Scorpius' Rose
Bloody hell.
After the incidence with Delphi and the time turner a lot of things have changed. Albus started to develop as strong relationship with his father. Scorpius learned that his dad was much more emotional then he first appeared.
Other things maintained the same.
However, there were things that got worse. The rumours around Scorpius being the son of Voldemort may have died down- there will always a small percentage of people who won't stop talking about the slight possibility of truth behind those untrue words. But the whole adventure lead to a new kind of hate for the young boys.
Stupidity and seeking adventures were two traits which are not welcomed in the Slytherin's house. Well and both of these were perfectly presented by Albus and Scorpius.
Slytherin was a house with pride, logic and calmness in stressful situation. True, some might say that Slytherin is also the house with split tongues. Let's say Slytherin was well trained in choosing words.
Nevertheless, Slytherin was known for holding a grudge for a long time. Hence, the boys had a rather rough fifth year in Hogwarts. Constantly proving that they represented all the other traits of Slytherin as well and even more than the ones of Gryffindor.
Because we know that Gryffindor is the house of bravery, the house of cheers and a loud laugh. It wants to be in the centre of all and enjoys every kind of attention. Moreover, Gryffindor has been the house of fast, quick and sometimes even selfish decision for a not that selfish reason. It was more than obvious that Scorpius and Albus have been this during their little first adventure.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
A very well known quote and still a really hard one to transfer into the real morals nowadays.
Scorpius is a character who contains a lot more than the mentioned characteristic. Just as every human being and still do we all seek for a label which we want to put on our foreheads and be proud of. Or we receive a label and have to bear all its burden.
When Scorpius came back for the sixth year to Hogwarts, he had grown into a handsome man with platinic blonde hair hanging over is forehead and ears and framing his beautiful sharp and already quite masculine face. He did not understand that the looks he gained at that time were not judgmental but pure envious and longing ones.
Scorpius was way too humble and unexperienced to understand that look properly. Differently to his father, he wore a constant bright smile on his lips. Especially, when we was around Albus.
And even more when he occasionally saw Rose.
This story will be a story of characters and their love.
And even more how love is actually helping to turn the character out.
"What a lovely day.", Scorpius stated with a huge grin in his face while looking into the sky.
Albus turned his eyes and smiled. "Truly. Everyday Rose is saying a word more to you, it's the best day in your life. How easy it is to make you happy."
Scorpius's smiled widen. "It is, isn't it?"
Albus just laughed and turned around to move into the Slytherin dorm. "See you later then, don't study too much.", he waved while walking away and Scorpius turned into the direction of the library.
Maintaining good grades was a busy business.
Rose looked up when he saw him entering the library. He smiled at her and waved slightly. The first time he actually overdid it and earned an eyes-rolling answer from her.
This time he went straight to the shelf and searched for the books needed in order to perform well at his next test. It was the last year before the NEWTs and he wanted to keep up his excellent work. Same went for Rose. So, it was not surprising that they met each other every afternoon in the library. A common and neutral ground. Every house was represented here- it is not just Ravenclaw which was full of knowledge. However, the library was mostly filled in blue colours.
Scorpius had noticed that Rose never wore her significant tie or coat. She just sat there in her grey trousers and white blouse.
Yes, trousers. Rose decided that she should be free to choose what she would like to wear rather. And no one stopped her. She even gained a lot of respect and some girls followed her lead.
Scorpius smiled softly. Rose had become a mature, intelligent and loving young women. Her temper was still present but better controlled – very ironic. She was not as pushy as her mother to show off her abilities and knowledge than rather shared it with kind words. She often tutored friends, classmates and whoever asked her. She performed perfectly on the broom and was probably the most popular girl at school. Which burdened Lily from time to time. Being in her cousin's shadow, not that smart, not that talented and sometimes more clumsy than adorable. But Lily had Hugo. They were inseparable. Even though they were in different houses. Lily had been sorted into Huffelpuff and Hugo joined Ravenclaw. They were seen together wherever they went. Hugo helped her in the classes she failed and made her smile with his incredible humour. Hugo was rather the calm guy and just turned out to be funny when he was with the people he loved. Which included Rose. Rose and Hugo had the most beautiful relationship a sibling could have ever wished for.
