The Flower and the Snake

"I know who Ms. Raven is. Quite the artist as I hear." Scorpious said. "She has a younger sister in our house as well, doesn't she?"

He blew an anoying strand of hair out of his face, picking up his goblet.

====

"I'm sure there's someone you two can mannage to take." [XD I need names for these people lol]

((lol names would be awesome yes. Lol makes it easier.))

“Yes that she is. Her sister is in fourth year and a marvelous troublemaker.” Cormic replied. Their formality would have seemed almost hostile to any of the other houses, but for the Slytherins this was normal. In fact, they were actually being friendly.

It didn’t take long for such things to fall apart however, especially when Celina herself showed up. Her hair had finally been returned to its proper color, though the nurse had had a hard time finding the counter jinx to Rose’s spell.

“And that’s my cue to vacate the table.” Cormic said, eyeing Celina warily. “By the way Malfoy, one hell of a girl you’ve got.”

It was as much of a compliment as any Slytherin would genuinely give.

=========================================================

Albus scoffed at the suggestion. “How about I just don’t want to go?”

“Please.” Rose said, looking at him skeptically, “You always want to go, and this is your last year. Just ask a fourth year or something as friends. That way she’ll be able to go at all, and you can just go solo if it means that much to you.”

Albus was quiet after that, seemingly giving the suggestion some thought. Hugo on the other hand stood up quickly his posture determined.

“I know who I’m going to ask.” He said seriously, looking at one of the other house tables.

“Who?” asked Lily, watching her cousin warily.

“Hannah Clearwater.”

“The Ravenclaw?” Jasper said, finally pulling his attention away from his food long enough to look incredulously at his brother.

“Yep. I’m going to ask her.” Without further ado he stalked off to find Hannah.

“It’ll be a miracle if that girl goes with him.” Lily muttered stabbing a sausage viciously.

“Well, guess I better go find a date then too.” Albus sighed. “If Hugo finds someone and I don’t I’ll never live it down. See you guys later.”

Scorpious couldnt help the satisfied smirk on his lips as Cormic walked off. One hell of a woman he had indeed.

He looked over at Celina and stood up, walking over to her. "For the record, bubblegum pink suits you." he said, walking past her without a second thought, sitting next to the youngest Raven sister, the 4th year.

"Morning." he greeted with a smile. "Don't take this the wrong way, but do you have a date for this evening?" he asked.

====

"3 sickles says Hugo get's turned down."Jones bet, raising the silver coins.

"I dont know, he might not.... If Hanna hasnt been asked out yet then she's most likely dieing to be asked."

The girl turned to Scorpius with an eyebrow raised. Her named was Morwena, and she couldn’t believe that Malfoy of all people was asking her that question.

“No. I’m only fourth year. Unless an upper student asks me I can’t attend. Why are you asking me?” She could have sworn that Malfoy was going with the Weasly girl. Did they break up or something? No she would have heard about that. What did he want then?

================================================================

“My brother is not that bad guys.” Rose said, feeling the need to defend her younger sibling.

“Yeah maybe not, but you’ve got to admit that he has like no class Rosie. Besides, Hannah is like the prettiest girl in Ravenclaw. I wouldn’t be surprised if she already had a date.” Lily said, trying to soothe her cousins feelings.

“I’ll take that bet.” Jasper said, putting his money down on the table. “I bet she say’s yes.”

Everyone nearby that could hear turned in surprise at Jasper Weasly. He never defended his brother. Never. Made fun of and called out his crap? Yes. Defend? Hell no.

XD hehe... Scorpious is trying to be all helpful]

"Well, It happens that a friend of mine doesn't have a date for this evening." he said. "Trouble is he's a bit of a... how to put it... He's not all too swift when it comes to girls. Is there any chance I might be able to talk you into escorting him?"

"And before you say yes or no, I should mention he's in Griffindor."

-------

Jones placed his bet. "I feel bad taking those form you." he said leaning back and looking over.

"... You know... I bet Albus is going to have a harder time.... He's seen as such a stiff, ya know? Head boy, Harry Potters son. Kind of intimidatin' really." one girl commented, though she already had a date. Of course, she was a 6th year and on the Quitich team. No shock she had a date.

Lily laughed at the girls comment, knowing for a fact it would be incredibly difficult for Albus.

“The funny thing is if he’d relax a bit he could have any girl he wanted for the very same reason he’s so intimidating. Its kind of a great opening line. My dad is Harry Potter.” said another boy thoughtfully.

“Umm guys. MY DAD IS HARRY POTTER.” Lily said angrily, her face reddened. She hated it when people judged any of them based on their parents. Rose could agree though she would never know how bad Lily and Albus had it, or their brother James before them. All three of them had had to deal with the stares, whispers, and questions about their father all their lives. Poor James had to do it alone for two years when he first started Hogwarts. Albus and Lily had never been the only Potter on campus like he had.

