Scorpius smiled as he sat and played wizard's chess in the kitchen of the Burrow with one of his best friends Albus Potter. He had been invited to stay for a few days before he went back to Hogwarts to start his sixth year. Rose had been attempting to make cookies, only to be interrupted by two of her older cousins, James and Fred. When an old Weird Sisters song came on the radio they had decided to whisk her away from her cooking and spin her around the kitchen. The three were laughing and dancing around Scorpius and Albus who were trying to finish their game through the distraction.

As he watched Rose laugh and smile in the arms of her cousins, golden red hair curls dancing around her shoulders as it worked its way loose from her braid, green eyes sparkling, he couldn't help but remember the first time he met her.

First Year, just after the sorting

A boy named Albus Potter had just sat down next to him at the Slytherin table. They had gotten to talking and Scorpius had a feeling that they could become fairly good friends despite their family differences. As soon as the Headmistress had declared it time to eat a young girl sat down across the table. She had bright green eyes and hair that was red but gold at the same time. It was like it couldn't decide what color it wanted to be, it contained strands of red, gold, silver, bronze, and platinum. He would later discover that the colorfulness of her hair would be the embodiment of Rose's eccentricities.

"Um Rose why aren't you eating at your house's table?" The raven-haired boy asked of the newcomer.

"Oh come on Al, just because everyone else is doesn't mean I have to does it? Besides you're my best friend so I should have a right to sit here." Her wandering gaze flicked over to the blond boy. "I'm Rose Weasley by the way and it's nice to meet you. Um who are you exactly?"

Coming from someone else the last question may have been considered rude, but from her it was just natural. "I'm Scorpius Malfoy, and it's nice to meet you as well."

He smiled at the memory. Even from the very beginning Rose was different, unorthodox, and challenging. What other Gryffindor would have had the courage as a first year to go and sit at the Slytherin table?

"Earth to Scor. Come on man I would like to finish this game before we get on the train tomorrow." Albus called him back from his daydream. Rose just laughed, she had finally gone back to the cookies and James and Fred were no where to be seen. He focused his attention back on the chess game.

* * * * * * *

Later that night they were sitting enjoying the cookies Rose had made. Although slightly burnt they resemble the peanut butter cookies they were supposed to be. Al and Scorpius were engaged in yet another chess game and Rose had become lost in a book. Out of the corner of his eye the blond saw Rose's expression change, her brow furrowed and she bit her lip, she unconsciously moved closer to her book. It was obviously getting to a good part. He could recall many afternoons sitting in the library studying, well trying to study but also watching Rose. There were many times where she would become distracted when reading one of her novels and forget that she was supposed to be studying.

"Rose." No answer. "Rosie?" Still no answer. "ROSE WEASLEY!" Albus finally yelled.

The red head jumped and looked up, "Bloody Hell Al, what are you on about?"

"I was trying to see if you wanted to get in on a game of chess before we went to bed. Merlin you are deaf when you start reading."

She simply rolled her eyes, shook her head, and went back to reading Casino Royale. The two boys headed up the stairs to sleep.

* * * * * * *

A few sleepless hours later Scorpius decided to get a drink of water. He slipped down the stairs trying to make as little noise as humanly possible. He scanned the living room only to find Rose curled up asleep with her book lying open on her lap. Once again she had tried to read as long as possible, and had sleep defeat her. His grey eyes scanned her sleeping form. To him she was perfection, complete perfection. Sure she had her faults, like her inability to walk across flat ground without falling, or the way she got lost in her books and it took a lot of effort to get her out of them, or the way she rambled when she got excited and sometimes didn't finish her thoughts or sentences, or the way she nagged him about school work, or how her smile could literally light up a room.

With all of these thoughts racing through his head he felt like he was getting close to something, something big, he just didn't know what. Memories of times with Rose began to flood his mind.

Fourth Year

"I just don't know who I'm going to ask do you Al?" Scorpius shook his head with frustration.

"Well, actually I think I might ask Ally Longbottom." Al blushed with his admittance.

"Aw Al, I know she will say yes." Rose added.

"I just don't know, I mean it seems like all the good dates have already been taken."

Rose blushed scarlet, sometimes her temper got the better of her even if she knew she was dealing with dimwitted boys. Scorpius sighed in self pity.

Al noticed the change in his cousin's demeanor, "Hey Rose do you have a date yet?"

"No but apparently I'm not worth it; I'm not a good date!" With that she stood and stormed out of the Great Hall.

Later that day Al and Scorpius would find out that she had asked Eric Finnegan, and they were going together. From that day on Scorpius would hate the Irishman, not fully understanding why.

Fifth Year

"You're just – You're completely insufferable! I don't know how I have put up with you this long! And how dare you tell me what to do!" The red head yelled as she unleashed her temper on her friend.

"I'm trying to warn you, he is no good. All he wants you for is a shag and then he'll leave you like he left all the other ones!"

"Yes thank you Malfoy, apparently all I'm good for is a shag! I think you are very wrong about him and I can do as I please and go out with whoever I please, I don't have to get your approval first!"

"Weasley I told you this so you wouldn't get hurt but I guess you are to think to realize when someone is trying to help you! He's going to take advantage of you and you are going to get hurt, so don't come crying to me when…" He never got to finish his thought as a particularly nasty bat bogey hex flew his way.

After Rose had realized the he had been right about her boyfriend she slowly began to talk to Scorpius again. The weeks that she ignored him were the longest weeks of his life.

Earlier that Summer

Dear Scorpius,

You need to come visit me. I miss you even though the term has just ended a week ago. I need someone smart to argue with. Plus we need another person to play quidditch with. Al says hello, and mum says that you can come for the last week of summer, we might be traveling before that. Write me back soon.

Love,

Rose

He had obsessed about the "need to come visit me" and the "Love Rose" part for quite some time after he received her letter.

He ran a hand through his already messy blond hair and decided to wake the sleeping beauty before him. He leaned down and tucked a stray curl behind her ear before lightly caressing her hand. Sleepy green eyes slowly opened. They sparkled and danced as she smiled up at him. She slowly stood up and stretched then stood on her tip toes and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Thanks for waking me." She smiled and made her way up the stairs.

He watched her walk away and realized what he had been moving towards all night. That big something that had been lurking around the corners of his mind. He say down utterly bewildered as the realization hit him, I love Rose Weasley. I actually, really, truly am in love with one of m y best friends. I love her, I love Rose.

He smiled and knew he would dream of red hair, green eyes, and the eccentric spirit that was Rose Weasley.