The Song
Living at the flat was mostly uneventful with Al and Scorpius interning at St. Mungo's, so Rose wandered muggle London. She had found several quaint cafes where she could enjoy a nice coffee and a book. She had also learned a lot about the habits muggles tended to keep, and rather enjoyed watching people stream by often wondering what it would be like owning her own place where muggles and wizards could stop by.
On a few occasions, Rose found herself at some local bars with her friend Alice listening to muggle music when Al and Scorpius had night shifts. She loved the music, especially the stringed instrument that was loud when plugged into a strange little box. Rose had asked her mother what it was all about, but she claimed she never really listened to music like that.
So here she found herself, alone in the flat with Al and Scorpius working another night shift. Instead of going out, Rose had decided that a nice relaxing bath and a book would do the trick.
It was late and she had finished her bath, and had decided to dress in her long tee-shirt and thick argyle socks which let her slide across the wood floor with ease. She had been spending the last half hour zipping back and forth belting the lyrics stuck in her head, and now she had gotten to the rather complex guitar solo.
"Bumb bumb baawawwwon noooowwwwnnnn! Duut duutt. Bumb bumb baaawwwwooon naaaawt!" She slid past the bedrooms towards the kitchen. Her arms rocking on her imagined guitar. "Dut dut dut baalllleeelalala."
She was lost in her own little world and had yet to see the shocked face of one of her roommates. His eyes were wide with fascination, and he looked her up and down, taking in her peculiar fashion. He chuckled and his pale skin started to show the pink dusting of a blush. His mouth was open but no words came out. Rose, still unaware of Scorpius' presence, let out yet another rift and slid towards the living room until she caught sight of the boy by the entrance.
"Oh my!" She exclaimed. Her foot slipped out from underneath her and she fell rather hard on her butt. "Ahhh this is really embarrassing! I can''t believe you didn't announce yourself."
"What, are we at ball or something?" His deep voice captivating her. "I didn't realize I needed to do that at my own place. Besides usually you are out and about. Not here in your socks rocking to imaginary music." A smile played on his lips.
She felt his eyes dart down her again as she tried to regain some of her composure. He most definitely had a blush this time and she most definitely did not want to be the reason for it. She watched him shake his head while he dropped his bag off his shoulder. It was now her turn to look him over, and she didn't know if she liked what she found. His hair was flat against his head as if he has gotten out of the shower, and his shoulders were slumped with exhaustion. His eyes though were full of light as he watched her watch him. His cheeks still held the color from before. Scorpius cleared his throat.
"Well, now that we have both looked each other over, I think I'm going to head to my room," He said in a soft voice. Rose was still stunned until she thought it over.
"Aren't you supposed to be working night shift?" She asked still sitting on the floor where she fell.
"Eh, no that's Al. I only had till closing tonight," He coughed again clearly uncomfortable with the current atmosphere. He brought a hand to rub the back of his neck.
"Er, Right," Rose picked herself up and dusted off her backside. "I didn't expect anyone to be here."
"You and me both," He gave a soft smile and turned towards the bedrooms while she headed the same way. They both stopped and looked at each other again trying to gauge who was going to go first. Scorpius nodded his head low to let Rose go first. She did until she heard a soft chuckle. She whipped around.
"You!" Her finger pointing out again. "You insufferable git. You did that on purpose didn't you."
"I have no clue what you are talking about m'dear," He said lightly with a guilty look, hands raised in the air. Eyes darting between her own eyes and her legs.
"Were you staring at my butt?!" She called out. Her finger getting dangerously close to taking his eye out.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," He repeated. His cheeks visibly stained with red. "Since you are wearing that outfit, I can see why it would be hard not to.""
"Oh you are ridiculous. It's all you boys think about isn't it?" She accused him as she tugged the bottom of her shirt with her other hand. "I can't believe you. Your own friend's cousin.""
"Well it's kind of hard not to since you are dressed that way," He gestured towards her shirt which covered just past her rear.
"Kind of hard not to! Kind of hard NOT TO!" Rose took a deep breath. "I'll have you know, I don't go falling all over you when you prance around in your boxers. Besides nothing is even showing. It's called self-control. Get some."
