Hey everyone! I am SOOOO sorry it has taken me this long to update. I can't promise it'll never happen again though. What happened was my laptop decided to crap out on me the week before finals... Spring of 2016. I didn't back up a bunch of stuff including the 4th chapter I was working on. I haven't gone to get it checked out yet and haven't been motivated to rewrite it... UNTIL NOW! I've graduated and am looking for a job but have more time to write. So, hopefully I will be updating more frequently. I also have some ideas for one-shots in the HP universe and for multi-chapters for Gilmore Girls and Megan Mead's Guide to the McGowan Boys. If you like either of those, then keep a look out. If not then... maybe you should check them out anyways. ;)
Also, a HUGE thank you to all that have followed, favorited and commented! 3 There are a lot more of you than I thought there would be. I really appreciate it. I would also love to hear where you think I should take the story. I tend to just write without a set outcome and would love to hear some ideas. :)
Moving on! Without further ado, here is the long awaited Chapter 4. I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 4: To Be Continued
ROSE
Once the sorting is finished, McGonagall gives a short speech and the older students sing the Hogwarts school song. Since there is no official melody, everyone ends at different times. James and Fred finish last, long after everyone else, causing the student body to laugh, some professors to be amused or annoyed, and McGonagall to shed a single tear, the big softy. I'm convinced she has developed a soft spot for our lot in her old age.
Now, I'm sat across from Al and Louis, listening to them "ooo" and "ahh" over the food and the Great Hall. The three of us talk quietly about what our first major prank will be, as well as make conversation with our fellow Slytherin first years.
More than once, I stop to "ooo" and "ahh" myself, and to take hidden glances at the blond-haired boy sitting next to me.
Scorpius Malfoy seems to be the only person in the entire hall not talking or showing any excitement. Maybe this is the reason for my interest in him. Maybe it's because he is the only person able to make me blush. Whatever it is, I am drawn to him.
All I know is, I have a need to know what makes him tick. I want to see him talk with so much excitement he has trouble breathing.
I want to know everything about him.
Turns out, my "hidden" glances aren't very sneaky. After what is possibly my hundredth look, Scorpius turns to me and says, "Why don't you take a picture? It'll last longer."
Blushing, I say evenly, "If I thought it was worth printing, I would."
"Then stop looking at me. Didn't your mother ever tell you it's rude to stare?"
"Actually," I smirk, "I was told it could be a form of flattery." Leaning towards him I continue, "Not by my mother, though. Besides, you were doing the same to me." A blush creeps up his cheeks, proving he's just as guilty.
Taken aback, he smirks to himself before he can stop it.
Hoping this means we're making progress, I stick my hand out.
"We haven't been officially introduced. I'm Rose Weasley."
He stares at my hand for a few seconds before taking it into his own.
"Scorpius Malfoy."
"Nice to meet you, Scorpius." I smile.
"Nice to meet you too, Rose."
We hold hands for a moment too long, starring into each other's eyes. A blush snakes up my neck as I gaze into his gray eyes, eyes that remind me of molten silver and storm clouds.
We release hands, and decide now would be an opportune time to take a bite of dessert. He probably thinks that was the end of our conversation.
Not quite.
Using my spoon like a microphone, I speak into it asking, "So Scorpius, what are you most excited about for your first year at Hogwarts?" I use my best talk show host voice.
He looks at my outstretched spoon strangely, then actively thinks about my question.
Finally he says, "Quidditch," taking a pause to look me in the eye and lean forward, he adds quietly enough only I can hear, "and meeting you."
Not expecting the added comment, I drop my spoon in a state of shock. A true Weasley blush slowly makes its way up my neck, spreading across my entire face. It reaches up to my hairline, almost making it impossible to tell where my forehead ends and my hair begins.
Scorpius and I lean down at the same time to pick up my spoon resulting in us bumping heads. A few students fortunate enough to witness the incident laugh and turn to tell their friends.
