ENJOY LOVELYS
After the incident at Hogsmede, Scorpius was being completely shut out by Rose. She didn't talk to him, look at him, or acknowledge is presence for an entire week. Rose waved hello to only Albus in the hallways and tried to walk right through Scorpius as if he were not there, knocking his shoulder out of the way forcefully when he regretfully was. Rounds were awful and Scorpius gave up trying to have a conversation with her after the consistent silence he received in reply.
He took to studying in the common room after a few days for he was tired of Rose's cold shoulder in the library. Scorpius sat on the leather couch in front of the fire a week after Hogsmede, reading War and Peace and running his hand through his shaggy hair. He really did need a haircut.
A deep sigh of disapproval made him lose focus in the novel and he looked up to see Albus shaking his head in displeasure next to him. Scorpius rolled his eyes. "May I help you with something?"
Albus leaned back on the sofa and began to stroke his hairless chin, as if pondering the meaning of life. "As a matter of fact, you can. I'm a bit confused, see."
"Confused?" Scorpius knew Albus was getting to one of his Teach-You-A-Lesson-Through-Feigned-Ignorance lectures, but instead of fighting it, he smirked and decided to play along. He closed his book and cocked his head as if intrigued by Albus' confession.
"Indeed," Albus replied, hiding a gleeful smile that Scorpius was going to cooperate for his theatrical oration. "I recall how you lit Rose's hair on fire last year and she didn't speak to you for a good two months."
"That is true," Scorpius nodded as Albus began to pace in front of the leather couch dignifiedly.
"And during those months you were completely unfazed by her absence, even stating at the time, 'These have been the best two months of my life!'"
"Not sure how you remember that, but also true I suppose."
"Well, we can both admit Rose is ignoring you again, correct?"
Scorpius clenched his jaw and exhaled sharply through his nose at the reminder. "Your point?"
"Oh nothing, except for the fact it's only been a week and her evasion has already affected your life drastically!"
Scorpius scoffed. "It has n-"
"Oh please, you can't fool me mate so don't even try," Albus chuckled and sat down on the couch again, taking special time to get comfortable before continuing. "For example, every time she says hi to me and not you, you grip whatever is in your hand at the time to its immediate death."
"I beg to differ," Scorpius retorted.
"Then explain to me how you've broken four quills, wrinkled your tie countless times, and cut your palm with a butter knife in the last week?"
Scorpius did not answer, unable to reply with a logical answer to Albus' question. Albus grinned and continued. "Or how about how you only read novels when they relate to your current situation in life and for Godric's sake, look at the book in your hands!" Albus cried and gestured towards War and Peace in Scorpius' lap.
"And above all mate, you're sad, I can just tell. You're not your normal, jovial, outgoing self and I'm worried," Albus said sincerely, turning the conversation from a melodramatic play to a serious confession scene.
Scorpius squeezed his eyes shut, frustrated to hear the truth and for forgetting how exceptionally observant Albus could be. He looked into the fire, avoiding Albus' bright green eyes, for Scorpius knew if he looked in them too long he'd break down and tell him everything. How he might possibly have feelings for Rose. How he did miss their constant rows, never meaning a word he said. How he was so scared when he saw that bum grabbing unto her ankle. And most unfortunately, how it killed him inside to think how she didn't need nor want him.
"So?" he muttered, staring at the dancing flames.
"I don't know why you're acting like this. I don't know why Rose's opinion of you suddenly matters and you probably don't either. But I hate to see you upset, so I think you need to apologize to her," Albus explained comfortingly.
Scorpius jumped up from the couch in shock and glared at Albus. "Have you gone mad? I didn't do anything wrong this time and you know it!"
Albus shrugged. "Yes, but I also know Rose isn't going to forgive you herself. She is too stubborn and her pride is at stake. And those Weasley's have got some serious pride."
"I'm stubborn too!" Scorpius whined childishly.
