Rose Granger-Weasley was in her charms class when Calista Longbottom sprang to her feet like a jack in the box, eyes widen and focussed on the window.

"They're here!" She squealed uncharacteristically, and the whole class stood from their seats to peer out. From the far end of the their point of vision, something could be seen permeating the blue skyline. As they drew closer, one could make out the shape of none other than winged horses pulling a carriage along. Flitwick, now considerably older and less agile than he once was, said nothing. He knew it was no use keeping them in their seats.

"What are you waiting for?" Said another voice, who stood by the door. "Let's go out and see!"

And with that, the doors from the classrooms across the school were burst open, and children of all ages streamed out to see the new arrivals. Spilling out into the courtyard, Hagrid was clearing students off the 'landing strip'.

The students raised their heads and watched with wide eyes as the carriage made its landing, wheels skidding across the cobbles with a few sparks. Even Rose, who's skeptical eye was hard to impress, looked at the carriage with some awe.

No less than a dozen winged horses, which stood at the forefront as they gently trotted to a halt. They were a silvery palomino, with shimmering wings as white as snow, and stood a good deal taller than even Hagrid.

A group of spellbound students tried approaching one, but Hagrid warded them off. "Don't pet the Abraxans, they're tired and agitated," he huffed, but his voice was drowned out in the excitement. "You can come and see them in their stalls when-"

Just then, the door to the carriage swung open. The more Rose looked at the thing, the less she could believe it. It was the size of a large house, for starters, and wore a proud powder blue, laced with impressive whites and golds. Rose imagined it to be like the sorts of high ceilings of Baroque Palaces. It was really something to behold. Out of the carriage stepped a woman, the sheer height of whom caused a momentary hush in the crowd.

"Mon 'Agrid!" She announced jovially, with an accent so thick it sounded more like 'agreed', as she extended her hand for Hagrid to kiss.

"It's good to see you, Olympe. It's been some time eh, hasn't it?" Hagrid asked, smiling up at her with rounded cheeks.

The headmistress, who wore a long dark blue coat, gestured towards the door of her carriage, as a number of students in blue silks stepped out.

"Look at their robes," whispered a voice beside Rose. "They're beautiful."

"It's not just their robes that are beautiful." Nudged another person, as a group of five or six students emerged, all looking like they'd been born of the divine with looks like those.

It was shortly announced that a number of Hogwarts students had been chosen as a pair for each foreign student, so they had a friendly face for the first few days. You could almost cut the tension with a knife as McGonagall read out the names of the students.

The names that were read our were predictable enough. James Potter, Louis Weasley, Cecily Wood and so on. All seventh years, and with some merit to their name. But when she heard the name Selwyn, she couldn't help but feel a little sick. This was not part of their plan. Not in the slightest. A notion of keeping Selwyn away from the new arrivals had just been pulled apart.

She felt a tug on her arm as the crowds made their way into the castle. It was Calista, with a wide smile of excitement on her lips. "C'mon, let's head in! I want to meet them."

Rose obliged, her mind elsewhere and followed Calista in to the Castle.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Spirits were high that evening when Rose made her way to the Great Hall with Fred in tow. Fred had recently received a detention for setting old Filch's hair on fire, so he was not given a companion from the French school. But the last piece of the puzzle; Durmstrang Institute, has yet to make an appearance. They were supposed to arrive today with Beauxbatons, but did not.

"Typical," said Fred as he sat down with Rose, who's head turned to the front where the Beauxbatons students were stood with the Hogwarts reps.

"What d'you reckon?" Said Lily, whose eyes too were on the front. "It's time for some fresh meat, don't you think?"

Rose rolled her eyes, raising an eyebrow. "Worked your way through your share, have you?" She added, which Lily shrugged at. "Come on, don't pretend you're not interested. You need a date to the ball Rose, they'll all be asking." She said with a grin, and Rose was about to respond when McGonagall stepped up to the owl stand to speak.

"As you know," began the announcement, the hall hushed eagerly.

"The Yule Ball is a tradition held to honour the connection between Europe's finest Wizarding Schools. Before your time it was held as the celebration within the Triwizard Tournament every five years. We no longer hold the Tournament to honour the death of Cedric Diggory, who died whilst competing in the final task. But we have decided this year to revive the Yule Ball. Whilst our friends from the North have not felt it fit to arrive as of yet, we may warmly welcome our friends from Beauxbatons Academy. Their Headmistress Madame Maxime will say a few words."

Madame Maxime, using her stick, made her way up to the platform, a wide smile on her wizened features, opening her arms in a welcoming gesture.

"My dear 'Ogwarts, what a pleasure it is too see your bright young faces shining up at me once more. I may not be as young as I was, but your youthful face make me feel zat I am young again! Mais Assez, I am 'ere to introduce to you ze fine young students of Beauxbatons Academy!" She said, prompting an excitable cheer from across the hall.

Rose's eyes glanced around the hall, at the wide, eager eyes of the older students wanting to get a glance at those that might join them at the Yule Ball. She hadn't seen the Hall this united in well, ever. But unlike her cousins, Rose was not interested.

As she glanced across the hall as Madame Maxime began to introduce them like a sporting lineup, and her eyes landed on a shock of white hair in green robes. Scorpius Malfoy, the bad boy, the troublesome heart throb of every girl's dreams. To think a year ago the very sound of his name would make her nose curl in disgust. She had misunderstood him gravely, and he her. But Scorpius' head was not fixed on those in blue standing at the front, but his eyes were on her. Those silver-blue eyes, intensely watching. It made Rose blush to think he had been watching her all this time, in broad daylight. In that moment, all she desired was him, and he her. There was no happier place in the world than in his arms, if only the world allowed it.

They had known long ago, since their first kiss by the lake, that the world wouldn't take kindly to a Granger-Weasley and a Malfoy together. Least of all their families, so they had taken a silent vow to keep their affections a secret. Daring moments like these made her heart race with both excitement and fear. Yet there was also comfort in knowing that she was not gambling love on a stranger, but on the boy across the hall, who sat smiling quietly at her against the tide.