A whistle screamed , a jerk forward and the Hogwarts Express began its smooth journey towards the castle. A young lady, now in her sixth year, was sitting amongst her cousins in the middle of an animated story. They laughed heartily along with her. She was a favourite in the family with her wavy red hair pulled up high in a ponytail, sparkiling eyes and wide warm smile. A few compartments away, a young man sat, legs crossed and back straight, starring intently at a chessboard, calculating his next move. His light blonde fringe fell over his eyes yet failing to break his concentration. His company comprised of two young gentleman like himself. Scott Zabini, who sat across him, eyebrows forrowed and hesitantly reaching out for the Queen and his identical twin brother, Kyle Zabini, who was absent-mindedly twirling his wand in his hand as he flipped through a Quidditch magazine.
"And my Queen eats your pawn, Scorpius." Said Scott with a triumphant grin as he met his best friends' cool gaze.
"How very sacrificial of her." Came the responding drawl as Scorpius swipped Scotts' Queen off the board, supressing a chuckle.
Distant laughter broke the calm of the three boys compartment as Scott eventually won the game.
"Think I'll take a turn about the train." Said Scorpius, getting up from his seat and exiting. He pulled the compartment door close as quietly as possible as his two friends dozed off to sleep.
"I'll get you for that James Potter! You just wait." a tinkling voice rang out as Scorpius turned to walk down the aisle. Rose Weasley had just exited the room full of laughter, tossing her hair back and pulling the compartment door close. Scorpius had a strong urge to turn around and head back to his compartment. For the past five years, he had successfully avoided the Weasleys despite it being exceedingly difficult to avoid Rose since she was in the same year. His father had sat him down the day he received the acceptance letter from Hogwarts and explained to him the dynamics between the Wealeys and Malfoys of the past.
"Things have changed, Scorpius. I can't say we're enemies but it might be best to just be civil."
Unknownst to Scorpius, Rose's trend of thought was quite similar as she turned and her eyes met his. She immediately recalled her father warning her not to get too friendly on her first day of school. His tone was joking but she knew him better. Scorpius resumed his stride toward Rose and snapping out of her slight trance, so did Rose. This year, however, things were going to be different. Ignoring each other just wouldn't do. Both were terribly curious about the other and years of suppressed possibilities of knowing more were about to burst out. They refused to let the other pass. Both stubbornly standing in each others way.
"Rose Weasley." Scorpius acknowledged with a slight nod.
Rose looked at him curiously.
"Walk with me, Malfoy" the words tumbled out before she could think again. Then she grabbed his hand and pulled him with her but he pulled back.
"My name's Scorpius." Grey eyes pierced brown. Rose looked away, slightly flustered. Silence. She fidgeted. He stood.
"Yes, I know."
Silence.
She looked up at him, mouth opening as if about to say something and then closing again. Scorpius thought she looked quite like a goldfish and he couldn't help but smirk at that.
"I really don't see what's so funny." Came her sharp reply.
"And here I thought that you were one to always spot a joke."
"You don't know me, Scorpius Malfoy."
"I know you as much as you allow me to."
"Which isn't much."
"Which isn't at all."
"Why should I?"
"You shouldn't."
"Why not?"
"Because you don't want to."
"Of course I don't want to! I mean, I do. No. I don't not want to but I don't want to either."
"You're confusing yourself."
"I most certainly am not! I know exactly what I'm talking about."
Silence. Brown eyes pierced grey.
"This train is going to stop soon, Rose Weasley. And I am going to leave it, as are you."
"Your point?"
"Another year will resume as the last five."
"Right." Rose raised an eyebrow. She had a feeling she knew the question Scorpius was trying not to ask. She was wondering to. Five years of silence broken by this one conversation…will it be forgotten. Insignificant it seemed but both longed to keep it in their memories, yet both will never tell. Scorpius watched her contemplating. Comfort engulfed him as he realised that she too was wondering about the same thing.
"It's up to you then, Rose Weasley."
He turned. She watched. The train halted. He entered his compartment. Her cousins came pouring out of the compartment. And dragged her along out of the train. Scorpius exited his compartment. He watched. She went up a carriage. They had started a game.