"I do not prance and just because nothing is showing doesn't mean I don't have a brain," He leaned over her. "And I do have self-control thank you." He turned towards his open bedroom door, walked in, and promptly shut it in her face.
"Oi you git!" She banged her fist on his door. "You get out here right this instant! You're not getting away this time."
Rose was about to start banging again but the door swung open swiftly, and standing in front of her was a shirtless Scorpius. The quick change had ruffled his hair, and his eyes held a challenge. She tried to hold them but curiosity got the best of her and they drifted lower. Her mouth went dry. His abs were well defined for someone who worked all the time, and the pale skin reflected the kitchen light which cast a deeper shadow across his stomach.
"Got some self-control there, Rosie Posie?" He smirked down at her.
"Oh you are a git aren't you?" Her eyes returning to his just in time to catch the smirk.
"Thought you knew that, Rosie?" He brushed past her towards the bathroom. She caught a strong whiff of his cologne. She shook her head trying to clear any thoughts she had. Glaring at his well sculpted back, she made her way to her room. He caught her eye as she flipped her hair over her shoulder and stuck her hip out as she closed her room door holding his gaze the whole time. The door snapped closed, and she let out a breath and rubbed her hand on her forehead.
Scorpius' eyes were wide as he stood in the bathroom doorway. He couldn't pull them from Rose's door. His mind replaying everything that had just happened, and he could have sworn his heart was beating to the tune she had belted out earlier.
The next morning Al came trudging into a silent kitchen. Both Scorpius and Rose were minding their own corners of the room. Rose with her coffee and Scorpius getting a bowl for cereal. Al looked between the two.
"What's got all your knickers in a knot?" He questioned sensing the strained atmosphere.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Ground out Scorpius. His cheeks returning to the color they were the night before.
Rose sent a glare from over her mug to Albus. Her own ears reflecting Scorpius' cheek color. A smile appeared on Al's face as he looked between his two friends.
"Ooo something illicit must have gone down whilst I was away," He sang out while twirling towards the counter. "When daddy's away the children play.""
"You are just a ridiculous as he is," Rose declared as she grabbed a muffin before getting up and leaving the bar to find more comfortable seating.
Al quickly followed her into the living room with Scorpius following him.
"Al just drop it," Scorpius said pleadingly.
"Now I must know," Plopping down on the chair next to Rose. He batted his eyes at her. "Dearest cousin. What has thou been doing in my flat?""
"You are ridicu…" Rose could not even finish the sentence before Scorpius's rather large frame flung its self into the remaining space next to Al.
BANG.
The chair gave up, having three people squished rather forcefully on the reclining comfort tended to make chairs rather unhappy. One of the chair's legs gave out, and the occupants slide towards Rose's side of the chair, squishing her into the arm rest which was just holding her off the floor.
Rose let out a groan.
"I can't believe you guys. You broke my chair!"
Al tried to respond but with Rose's hair in his mouth all that came out was a muffled, "whhl fwix eh."
Scorpius laughed and leaned more into Al squishing them further into Rose.
She glared at them both.
"Get off me this instant," She raised her foot ready to kick out.
Al catching the look in her eye ducked down to the floor and rolled away. Scorpius not ready for Al's movement went sliding into Rose's waiting foot.
"Oof," He wheezed into her ear.
"Well that's what you get for breaking my chair, you utter nuisance. I can't believe you would rough house like that. All I wanted was a little peace and quiet,"" She looked mad.
"Rosie," Al said from the floor. "We'll take care of it. And look I was just giving you two some space to cuddle and stuff."
Rose grabbed her forgotten muffin and tossed it at Al's head. He missed the dodge and took it straight in the eye.
"Rose how could you. My perfect vision," He whined. "All gone to waste by your terrible muffin. You've got to stop throwing food at me."
"Well you were asking for it. And you!" She exclaimed rounding on Scorpius. "I cannot believe you."
She grabbed a pillow off the floor and started aiming for his head, "You are undoubtedly, the worst, most insufferable, prat, ever. I cannot stand you."