a Weasley, Rose thought sourly, it was having to wait until the very end of the any line she happened to be in; currently, it was being one of the last to be sorted. She had never been a patient girl, and this was simply unbearable. She watched as the thoroughly unpleasant looking Ivy Lestrange sat herself on the stall. The Sorting Hat had barely touched her head when a loud bellow echoed around the Great Hall: 'SLYTHERIN.' Rose's lip curled. Well of course, anyone could have predicted that outcome a mile away.

Soon after, Professor Longbottom, who was reading from a long list of names, called forward Scorpius. He held himself like the arrogant prat that he was on his way to the centre. Rose had to resist the urge to roll her eyes; it was only a formality, after all. Half a second later and he would be sorted into Slytherin.

But it took a lot longer than half a second. Scorpius sat there for what felt like forever, as the silence seemed to settle on the waiting crowd. The Malfoy name was almost as famous as Potter in the wizarding world, and there were plenty of students in the Great Hall straining to get a better look at Draco's son. Rose, who had heard stories of the Sorting Hat from her parents, wondered what it could possibly be saying to him. Her brow wrinkled as she stared at the straight backed young boy.

Finally, just as the students were becoming restless and whispering had broken out, the hat's mouth opened and it said, although in a much quieter voice than normal, 'Slytherin.' Scorpius pulled off the hat and stumbled, white-faced, over to his table, where he was received with much applause.

Rose didn't have time to dwell on the strangeness of it, for in moments it was Albus' turn to be sorted. And if she thought the Sorting Hat took a long time with Scorpius, it was nothing to how long it took with Albus. If Rose hadn't seen Pillia Patil sorted into Hufflepuff within seconds before her cousin, she would have sworn it was malfunctioning. The Great Hall was deathly quiet; even the teachers seemed intent upon the small figure of Albus, head covered by the Sorting Hat. As the son of Harry and Ginny Potter, it had been almost assured that Albus would be in Gryffindor. After all, it had taken only seconds for James to be sorted into his parents' house. But Albus seemed to be different. Rose watched her cousin with a growing sense of dread.

When the call came, it barely surprised her. But the shock around the Hall was palpable. Even the Slytherins seemed too stunned to cheer for their new recruit. Rose saw Scorpius with a grin on his face, but he was the only one. Several of the older Slytherins were muttering darkly to themselves. Eventually a smattering of applause broke out, and Albus made his way to the opposite side of the room than the rest of his family. Rose could see James, his face slack and blank as if he had been thumped by a bludger, and her heart went out to him. She knew that despite his teasing, James loved Albus dearly. It would be hard for him to have a brother in Slytherin.

Rose was so numb with the shock of it all she nearly missed her own name being called, which was a first. Stumbling forward, she thrust the hat over her head, not really sure what to expect. A deep, melodious voice rang inside her mind, speaking only to her.

"Ah, another Weasley. You certainly seem to have unlimited supplies."

"Are you going to put me in Slytherin like Albus?" she asked, not caring for small talk with a hat.

"You? Hmm, no, no I don't think so. You're too much of a Weasley for that. But I think you'll find yourself inexplicably tied to that house from here on in. For now, though, it'll have to be – GRYFFINDOR!" The last word was shouted to the entire room.

Rose took her seat amidst raucous applause by the Gryffindors. She couldn't look at Albus. This was all wrong; they were supposed to be in the same House. James slapped her on the shoulder and ruffled her hair as she slid in beside him, but she barely noticed. Suddenly seven years at Hogwarts seemed like a very, very long time.

Albus caught up with her in the Entrance Hall after the feast. His face was sharp with excitement and defiance. By his side was Scorpius Malfoy, and Rose found herself overwhelmed by a deep hatred for him that had nothing at all to do with who his father was.

"Happy now?" she spat at him, knowing she was being unfair but not really caring. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Rose," began Albus tentatively. "We can still hang out, you know that right? We'll always be best friends; a stupid House difference doesn't change that."

"Oh doesn't it?" she rounded on her cousin, feeling slightly hysterical. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. In the background she could hear the Gryffindor Prefects calling for all first years to follow them. It hit her like a sucker-punch that Albus would not be coming with her. "I have to go. Enjoy your first night in Slytherin." And, for the second time that day, she spun on her heel and left both Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy staring after her with open mouths.