TEN. The Date

It's eight in the morning and I have been drowning in my worries since I jolted awake at six in the morning realizing it was Saturday. I walked to and from the bathroom to my bed, brushing my teeth and hair, overall making sure I was fresh and clean.

I tiptoed back to the bathroom, the rug tickling the tips of my toes as I walked. I opened the door quietly and slowly, slipping in for the nth time. My reflection welcomed me in the mirror. I had spent an infuriating amount of time straightening my hair – but I made sure to keep some of the curls at the ends – and putting on eyeliner and mascara without missing. I also used some of the lip-gloss my Aunt Fleur gave me a long time ago and dabbed it on my lips, making it sparkle.

I debated with myself for a long time about the kind of shoes I should wear – heels or no heels, sneakers or dressier shoes . . . the dilemmas were endless.

I laid down my options on top of my bed, and lined the shoes below each one. I stared at them, examining each detail and debating the pros and cons of each outfit – the comfort level, the appropriateness, how it would look on me . . .

Honestly, being a girl is so difficult sometimes.

"I think you should go with that dress."

I turned around and saw Perrie seated up on her bed, pointing at the little blue dress sitting at the centre of my bed. She got up and wobbled towards me, picking up the dress and holding it up in front of me.

"Yup, definitely this dress," she said. "Which shoes were you going to wear?"

I shrugged. "I still can't decide whether I should wear heels or not . . . "

"Heels might be a bit too dressy for a first date in Hogsmeade," she laughed sleepily. "What about wearing Oxford's?"

I shook my head. "Don't have any."

"Hold on," she said, wobbling towards her trunk and rummaging through her things. "I have a pair that would go great with that dress . . . aha! Here we go!" She pulled out a pair of brown Oxford's and headed back to me.

"Wear these and you'll look both dolled up and sporty," Perrie winked.

I smiled. "Thanks a lot, Perrie," I told her.

"No problem. Now that that's over with, I'm going back to sleep," she groggily smiled at me before hopping back into her bed and burying herself under the covers.

I cleaned up my things, replacing them into my trunk, and setting aside my outfit for later. I spritzed it with some perfume – Perrie's, of course, since she's the only who actually has perfume – and then sat down on my bed. I reached for the Potions book I kept on my bedside table and opened it, taking out the note lodged in between pages 267 and 268.

I unfolded it and smiled, swinging my legs excitedly as I sat on the edge of my bed. Timmy's neat scrawl was on it, telling me to meet him at Three Broomsticks this afternoon. He passed it to me during Ancient Runes yesterday, and since then I've been looking at it as much as I can.

I glanced at the clock. It read half past nine. I grumbled, willing time to go faster. I was debating falling asleep until I had to meet him, but I spent so much time and effort on my hair I didn't want to mess it up. It's really difficult being a girl.

I decided to go down to breakfast. All the other girls – Sophie included – were still fast asleep and I was losing things to do.

I put the note back and slammed the book closed, replacing it on my bedside table. I quickly fixed my bed and then headed downstairs.

When I entered the Great Hall, I was surprised to see so many students scattered around each table. Last week no one was here. I scanned around each table, trying to find familiar faces. I spotted Albus and Zachary seated with the Slytherins and decided to go over to them.

"Hullo Rosie," Albus smiled at me as I took a seat beside him. Food was overstretching his cheeks as usual. Zachary regarded me with a smile.

"You should really learn how to swallow before speaking," I admonished Albus.

"Yes mummy," Albus said, forcing himself to swallow the superfluous amount of food stored in his mouth.

"Well, you seem to be ready for this afternoon," Zachary smirked at me.

"What's happening this afternoon?" Albus asked, reaching over and poking his fork through a grape.

"Ms Weasley has a date," Zachary's smirk widened.

"What? With who?" Albus exclaimed. He turned to me, his eyebrows scrunched up. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Was I supposed to –"

"Yes!" he shouted before I could even finish my sentence.

"Well," I said, quietly chewing on a piece of toast. "I'm going on a date with Timmy –"

"Timmy! As in, Timmy Honda?" Albus exclaimed. I nodded. "You've liked –"

"Yes, Albus, no need to scream that," I said sternly. He mouthed 'sorry' and urged me to continue. "Anyway, we're going to meet at Three Broomsticks this afternoon."

"Good on you, Rosie!" Albus grinned, patting me on the back.

"What's good on her?" Scorpius asked. He took a seat beside Zachary, across me. Laney was nowhere to be found.

"Ickle Rosiekins here is going on a date with Timmy," Albus nudged me and smirked annoyingly.

Scorpius sniggered. "Seriously?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, my voice louder than I expected it to be.

"Nothing. I just didn't think he was your type," Scorpius commented.

"How would you know my type? You don't know anything about me," I said, growing more and more annoyed each second. This was not how I wanted to start my Saturday.

