"Jenna, I'm shocked. You raised your hand twice. Twice."
She glared at him. "Only because you kept asking questions. I might have raised my hand more if you didn't take up so much time."
"It's not like they were inappropriate. Besides, the lesson was fast. She didn't repeat herself like Professor Malter." He hopped a step. Scorpius kept up the banter with Jenna as Al herded Rose to one side.
"He's right you know," said Al. "The lesson was fast."
"It was." They walked a few paces in silence.
"Are you okay Rose?" She looked into his face and saw a concerned cousin staring back. Why did Al have to be Al?
"Of course I'm okay. Now will you believe me or are you going to keep asking questions?" She got behind him and pushed forward. "Move."
"Pushy." He grabbed her wrist and pulled to catch up with the other two.
They were approaching the greenhouses when Rose remembered it was Tuesday. "Scorpius?" she asked. "You don't have Herbology with us."
"Right then," he sniffed, "I know when I'm not wanted." He turned around, heading for the castle without a backwards glance.
Jenna shook her head. "He's covering up the fact he forgot."
"Or maybe he likes you." Al grinned.
She looked at him, perturbed. "Hardy har har. What made you say something so ridiculous?" Al wiggled his eyebrows.
"Al, stop disgracing yourself." Rose once again shoved him, this time through the greenhouse doors.
Like last class the lesson went quickly, yet she didn't feel content. Rose didn't know how she felt about her mother teaching. It was okay, she thought, just different. True, she felt like cringing every time "Professor Granger" swept her eyes near her. True, she did not raise her hand once during this particular lesson. Yes, she was acting odd and Al wanted to know if she was okay. Yet ---
"Rose, are you there?" Jenna waved her hand in front of her face. "Are you going to eat your soup? It's getting cold."
Answering honestly she said, "I'm here. I think."
"We have Charms and Hagrid next. You need your strength. We have no idea what we're doing this lesson." Al pushed the bowl towards her. Rose wasn't really hungry, not with a lot on her mind, but she ate the soup anyway to comfort Al. Before they left for Charms, Lily gave her a hug, then proceeded to walk towards the Slytherin table. Hugo laughed out loud.
"Do you think Scorpius figured out that puzzle?" Rose, who had forgotten about what happened at breakfast, found this question extremely amusing, and in turn laughed with her brother. Soon Jenna and Al joined in until James came over to ask what was going on.
In Charms, taught by Professor Larken, they learned Summoning Charms, resulting in many brightly colored cushions spread out in chaos all over the classroom. Rose volunteered to stay behind and put them away. Deep in thought, she didn't realize Scorpius next to her. He was awfully quiet. Rose wondered if he had just as much on his mind. But no, she thought. This is Scorpius. He doesn't stress over anything. A pillow to the head interrupted her thoughts, proving her point.
She saw Scorpius with a grin on his face. Rose pointed her wand at the two remaining cushions in his arms. "Accio!"
The first one came zooming towards her, which she caught in her other hand. The second one, gripped tightly by Scorpius, jerked him off his feet. With a yell, he let go halfway and tumbled to the floor, belly-side up.
She caught the remaining cushion only to drop everything. Her wand hit the ground as she continued to laugh at the boy on his back, like an overturned turtle. With her eyes shut, she didn't see the smile spreading across his face. Then she snorted.
This time Rose waited, eyes wide, and stared at Scorpius for a reaction. She could feel her face burn red, bracing herself for a witty remark. But none came. Echoes of his laughter bounced off the empty room. He didn't even pick himself off the floor. He was lying there, guffawing, as if he heard the most hilarious joke. And his lonesome figure only made her laugh again.
Rose, thankful Professor Larken was gone, picked up her wand and put away the cushions. Scorpius was standing up when she finished, dusting himself off.
With a characteristic glint he commented, "I've never heard you snort before. You should do it more often."
Her brain, along with her stomach, was numb. "Shut up." Rose looked at the clock. "Hagrid!" She grabbed her bag and raced out the door, hearing Scorpius's feet behind her. So this is why she needed her soup, for sprinting to Care of Magical Creatures…
