A/N: Hi friends! If you guys wouldn't mind leaving a review (or just contacting me in general- carrier pigeon, owl, singing telegram, Morse code, whatever you fancy- I'm not picky), I would really appreciate it. There are a lot of people reading it, but I honestly have no clue if y'all think it's trash or if you like it... Love, hate, or indifference I'd like to hear your thoughts. I have the next few chapters written in my head but nothing down on paper yet, so I'll work on that and post in the coming days.
Friday, September 2, 2022
Rose arrived three minutes late to Potions. She had never been late to anything in her life, not a Slug Club party, not a prefect meeting, not even her own birth (she was born promptly on her due date, though he doesn't know exactly how he knows this). But there she was, panting slightly, three minutes late.
She slid into the only seat left available in the back next to him. She sighed and set her bag down. Slughorn didn't seem to care and was already enthusiastically lecturing. "These are the kind of things you ought to be able to make after completing your N.E.W.T.s," he droned on.
Scorpius felt free to let his mind wander. He had already determined that this morning's encounter with Rose must have been a moment of temporary insanity. Perhaps Zambini had slipped something in his pumpkin juice. He had no real feelings for the red head. He peeked over at her and saw her studiously taking notes and rolled his eyes. His flirtatious teasing was impulsive with every girl he knew. She was no different. What he felt was lust, nothing more. Besides, he had a date with Penelope Nott tonight, that would help take his mind off Weasley.
It wasn't until Rose started walking towards Catherine Boot to borrow some Scarab beetles that he realized Slughorn had already assigned the Wit-Sharpening potion. He set to work quickly, thankful for a distraction.
Brewing potions required a certain dexterity and skill. Natural talent, know-how, and experience didn't hurt either. But above all the aforementioned necessities, it was patience that was most important.
And if there was one thing Rose lacked, it was patience.
Normally for Rose, Scorpius had learned, not being as good at something meant having to work at it a little before it came to her as naturally as breathing, but in Potions she had always struggled. It was the only class he had consistently higher marks than her, which maddened her to no end.
He watched her out of the corner of his eye. His potion was simmering, the exact shade of pale purple the textbook described, and there was nothing more for him to do with it except wait for Professor Slughorn to come around and check it. Rose, however, was still several steps behind him, methodically counting turns with her wand and frowning into her cauldron.
It was when she was about to add the wrong ingredient for the second time that he finally stepped in. Reaching across the desk, he grabbed her wrist just before she could drop in a fistful of Ginger Roots.
She glared at him, looking affronted. "If you add those before the Armadillo Bile, you'll undo your last five steps." He explained.
Flushing, she snatched her wrist away. "You've touched me quite enough for today," she said shortly, blushing an even deeper red. She dropped the roots onto the table and dumped a vial of green liquid into her cauldron instead.
He couldn't help but glare at her. "I was just trying to help, Red," he said through clenched teeth.
"I didn't ask for your help," she retorted sounding flustered.
Scorpius had had enough. "Fine. Next time, I'll let you screw it up. Honestly Weasley, all you have to do is read a recipe out of a book and add things to a cauldron. You don't have to be Dumbledore to figure it out."
Her eyes blazed. "All you have to do in Charms is wave your wand around and say a little Latin, but that didn't stop you from setting a desk on fire during your OWL, or so I heard," she hissed vindictively.
Scorpius's cheeks burned but he ignored her jab. "Someone's in a bad mood today. Did lover boy break up with you? You're not wearing your bracelet." His eyes flickered towards her bare wrist once again. He tried to control the eager curiosity in his tone. He wasn't some gossipy Hufflepuff girl.
"I'm the one who ended it" she admitted quietly with a frown.
He let the subject drop, thankful that Slughorn was heading towards them to break the now awkward silence.
"Excellent work as usual Mr. Malfoy," He said glancing down into his cauldron. "You've certainly inherited your father's talent for Potions. How is everything going in his business? You know I can always count on him to send me the finest bottles of Firewhisky should ever feel a bit parched," he said merrily in his usual manner.
"Thank you, sir. My father is doing well, he just mentioned the other day how he always looks forward to receiving your owls," he replied politely, albeit lying through his teeth. He had no idea how his father felt towards Slughorn. However, his mother, always insisting he be courteous and charming, would have been pleased with his response.
"Excellent, excellent!" He smiled and turned to Rose. "Ms. Weasley you seem to be struggling a bit," he frowned. "You don't want to fall behind this early in the year. No, that won't do. Perhaps Mr. Malfoy here would be willing to tutor you. You two will be partners for the rest of the year," he said jovially, not noticing the grimace on both pupil's faces. He strolled off to check Sarah Corner and Tim Goldstein's progress, leaving Rose humiliated and Scorpius annoyed.