THE BUTTERFLY FALLOUT
CHAPTER TWO
April
The Easter holidays didn't feel like a well-deserved—albeit short—vacation for the students. For one, it was merely a prelude to their year-end exams, or better known by its oxymoron: a study break.
Rose was up in the Owlery again, far away from the hubbub in the Gryffindor common room and even the library. In one hand, her quill scratched across the parchment she had on top of a hardcover resting on her lap, while the other was stroking a screech owl nibbling next to her.
It was ironic, really. She felt suffocated by their presence—she was more at ease when she wasn't surrounded by so many people. Maybe because she couldn't stand their childishness, their stupidity… Or the way they looked at her, sniggering at her studious nature.
The sound of approaching footsteps made the birds around the girl fly away, yet Rose didn't need to look up to know who they belonged to. Only one person knew she'd be here.
"Hey." Rose would recognize the mischievous smirk on James Potter's face anywhere, but that gentle, knowing look in his brown eyes always made her forgot how much she hated her jerkass cousin. "There are better places to study alone than, well, in a windowless turret that smells of bird poop, y'know." His handsome face wrinkled in disgust to emphasize his point.
Rose threw a handful of hay half-heartedly at him, giggling. "Go away, then." The smile disappeared as quickly as it came, and she shifted her gaze away from James.
"Something's been bothering you," James said as he sat down in front of her, his fingers entwined with Rose's. "Let me guess: has someone caught up to our little secret?"
"Albus is getting suspicious," Rose sighed, putting her book and parchment aside. "He's been bugging me about our relationship ever since he saw us sneaking out holding hands that night."
The lopsided grin on James' lips turned upside down. "I expected no less from my pesky little brother. So, what are you gonna do?"
Something about his hardened eyes told Rose he already knew her answer; still, she had to say it aloud. "Maybe we should stop seeing each other like this for a while."
Rose was surprised when James didn't push himself onto her, but chose to let go of her hand. "Alright. If this is what you think is best for us both, I guess we should reconsider this relationship."
"James, I—"
He placed a finger on her lips, cutting her off. "It takes two hands to clap, and you of all people should know this better than anyone." Then he moved closer to Rose's ear. "Even if I'm willing to wait as long as I can for you to reciprocate this unrequited feeling, you and I know that it's definitely not going to end well."
Rose could only watch as James stood up and turned to leave. Her heart ached at the look of cold contempt he gave her before he was gone, but she didn't have the courage to stop him from walking away.