"Well I –"

"I think I'm done eating," I said, setting down my utensils and standing up from the table. "I'll see you guys later."

"Have fun on your date!" Albus piped quickly as I got up.

"Thanks," I said, trying to force enthusiasm. I left without another word and trudged back to my dorm, planning to just lock myself in my room to avoid any more possible nuisances.

When I reached my room, everyone was gone except for Cordelia, who was drifting to and from consciousness on top of her bed. I plopped down on mine, letting out a long, deep sigh to calm my nerves. My palms were getting sweatier by the minute.

"You've been waking up early these past few Saturdays," Cordelia grumbled, finally sitting up from her bed.

"It's weird, right?" I said, laughing a bit.

She stayed silent for a few seconds. "Is something wrong?"

"No – well – I . . . " I sputtered. "I'm just . . . annoyed, I guess."

"Annoyed? Why?"

"I don't know, I feel like it's for a really petty reason," I smiled at her nervously.

She shook her head and urged me to continue.

"Well, today's supposed to be a really happy day because I'm finally going out with the guy I've liked for years," I started to explain. Cordelia leaned forward on her bed as she listened to me. "But, I don't know, I guess I'm just annoyed because Scorpius had to go and say he didn't think Timmy was my type and I just . . . why couldn't he have just been happy for me?" I groaned, realizing too late that I had used their actual names. "I told you it was petty," I added.

Cordelia laughed. "No, it's not petty at all." I raised my eyebrow at her. "Fine, maybe it is petty, but you're a girl who's all racked up with nerves and it's totally understandable that you feel that way. I mean, when my ex-boyfriend started saying –"

"Okay, Cordelia, Scorpius is not my ex-boyfriend," I defended.

She smirked. "It's still annoying when this one guy who shouldn't have any say in anything says something anyway. All you have to do is ignore him and just concentrate on your date. That's all that matters."

"I guess," I sighed. "It's just really irritating when it's such a good day and someone just has to tear it down, you know?"

"Believe me, I know," Cordelia got up from her bed and stretched. "Just forget about him, okay? He doesn't matter."

"Yeah, I will," I said loudly, trying to hype myself up. "Thanks, Cordelia."

"Anytime," she said, walking toward the bathroom.

I lay down on my bed, completely forgetting about the infuriating amount of time I spent on it this morning and stared at the ceiling, trying to clear my thoughts and just relax. I watched as the sunlight danced through the curtains and touched the ceiling, the shadows of the leaves making little shapes on the yellow light.

And then I fell asleep.

"Rose! Rose!"

I sat up, wide-eyed and surprised. Sophie was in front of me, her eyebrows scrunched up.

"It's almost time to meet Timmy," she said.

"What?" I growled. "Damn, I must have fallen asleep!"

I reached up and touched my hair, feeling the familiar frizz I tried so hard to get rid off this morning. "My hair!"

"Calm down, Rose," Perrie scurried over to me as soon as she entered the room. She took out her wand and spoke a few words, light silver sparkles emanating from her wand and blanketing my hair. "It'll take a few minutes, so in the mean time, get off your sorry arse and change!"

I jumped up and grabbed the dress hanging on my closet and lay it on my bed. I practically ripped off the clothes I was wearing, completely unperturbed by the presence of my roommates, and slipped on the dress.

"Oh God, I'm stuck," I said, my voice muffled by the cloth. My hands were held up and the dress was wrapped tightly around my head.

"Merlin Rosie, you need to calm down," Sophie chuckled, helping me with my dress. "Oh wow, your hair's beautiful."

I patted down some of the creases on my dress and practically sprinted into the bathroom, nearly ripping the door off its hinges. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My jaw dropped in complete awe.

"My hair, it's –"

"You can thank me later," Perrie said, taking me by the arm and dragging me back outside. "Put on your shoes."

I procured Perrie's Oxford's, which had somehow ended up underneath my bed, and put them on, continuously muttering 'thank you's' to Perrie, who just laughed at me.

"Don't forget this," Perrie said, handing me her perfume bottle.

"Right," I said, smiling at her as I spritzed on the perfume.

"Okay," Sophie said, resting two hands on my shoulders. "Where are you meeting him?"

"Three Broomsticks."

"Where's Three Broomsticks?"

"Somewhere in the centre of Hogsmeade."

"Who are you meeting?"

"T-T-Timmy Honda," I squeaked.

"Ready?"

"Ready!"

"Good luck, Rosie!" Sophie pushed me out the door and I nearly stumbled down the steps.

I kept patting down the creases off my dress, wiping any trace of sweat on my palms in the process. I raked my hands through the ends of my hair, relaxing as I felt the smooth strands slide between my fingers.

I exited castle grounds along with the group of students heading towards Hogsmeade. My eyes darted back and forth, just in case I spotted Timmy amongst the multitude of heads. I bit my bottom lip as I scanned the crowd and walked at the same time, trying my best not to trip.