Hugo played for Ravenclaw as the keeper and Rose was the seeker of Gryffindor. They were found training at the field at least once a week. Just the two of them. Flying around and laughing out so loud that everyone in Hogwarts heard it.
Hugo was smart, still not as smart as his sister- based on test which does not mean anything. She helped him out while learning from him how to handle jokes. Hugo and Rose gained always attention when they walked around talking in their own language or whenever found sitting in the grass, with Hugo's head on his sister's shoulder. And most of the time James and Lily were not far away.
Scorpius envied their close bond. Even though he had Albus and he knew that their friendship was not less special, however seeing the four of them together always left a bittersweet feeling.
James, the most famous Potter of his siblings, was always surrounded by a bunch of people, but everyone knew that just with Hugo, Rose and Lily he was purely happy. That smile of pure content just appeared when he smacked Hugo or mocked Rose or hugged Lily. Obviously, Albus was loved by them too. But Albus was always different. He joined them from time to time and still he moved away as soon as he realised it got to close. Albus just needed Scorpius and maybe his new girlfriend- which name Scorpius had forgotten already. Since Albus switched girls on a weekly basis, which lead to a lot of discussions with Rose. She did not like that he was jumping from one to another but she needed to accepted. Since it was the girls' choice to go with it. Each of them hoping to tame Albus' heart. Scorpius was not sure if a girl was the right choice for his mate. But these thoughts he had kept for himself. Albus needed to figure out on his own what his true desire is.
Just as Scorpius. And his own was sitting just a few tables away from him. In neutral grey trousers and a white blouse.
Rose Granger-Weasley.
The young girl he had grown fond since their first encounter. He did try not to be hung up on her. He actually dated two other girls, both of them very lovely and kind but none of them the kind that made him stay.
His first girlfriend, Ashley Brown, was a small, cheerful girl. She was full of energy and was purely positive. He needed that. It was around the time when in Slytherin no one spoke with Albus or him and Albus constantly talked about his father. Which was good but Albus was rather self-centred and sometimes Scorpius was just not in the mood to remind his friend of that. So Ashely was his saviour. She ran into him and was all chattering. Blaming her clumsiness and how late she was. He laughed. Warmly and with a smile at the end. She asked him out and he said yes. They enjoyed their time for half a year together. She even was his first kiss. A shy one.
Why they broke up?
Because. Ashley needed someone less loving. She needed her freedom and Scorpius needed love. He enjoyed the closeness. That's why Albus and him were so good friends. Both of them sought for love and found it in their friendship. That's why Scorpius envied the relationship of the four.
After that, he had a short fling with a girl from Slytherin. Ashley was from Huffelpuff, just to add that important information and to keep the labelling up.
His second 'girlfriend' was rather calm as him. Very shy and polite. First Scorpius liked her insecurity and felt like the hero whenever he was able to make her smile. But then, he realised that he did not want to constantly cheer someone up, being the second brain and make all the choices of life.
And there we are back at Rose.
Rose was all of it and none. Rose made decisions and she was strong in her opinions, she was smart, cheerful and full of temper. She loved deeply and cared with all passion. Scorpius just fell more and more in love with that being Rose turned out to be. Scorpius was even more convinced that she was meant for him. She just did not know yet. And he will convince her. He will be the guy Rose is missing in her life.
Rose itself had one boyfriend. For two whole years. He was one year ahead and named Ethen and an active mind. Most surprising he was from Huffelpuff. They had a hard time in the beginning, it was not usual to date someone from another house. No one cared when Scorpius did, because it was Scorpius. Who cares about the guy who shamed Slytherin and seemed to be more of a Huffelpuff or Ravenclaw than anything else?
