First, I would like to apologize profusely for the delay on this chapter. There has been a lot of moving-in drama, and in fact we aren't even moved in yet. But anyways, it is finally here, and hopefully worth the wait. I wish I could say I have already started on Chapter 8 and that it would be up soon, but no promises. I'll be working on it as soon as I can, that much I promise, and at the end of this chapter there will be a little hint of what's to come. No skipping ahead though!
Rose lay awake in her bed, staring at the ceiling of her room. She rolled to her side and closed her eyes, trying to relax and go to sleep.
It was no use. She couldn't remember the last time she got a decent, full night's sleep.
Well, that wasn't true: it had been about three weeks. Three weeks since she kissed Scorpius, and now she couldn't fall asleep without seeing him and reliving it in her mind.
Stupid freaking mistletoe.
Heaving a sigh, she tossed aside her covers and slipped out of bed. Stepping over the squeaky floorboard in front of Hugo's room, she walked downstairs and plopped into her favorite window seat, staring out at the snow.
"Something keeping you awake Rosie?"
Rose jumped and turned to meet her father's gaze. Ron Weasley sat at the dining room table with a mug of tea, watching his daughter carefully. His once vibrant red hair now had strands of gray woven through it, the result of a war and two teenage children. Not to mention the frequent, yet affectionate, rowing with his wife.
Rose shrugged, attempting nonchalance. "Just can't sleep."
Ron arched his eyebrow at his daughter and picked up his mug of tea, sliding onto the opposite end of the window seat. "I was born at night Rosie, but it wasn't last night." Both of them cracked a smile, and Rose looked out the window again.
"I'm not really up for talking about it Daddy. Thank you though."
Ron studied his daughter over his Earl Grey and came to a conclusion he didn't really like.
"It's Malfoy, isn't it?" He sighed.
Rose's gaze shot to her father. "What…why would you think that?"
He sighed again, but smiled a little this time. "Despite what your mother says – or yells – sometimes, I am not completely unobservant. I've kind of always seen how you looked at him and how you acted around him. I just never wanted to admit it to myself that you might want to be with the son of Draco Malfoy. I'm not your Uncle Harry, I can't put old grudges behind me so easily. I accept that Scorpius is your friend, and from what I've seen and heard from you and Albus, he's nothing like his father. Hermione said I was asking for it when I told you to stay away from him before your first year."
"I didn't befriend him to spite you Daddy," Rose replied with a smile. "And it's not like I want to like Scorpius. He certainly doesn't see me as more than a friend. He's dating Caroline Nott, he's been with her for about five or six months now. And I have tried to get over him Daddy, I really have."
The older Weasley laughed softly, almost to himself. "You know your mum and I started out much like you and Scorpius, although we fought considerably more than you two. We were best friends, and I never thought she would see me as anything more. I always thought she liked Harry – he was the Chosen One, the Boy Who Lived." Rose could tell that twenty years ago, this would have been said with envy and maybe a little resentment. Now, Ron was calm as he spoke, happy and content with the way his life had turned out – beautiful, intelligent wife; beautiful, intelligent daughter; smart, Quidditch-playing son; and a successful career as an Auror. "But it turned out it was me all along. Now, don't get me wrong," he said with a small chuckle, "I am not urging you to chase after the young ferret by any means. You're still my little girl and I would prefer to not think about you dating and going after boys. But if he is what you really want…well, you're just like your mother. You're gonna get what you want because you aren't afraid to go after it."
Ron stood and pressed a kiss to the top of his little girl's head. Sometimes he couldn't believe she was seventeen and so close to leaving Hogwarts. And she was so much like her mother sometimes, although with very little evidence of Hermione's infamous temper.
"Night Rosie."
"Night Daddy."
Rose studied the snow outside, mulling over her father's words. Her and Scorpius were pretty similar to Hermione and Ron, but with one major difference: Ron loved Hermione back, and Rose was one hundred percent sure that Scorpius didn't see her romantically.
That wasn't what Lorcan had said though. Try as she might, Rose hadn't been able to get his words out of her head either.
"I've seen the Malfoy looks at you sometimes. There's nothing brotherly about it…I won't share you with a guy who clearly wants you."
Rose shook her head with a disbelieving snort. She had no idea what Lorcan had been imagining, but she hadn't seen anything that indicated a change in Scorpius's feelings towards her.