Rose, being the daughter of Ron and Hermione had gotten a lot of the same treatment, as did her brothers, but never quite as bad.

The boy who spoke held up his hands in surrender, not wanting to fight with a girl who was known for her wayward curses and bad temper.

“Didn’t mean nothing by it Lily, just commenting is all.”

She crossed her arms in anger and huffed, glaring daggers at the boy who had so offended. Luckily Hugo decided to rejoin their table with the biggest grin on his face.

“She said yes!” He exclaimed, not leaving them in suspense for long. Jasper simply held out his hand.

“My sickles please.”

====================================================================

Morwena looked at Scorpius like he had grown another head.

“You’re trying to set me up on a date, with another Gryfindor?” It wasn’t the house that had Morwena so scandalized. It was the fact that Scorpius Malfoy of all people was playing matchmaker.

“Who is it?” She asked, curious.

"Albus Potter." Scorpious responded, as if there were nothing odd at all about the statement.

The only reason he knew Albus didn't have a date was, well, he had asked the night before. Somehow the topic had come around at supper the previous night on the dress he had yet to see but spent a small fortune on Rose for.

---

Jones scowled tossing his sickles over to Jasper.


[XD Albus walking by: o.o say wha?]

Morwena looked at Scorpius in surprise. The truth was that she had found the Potter boy attractive for quite some time, but had never had the courage to say anything to him. He was, after all, three years older than she was, and probably wouldn’t want to be around a fourteen year old girl.

Not that she wasn’t pretty. Like her sister Morwena had golden honey brown hair that she kept long and plaited down her back. The two sisters looked nothing like what their last names implied, but while Marisa’s eyes were a light brown, Morwena had dark eyes that contrasted sharply with her light hair.

“I doubt he would want to come with me.” Morwena said slowly, making sure her answer didn’t come across as a no.

==========================================================

“Thanks.” Jasper said, gathering the sickles and putting them in his pocket.

“What did you guys bet on?” Hugo asked, looking at his brother suspiciously.

“Oh nothing.” Jasper said, getting up to leave. “Have fun tonight guys. Good luck with Hannah bro, you’ll need it.” With that he walked off, leaving Hugo standing there wondering if he had just been insulted or not.

Rose however, wasn’t paying attention. She had her eye instead on Scorpius who was currently chatting up a rather pretty Slytherin girl. They seemed rather engrossed in their conversation too.

“Rose?” Lily asked, looking over to where she was staring. “Oh. I wouldn’t worry about that Rose. You know he’s crazy about you.”

"Well, if I could talk to him, and he said yes." Scorpious trailed off for a moment. "Would you?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Malfoy, you could at least be polite and give a girl some notice. I doubt she even has a dress." another Slytherin girl scoffed.

"Well, seeing as how her mother designs ball gowns for a living, I don't see a dress being the issue." Scorpious replied wittily, looking back to Morwena. "Would you?"

---

"You know... I have one of those ears your uncle sells in his joke shop... If you want to listen in." Jones offered Rose.

“A dress would not be the issue. Mother keeps sending me the damnable things ‘Just in case.’ I suppose it would be fine. If he said yes of course.” Morwena said quickly, controlling her desire to blush at the thought. Albus Potter on her arm for the Yule Ball. That would be heavenly.

==================================================================

Rose turned to Jones and shook her head. She had to trust Scorpius, regardless of his playboy past. He had never given her reason to doubt him, so she wouldn’t start now.

“Lily’s right. I’m not going to worry about it.” Rose said.

“Yeah sis I wouldn’t worry about it.” Hugo said, drawing surprised gasps from the group.

“What?” He asked, confused.

“You hate Malfoy.” Jones said, disbelief etching his features.

“Yeah. Whats your point?”

“Why are you defending him then?” Lily asked, suspicious.

“Because I know he’s gonna mess up on his own, and I don’t want it to be something that it wrong. Besides, he wouldn’t mack on that girl. She’s only a fourth year, and from what I hear has a massive crush on your brother.”

“My brother?” Lily said, taking a closer look at the girl in question. She was pretty, she had to give her that.

"Brilliant." Scorpious stood up. "I'll go speak with him and let you know within an hour. That should give you enough time to prepare." he said, mostly to himself. "Have a good brunch ladies." he nodded before walking off.

-----

"... Where do you think he's going with those boxes?" Jones asked blinking, just noticing the two boxes the Malfoy boy was carrying with him.

Morwena nodded, going back to her food. She wasn’t going to hold her breath, though there was definitely a glimmer of hope there.

===================================================================

“Its probably for tonight.” Lily said cautiously, answering the boy’s question. She didn’t want to say too much, especially since she knew that Rose hadn’t really told anyone outside the immediate family that she was going to the ball with Scorpius.

