Character: Scorpius Malfoy

By:

RoseScor90 (Rose) Ravenclaw

Disclaimer: Not JK…

A/n: written for the December monthly Challenge. The chosen character was Scorpius Malfoy

How again did I get stuck here? Scorpius wondered as he tried to disappear in the other direction as he saw James and Fred approach him. He absolutely did not want to be at the receiving end of another of their pranks. The last one had had Weasley bursting into laughter everytime he happened to be in the same room as her. Now, do not be confused when Scorpius says Weasley. Because to him, there was only one person who was ever Weasley. The rest were just Lucy, Roxy, Dom, Hugh…but she would always be Weasley to him. And said Weasley was now heading in his direction, her displeasure at having to face him clear on her face.

"Malfoy" she greeted coldly when she was near enough for him to hear. She stopped a couple of feet away from him on instinct. Their conversations in the past had more often than not ended in duels and even now, she was at wand distance from him and her eyes were looking around, ready to spot any indication that he might try to trick her. As if he'd be fool enough to attempt anything of the sort with her mob of a family around.

"Weasley" he nodded in acknowledgement.

"Fancy seeing you here. Don't you normally visit during Christmas and leave for New Years'?" that, Scorpius knew, roughly translated meant Why in bloody hell are you still here?

"Al wanted me to be there for the New Years' bash this year. Something about the first new year after we've graduated, or something of that sort. I barely had a chance to ask him before I was side long apparated here" he shrugged, and Rose's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Your Mum let you?" her surprise was clear and Scorpius couldn't blame her. His mother was well known for being over protective. That was the one reason why he had agreed to stay for a year more at the Manor after graduation, instead of moving into the apartment in town that he and Al had rented.

"Al. I shudder to think what favors he had pulled to get me here"

"You don't seem to be too happy about it, anyway" her remark was barely heard as blaring music started up. They stood listening for a moment and after a few minutes, someone, probably Molly, had the sense to lower the volume so that people could atleast be heard.

"Did you have a reason for cornering me or was it just another random act of yours?" Scorpius asked, his face clearly showing that he was amused. Rose flushed for a minute before her eyes flashed with his with double the sharpness.

"As if you haven't used me as a shield before?" her left eyebrow rose in question and it was Scorpius' turn to be flustered. The fact was that Scorpius had on more than one occasion sought Rose's help to avoid the hundreds of dates he'd otherwise have had to go to. Rose thought he really needed to find better ways to evade girls but played along nevertheless. Consequently, they were considered a semi-couple at Hogwarts. The reputation did not please her but it wasn't something she could help.

"But I did have a reason for deciding to endure your presence today. Several infact. Ouch!" Rose stumbled as one of the dancers bumped into her and she was forced to grab Scorpius to steady herself. Scorpius reached out his hands in instinct and caught her right on time. There was none of the animosity in either of their eyes as they met now. Instead, they were filled with a sudden awareness that scorched them both. Rose tried to spring away from him, but Scorpius held her firmly in place.

"Atleast now I can hear you without having to strain myself" he reasoned as she looked at him quizzically.

"Going deaf, are we?"

"Afraid of what the others would think, are you?" he shot back instantly, and she had no choice but to stay in his arms. It wasn't anything much, if she could just forget that she could see every perfection and imperfection of his face. So she turned her head to the side while she spoke.

"As I was saying, there are several reasons why I'd much rather spend the night beside you."

"Aside from the fact that you can always count on me for a duel?"

"If I get bored enough, yes that too. But you'd never ask me to dance with you"

"As if you'd agree if I even asked?" Scorpius laughed lightly and she couldn't help but join. They were enough of a sight out of the dance floor. Lord help the amount of attention they'd get on it.

"And, there's the stupid superstition about New Years'" she shook her head in disbelief.

"You don't believe a New Years' kiss brings you luck for the rest of the year?"

"Don't tell me you do" Scorpius shrugged his shoulders in reply before he continued, "So you'd much rather endure my 'stimulating' company than kiss some random guy?"

"Half the people here are related to me. I don't want to risk it" she replied and her face clearly portrayed her distaste. Only then did she notice Scorpius' slightly sheepish expression and his line of vision fixed above her head.

"I'm sorry Weasley but you have a mistletoe hanging above your head" something seemed to amuse him endlessly as he grinned.

"…TEN…"

"…NINE…"

"Al! I'm seriously going to kill him! What was he thinking? He planned all this!" her rant went on for a few more minutes before scorpius, deciding to save Al from a premature death (or speed it up, we never know with that Slytherin), interrupted.

"…EIGHT…"

"Look, Weasley let's just get this over with and then go murder your lovely cousin, alright?" he replied in irritation.

"…SEVEN…"

"We could search for him first, you know?"

"…SIX…"

"And ruin his first new years out of school? He'd never forgive us!"

"…FIVE…"

"I'm not going to care about what that scheming…" she was distracted from her rant as he leaned down to kiss her.

"…FOUR…"

He hadn't meant to snog her, honestly. He'd only wanted to stop her from cursing Al to the end of eternity, but of course, as was usual when Weasley was concerned, all his plans went out the window, and as her hands wound around his neck, he didn't object, drawing her closer.

"…THREE…"

"…TWO…"

"…ONE…"

Rose sprung apart from him as the mountain of fireworks Fred and James had amassed burst at once. She looked around in alarm, and let out a sigh when she found that noone had noticed her stupid lack of self control. What had she been bloody thinking!

"Looks like luck is intent on finding you this year" his voice was annoyingly close to her ear and she fought for control. Murdering him wasn't going to solve anything. She must act as if it hadn't bothered her at all and move away. Of course, what she said was just the opposite.

"This changes nothing" she spat at him but he did not seem surprised at her sudden change of behavior. Weasley's mood swings were frequent and after more than a few duels and visits to the Infirmary, he had learned to predict them with uncanny accuracy.

"Of course not. We'll still stay on the Hogwarts' couple-or-not list." He replied complacently and Rose let out a sigh of relief.

"Now for that oh so dear cousin of mine…" Scorpius could almost see the wheels turn in her head and pitied his poor friend.

"Ros…uh, Weasley. I was wondering…"

"What is it?"

"How about we meet up sometime this week? For lunch or something?"

"Are you asking me out?" Rose's voice was incredulous and Scorpius hurriedly shook his head.

"No way, Weasley. That would mean I liked you or something disgusting like that. I meant it more like a sit-at-the-same-table-and-talk kind of it"

"Uh…sure."

"Now, wasn't there a meddlesome cousin you wanted to teach a lesson?" his eyes once again shone with mischief and Rose smirked back, relaxed. This side of him, she could handle effortlessly.

Albus might have suffered a brutal prank that day, but he was successful in his plan to bring them together; after a few more tricks and tries.

Of course, James Potter and Fred Weasley would like me to add that they were the 'brains' behind the operation. As if they had any!