She sighed and dragged her fingers through her hair, pulling it into a ponytail and securing it. No matter how hard she tried, how she looked at it, what she told herself, she was still in love with Scorpius, hadn't managed to get over him, and it hurt her every time she saw him with Caroline. She didn't see a time when she would get over him enough to find someone else, short of cutting him out of her life for good. And that wasn't an option – there was no way she was just going to quit being friends with Scorpius after all this time, no matter the hurt.
Rose tilted her head back and let her eyes fall closed, all these thoughts spinning around and around her head and mentally wearing her out.
She was woken up the next morning by a friendly pillow to her face courtesy of Hugo, who was actually home for the holidays for once.
"Hugo," Hermione Weasley admonished from the kitchen, "don't hit your sister like that."
"Thanks Mum," Rose muttered, rubbing the back of her head where Hugo had whacked her. "I think I'm gonna go shower and get the guest rooms ready for Amber and Nikolas."
"I'll have some toast and jelly in your room when you get out of the shower," Hermione called after Rose as she trudged up the stairs.
Showering helped clear her mind and making the beds and tidying the guest rooms for her friends were mind-numbing tasks that helped keep her mind, if only temporarily, off of her best friend. After she cleaned each room twice, Rose sighed, realizing there was nothing else she could do at the moment.
Her mind wandered, as usual, to Scorpius, and the kiss that still gave her butterflies to think about.
There was a crash from the living room, followed by loud exclamations and then lowered voices. Rose made her way downstairs and was greeted by the welcome sight of her Greek friends, covered in soot and standing next to her parents and brother.
Amber squealed when she saw Rose and darted forward to hug her, regardless of how dirty she was.
"Ohmygosh Rose, it has been so long! Too think I used to see you every day and now it's been like six months! We have so much to catch up on and talk about!"
Nikolas stood behind his sister and smiled at Rose over her shoulder. When Amber finally released her, he stepped forward and gave her a much shorter hug. "Everything she said," he said with a wink." Rose smiled back and turned her attention to her parents.
"Mum, Dad, Hugo, this is Nikolas and Amber Petros. Nik and Amber, this is my family, Hermione and Ron Weasley, and that's my brother Hugo. He's not really important," she added, sticking her tongue out at her brother – the pillow incident was not yet forgotten. Hugo stuck his tongue back out at her.
Everyone shook hands and said hello, then stood there awkwardly for a moment.
"Let me show you to your rooms upstairs," Rose finally said, picking up one of the bags at their feet. Judging by how light it was, she figured it was Nikolas's only bag. He only ever really needed the necessities. Amber however, needed everything in her wardrobe when she traveled. Rose counted eight bags at her feet, all for three weeks.
Rose chanced a glance at her parents and saw them silently counting Amber's bags. With a small smile, Hermione flicked her wand at them and they floated up, following the teens toward the stairs.
Nikolas was shown to his room first, both he and Rose knowing that Amber was going to need a lot more time to get settled, what with all her luggage.
Amber's room was right across the hall from Rose's, with the largest guest closet they had. The young Greek quickly dumped her belongings in her room and ran over to Rose's, plopping down on her bed before Rose even realized she was there.
"So how's it going with Scorpius?"
Rose sighed nostalgically. Amber never was one to beat around the bush.
"Things aren't going," Rose said with a bitter laugh. "Things are not and never will be going with Scorpius. You know that as well as I do. He has a girlfriend – a real bitch, by the way – and I see no signs of them breaking up any time soon."
"So break them up," Amber responded simply. "Duh."
Rose rolled her eyes affectionately. "He's my best friend, and he sees me as a sister." The words were starting to sound repetitive to her own ears. She could only imagine how they sounded to other people – she seemed to be saying them a lot lately.
Amber arched her eyebrow. "Rosie, if anyone other than your actual family sees you as a sister, I didn't do a very good job with your makeover. Which by the way, you still look amazing."
"Thank you," Rose replied with a smile.
"Is Scorpius joining us for any part of the winter holidays?"
The Weasley nodded. "He usually spends the days between Christmas and New Years with us. The whole family gathers here or at the Burrow for a New Years Eve party. Scorpius spends a night or two here and then the rest of the time at my Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry's with Albus."
"But he always comes here first," Amber said thoughtfully. "You do realize I'm going to be watching the two of you very closely during my stay here, and I will be able to tell you for sure if he has feelings for you. You know I'm good like that."
Rose playfully threw a pillow at her friend. "Sure you are Am."
They were silent for a moment before Rose burst out with, "Scorpius and I kissed before holidays started."
Amber's eyes widened. "Why in Merlin's name am I just now hearing about this?"
"Because I've been trying not to think about it. No use getting my hopes up – it was just because of some magical mistletoe. It was an amazing kiss, don't get me wrong, it just didn't mean anything on his part."