Rose did not care about the rumours, the gossip and just smiled whenever she was with him. He made her happy. He spoke a lot and had the craziest ideas. He took her to all kind of trips and showed her a new world.
Scorpius was jealous. Because Ethen seemed to understand his Rose so much. His saviour was James. James hated Ethen. Well, he did not hate him. But he could not stand him. So, whenever James was around, Ethen was not. And lucky for Scorpius James was often around. Unfortunately, the next boyfriend of Rose won't be scared away by James. Since James left school last year and starts of his career as a proper Quidditch player. He missed him. James accepted him the first as Albus' friend and treated him just as his little brother. Mocking and joking. But he liked it. He felt like James' actually cared for him and he was sure that a lot of the mocking against him has stopped due to James' threats to destroy whoever dared to say a bad word about his brothers.
Surely, James was a bit of a bully but with one of the kindest hearts he ever met. Strange combination. But that's James.
It turned out the way it was supposed to. Ethen was someone who needed to fly around and Rose was not ready yet. Rose needed more time to sort herself out.
Rose needed more time to become Rose.
The Rose who was ready for Scorpius.
And Scorpius needed his time to be right for her.
They both had been in contact over the years. Due to Albus and their friendship with him. If anyone next to himself was close to Albus, it was Rose. Albus grew a lot closer to her after the events years ago.
He spent some lunch times on her table and then she came to their table. Scorpius always enjoyed these moments and turned silent whenever the two of them turned into a heated discussion. They still had a lot of opposite opinions and Albus lacked of a lot of knowledge. But that made their relationship special.
Whenever Albus was down, he first came to Scorpius. Sat next to him and asked to play chess. Or just leaned on him and sighed. Until he was ready to talk.
Over the time however, Albus started to inform Rose. So Albus sat next to Scorpius and texted Rose. While talking to him.
Rose and Scorpius were the perfect team to cheer Albus up. And Scorpius always enjoyed the moment Albus lighted up. Because of both of them.
"May I borrow that book?", Scorpius looked up into the green confident eyes of Rose. He turned away to check which book she meant and took it. With a warm smile he gave it to her. "Sure. I am still at Charms, so I won't need it before…", he looked at the watch. "…within the next two hours."
Rose nodded, took the book and turned back to her seat.
He still smiled and kept his eyes on her. Rose moved again, another book in her hand and walking to him. "This may be better. In contains more of the needed information to preform better on water-making spells."
He took it slowly and smiled gratefully.
"You always smile."
"Do I?", he looked at her surprised.
"You do.", she stated and stayed for a moment. She opened her mouth but did not say anything. She moved back.
Scorpius stood up. He did not know why but there he was going to her. "How about we learn together?"
Rose rose on of her eye brows. She always had a strong face on when she was with Scorpius. He got used to it, but he wished so many times to see the other strong and soft features which she had when she held Lily or Hugo.
"I do not see the need for that."
Scorpius smiled again. Obviously. If there was not a logic reason or a reasonable emotional background, Rose would not interact with him.
He sat down next to her.
She moved away and started to pack up her stuff. "I just wanted to help you out. I was not trying to make a conversation or-"
"I know.", Scorpius looked at her. "I just do not know why."
"Why what?", was the sharp answer. Rose has not been that defensive towards him since month. Did something happen that he missed out?
"Why you still do not like me."
Rose stopped her movement.
Scorpius kept talking. "I know that you do not believe that I am evil or the son of Voldemort. You do actually like my jokes. Albus told me all the time how much you laughed when he is telling them to you. Oh and I know.", he grinned. "I know that you do think I am good looking."
She rolled her eyes. She was not blushing or being shy. No, Rose stood up for every action she did and word she said. "I do find a lot of people funny or think that they have good features. However, I do not want to hang around them."
Before Scorpius could ask why, she stood up and looked at him.
"Because some people I just can not stand. I am sorry that this might hurt you. But maybe you need to hear that. To move on and find your happiness elsewhere.", she left the library and Scorpius looked after her. Just for a moment. A moment to process what she said. What she meant. He jumped, took his stuff and followed. Run through the hallways, passed annoyed students and he could have not cared less.