“I should start getting ready.” Rose said, deciding it was time that she leave the table. Lily nodded and got up too, smiling a bit too big.

“Yeah me too. Gotta look perfect for tonight.” She said.

They walked together out of the Great hall and towards their common room. They parted ways at the baths, Rose heading to the prefect bathroom, while Lily headed off to the normal students showers.

Albus on the other hand was currently leaning against a wall near the Gryffindor common room, wondering what the hell he was going to do for the ball that night.

"Oi, Potter." Scorpious called, spotting Albus. "You have a moment to spare?" he asked, approaching the head boy.

He didn't seem to really want to give the Head Boy an option in speaking with him.

Albus turned his head to see the absolute last person he wanted to see right now. He’d kill his sister if ever got the chance for spilling to Malfoy of all people that he didn’t have a date yet. This was going to be unpleasant he just knew it.

“Yeah, whats up Malfoy.”

That was one habit he hadn’t gotten into like some of the others at their table. He doubted he’d ever be able to refer to Malfoy by his first name.

"Are you still looking for an escort for this evening?" Scorpious asked.

Albus raised an eyebrow, confused as to what he was getting at.

“Maybe. Whats it to you?”

Scorpious raised an eyebrow. "I know someone who would be more than happy to go with you." he said. "Morwena Raven."

“The fourth year?” It was a credit to Albus that his first thought wasn’t that she was in Slytherin. The fact he didn’t separate her based on such a dismal thing such as house would make this go over much better.

“You’re kidding right?” His tone was incredulous, but not insulting. It wasn’t like he was appalled over who it was, more like he couldn’t believe she would want to go with him. She was rather pretty, and from what he knew she had plenty of boys asking her out.

“Besides, that guy from Hufflepuff, the fifth year asked her to the Ball already. What makes you think she’d go with me?”

"I happen to know she woudl be more than happy to go with you." Scorpious said. "But I told her I would have an answer for her within the hour..." he looked at his watch. "About 40 minutes ago. So I'll need to know what your decision is rather soon..."

“Where is she?” Albus asked, taking his hands out of his pocket and standing up straight. His mind was whirling quickly with the possibilities, and who this girl really was. He’d never really talked to her much, but whenever they did chat it had always been pleasant. She just seemed so shy all the time. At least with him she did anyways.

"In the Mainhall." Scorpious said. "You should probably go see her if you're thinking of accepting."

Scorpious Malfoy. Rich, smart, matchmaker.

Albus nodded and started walking off. Before he got too far he turned back, seemingly fighting back some inexplicable urge. Finally he ground out, “Thanks Malfoy.”

Before he said anything else he might regret he made his way back to the great hall, working up the nerve to actually ask out a girl he barely knew.

((Time skip to just ball time now?))

yes. XD Time skip.


http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=eyepatch%20man&order=9&offset=72#/d1pk9bq

Scorpious stood waiting at the base of the Stairways in the Mainhall, dressed in a rather charming attire, his blond hair pinned back and his dress robe place on over a vest. He stood, holding a small black box, an elegant RW engraved into the top.

He looked around, waiting for Rose. While most everyone else seemed to have already met up with their dates, he felt slightly out of place for a change, waiting next to a portrait of a unicorn that kept trying to nudge at his head with its nose.

http://www.bustledress.com/aab/contest/entries/i.victorian.contest.55.jpg


It had taken hours for Rose to finish getting ready. From the time she had left Lily on those stairs she had been getting ready. Never before had she put such trouble into her appearance. When she was finally done and looked in the mirror she had to admit that she’d outdone herself for once.

The gown was absolutely beautiful. Made from the finest silks that the shop had to offer, it had cost quite a pretty penny to make. Rose had always had a fondness for fashion from the Victorian era, and so with this creation she let that love take hold. The entire front was embroidered with black pearls and gems, giving the dress a shimmer that was not overbearing. She had put her hair up in a loose bun, letting tendrils of her bright red hair free. She had put some red lipstick on, and dark mascara to bring out the more honey tones of her eyes.

When she was finally done she put on the black satin gloves that came with the dress and checking her reflection one final time she began to make her way to the Great Hall where the ball was being held. She realized how long she had taken when she barely saw anyone on her way down, though she was grateful for it none-the less. She didn’t want anyone to see her until she made it downstairs.

Finally she made it to the hall, and began going down the last staircase to where Scorpius was waiting for her. He looked absolutely amazing as usual, like a high class gentlemen of a royal court. Wearing her dress that cost galleons she was hoping she looked the part, the princess meeting her prince. From the looks of those in the Entrance Hall before entering the ball room, she was definitely making an impression.

Scorpious looked up and did a double take blinking. His jaw literally hung open slightly as he looked up the stairs at Rose as she came down.

He was literally knocked out of his shock when someone knocked into him.

he stepped forward, unable to take his eye off of Rose. "You look..... stunning." he said, looking awestruck.