"How do you know that?" Amber asked practically. "Did you talk about it after it happened?"
Rose looked down at her bedspread and picked at a loose thread. "No. We kissed and then I kind of practically ran back into the Heads Common Room and barricaded myself in my room. Scorpius probably went to see Al or Caroline – his girlfriend." She looked back up at her friend, a faint blush tinting her cheeks. Amber's eyes were narrowed.
"We shall see," was all she said.
Rose snorted. "I'm going to go see how your brother is settling in. Dinner should be ready here in a bit, just wait till you hear yelling."
"If Nikolas tries anything," Amber warned, "tell me, and I will beat him up."
Nikolas's room was down the hall, closer to her parents' room, right across from the room Scorpius usually occupied. Ron insisted the male guests stay where he could hear them leave their rooms, in case of any inappropriate ideas.
"Hey," he said, glancing up when she knocked and walked into the room. "Nice place."
"Thanks."
They were silent for a moment."
"We aren't going to let this be all awkward, are we?"
Nikolas shook his head and continued unpacking his few items. "I wasn't worried it would be. At least, not until your Scorpion boy gets here." He shot her a smile over his shoulder.
"His name is Scorpius," she replied good-naturedly. "And it won't be awkward even when he does get here. He's just my friend, just like you are."
"Uh huh."
Rose rolled her eyes. "I just came to see how you were settling in."
"Fine."
He never was one for conversations.
"That's good. Anything I can get you?"
Nikolas turned around to look at her, glancing between her and the bed and winking at her.
Rose stepped forward and punched him on the shoulder. "You're so funny," she said sarcastically. "See you at dinner."
She left his room and returned to her own, glad to see Amber had vacated it for the time being. Nothing against her friend, but sometimes she tended to talk on and on and on when Rose just wanted a little peace and quiet. She lay on her bed for a while, letting her thoughts float around her head, a mix of Scorpius and Amber and Nikolas and Christmas presents and New Years parties. Gradually she became aware of the sound of her parents bickering downstairs, always meaning dinner was ready.
Heaving herself off her bed, she headed to the dining room.
Scorpius stared out of his bedroom window, his mind, as it almost always was the last few weeks, on Rose Weasley.
He just wished he knew why.
Usually over winter break, he saw her for part of it, and they exchanged letters, and he thought occasionally of what she was doing. Sometimes he wished she was with him so he had something to do other than read or wander around Malfoy Manor.
But she had never been this incessantly present in his mind before, not even when she announced she was leaving to Greece for a year.
Scorpius had a sneaking suspicion it had to do with their mistletoe-induced kiss right before holidays. It had been a rather spectacular kiss, he admitted to himself, and had left him feeling slightly dazed. Rose had scurried back to the Heads' Rooms right afterwards, giving Scorpius no chance to ask her if she thought the kiss was amazing too.
If he was really being honest with himself, he would admit that he'd never had a kiss that great, one that left him seeing stars and wanting more.
But he wouldn't be that honest with himself, because it was Rose. Rose. His best friend.
He just really hoped things weren't going to be awkward when he went to stay at her house in a week. He knew she had two friends staying there as well, from the family she had stayed with in Greece.
It was weird, being nervous about seeing Rose – it was a completely novel feeling for him, and one he really wish would go away soon.
Scorpius sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. If he could just stop thinking about it…
Rose spend Amber and Nikolas's first week of their visit taking them to various shows around Ottery St. Catchpole, and they even went to London a few times. Amber and Rose made Christmas cookies for the family while Nikolas watched and snacked, and then the three of them went present shopping in Diagon Alley. She tried to show them as much as she could so that they could report to their parents that, no, they hadn't sat around the entire time they were in England.
Christmas Eve meant the annual gathering at the Burrow with the ever-growing Weasley-Potter family and their guests. This year was a record high number of thirty-three family members and guests. There was enough red hair in one room to give someone a headache.
When Ron and Hermione's branch of the Weasleys plus guests arrived, Mrs. Weasley, Fleur, Angelina, and Ginny were already in the kitchen, and Hermione hastened to join them. Ron wandered over to Harry and George, speaking to them for a few moments before going to say hello to his mother and father and other brothers. Hugo disappeared in the direction of Louis and Molly.
Rose took Amber and Nikolas slowly around the room, introducing them to her many Weasley cousins, as well as Rolf and Luna Scamander and their sons. Lorcan and Rose managed an almost pleasant hello before they moved on.