"And weak," Albus challenged, raising an eyebrow. Scorpius eyed Albus, daring him to make a move before leaping on him and knocking him off the couch. They struggled for control as they wrestled on the green carpet. "Watch it mate, my head almost hit the edge of the table!"
"Who are you calling weak, Potter?" Scorpius exclaimed victoriously as he pinned Albus down.
"You!" Albus yelled back and kicked Scorpius' armpits. He yelped and gave Albus the opportunity to tackle him. "The weak can never forgive! Forgiveness…is an attribute…of the strong!"
Albus panted as he restrained Scorpius by sitting on his back. Scorpius scowled and thrashed violently to loosen Albus' hold. When he realized it was getting him nothing but a side cramp, Scorpius relaxed. "So you're saying I'd be the bigger person by apologizing."
He could almost see the triumphant smile on Albus's face above him. "Exactly."
"Hmmm…." Scorpius pretended to consider his options to throw Albus off guard. The middle Potter child had no idea what had happened when Scorpius bucked him off and put one foot upon him, as if claiming his territory. "Fine, I'll do it. But only because I'll be the bigger and better person."
Albus rolled his eyes but smiled. "Wonderful. Now will you kindly get off of me?"
Scorpius laughed and offered his hand to help Albus up. Albus took it, pulled Scorpius down with him and thrust his fist in the air successfully. "Easiest trick in the book, you git!"
Scorpius frowned but offered Albus his fist while one the ground for a truce. "Mates?"
Albus, still smiling, bumped Scorpius' fist with his own. "Mates."
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It was midnight and Scorpius had never been more terrified in his life. It was his first time venturing around the castle without Albus and he had forgotten how drafty it could be. But it was going to be worth it…he hoped.
When he approached the Gryffindor common room entrance, Scorpius took off the invisibility cloak and smoothed down his hair. The Fat Lady was snoring the night away and Scorpius cleared his throat loudly enough to wake her up but leave the other portraits asleep.
"Wha-wha-what's going on?" she slurred, yawning widely.
Scorpius took a deep breath; there was no going back now. "Frolicking figs."
The portrait opened immediately but the Fat Lady continued talking. "What time is it? Am I dreaming? Aren't you in Slytherin boy?"
Scorpius gently closed the portrait to be rid of her questions and sighed in relief when he was greeted with just the sound of the crackles, belonging to the dwindling fire. Scorpius was about to put the cloak back on in preparation of climbing the stairs to the 5th year girl's dormitory when he heard someone shift on the large, scarlet armchair in front of the fire. He crept over to the chair with his wand out, ready to obliviate whoever decided to spend the night in the common room when he noticed red curls dangling over the arm of the chair.
"Rose," Scorpius breathed, not believing his luck.
She had fallen asleep reading, for there was a book almost slipping out of her hand. Scorpius bent over to read the title: HAMLET by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. The novel he had ruined for her in their first year. Interesting.
"Mmmm," Rose murmured as she stirred once more. Scorpius felt his eyes grow wide in fear as she shifted her position so her face was in his direction, resting on her pale arm that hung over the side of the chair. He calmed down when she was still again; false alarm.
Wow, Scorpius thought as he looked at Rose fast asleep. It took his breath away as he gazed upon her. The fading light from the fire illuminated her face, bringing out every freckle as if they were under a magnifying glass. Her eyelashes appeared even longer from the shadows that were created by the dim lighting. Her hair was messed up and covered everything while an old Chudley Canons jersey and wool socks only clothed her thin frame, leaving her pale freckled legs exposed. If that's what she looks like after sleeping I wouldn't mind staying the night.
He quickly cursed himself for his suggestive thoughts, depriving him of the last few possible seconds to admire her beauty, for the grandfather clock in the corner stroke twelve-thirty loudly, making Rose awake with a jolt.
At first it was as if she didn't see him. Her pupils dilated as she focused on him, but she didn't react. She just sat there, staring at him, or at least in his direction. Scorpius didn't dare speak nor move.
"Scorpius?" she finally asked.
