So, just to get everything straightened out before you start:

1/. Scorpius is a Gryffindor for the purposes of this story. Yes, I'm using the cliche that he's best friends with Rose and Albus.

2/. Rose, despite her mother's dislike for the subject, has a natural talent for Divination.

3/. They're all fourth-years, if my maths is right :).

4/. I've actually written the whole story out although I might go and rewrite one or two bits. If nothing changes, then this is going to be just four chapters. It was inspired by me sitting in front of the computer and the line 'You have got to be kidding me' just popping in my mind. Yes, this story is actually really short...

Enjoy!

Thursday 11th February 2021

"You have got to be kidding me," Albus said in disbelief as he watched Rose painting in large pink letters on the corridor wall. He had known that she wanted to graffiti on the wall, but in pink letters? Bubble-gum pink, no less. And he didn't even want to think about what she was going to write.

Rose laughed lightly at her cousin as she finished writing a massive pink 'Trelawney'. She siphoned off some of the paint that had splattered to either side of the word before painting a huge plus sign next to the word. Then she danced along about a foot and began to form a huge cursive S on the wall. A general air of happiness radiated from the girl as she went about graffiti-ing the walls of Hogwarts, as though she really couldn't think of anything better to do after curfew.

Next to Albus, Scorpius was smiling slightly. "I think it's a good idea. It'll certainly get peoples' attention."

Albus frowned disapprovingly at his friend. "Shut up, Scorpius. You're just making it worse. She's a prefect, for heaven's sake! She should be responsible."

"Spoilsport," Rose stuck her tongue out, finishing writing the word Slughorn. Albus gaped at the two names as he guessed what was coming next. Sure enough, underneath the names Rose was painting the number '4'.

Sinking down onto the floor, Albus sighed in despair. Scorpius had the audacity to laugh at the messy-haired boy, finding his actions incredibly amusing. Albus disagreed strongly. This was anything but amusing. What if they were caught? By Slughorn or Trelawney? Or both? Then they would be skinned alive for potions ingredients by Slughorn - there had to be one or two potions that required the skin of students - or be plagued by a curse from Trelawney.

"Do you really think that Trelawney and Slughorn are made for each other?" Scorpius said, a tad sceptically as he watched Rose step back to admire her finished work, which read Slughorn + Trelawney 4 Ever. Albus made a noise that sounded a lot like, 'why do you even ask?' from his place on the cold and, admittedly, uncomfortable floor.

Rose considered this question for a moment before shrugging. "Why not? The tea leaves never lie. Speaking of which, they gave me another prediction that I also have to write down."

As she conjured up some rose-red paint, Albus buried his face in his arms. Ever since third-year, Rose had been attempting to be matchmaker to the school by reading peoples' fortunes in the tea leaves. Trelawney had actually supported this idea before, although Albus wondered what the Professor would think of this latest prediction. Maybe she would withdraw her support and refuse to teach Rose anything else about the art of reading tea leaves - whatever it was called.

Several minutes passed in silence, save for Rose starting to softly sing Celestina Warbeck's A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love. Then, Scorpius started laughing. A lot. Albus frowned as he stared at the floor. At first, he refused to look up, fearing the worst. Unfortunately, when Rose started laughing as well, his curiosity got the better of him and he raised his face so that he could read what was causing such a reaction.

It took him less than a ten seconds to realise. To his utter horror, written in equally big, red letters several feet away from Slughorn and Trelawney's prediction, was Albus + Yasmin = True Love. He let out a martyr's sigh. "Rose, don't do this to me. Please."

"Hey, I read it in the leaves. It's true. Gonna happen," Rose said matter-of-factly as she idly began to paint Roses Are Red in tiny letters at the bottom of the wall.

"Face it, Al. Rosie's not often wrong," Scorpius said comfortingly through his rather unmanly giggles that had started again when he had looked at Albus's mortified face.

"Hmph," Albus said grumpily as he allowed the other boy to help him off of the ground.

"Besides," Rose turned away from the wall to beam at her cousin, "you do fancy her, don't you? It's meant to be. I'll bet she likes you too, but you just have to be man enough to ask her out. Even if she does say 'no', then at least you tried, right?"

Scorpius looked at Rose thoughtfully and then turned to Albus. "She's right. And this is one of the only chances you might get to ask her out on Valentine's Day. Otherwise she'll probably be asked out by another bloke and then what'll you do? Curl up in a corner and cry?"

"You're a nice one to speak," Albus retorted as they made their way back to the Gryffindor common room. It was remarkable how lax patrols had become leading up to St. Valentine's Day, Albus thought to himself. Really, especially with this particular day, patrols ought to be made more strict.

"Why? Do you like somebody, Scorpius?" Rose asked curiously. Inwardly, she felt oddly panicked, although she wasn't sure exactly why.

Scorpius shot Albus a dirty look. "Yeah, but don't worry about it. I don't won't to talk about it, Potter."

Albus childishly stuck his tongue out at his best friend. "The truth always comes out in the end, Malfoy."

"Mandrake root," Rose said to the portrait of the Fat Lady, stepping inside almost the instant it swung open. The common room was lit only dimly by the fireplace, which contained a dying fire. Whipping around to face the two of them, Rose said pleadingly. "Would you guys please tell me who you're talking about?"

The two boys shared a look that involved a lot of evil eyes before both shaking their heads. Sighing in frustration, Rose threw her hands up into the air and muttered irritably. "Fine. But I'm going to find out, mark my words. You can't ever hide things from me, boys. Good night."

She stormed melodramatically up the stairs leading to the girls' dorms, leaving Albus and Scorpius alone in the common room with the dying fire.