"When you said your family was huge," Amber said with wide eyes, "you weren't kidding. How many aunts and uncles do you have?"
Rose did a slow head count. "Nine, by blood and by marriage. But Luna and Rolf are also considered honorary aunt and uncle to us, as well as Uncle Charlie's girlfriend Gwenog Jones. They've been together for about ten years now, but they refuse to get married, something that bothers Grandmum to no end."
She spotted a flash of white-blonde hair over by Albus's typical messy black hair and turned away quickly, her face flushing slightly.
This didn't escape Amber's notice.
"Is he here?" she asked excitedly. Rose swallowed and nodded. "Where?"
"Just look for pale blonde hair behind me. It shouldn't be hard to miss," Rose replied. Amber could see her point. What with all the red-heads, the few brunettes and blondes in the room stuck out like sore thumbs. "And I guess that makes thirty-four people," she added needlessly, for Amber was no longer paying attention.
Amber's brown eyes widened. "He's hot! Oh Merlin Rosie, he's smokin'!"
"Please keep your voice down," Rose pleaded.
"He's heading this way."
"Of course he is," Rose muttered. "I can't wait to see how this goes." Bracing herself, Rose turned to face her approaching friend with a smile. Al and Lizzie were right behind him, and Rose made the introductions between the group. She noticed Amber looking both Scorpius and Al over carefully, and Scorpius looking at Nikolas with narrowed eyes.
Everyone said hello politely enough and then just kind of stood there awkwardly. Every time she looked at Scorpius her mind flicked to kissing him.
The young Malfoy's mind was similarly occupied, and as such he tried to keep from looking at her for the most part. When he did look at her, his eyes slid of their own accord to her lips, tonight made to look even more enticing by shimmering pink lip gloss.
Actually, Scorpius realized, Rose looked amazing all over tonight. With her involved in a conversation with Lizzie and Al, he took his time studying her. The Weasley family Christmas Eve dinner – of which he had been to a few – was usually a casual attire type of event, but everyone still made the effort to look nice. Most of the men wore slacks and a nice pressed shirt while the women opted for dress shirts and skirts.
Rose was wearing a knee length, high waist black pencil skirt and a blue top tucked into it that matched her eyes perfectly. Her hair was straight – the first time he had ever seen it that way – and hung the middle of her shoulder blades.
He gulped.
Rose felt Scorpius's eyes on her, but determinedly kept talking to Al and Lizzie about the upcoming Quidditch Finals, both the World Cup and the Hogwarts House Cup. All of her determination to not feel awkward around Scorpius had gone out the window as soon as she had spotted him.
Amber watched her friend and Scorpius Malfoy carefully. Rose was focusing on her conversation with her cousin, although it was noticeably taking her some effort. Malfoy, however, was unabashedly staring at Rose, looking at her from head to toe many times. Amber smirked – he was interested all right. He just wouldn't admit it to himself or to Rose or probably to anyone else.
"Rose," Scorpius finally said, cutting into her discussion, "can I talk to you for a moment?"
Five pairs of eyes turned towards him curiously, but he kept his on Rose's blue ones, which were widened somewhat in surprise.
"Sure," she replied somewhat uncertainly, and followed him out the Burrow's backdoor.
They stood in silence for a few minutes, both of them studiously avoiding the gaze of the other and looking at the snow that had fallen off and on since the day before. Their breaths fogged before them, and Rose rubbed her arms slightly to keep them warm.
"You wanted to talk to me?" Rose finally ventured when she couldn't take it anymore.
"Right," Scorpius said hastily, and they finally looked at each other. Rose tucked a piece of hair behind her right ear nervously.
"Well?"
Scorpius had no idea what to say. He knew that they needed to talk about the whole mistletoe kiss thing, but he didn't know how to bring it up without making it even more awkward. He had never thought that awkwardness was something he would feel around Rose.
"You look really nice tonight," he finally offered, a faint tint of pink coming to his cheeks as he said it.
"Thank you," Rose replied softly, smiling at him. It felt like a swarm of butterflies had been set loose in her stomach.
A few stray snowflakes drifted off of a nearby tree, dusting their hair with it. One landed on Rose's eyelash and fluttered to her cheek.
Without even thinking, Scorpius lifted his hand and brushed it off, leaving her cheek tingling where he had touched it. They looked away from each other again.
"About the kiss," Scorpius finally said reluctantly. Rose slowly looked up at him and waited for him to continue. "We shouldn't let it make us awkward around each other."
"Kind of like we have been?" Rose asked with a half laugh.
