The next day, when Rose got to the library, Scorpius was there again, sitting at her table. She sat down without a word and got right to work. Scorpius seemed intently concentrated on his own work.
Rose read from her book. Her mother, Hermione Granger, had taught her to use book covers. They were muggle inventions, pieces of cloth that hid the title of book. It helped her to maintain her bookworm appearance with no one knowing her secrets. No one knew whether she was reading novels or textbooks. They assumed textbooks. And were often wrong.
"Rose, what did you write about for the potions essay?" Scorpius asked. It took a moment for Rose to be pulled from her world of fiction.
"What was that?" she asked, a bit embarrassed she had no idea what he had been talking about.
Scorpius had a strange look. Then he grinned. "I asked about the potions essay. But I wonder what kind of enchanting textbook could have you so engrossed." Before she had time to react, he'd grabbed her book and was pulling off the cloth cover.
"Pride and Prejudice?" Scorpius made a face. Rose grabbed it back, her cheeks reddening.
"It happens to be my favorite book. But if I can't read it here, I suppose I'll have to go somewhere else to read in peace."
"You can read it here. It might not be that bad. I haven't read it, I wouldn't know." Scorpius stopped, realizing he was rambling a bit. "Everyone thinks you're always reading textbooks, always studying. But really, you slack off as much as the rest of us! Maybe even more." Scorpius winked at her.
"I do not slack off more, Scorpius Malfoy! I occasionally read a novel from time to time, but that doesn't mean I'm a slacker!" Rose said angrily.
He blinked. "Of course it doesn't. Sorry, Rose. I didn't mean anything by it. Say, are you going to the Quidditch game tomorrow? I'm playing in it." He winked again.
"Mmmm, probably not. I've got some studying to do. And if you're playing in it… well, it's obvious what the results of the game will be." Rose turned back to her book, but couldn't hide her grin.
Scorpius opened his mouth, then closed it again. "Merlin, you are most definitely a Slytherin at heart. I don't know whether that means I'm sure to win or lose." Rose looked up and winked at him. This woman…
Scorpius leaned across the table and grabbed her hand. Surprised, Rose looked up at him. "Please, Rose? Please come to the Quidditch game?"
Rose gave a dramatic sigh. "I suppose I can find some time for that." She smiled.
Scorpius smiled as his team walked on the Quidditch pitch. Rose was coming. Merlin, he'd only talked to her for the past couple days, and already it seemed she was an integral part of his life. Becoming friends with Albus, Scorpius had spent a lot of time with the Potter/Weasley clan. He'd got to know most of them quite well. Except Rose. Rose was the studious one, who didn't participate in most of her family's shenanigans. Her family loved her dearly. They all claimed she was the life of the party when she was there. She was different in the summer, they said. She'd play games with the best of them, but when it came to school, she was focused. Well, Scorpius had made it his new personal goal to help Rose loosen up, starting with today's Quidditch game.
He glanced up to the stands and saw her. She was there, reading of course. He expected no less. It was all part of his plan. The whistle blew, and he took off in search of the Snitch. At least that's what it looked like. He hovered close to the stand where Rose sat. She'd better be reading what he thought she was.
"Accio Pride and Prejudice." Sure enough, the volume came flying to him from her hands. He grinned. She best be paying attention now.
Rose blinked a few times, staring at the space where her favorite book had just been. Then she looked around in confusion. She noticed Scorpius flying nearby, with a smirk on his face, holding her book in his hand. He gave her a wink before flying off to the other end of the pitch. No one else seemed to notice the bizarre fact that the Slytherin seeker now was flying around with a book. Well, they didn't notice until he stopped at the far end of the pitch of and started to read it.
"What's this? It seems Scorpius Malfoy has a book, and is reading it! I'm not sure what his strategy here is, he should probably be looking for the snitch…" the announcer,
Scorpius acted like he hadn't heard the announcer, though Rose could tell he had. The Hufflepuff seeker flew over to him.
"Malfoy, are you trying to throw the game? There's no way you're going to win while reading a book." The Hufflepuff girl gave her sugarcoated version of trash talk.
"Watch me," was Scorpius's only comment.
The crowd and the announcer were quite disappointed not to be to hear the exchange between the seekers. Hufflepuff's seeker flew off, probably to actually look for the snitch. She kept throwing glances at Malfoy, who still hadn't moved. He was a Slytherin, and they seemed to always have something up their sleeve.
"Seeker Selena seems quite baffled by Malfoy's behavior," the announcer said. "I think we're all wondering the same thing. What is Malfoy thinking?"
Rose never took her eyes off Scorpius. She also wondered what his strategy was. It seemed idiotic, but Scorpius was one the brightest in their year. Second only to her. He had to be up to something.
There was a shout as Selena Sparks, Hufflepuff seeker, suddenly took off across the pitch, headed straight for Scorpius.
"What is this? Has Selena spotted the Snitch, or is she ready to find out what exactly Scorpius Malfoy is reading?"
Selena did not deviate from her course. She continued at full speed towards Scorpius.
Just moments before she got to him, Scorpius lifted an arm, and grabbed the Snitch that had been hovering by his ear.
"What's this?! Scorpius Malfoy has caught the Snitch! It seems the Snitch likes to read too! Slytherin has won the game, 220-30!" There were shouts and cheers all around. Scorpius flew to the ground, looking triumphant as he held the Snitch in his hand, Rose's book under his arm. He hit the ground and held up the Snitch. The crowd went wild. The masses rushed to congratulate him, but Rose held back. She wasn't one for shoving her way through crowds. Finally, the crowd died and she approached him.
He noticed her immediately, and gave her the book back. "Thanks for your help, Rose," he said with a wink. "Did you enjoy the game?"
"Scorpius Malfoy, you used my book for your own personal gain during the game?" Her face was an emotionless mask as she asked the question. Scorpius had seen his mother with that expression many times, and gulped. Here came the anger.
"Yes?" He said hesitantly.
Rose laughed and threw her arms around him. "That was brilliant! You should have seen Selena! And everyone else! They were so confused, but I knew you had something in mind."
Scorpius was surprised, but quickly accepted her hug. He grinned back at her. "You liked it?"
"Oh, it was great. The school will be talking about it for centuries. You made the Ravenclaws proud. How did you know the Snitch would come read the book with you?"
"I have a Snitch at home that whenever it goes missing, I always seem to find it in the library. I hoped all snitches had the same love for wisdom."
Rose laughed again, and Scorpius decided that it was his favorite sound in the world. He needed to hear it more often.
Scorpius threw an arm around her. "Rose, will you come to the celebration party?"
Rose bit her lip. "I don't know, Scorp." Scorpius grinned at the new nickname. "I've missed so much studying time already."
"Rosie," Scorpius decided to use a nickname of his own, "if you don't come to the party, will you really be studying? Or will you be reading this?" He held up the book that led to his victory.
Rose pursed her lips to hide her smile. "Well… Mr. Darcy calls…." Scorpius shook his head.
"Mr. Darcy can wait. Besides, it's only fitting you come, since you had a very important role in our victory."
She put her finger to her mouth. "That's true. I suppose I better come."
Scorpius's smile kept getting bigger and bigger. "That's what I like to hear! I'll make sure you have the time of your life."
AN: How did you like this peak into Scorpius's mind? I must say, this chapter took on a life of its own. Please favorite and review!