I just end up blushing a deeper shade of red.
When we resurface, Scorpius has my spoon and places it back on the table in front of me. I look to see both Al and Louis staring at me with surprise.
They look at one another, back at me, to Scorpius and repeat. I know the surprise is because I'm blushing. What I don't know is how they feel about Scorpius being the one to do the unthinkable.
Avoiding their gazes, I finish eating one of the best meals I've ever had. Grandma Molly can never find out! I will take this secret, and some of this pudding, to my grave.
Out of nowhere, a voice says, "How do you do it?"
Looking up, I see Al staring at Scorpius with a curious glint in his eyes.
It takes a minute for Scorpius to realize Al is talking to him.
"Do what?" Scorpius asks.
"Make Rose blush?"
"Al!" I exclaim.
He continues as if he didn't hear me. "I've made it my life's mission to embarrass her enough to blush, and I've been trying for years, but I get nothing. Now, all of a sudden, she meets you and she's turning red all night. So, how do you do it?"
Looking from Al to me and back, Scorpius says, "Well, you're her cousin and best friend, right?"
Al nods.
"So, why would she be embarrassed in front of you? From what I've read about her, and talking with her tonight, she seems very sure of herself. Why should she be self-conscious with anyone, especially her family?"
"But why would it be different with you then? No stranger or reporter has been able to do it either," Louis chimes in.
Thinking, Scorpius shrugs. "Maybe she cares what I think. Though, that brings up a whole new question..." He turns to look at me before continuing. "Why do you care what I think?"
I can feel Al and Louis train their eyes on me, all three boys waiting for my answer.
Not being able to return anyone's gaze, I simply return to finishing my pudding. Lost in my own thoughts, I replay the entire conversation. Of course they are both spot on. I blush because of Scorpius and the fact I care what he thinks of me. What no one can guess is why that may be.
I mean... I just want to be his friend... right?
"First years, follow us!" A tall, skinny, brunette boy calls out ahead.
After dinner, all the first years were spit up to follow their house prefects. Ours are bringing us down to the dungeons, our new home.
"It's a bit damp and cold down here, don't you think?" Louis says.
"Bet it'll feel real nice during the hotter day," Al agrees.
"I just can't wait to see the inside of our dorm," I chime in. I heard we're placed under the lake and hope we can see the giant squid.
"Seeing the giant squid would be cool," Scorpius says next to me.
"You a mind reader?" I ask him.
Looking at me funny, he replies simply, "No, why?"
"Because I was just thinking the same thing." I smile. We're going to be fast friends.
"I guess great minds think alike." He smiles back.
Up ahead, our prefects stop and turn towards us. Everyone stops to listen with curious ears.
"Alright folks! This is the end of the line. Before we go in, there are a few things we need to discuss," starts the boy. "My name is Dereck Forester and this is Candice Miller." He points to a girl with curly blonde hair and thick eyeliner. "We are your prefects and go-to people."
"If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask," Candice finishes.
"Are you two dating?" A random first year calls out.
Everyone chuckles except Dereck and Candice. They ignore the question and continue their speech.
"The entrance to the common room is secretly located on this wall," Candice gestures to our left. It looks like an ordinary wall. "The password is the only way to reveal the door, and will be changed every fortnight."
"Which means you need to remember to check the message board often," Dereck warns. "The new password will only be up for twenty-four hours so you better be good at memorizing information."
With that, the two prefects turn toward the wall, speech finished.
"Hogs Head," Dereck says.
Out of nowhere, a door appears. It swings open, and I watch as Dereck and Candice are swallowed by the darkness within.
One by one, first years follow the older students. When I finally step through we are met by a large, high ceilinged room adorned with green and silver everywhere. To the right is a large fireplace and plush furniture surrounding it. To the left is a large study area with a couple tables, chairs and bookcases. The message board is also in this area.
