Albus was startled from his daydream by a familiar voice behind him.
"Rose," he said, happy to see his favorite cousin outside and away from the library where she spent so much time.
"Wotcher, Albus. Caught you staring, didn't I?" she poked him and then sat down beside him in the grass outside the castle.
"At who?"
"Ah don't be embarrassed now, he is looking fine today." Rose grinned, looking quite fine and mischievous herself.
"Oh shuttup. You think he's handsome?" Albus asked shyly.
"I suppose so. But I'm not the one with a fondness for gay boys, now am I?"
Albus blushed, motioning for Rose to keep her voice down.
"So I was right!? You do fancy him!" Rose looked delighted.
Albus looked nauseous.
"Go talk to him, then."
"Rose-- he's got girls—and boys--following him everywhere. He'd never go for a Gryffindor, besides."
"We'll have to see about that." She stood and shot a paper airplane from the tip of her wand, catching the attention of Scorpius Malfoy immediately. Albus caught his eye, then blushed when he started walking towards them, waving away some Slytherin girls.
"I'm off to go study," said Rose, jumping to her feet.
"Wait! You can't leave me here alone. What will I say to him? Rose, come back!"
But she was gone. Albus swallowed and tried to smile at the approaching Slytherin.
"Hi, Scorpius." He waved, a bit awkwardly.
Scorpius grabbed his hand and, pulling him up, said, "Fancy a walk? The weather's…stunning today."
"Oh--yeah." Albus said. As they walked out into the sun, the boy's hands were still clasped. Neither let go.