He reached the portrait just a tiny bit to late.
"Closed for your kind."
"But I need to talk to-"
"Slytherines belong downstairs."
He looked at the Fat lady and sighs. There was no chance of getting in. He turned around and almost ran into Louis. Louis Weasley. "Hey Scorp, can I help you?", he smiled hugely and ate some of his sweets. Scorpius could swear that he always ate. He smiled back and shook his head. "No. I was just on my way downstairs."
"Greet Al for me. Oh and do you want to watch the game with us tomorrow?"
Scorpius nodded. Yeah, tomorrow will be the Quidditch game of Gryffindor against Ravenclaw. He grinned and walks away. "Let us hope that Hugo wins this time."
"Rose will try her best to make it impossible.", Louis' giggled and disappeared behind the fat lady.
Scorpius hummed and moved downstairs. He was looking forward to the game. He loved to see them play. To see Hugo being fearless and seeing Rose with her red checks, her concentrated mind and her smile, when she loses and her brother wins.
Rose was the best loser of all. Unimportantly against whom she played. She was happy for Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Huffelpuff. As long as it was a fair game. And damn no one dared to play unfair against Rose. After she turned a game of Huffelpuff and Slytherin into a court trial because of cheating from Slytherin- yeah, in this case the stereotype was fully proofed. No one was even thinking about playing it wrong.
Scorpius went with his hand through his hair. He can not wait for his own game. He became a seeker last year- the last step to the finally acceptance to be an actual Slytherin. And since then he has played against Rose just once.
It was a cold January afternoon. They had a long day in school and just put their stuff back into the dorms, just to grab the broom and move out. Scorpius got several slaps on his back, which rather took his motivation than increasing it. He was nervous. Albus next to him talking about how awesome this will be and how he hopes that he will win against Rose. Scorpius just nodded numb and focused his broom. He can not loose. But he will.
He breathes him, feels the last slap from Albus- the only motivating one- and smiled to his friend while he left with a grin.
Scorpius followed the other and found himself standing next to Rose. The teams were waiting for their appearance. He glared at her and she stood there. Smiling and strong. The grip on her broom… shaking. He turned to her. "Nervous?"
She smiled and she seemed to not notice who asked her that. "Always.", she answered and looked at him.
Scorpius blushed. Rose never looked at him this way. This smile, this bright eyes and that incredible excitement in her whole appearance. "Me too.", he said quietly.
"That's a good sign.", she nodded and turned away from him. "Let's hope it will be fun." And then they step out.
That girl, that women always surprised him. Her positive energy and honest mind was unique. And that words were the ones he needed. He wanted to enjoy that game. Unimportantly what happens.
And the game was joyful.
All the screams, the cheers and the moment that he actually caught the snitch.
Just a millimetre closer to it than Rose. Their fingers so close and still it was his hand who reached the gold little bird first. He stared at it and shouted out loud. Happiness was all over his face. He turned to Rose, to sympathise with her for her loss but she just cheered herself. Clapped and gave him a slap on the back. "Told you it was a good sign. Thanks for that awesome game.", and then she left. He was surrounded by his team mates. And he heard them cheer the name he almost forgot. 'Scorpion King' It was on repeat. He loved it. He loved the day and he could not stop smiling, grinning, just enjoying every bits of it. Even the part when Albus did over-drink himself and he needed to sit next to him in the toilet chamber.
Because he had an awesome game, because he got his team back and most of all because Rose smiled at him.
And from that day on he wanted to make her smile more often.
And he actually succeeded from time to time. The moments when Rose sat with Albus and him, and latter told her one of his jokes and she smiled or even laughed.
Or when he mixed up some ingredients in class- which rarely happened, since he actually was next to Rose the smartest guy on the campus- she smiled- not mockingly but just warmly.