I walked into Three Broomsticks, my hands crumpling the skirt of my dress in complete nervousness. I stared at the clock hanging on top of the counter, my heartbeat aligned with the ticking.

This was it.

I stayed at the corner to avoid the crowd of entering students, making sure to look around for Timmy's familiar figure. I searched for minutes, but there was no sign of him.

Where is he?

I tapped my foot anxiously as I stood, my lip growing numb from all the biting. My breathing was becoming more spasmodic as the minutes ticked by.

"Rose!"

I whipped my head around so quickly I could hear a slight crack. My face fell when I saw the familiar blonde head of Scorpius Malfoy.

"Oh, it's you again," I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

He raised an eyebrow. "On a date."

I looked around for Laney, but she was nowhere in sight either.

"Hate to break it to you, Malfoy, but to be on a date you actually need a date," I commented.

"Oh, har-har. Laney's on her way." Scorpius scoffed. "Besides, you shouldn't be speaking. Where's your precious Timmy? Weren't you supposed to meet him thirty minutes ago?"

"Well, I –"

"Hate to break it to you, Weasley, but if he doesn't show up within the first ten minutes, he's not showing up at all," Scorpius sneered. "I believe you've been stood up."

"What, no, you're lying, I –"

"Hey Scorp," Laney appeared from behind Scorpius. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah," Scorpius said. "Well, see you later, Rose." Scorpius smirked at me before walking away.

I stood there in shock for a good ten minutes more before I just bolted out of Three Broomsticks, my face buried in my hands. Tears were falling faster than I could register. I tried to blink them away, but they just kept coming.

I ran and I ran, not knowing and not even bothering to look where I was going.

"Oof!"

I looked up, tears blurring my vision. "Sorry," I croaked.

"Rosie?" Lysander said. His voice was coated with worry. "Are you –"

"No, I'm not okay," I snapped. "You can go tell that arse Timmy that I never want to see his face again!"

I pushed pass Lysander and made a run for it again.

"Rose – Weasley – stop – running!" Lysander grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop. He let go, but I didn't turn to him, nor did I try to run away. I just stood there.

"What?" I breathed.

"Timmy's in the Hospital Wing," Lysander said.

I snapped my head towards him, my eyes wide with shock. "What?"

"Is 'what' seriously all you can say?" Lysander joked. "He got hit by a rogue bludger this morning during practice. It was pretty bad, but I think he's better now."

"He's in the Hospital Wing? Right now?"

Lysander nodded. "You should go visit him."

I nodded and ran toward castle grounds, wiping the tears from my face. I raced up the staircase and stumbled into the Hospital Wing, earning myself a flurry of shushes from Madame Pomfrey.

"Where's Timmy?" I whispered rather loudly.

Madame Pomfrey pointed at the bed towards the end of the room.

Very slowly and quietly, I began walking. I switched between crumpling the skirt of my dress and patting it down, all the while trying to keep the sweat of my palms. I nervously brushed the ends of my hair – just to make sure all the running hadn't damaged it too much. My footsteps slowed as I neared the bed. My throat was suddenly very dry. I was becoming overly self-conscious.

"Rose?" Timmy sat up from his bed, a large bandage wrapped around his arm and parts of his torso. The bridge of his nose was covered with a big Band-Aid. The bags under his eyes were black, and he looked pale and tired.

I waved at him nervously. "Hi Timmy."

A smile spread across his face, and it immediately lit up. Despite the bandages and the tell tale signs of an injury, because of that smile, he made it seem like it was just a little scratch.

"You look – you look great," he choked.

"Thanks," I blushed. "You look . . . "

"Bad, huh?" he chuckled. "I don't know what got into that bludger. It's never done that before . . . " he said. He paused for a moment for continuing. "Sorry I couldn't make our date."

"Oh no, it's fine, it's not your fault, not your fault at all," I sputtered. "Are you feeling better?"

"A bit," Timmy said. "Well, a lot now that you're here . . . " he said the last bit almost inaudibly. I blushed even more.

"Why don't I get us some food and we can have our date here?" I offered.

I didn't know it was possible, but Timmy's smile got even bigger. His eyes sparkled as he looked at me. "I'd love that."

"Alright, I'll be back."

"Um, Rose?"

I stopped walking and turned back to Timmy, who was biting his lower lip, looking like a nervous little boy.

"Thank you," he said. "And I promise, on our next date – I mean, if you want to go on another date – I'll make sure to get there . . . and it'll be great . . . I mean –"

I walked over to Timmy and kissed him on the cheek lightly. "I'm sure it will."

(a/n):

So finally, after two weeks (sorry about that by the way, school and blah blah blah), here's the latest chapter! As promised, it's a longer chapter than I've been uploading recently and it's like a huge step forward in the story. I hope you like it!

Anyway, tell me what you think! I'll try to update the next chapter ASAP - hopefully by next week :)

Schoe xx

PS. REVIEW!