Hi, all! This is chapter two, were I've decided to include a het. pairing! Btw, this isn't the end, either. There WILL be either one or two more chapters, whichever it takes to tie up all lose ends.
Thank you for your review, Lady Lilac! I'm glad you like the little-mentioned HP characters, because there are more in here. ^^
Rose Weasley groaned softly and rolled her eyes, watching her cousin walk into the room like he was floating on air. He took his seat next to her in double Ravenclaw/Slytherin History of Magic class, looking as if even Professor Binns' dreary droning could dampen his mood. This had been the picture for all of two weeks.
"Couldn't you at least wait to act all triumphant until you've actually started dating him?"
"I like doing things in advance. The picture of my love's face when we get there is already ingrained in my mind." He gave a small sigh, doodling hearts accross a spare bit of parchment laying on their desk.
"How do you even know it'll even work?" Rose attempted to soften her tone, not wanting Albus to sense her discomfort on the topic of love. "I mean, what if something goes wrong and you get sick and throw up on him or something? You never know with those places – I've heard horror stories about eating in some muggle restaurants. They can't even use a simple pest-be-gone spell; what if there are rats! What if–"
"Trust me, Rosie, I've taken care of everything. You were rambling again, by the way."
Giving a sniff, Rose turned her head away. She couldn't stand the smirk on Albus' face. She couldn't stand it that when she looked back at him, he was doodling again, all traces of that smirk transformed into a wistful smile. But most of all, Rose couldn't stand that Albus was so blissfully happy and confident that his love interest would accept him.
When Professor Binns started his daily lecture, Rose looked back over her shoulder at a Ravenclaw two seats to the left. Hair disheveled and nose constantly stuck-in-a-book, Lysander Scamander neither looked nor acted nothing like his Hufflepuff twin. Lorcan was charismatic, gorgeous, and conscientious of nature. And the best part was that, even though he was never as dedicated to studying as his brother, the Scamander wasn't stupid. Rose glanced at Lysander, then back at the parchment of doodles and smiled. What if…
"Do it," Albus whispered, another smirk on his face. "It's about time."
Rose said nothing. She took a shred of parchment and wrote: Hey, Ly, how's your brother doing? She passed the note over nonchalantly when Binns wasn't looking and went back to copying notes until the response came back.
He's doing good. Um, why'd you want to know?
Oh, I just find him interesting, that's all.
Okay… so why didn't you just ask him yourself if you think he's interesting enough to bother knowing about.
Maybe I would, if he were here.
You could've asked Laurie.
Rose rolled her eyes, looking two rows in front of her at a cheeky, annoying Slytherin who was almost always next to Lorcan outside of classes.
Let's just say I thought you were a more accurate source of information.
Oh, gee – thanks. What am I other than "that nerd with the 'hot' brother" to anyone anymore?
Hey, you know that's not what I meant. And it's not his fault he has nice abs!
Too much information.
A blonde Slytherin girl in-between them usurped the paper and read the last two lines. Ooh, who has nice abs? Come now, if you're going to pass notes in Binns' class, you can't expect a girl not to be interested – anything is better than the discovery of flobber worms. :) She gave Lysander a wink, which made Rose very annoyed, and passed the paper to a boy next to her. Oh, he wrote, that's what we're learning about? I fell asleep. What's the juicy gossip?
"It's none of your business," Lysander hissed, passing the paper back to Rose.
"I didn't know you rolled that way," the blonde boy next to Lysander said dreamily. "And you do look like your brother. Do you happen to have a boyfriend."
"Shut up, Zambini. I'm straight, no questions about it, thank you!"
Professor Binns' glares could've pierced daggers at the two. "Glad to know," he spat, an icy gust of air blown in the boys' direction. "Continue with your notes or I'll take points away from both houses." Thankfully he hadn't seen the note, so Rose scribbled away and sent it back.
So? It's the truth.
Lysander rolled his eyes, brushing the feather of his quill against his cheek in a pensive pose. Whatever. Anyway, even if you weren't thinking that I'm just "that nerd with the 'hot' brother," it sure comes off that way. You never talk to me.
I am now!
Yeah, about my brother.
Right. Sorry. It's just that… If I tell you a secret, will you promise not to tell?
Lysander looked up at Rose's worried brown eyes and gave a little smile. It's not like I have anyone to tell anyway.
I… have a big crush on your brother.
Ooh, wow, that SO wasn't obvious. Well, join the club of just about every girl in our year.
Does he have a girlfriend?
Do you think I want to talk about my brother and his escapades?
Escapades! How many? What exactly did they entail?
Maybe I don't feel like getting into detail about Lorcan's life, okay! All I know is that even if he does like you back and you do something about it, you'll just be another link in the chain.
That can't be true! He's so sweet and respectful to everyone.
Have you ever heard of "things that happen behind closed doors" in all your wisdom? I'm sure your cousin Al can tell you all about those.
Yes, I have, you prat! And what's that about Al supposed to mean! Rose looked at Albus, who had a smug grin on his face, yet again. I think he's seen the note.
Speak for yourself on being prattish. I only meant that he's smarter than every student at Hogwarts. Combined, even. He knows what you're thinking without Legilimency. He probably knows that too…
Wow, are you sure you don't roll that way, Ly? You sure seem to be keen on my cousin! How do you think I feel when I'm supposed to be the smart one and everyone only mentions Al as the bright one in the family?
Besides your very rude suggestion, point taken. You're proving them right, though, by writing this to me. He probably hasn't even seen this note, but he could easily and you wouldn't know. And he knows everything you and I are writing. So, can we talk about something else?
Like what? The weather?
It is nice outside. Want to go by the lake during free period and talk without Binns breathing down our necks?
Rose chuckled softly, making Lysander smile. Speak for yourself, there. He hasn't caught me yet. I'd love to. See you then.
She failed to notice a very jubilant cousin next to her as he checked off an important detail on his daily to-do list.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chappie. Reviewers get lots of hugs!