"Yeah," he replied, finally cracking a hint of a smile, "kind of like we have been. It was because of the mistletoe, and we shouldn't let it get in the way of our friendship."
Rose nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak yet. Part of her had held onto the hope that maybe it meant something to him too and that maybe it hadn't just been the mistletoe.
"How's Caroline?" she finally asked after a minute of silence.
Scorpius's brow furrowed. "Alright I think. I haven't really seen her this break. Her family was having a dinner tonight that invited me to but I told her I already had plans."
"Bet she loved that," Rose snorted.
Scorpius let out a short laugh and then was silent. It was true, he hadn't really seen his girlfriend at all so far during break. He hadn't really thought about her either, other than when she owled him. No, most of his break had been spent thinking about the girl standing in front of him, and anticipating their meeting and this conversation.
"Your friends seem nice," he finally offered. Rose smiled and thanked him. They would be staying with her family for another two weeks, she informed him, and so far they seemed to be enjoying their vacation in England, despite the cold.
"We're still being awkward," Rose finally pointed out. "Usually we have conversations about anything and everything, conversations that last for days, and yet here we are, barely able to look at each other." She smiled as she spoke though, so Scorpius didn't take her words as a reproof.
"We will just have to work on that," he replied easily.
Before either of them could say anything more, Mrs Weasley's voice could be heard calling everyone to supper.
"Shall we?" Scorpius asked with a smile, gesturing to the door.
"I think we shall," Rose replied, leading the way. They stepped inside, welcoming the warmth, and Scorpius's hand moved to her lower back, guiding her towards where he could see her friends and Al and Lizzie sitting. The family was now so large and extended that instead of everyone sitting at one table, there were multiple tables placed throughout the enlarged dining and living rooms, and one table with nothing but the food on it.
Rose sat by her friends and family while Scorpius went to get both of them plates of food, knowing exactly what it was Rose would want on hers.
"That's a very couple-y thing," Amber remarked quietly to Rose. Rose elbowed her playfully in return, but had no chance to actually reply before Scorpius returned, carrying two plates loaded with food.
Everyone thanked Mrs Weasley for the delicious meal and dug in heartily.
Laughter, conversation, jokes, and butterbeer flowed freely around the tables and through the room. Al, Lizzie, and Rose resumed their earlier conversation on Quidditch, with Hugo and Scorpius occasionally pitching in. Once Rose caught Lorcan's gaze across the room – they smiled at each other and then each returned to their own meals and groups.
Every now and then Rose and Scorpius met each others' eyes and smiled, exchanging a word or two. Each time it happened Scorpius felt something stir in his chest. By the time the desserts were laid on the table, he was convinced he had a severe case of heartburn, and thought it best to skip the array of pies, enticing as they looked.
Around eleven people gradually began to filter home. Rose's parents had departed around ten-thirty, along with Uncle Charlie and Gwenog, and Uncle Fred and Aunt Angelina. Luna and Rolf said their farewells and left with their sons, while Ginny cleaned the kitchen and then left with Harry and Lily. Bill took his family home not long afterwards, and gradually everyone except Rose, Hugo, Al, Lizzie, Scorpius, James, Lucy, Molly, Amber and Nikolas was gone as well. Mr and Mrs Weasley hugged their remaining grandkids, as well as their friends, and then went upstairs to bed.
Midnight rolled around, and everyone wished each other a Merry Christmas before reluctantly deciding that it probably was time to head home.
Everyone gradually hugged or shook hands with everyone else, and then began pairing or grouping off, depending on where they were going. Hugo Flooed home, while Lizzie Disapparated to her own house after kissing Al goodnight.
Impulsively, Rose stepped forward to give Scorpius another hug. Surprised, he wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her back. She stood on her tiptoes and went to kiss him on the cheek. Scorpius moved at the last minute and Rose's lips landed on the corner of his mouth.
They practically jumped apart, and before Scorpius could utter a syllable, Rose had seized Amber and Nikolas's hands and Disapparated.
After saying good-bye to Albus, Scorpius Disapparated to his own house and fell onto his bed, touching the spot where Rose's lips had landed. The spot still tingled lightly, leaving Scorpius's head spinning.
He couldn't figure out why it felt so natural – kissing Rose under mistletoe, and now her kissing him on the cheek goodbye. Their friendship had never really been touchy-feely before, but now every time it happened it felt completely normal.
It felt like it should have been happening all along.
I know I don't deserve it, but review please!
Here is your sneak peek:
Rose reveals her feelings to another member of her family.
Caroline becomes even more determined to hang on to Scorpius.
Lorcan decides to fight for the person he really wants.
