Chapter 6 Sixth Year
It was an unspoken understanding by all Sixth Years that Rose and Scorpius were dating, though it was the contrary that held truth. The rumor began at the start of the year and gained momentum as the two sat together in every shared class, studied together, and most evidential—dated no one else. Rose and Scorpius knew of the rumor, and neither discouraged it. Their relationship with one another was more intimate than even some married couples could boast, but it lacked one very important aspect. There was nothing physical between them. In addition, neither had ventured to ask the other out on a real date, one where their conversations would lend to uncharted territory.
Scorpius determined never to make the first move with her again, and Rose wanted to be sure she wasn't just a conquest. Therefore, neither was willing to initiate a kiss (or even hand-holding) though it was at the forefront of their thoughts. Months compounded in which neither showed even the slightest interest in any other peer. By December, Rose had enough empirical evidence that perhaps, this time, Scorpius was finished with superficial dating. She knew she loved him despite all her attempts not to. She knew she had hurt him greatly when she denied him the kiss (but she also knew she had been right). She knew she would have to make the first move—she was just waiting for the right moment.
Studying was a safe way they could spend time together, and so they often spent many an hour in each other's company under the veneer of absorbing knowledge. Because they were top students, prefects, and respectable, they had special permission to study after hours in the library. On a cold December night, after one hour of after hour study, Rose had finally built up enough courage to gradually move her chair closer and closer to Scorpius. If he had observed the action, he made no acknowledgement. Her last scoot of her chair found them touching arms. She covered the move by reaching over him to grab his parchment. Scorpius was not fooled, but he was made insecure by last year. He remained motionless but eager for her next move.
"Sorry about that, Scorpius. I just wanted to reread your notes from Herbology since we don't share that class and you know how Professor Longbottom is about articulating the minute differences between a berry and leaf on a Luna Somnus Plant." Her arm remained touching his from shoulder to elbow. The warmth emanating from his body sparked desire. The desire fed her courage. She lay her head against his right shoulder.
Scorpius had no idea what to do. Her actions changed the intimacy of their relationship, yet her words remained within their set boundaries. He decided the safest action would be to follow her lead. The smell of her hair fed him conviction. He placed his head atop hers and replied, "Yes, quite right. Although you can't blame him. One can be put safely into draughts while the other can cause insanity."
Both students had stopped writing. "So divergent a plant, is it not? One part of it can bring peace and the other endless suffering." Rose moved her right hand and placed it on top of his right hand. He immediately grabbed it.
Scorpius adored when she spoke Slytherin. "I think that is the draw to it. How can you derive peace from something that punishes you with making you live within your own thoughts without any means of manifesting them?" He lifted his head and pushed his shoulder up, forcing her to lift her head. Their eyes met. She was searching for something, thinking. He loved that look; it made him feel like an object of her study. He was egocentric enough to absorb her attention in that manner.
As he began to smile, she leaned forward and kissed him. The kiss was too brief for Scorpius, and Rose was so flush with embarrassment that she looked away. She cleared her throat before saying, "The library will close soon. We need to go." It escaped their notice that the library was already closed. She stood and waved her wand, collecting her things efficiently.
Scorpius was justifiably dumbstruck. He sat motionless for too long as she had already gathered her things and was walking to the door. "Impedimenta!" He cast the spell at her feet. She tripped and fell. "I'm sorry, Rose. I didn't mean it to be that strong."
She half lifted her body from the ground and looked up at him, furious. "Why would you do that?"
"Because you kissed me."
"And what was wrong with that? You kiss witches all the time!" She had risen, and her wand hand was twitching. Scorpius held his wand, ready. She was too powerful a witch not to respect the fact that she could seriously injure him.
"'What was wrong with that? I kiss witches all the time?'" He saw her flick her wand and was not willing to be the recipient of her silent hex. He countered with a silent Protego. "Please, Rose. Surely you have noticed I have not had a single girlfriend all year!"
"The statement still holds truth!" The children of parents that had fought in the Second Wizarding War had guaranteed they could combat. She cast again. He blocked again. Their conversation had become an angry one, which was a turn for the worse. Their angry conversations never ended verbally resolved.
"I can't believe this! Not only did you kiss me, but now you are assaulting me for my past behavior! A past which, as of two minutes ago, you are now a part of, by the way." He was smirking at her.
The smirk infuriated her further and she finally hit her target with a silent Avis Oppugno. Birds flew around Scorpius' body and pecked him before he was able to immobilize them. Seeing her arrogant grin made him react equally. He sent a Permanent Sticking Charm to her shoes and began walking with enraged determination toward her. Rose's eyes widened and she tried unsuccessfully to run. The stall was enough for Scorpius to grab her by the arms. "Don't make me take your wand, Rose. You are the better caster, but like this I will win."
"Troll!" She was trying desperately to move.
"What a dirty mouth you have. Tsk. Tsk. I guess I better clean it out." With that he kissed her, hard, releasing his mixture of pent up lust, frustration, and anger. He deepened the kiss when she tried to push him away and speak, sticking his tongue deep into her mouth. He knew the move would have repercussions. He was scared of what Rose would do, but he had wanted her for so long.
She bit him.
"Ow!" He yelled, releasing her and grabbing his mouth.
"Expelliarmus!" she yelled. His wand flew to her hand. She cast a binding spell and Scorpius fell to the floor. "You will pay for this, Scorpius Malfoy!"
"For kissing you like we both wanted?"
"YES!" she yelled again.
"You make no sense, witch!" he exclaimed. He struggled against the bind, but without his wand it was useless.
Rose removed her feet from her shoes, wondering how they were going to explain this one tomorrow to the librarian. "I will give you your wand, tomorrow. It will be your recompense for binding me."
"You hypocrite! What do you call this?" he questioned, struggling once again.
She tapped her chin. "You know, you are right, Scorpius. I apologize for my hypocrisy. Allow me to treat you how you were going to treat me. I believe you threatened to take my wand. Hmmm. I have your wand, so check. I believe you kissed me passionately without my consent. Hmmm. What can I do to best that?" She tapped her chin a few times, looking over his body from head to toe. For once, Scorpius did not enjoy being the object of her study. Her next move would define the parameters of their relationship.
Over the course of her Fifth and Sixth Years, Rose had grown into a remarkable young witch. She was pretty, smart, and could be funny, much to the surprise of many. She was kind too, but not to the degree in which she could be comparable to her mother. It was Scorpius that showcased these qualities, and made her less formidable. Because of this, she was an object of desire amongst many wizards, but none dared to ask out the witch coveted by Scorpius Malfoy. As she stood above the bound wizard, she pondered their past. Finally, she unbound him.
Scorpius stood, grabbing his wrists. He caught the wand when she threw it at him, glaring at her. She laughed, angering him further. Then she did something neither had expected. She hugged him.
Like all the years before them, their actions said what neither ever could. Their wordless dance as Fourth Years, their stolen looks as Fifth Years, and now, this quiet, but significant embrace in their sixth year perpetuated their only means of successful communication when love was the topic.
As she began to pull away, he finally grabbed her and held her to him, smelling her hair before placing his head atop it. "Let's never speak again, Rose," he whispered. "I like us like this."
"You're speaking right now," she answered. He squeezed her harder against him in response.