"I was practicing with Ron Weasley."

Pansy's eyes went wide with shock. "Ron Weasley?!" she exclaimed, a little too loudly for comfort. The nearby Slytherins glanced over, but the rest of the hall remained oblivious to their conversation. "You're joking, right?"

"I'm dead serious," Rose replied, her eyes meeting Pansy's. "We had a good session, and he said I might have what it takes to join the team."

Pansy leaned in closer, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Well, well, well," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Looks like Little Miss Smith is trying to get cozy with a Gryffindor. How... ****."

Rose's jaw tightened. "It's none of your business, Pansy. And it's not like you could ever understand the concept of friendship."

"Seem like you want more than friendship," Pansy goaded, her voice a venomous whisper. "But don't get your knickers in a twist. I won't tell anyone." She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Yet."

"I don't even like him," her cheeks burning. "He's just helping me out, that's all."

"Oh, I know," Pansy said sweetly, her smile not reaching her eyes. "But you know how rumors spread around here. It'll be all over the school by morning that you're cozying up to a Gryffindor. And what will our dear Draco think of that? That you want to be with that redheaded loser."

Rose said. "Ron isn't a loser. And Draco's opinion is the last thing I care about right now."

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