Disclaimer: As always, I am not the owner of anything Harry Potter…

I have skipped a couple of years because the characters need to meet age requirements for some parts of the story. This chapter builds on the relationships between the characters and doesn't yet touch on the adventure part of the story.

This picks up right after their third year ends…

"I can't believe your mom said that," Rose responded to Leena as she lay with her head hanging off the bed that used to be her dad's.

Everyone was at the Burrow for a get together. The Weasley matriarch, Molly, wanted all of the kids around her including everyone she had cared for as if they were her own. That's how Leena ended up coming to this family get together. Lee Jordan and Mrs. Weasley had become very close over the years and even more so after Fred's death. He eased her pain when he and George behaved as the rambunctious children they used to be.

"I know right. I'm only thirteen. How could she even mention me getting married and to Scorpius of all people?" said Leena with a pained expression on her face. She lay on her stomach on the floor facing Rose.

Rose rolled her eyes, "I have to admit that you two compliment each other, Leena. You and Scorpius are best friends. Everyone can tell how close you two are."

Leena gave Rose the most dangerous of looks. "I know he's my best friend, but I have others. Besides, I don't think I'll ever think of him that way."

Rose sighed, "It's possible. But if you are so against it, just tell your mom you think there is someone else."

"I'm thirteen, Rose, there is no one."

"Really, what about…" Rose started, but was interrupted by the knock at the door.

"Am I interrupting," Al asked as he walked into the room after getting no response. He had one foot in the door when Leena ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

"No," she responded not letting go.

"Umm, Leena, are you gonna let go any time soon. It's only been three weeks since we left school and you sat with him the whole way back." Leena blushed a little as she slowly let go of Albus and turned to look at Rose with a slight glare. Rose laughed, "Hey, I didn't even mention you two riding home together just saying."

Leena rolled her eyes, "It's not my fault my parents couldn't pick me up and Mrs. Potter volunteered to drive me home. She and my mom are starting to be good friends."

"Good because I think Al might be your alternative."

"Alternative to what?" asked Al.

In that moment, Leena turned as red as her caramel skin allowed her to go. Although Rose found this ridiculously funny she found her voice in between laughs, "Leena's mom wants her to marry Scorpius."

Al paused in confusion and Leena was anxious for his response. "That's strange," he said, "Everyone here thinks Rose is the one who's going to marry Scorpius."

Leena sighed in relief at this response and began to laugh. Rose, however, looked mad. "That is only because the adults think it would be funny because our parents were rivals during school. That thought is completely unfounded."

"No, it's not," replied Al. "I wasn't even talking about our parents. I meant Roxanne, Fred, Dominique, James, Lucy, Molly…"

"Oh, shut up," said Rose as she quickly threw a pillow that hit Al square in the face and crossed her arms over her chest in frustration.

Al and Leena couldn't stop laughing. They both sat on the floor closely beside each other. Leena's hand had found it way onto Al's knee, which Rose noticed but skipped over to retort.

"How did they come to this conclusion?" Rose shouted her question over their laughter.

"You and Scorpius are drawn together. It's like some sort of gravitational pull," responded Al through tears from laughing so hard.

"What are you talking about? We barely associate."

"Honey, that is called a love-hate relationship," said Leena, "It's like you guys find each other to argue. Whenever, you and I are walking together, don't you notice that Scor always takes that as an opportunity to come over and talk to you or tease you? And you do the same; you find a reason to talk to me whenever Scor is around me. You guys are incorrigible now that I realize it. I had never really noticed the connection before."

"The whole lot of you are bloody mad, but whatever, I will just not hang around you when you're with him anymore. I just try to spend as much time with my best friend as possible and this is the thanks I get."

"Aww, Rose," said Leena getting up and putting her arm around her best friend, "Don't be that way. It's cute and I am pretty sure Scor will miss you if you stop hanging with us."

"I need to make better friends with the people in my own house," said Rose as she got off the bed to walk out of the room.

Leena rolled her eyes and said, "Drama queen."

Rose put her hands on her hips, "You should be thanking me. I am going to leave you two alone to snog your brains out." With that, Rose slightly slammed the door behind her leaving Leena and Al with their mouths open in shock.

Al looked at Leena, "She's just being stupid."

Leena nodded her head in agreement, "I don't know where she got that idea from."

Al laughed. "Really, I think it had something to do with the hug, calling me your alternative husband, and your hand on my knee."

Leena looked at him astounded.

He laughed again, "Don't worry. I just know how to read my cousin. She thinks we like each other. She has made that clear time and time again. She focuses on all the little things and decides they affirm her suspicions." He shrugged, "Right now, what matters is that Scor is not your only best friend."

"Of course not, you and Rose are just as important to me."

Al walked over to her and hugged her. "Then all is well," he said as he released her, "Now, let's go downstairs before Rose spitefully tells your dad she left us alone."

Leena put on her angry face, "Oh, I dare her."

More to come, I will pick up from this very spot…please give me any constructive criticism with reviews.