"Erm…yes?" he replied, unsure if his answer was the right one. Apparently it wasn't, for Rose's expression turned to one that very much resembled her Grandmother when he and Albus had knocked over her freshly baked treacle tart for Christmas Dinner when they were in their second year.
"I am awake!" she exclaimed to herself and stood up menacingly. Rose must have remembered her bare legs, for her face went beat red and tugged at it fiercely as if the hem would begin to lower itself.
"What would I have said if you were asleep?" he joked nervously, scampering to his feet in order to get the upper hand thanks to his towering 5'11 stature compared to her miniscule 5'5. Yet it had no effect on her and she continued to walk towards him threateningly. However her ears did go slightly red at his question.
"It doesn't matter," she snapped. "What's really important is why you are in the Gryffindor common room at midnight! What, were you going to pull a prank on me? Aren't we a little past that Malfoy?"
"No! I came to apologize!" he pleaded and put his hands up in surrender. She stopped walking and crossed her arms. "Apologize?"
"Yes, for interfering at Hogsmede and always trying to save you when you clearly don't need saving!" he confessed. Although he truly didn't believe what he said, Scorpius knew it was better to agree with Rose then have her mad at him forever.
She stared at him for a while before abruptly sitting down on the couch next to her. "This is unexpected," she finally admitted quietly.
Scorpius smiled and sat next to her, still keeping his distance however in case he said something wrong again. "Why?"
"I thought you were just as mad at me as I was at you," she stated simply.
"I didn't stay mad forever," he explained. "Not very long at all actually."
"Why? I said some pretty offensive things."
"I'm not sure." Scorpius shrugged, and it was the truth. Rose stayed silent.
"Well I'd like to apologize for those ungrateful things while you're here," she declared after several seconds of Scorpius doubting himself. "It was very impolite because you were just trying to help and I understand that now."
Scorpius nodded in agreement. "That is all I was trying to do, honest. And I know now that you're not some helpless pixie who needs someone to help her."
"Thanks," Rose smiled and Scorpius felt his heart pound against his chest. But the smile disappeared suddenly, replaced by a frown. "Wait. Did we just…make up? Peacefully?"
The realization of what they had just done, and how it had been so simple, dawned upon Scorpius and he raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "That's a first."
"I'm pretty sure it's only because we are both beat," Rose yawned and scratched her head. They both laughed tiredly. "By the way, how the hell did you get in here?"
"Invisibility cloak," he said and picked it up from where he had dropped it when Rose had been sleeping.
"But you would need to know the pass…wait a second, did you abuse your Prefect privileges to get in here?" she gasped.
Scorpius shrugged sheepishly. "Guilty."
Rose threw the first thing she could get her hands on at his head, which thankfully was a pillow. "Get out this instant Malfoy before you get both of our badges taken away!"
Scorpius hid his smile and ran over to the door. He paused before slipping the cloak on, turning around to grin at her. "Goodnight Ginger."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, just leave before I report your arse to McGonagall."
"Night night, don't let the basilisk bite," he sing-songed before shutting the portrait hole door behind him.
Scorpius fell asleep that night with a smile on his face, dreaming of curly, red hair and the Chudley Canons. Rose however stayed up the whole night tossing and turning, wondering what on earth made them forgive each other so quickly. She finally came to the conclusion around 4 am that some things will forever be left as a mystery.
Told you I'd update frequently ;)
Thank you so much for reading! Reviews/subscriptions are always welcome. As in Severus Snape loving Lily always. And that's a serious commitment, as you probably know.
Up next: Slughorn's Christmas party! Rose and Scorpius both worry about the same questions…who to bring, what to wear, and where the mistletoe will be. ;D
ATTENTION BOYS READING THIS STORY (if there are any): I've been wondering for some time if any boys have been reading this story, for it seems most of the time the reviews are posted by girls, but sometimes the pen names can be ambiguous and I'm just interested in the possible male population. If you'd be so kind, could you just leave a review indentifying your gender? Thanks a ton!