"Hey Albus," said Rose, running up to him in the Great Hall at dinner the next evening. "Have you seen Malfoy?"

Al paused, his fork halfway to his mouth.

"You want to know where Scorpius is?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. He told me he'd help me with my homework."

Albus raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

"Yes but I can't find him anywhere."

"Well I haven't seen him recently. Have you checked the greenhouse?"

"Why would he be in the greenhouse?" asked Rose, confused.

"He sometimes goes there to be alone," Albus responded.

"Okay, I'll go check there," said Rose, turning around.

"Thanks!" she called over her shoulder as she hurried away.

When Rose reached the greenhouse, she was surprised to find the door slightly ajar.

She slipped inside and, glancing around, spotted Scorpius sitting in a corner. His arms were clutched tightly around his legs and his face was down.

"Malfoy," she whispered.

He lifted his head up, his arms dropping to his sides. There was no sign of tears on his face, but his expression was grim.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Go away, Weasley," he responded, his voice cold.

"No," she said, not moving from where she stood. "Tell me what's wrong."

He let out a heavy sigh. "My aunt Daphne's sick," he said. "The healers don't know if they'll be able to do anything for her."

Rose crossed the room and slid down next to him.

"Are you and your aunt close?" she asked.

Scorpius nodded. "And if she died it would kill my mum," he said. "They weren't close as kids, but as adults they've really reconnected. They're together all the time."

Rose looked down at his hand, lying on the ground. She slid her own hand across the cold floor and grabbed his, giving it a squeeze.

Scorpius felt a tingle shoot up his arm.

"Scorpius…," Rose said.

"You've never called me 'Scorpius' before," he said, before she could finish her sentence.

"No I suppose I haven't," she replied, her voice quiet.

He turned his head and their eyes met. He found himself leaning in closer. Her eyes closed.

Their lips met.

Rose shifted her body so faced him more, their bodies pressed against each other. They continued to kiss. Rose reached up and ran her hands through his silky hair.

They were both too engrossed in each other to notice the door open or to hear the sound of footsteps.

The sound of a loud throat clearing startled them. They quickly separated, putting as much distance between themselves as possible.

"Professor Longbottom!" Rose squeaked, her face turning a deep shade of red.

Neville stared down at the two of them, his eyebrows raised.

"Well I must admit, I was not expecting this," he said finally.

Rose stared at the ground, waiting for him to start scolding them or to start threatening to write her parents. She shuddered as she pictured her dad's reaction.

"I thought you had more sense than this," Neville began.

Rose braced herself. Here it comes, she thought.

But looking up, she realized Neville was grinning.

"Getting involved with this one? You could do better," he said, chuckling.

"So we're not in trouble?" she asked.

"No, but why don't you head on back to the castle now, Rose," said Neville.

Rose stood up. "Thanks, Professor," she said, heading for the door.

Scorpius got up to follow her.

"Not so fast, Scorpius," said Neville.

Scorpius stopped. "Yes Professor?" he asked.

"Do you remember when I said that I'd always be here if you needed to talk?"

Scorpius nodded.

"Well that offer's still open."

Scorpius sighed.

"I kissed Rose Weasley," he said.

"I noticed," replied Neville. "And why did you do that?"

"I don't know. My aunt's ill and she was comforting me and it just happened."

"I see," said Neville. He waited for Scorpius to continue, but he didn't.

"Just promise me one thing," Neville said after a minute.

"What?" asked Scorpius.

"Don't hurt her. I've known Rose since she was born and I care about her a lot. You hurt her and Ron Weasley will be getting a letter about it."

Scorpius nodded. "Got it," he said.

"I hope so," said Neville as Scorpius turned to leave.

Scorpius kept trying to talk to Rose over the next few days. But every time she saw him coming, she would dart in the other direction.

One morning Scorpius was sitting with Albus and Blaise, eating breakfast, when Rose walked into the Great Hall.

It had been a week since their kiss and a week since Rose had spoken to him.

Scorpius stood up quickly. "Weasley!" he called.

Rose took one look at him and quickly turned and ran out of the hall.

Scorpius wasn't going to give up that easily this time. He ran after her, finally catching up to her right outside the Great Hall.

"Wait!" he said. She slowed down, but didn't stop.

"Please," he added, a hint of desperation in his voice.

She stopped, turning around slowly.

"What?" she asked, her hands on her hips.

"Why are you ignoring me?" he asked.

"I ignored you for six and a half years. You didn't care then," she said.

"That was different."

"How?"

"We kissed!" he said.

"That was a mistake," she said coolly, turning back around.

"Rose!" he called.

She stopped.

With her back still turned, she said, "You've never called me that before."

"My aunt's gonna be okay. They found a cure. I just thought you might want to know," he said.

Rose spun around. Suddenly she was running towards him. She jumped into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist.

His arms wrapped around her and they backed up against a wall, kissing feverishly.

After a while they pulled apart. His mouth found her neck.

"I'm glad your aunt is okay," she murmured, as he trailed kisses up to ear, where he began nibbling on her earlobe.

"I'm sorry I was ignoring you," she added. "I was just scared you were messing with me or something."

"Shhh," said Scorpius, pressing his mouth to hers again.

"Well, well, well," a voice said.

They pulled apart.

Albus stood a few feet away, a bemused expression on his face.

Scorpius quickly set Rose down.

"So what was that you were telling me after the dance, mate? You know, about not fancying Rose?" asked Albus.

Scorpius turned to Rose.

"We need to start kissing in more private places," he said.


So they finally kissed! I hope you like the chapter. Please review!