Scorpius went back to the Slytherin dorm and went straight to bed. But sleep just did not come over. Rose words kept him awake. What if she really did not like him for the person he is?
It was easier when Rose was younger and she was full of unexperienced prejudges. When she hated him for being a Malfoy. When she hated him for being a Slytherin. But now Rose was above all that. She did not like or dislike someone based on the labels the world gave them. Rose was open and nice.
Even nice to him. But it seems that did not mean that she likes that person. She just turned into a person who is treating everyone the way she wants to be treated. And if your mean, she can be too.
Do not every underestimate Rose temper. She was surely as smart as her mother and as emotional but she was as well as warm hearted as her father, as funny and cheeky as him. He sighed and looked to Albus who was snorting heavily.
Scorpius smiled slightly. He had an idea. One thing he had to try out.
The next morning went by quickly as well as the whole classes. Friday was always one of the shortest days this year. Luckily for him, since he was able to enjoy some parties while Albus was not able to join in before he finished his homeworks for Monday. That was a ritual. Both of them finished – if possible- all their homework before the weekend, so they could spent it with all kind of random stuff. Mostly playing chess or walking around the campus.
When Scorpius and Albus enter the audience places, he was not surprised that Louis was coming up with Lily and they were falling down on his side. "So, how are your bets?"
"60 to 100. For Gryffindor.", said Albus and it was rare that he bet on them. "But do not tell Rose.", he grinned. Scorpius rolls his eyes. "Maybe… 80 to 90… for Ravenclaw?", Lily laughed and Louis grinned. "Either ways we will have blast of a party.", they turn their attention to the field. The players flew up and Scorpius saw Hugo flying straight to his rings with his concentrated frown on the face. While Rose was darting easily around. She was waiting for the points before searching the snitch. Until that she kept the seeker of Ravenclaw under close supervision. The young seeker of the other team was pretty nervous but even more stable on the broom. He flew around and checked everywhere. He lacked of experience and did not see the obvious. While Rose already had figured out where the snitch flew around. She followed the game. Several points went around until they reached 60 to 90 for Ravenclaw, Rose did not move much. But she realised it was time to finish it up. She changed the direction and went after the snitch. Ravenclaws seeker followed quickly. He caught up with her but just for a moment, she was faster and quicker in the curves. With perfect precision she flew after the gold little friend. It looked almost like they enjoyed a trip together. Always in a close and small distance to each other. Ravenclaw scored again but then Rose had the golden snitch in her hand. Flying around and shouting out loud cheers.
Hugo cursing and flying down, while the other players clapped politely.
"Oh man, poor Hugo.", Lily said sadly and stood up. "Yeah, he trained so much."
"But he has no reason to be sad.", Scorpius cheered and smiled. "He played brilliantly.", Lily smiled. "Yes, he did!", and both of them shout out cheers for the little red head. Hugo actually heard them and his frown turned into a smile, before he got hit by a strong hug of his sister. Rose laughed and stroke his hair.
"Your rocked! That was amazing!", Hugo turned red and murmured something. He smiled then and congratulated his sister. Rose laughed and walked with him to his and her team mates.
Yes, there will be a party. And it will be a huge one, unimportantly how rather unspectacular the game was.
The party started in the dorm of the players and was moved to the great hall. Some of the older students tried to turn the drinks into alcoholic stuff but mostly failed.
Scorpius walked around with the other on his side. It just stayed like this until Hugo grabbed Lily to the dancing floor and Louis followed their lead.
Albus and he had some laughs until Albus left for a dance with his new girlfriend. Damn what was her name?
Scorpius left the hall and steps out into the cold. It was a rather warm night. He smiled and made his way to the Quidditch field. He knew that she will be there.
It was one of her habits. After every game she would come back and fly up just to enjoy the silence and relieve the moment. He was prepared. He took his broom and flew up.
Straight to her. She was laying on her back on the broom. Her eyes were closed. One of her arms swung around, the other maintained on her stomach. She hummed and he stopped. "Rose.", he said carefully. I mean, how do you want to grab attention from someone who is in this kind of position? He prepared his wand in case she actually started to fall down and he had to improvise.