What catches my eye however, is the giant picture window with bench seating. Outside the window is pure darkness, just like before we walked in. It can only lead to one thing... the lake.
Walking past four giant pillars, two on each side, I reach the window. This is where all the cool and moist air is coming from. There must be a spell on the glass so it doesn't crack under the pressure of the water.
I sit on the bench seat, leaning my back against the left wall and tuck my knees up to my chin.
This... this will be my spot. It's perfect.
"Hey," he says beside me. Already I know the sound of his voice, don't even need to turn to know who it is.
Still, I turn towards him.
"Hi," I smile.
"Mind if I join you?" Scorpius asks.
I gesture for him to have a seat.
"Some place, huh?" He looks around at our new home for the next seven years.
"Yeah," I respond, looking back out the window.
"You really like the lake." Not a question.
"It's fascinating, isn't it? Mysterious. The pitch black of night, and in the morning, I bet it'll look completely different," I ramble.
His silence forces me to look at him. He's just staring at me, smirking.
"What?" I ask, color tinting my cheeks for the hundredth time tonight.
"You're just..." He searches for the right words, "more than I expected."
His sentiment makes me blush even more.
"Rose!"
My name shakes me out of whatever moment Scorpius and I were having. Damn you, Al!
"Isn't this place awesome? And to think, I didn't want to be placed in Slytherin!" Al laughs.
"That's because you didn't know we were going to be with you," Louis defends, rolling his eyes.
Just then, the two notice my red complexion and Scorpius sitting with me.
"Bloody hell! Scorpius, you gotta tell me how you do it!" Al exclaims.
"And on that note, I'm going to bed," I say standing up. It doesn't escape my attention that Scorpius stands as well. Such a gentleman.
"Oh, come on Rosie, I'm only joking!"
"Well, I'm only tired. Besides, we have classes in the morning," I tell my cousins. Turning to Scorpius I say, "It was a pleasure meeting you. Until next time," I smile and stick my hand out for him to shake.
Placing his hand in mine, he tugs me forward and plants a kiss on my cheek. Then he whispers so only I can hear, "To be continued."
SCORPIUS
Shock. I'm in a state of shock.
Once the sorting finishes, I can't register anything that is happening. Not McGonagall's speech, not the food, not the deafening chatter that is happening around me.
I was almost a hat stall, stuck between Slytherin and Gryffindor. Not only will I continue my family lineage in the snake pit, but I'll be able to do it with Rose, Al and Louis.
Now I just need to figure out a way to become their friend.
Unconsciously, I've been eating this whole time. No emotions have escaped onto my face, which has become habit when I'm in public. Giving the paparazzi nothing is a big goal for the Malfoy family. That way they can't make up a negative story about us.
Eventually, I stop to take it all in. The grandness of the Great Hall, everyone showing their excitement talking to new and old friends, the deliciousness of the food. Probably the best I've ever had. Taking it all in also means I've become aware of someone staring at me. More than once, I catch crystal blue eyes peek up at me from my right side. With every glance towards my on-looker, I catch new details. It's a girl, she has fire red hair, freckles are lightly painted across her cheeks and nose, and her skin is the color of cream.
Putting it all together, I realize it's Rose Weasley. I should have guessed it when I noticed her hair.
This is it, I think to myself. This is your chance to make her your friend. Talk to her!
Turning to her I say, "Why don't you take a picture? It'll last longer."
As soon as it's out of my mouth, I want to smack my forehead. Why does everything I say to her come out rude?
Instead of getting upset though, she blushes the lightest shade of pink and says, "If I thought it was worth printing, I would."
Not missing a beat I retort, "Then stop looking at me. Didn't your mother ever tell you it's rude to stare?"
"Actually," the smirk dancing on her lips is worthy of the Malfoy name, "I was told it could be a form of flattery." As she leans towards me, I smell her perfume. It's like being engulfed by a bed of flower petals. "Not by my mother though. Besides, you were doing the same to me."
My guilt spreads across my face and I can't help but smirk to myself, happy this is how our first real conversation is playing out.
"We haven't been officially introduced," she says, sticking out her hand, "I'm Rose Weasley."
I stare at her hand. How oddly formal for an eleven-year-old. Regardless, I shake it introducing myself.
"Scorpius Malfoy."
"Nice to meet you, Scorpius," she smiles genuinely, showing all her teeth.
"Nice to meet you too, Rose."
We're still holding hands, they aren't even moving anymore. Her bright blue eyes hold my own. Her eyes remind me of a clear sky or the ocean, open and transparent, yet still hiding wonders in their depths.
Releasing hands, I dive back into my food. My hand tingles as I pick up my fork. With every bite I try to come up with more to talk about but end up with nothing.
Thankfully, Rose knows how to keep a conversation going.
"So, Scorpius," I look over to see Rose holding her spoon to her mouth. What is she doing? "What are you most excited about for your first year at Hogwarts?" She continues.
Thrusting her spoon in my face, she falls silent.
I give the eating utensil a strange look, slightly disgusted (considering it's been in Rose's mouth) with its proximity to my mouth.
Figuring she's waiting for an answer, I give the question some thought.
I say the first thing that comes to mind.
"Quidditch," pausing I decide to gather some courage and add quietly, "and meeting you."
She inhales deeply and drops her spoon with a clatter. Instead of the light blushes that have colored her cheeks since the beginning of the night, Rose turns the same shade of red as her hair. It reaches from her hairline to her shirt collar.
Still admiring my handiwork, I reach down at the same time as Rose to grab her spoon. We bump heads sending a few on-lookers into a fit of giggles.
I grab the blasted spoon and we both straighten up. I notice right away that our scene has gotten the attention of her cousins. Soon enough, Rose notices, too.
The two boys look bewildered, Al more so than Louis.
Don't say anything, don't draw attention to yourself, I think.
So, I go back to eating...
Doesn't work.
Suddenly, a voice asks, "How do you do it?"
The voice is strong, intent and obviously directed towards me.
Looking over, Al is staring at me, food forgotten.
"Do what?" I feign ignorance.
"Make Rose blush!" You can almost hear the 'Of course' on the end.
"Al!" Rose exclaims.
He continues, ignoring his cousin. "It's been my life's mission to embarrass her enough to blush, and I've been trying for years, but I get nothing. Now, all of a sudden, she meets you and she's turning red all night. So, how do you do it?"
Looking between Al and Rose, I can't help but wonder the same thing. Although...
"Well, you're her cousin and best friend, right?"
Al nods.
"So why should she be embarrassed in front of you? From what I've read about her, and talking with her tonight, she seems very sure of herself. Why should she be self-conscious with anyone, especially her family?"
"But why would it be different with you then? No stranger or reporter has been able to do it either," Louis chimes in.
Hmm... Good point.
Shrugging I say, "Maybe she cares what I think. Though, that brings up a new question..." Turning to look at her, I ask, "Why do you care what I think?"
All of a sudden, my every being needs to know the answer to this question.
However, with the pressure of Al's and Louis' eyes on her, I know she won't say anything.
Instead, she simply returns to her dessert.
Eventually, we all do the same. I know this isn't the end of this conversation, but for now, I can wait.
After the feast, first years are led by prefects to our corresponding houses. This means going to the dungeons for us, or as it's more commonly known, the Snake Pit. I quite like the nickname and have been using it all my life.
Chatter erupts when exciting parts of the castle show up, such as the moving armor or talking pictures. For those of us that have lived in the wizarding world our whole lives, seeing inanimate objects magicked to move is nothing new, but Hogwarts seems to make everything a tad more... magical.
Once we start down the chilly, dark path to the Snake Pit, the whispers of excitement become uncontrollable.
Al and Louis are talking about the temperature ahead of me.