However, Rose opened her eyes. She sighed and sat up. "What?"
Scorpius felt guilt coming up. Maybe he should have waited.
"Why are you here?", she looked at him.
"I wanted to talk. About last time."
"What is there to talk about? Why do you not get it into your head? I do not like you."
"But you do not know me.", he defended himself and looked strong at her.
"Oh, I don't?", she grumbled. "I do know that your Scorpius Malfoy. A guy who is the best friend of Albus, having a good sense of humour, being incredible talented when it comes to Charms and lacks of social understanding. I know that you stalk me since ever and that you finish your homework on time. You do not like chocolate frogs but you love pumpkin soup. You're a fast learner and perfect on the broom.", she focused his eyes.
"I do know a lot about you and still none of it makes you likable."
Scorpius stares at her. How could he have thought that 'not knowing him' would be a valid argument?
She flew down. He followed her, searching for words.
"Believe me. I tried.", she said weakly and it almost sounds apologizing.
"Rose.", he grabbed her arm. They are still in the air. Slightly above the ground.
"Then don't like me.", he said. She looked at him. Stunned.
"It is okay.", he smiled weakly.
"Don't say that.", she is angry. "It is not okay. Your crazy about me and I hurt you. So it is not okay."
He smiled again, this times softly. "True. But I can not force you.", he let go of her arm. "I just thought we are meant for each other."
"Why?", Rose whispers.
"Because I… you…", he was lacking of words. "You stopped hating me.", he shakes his head. "I enjoy being around you. There is no other person in my life that influences me the way you do. And it makes me a better… me.", he is not sure if that was his answer or an excuse.
But Rose did not say anything.
Scorpius landed and went off his broom.
"You... are right.", Scorpius looked up. Surprised.
"I mean, you influence me too. Other than anybody else. Without you, I am not sure if I would have changed my mind about the house system. Because of your friendship with Albus, I rethink a lot. Because of that I keep my family close to me.", she explained herself and came to the ground too. "That does not make us perfect for each other.", she looked carefully at him. "It just makes us important for each other."
Scorpius kept looking at her. It was not the warmth tone he was hoping for but that she admitted all that, meant a lot to him. He was the reason (well partly) that she became that wonderful woman. He smiled softly. "How about a race?", he took his broom in position again. Rose looked at him in surprise. "Now?", and it was not questioning the time itself than the timing. After she had opened up to him, she thought he would use it to change her mind. She actually hoped for it.
And then he flew up again, Rose followed up. "Hey, that's unfair.", she gained speed and soon she was next to him.
"Who reaches the astronomy tower first." And there they flew. In dark night on a Friday after a Quidditch Match. After Rose told Scorpius they were important for each other and she was still not liking him.
They flew and reached it both simultaneously. Their feet landed quickly on the floor and Rose laughed. "That is just crazy.", Scorpius joined in. "It is just the best feeling ever."
She nodded. "How about a trip to the lake?" and off they were again. Flying next to each other. Over the lake. Just the wind around them and both of their eyes on the surface of the lake. Focusing their reflection.
They had so much in common and so few moments to realise it.
They flew around for several minutes before they land again in the tower. Feet hit wood and a moment later the whole body spread around the floor. Face up the air. Fast breathes.
"Scorpius."
"Hm."
"Let us try it."
Silence.
He turned to her.
She smiled and her face still faced the ceiling.
"Let us try to learn together. To fly more often."
He kept his face towards her. Now he was the one asking.
"Why?"
"Because you already have changed my mind a million times.", she turned to him.
"And how could I have tried to like you when I never gave you a chance."
"A chance…", he murmured.
"Yes. A chance to be more than Albus' friend. More than the guy who took my best friend. Because…", she turned away. "I may have still hated you for that."
Now Scorpius laughs. "Because of friendship jealousy?"
"And family jealousy.", she added mocking.
Then both of them laughed.