"I just can't wait to see the inside of our dorm," Rose chimes in next to me.
Thinking of the stories Dad has told me I can't help but say, "Seeing the giant squid would be cool."
Roses head snaps in my direction.
"You a mind reader?" She asks me.
"No," to the disappointment of Lucius, I'm sure. "Why?"
"I was just thinking the same thing." She smiles brightly.
Returning her smile I say, "I guess great minds think alike."
Finally, we stop and our prefects set the ground rules. I only pay attention to the important details.
Names: Dereck Forester and Candice Miller.
The entrance: Masked to look like a normal wall and needs a password.
Password: Changes every two weeks and will be posted for a day.
Somewhere in there a joke was made. I think I smirk but mostly because it makes Rose laugh.
With the simple words of "Hogs Head", the prefects step into what looks like a black curtain. When it's my turn, come to find, it's just a black cloak on the doorway. Once I step over the threshold I can clearly see what is ahead of me.
Students disperse everywhere, exploring our new home. Al and Louis go immediately to their room, our room, leaving Rose and I behind.
I silently take in our surroundings. Nothing special or different from what I've imagined pops out at me at first. Looking beside me, I notice Rose isn't standing there anymore.
A quick survey of the room is all I need to spot her. She's standing in front of a giant black window; her red curls the only color against it and her black robes.
As I start to walk towards her, she sits on the bench seating lining the window.
The closer I get, the more I wonder how I missed this part of the room. It's obviously the focal point as the fire place is off to the side, barely glowing, and any wall hangings are either high up or too small to notice until you're right in front of them. The window seemingly leads to nowhere. The only tell is when tiny bubbles make their way up the glass on the other side.
The lake.
When I make it to Rose's side, she doesn't notice me standing there. She's so engulfed by the window, everything else doesn't exist. Not even my reflection.
"Hey," I say after too long.
She turns and smiles, "Hey."
"Mind if I join you?"
She points to a spot next to her and nods.
Looking around I start, "Some place, huh?"
"Yeah," she looks back at the window.
"You really like the lake," I state.
A far away look crosses her face as she speaks.
"It's fascinating, isn't it? Mysterious. The pitch black of night, and in the morning, I bet it'll look completely different."
Her response puts me in awed silence. There's a passion in her I've never seen in anyone. I have a feeling the lake isn't the only thing that brings this out in her. I want to learn what can make that look of wonder radiate across her face.
I want to know everything about her.
I've been silent for too long. She turns to face me, a quizzical arch to her brow. Maybe because I'm smirking at her like an idiot.
"What?" She blushes faintly.
"You're just..." I search for the right words, "more than I expected."
Her cheeks burn brighter at my words.
"Rose!"
Her name pulls us out of our weird moment. Great timing, Al...
"Isn't this place awesome? And to think, I didn't want to be placed in Slytherin!"
"That's because you didn't know we were going to be with you," Louis says.
Both boys finally take in Rose's fiery cheeks and notice me.
"Bloody hell!" Al cries, "Scorpius, you gotta tell me how you do it!"
"And on that not, I'm going to bed," Rose announces.
"Oh, come on Rosie, I'm only joking!"
"Well, I'm only tired. Besides, we have classes in the morning." Turning to me she adds, "It was a pleasure meeting you. Until next time," and sticks her hand out with a smile. Always so formal with me.
That needs to change.
Standing, I put my hand in hers. Instead of shaking, I pull her towards me and plant a simple kiss on her cheek.
In her ear, I whisper so only she can hear, "To be continued." Her blush is magnificent.
A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! If you came back, even after all this time, then thank you for sticking with me. If you're new, welcome! Leave a comment with a review or just to tell me what you think of the story so far.
Again, if you have suggestions of where I can take this story, or elements I can add, I'd love to hear them. I don't have a set ending right now...
Until next time...
Mischief Managed. ;) \|m|