Almost a week had gone by since the two made their truce, and Scorpius was feeling happier and happier by the second. Not only was Rose becoming more receptive, but she was also smiling around him more often, and playfully pushing or teasing him. She'd even gone out of her way to make sure Albus wasn't around, and the two of them would just talk or study together. He had a feeling that before long, he'd get to her, and that that day was coming soon. But she also didn't seem to have a problem with that- which was almost out of her usual character. Instead of being hostile and defensive, she was willing around him, almost as if she wanted him to succeed too. He knew enough about her to know that she wouldn't hold punches though, and if he really wanted a first kiss from her then it would only be under the unique circumstances that he really could capture her heart. He knew he had luck on his side though- with half the Weasleys cheering him on and spying on her when necessary, there was absolutely no way he could fail. All he was doing was reassuring himself of his earlier stance, with much of the needed support.
"Okay Ravenclaws," Rose declared to their study group on Friday afternoon. It was composed of most of the students in their year; Zabini, Boot and the Scamander twins, along with a few of the girls, Davies and Wood. Today was one of the days that Longbottom, Finnigan and Thomas had joined them, and they subtly coughed, "Gryffindors."
"And Gryffindors," she added. "This weekend is our pre-Easter hols Hogsmeade trip. And in honor of this very small bout of freedom, the Weasleys and Potters are going to be meeting at the Three Broomsticks for a congratulatory drink on making it this far. Then we get to haul arse when we get back for the NEWTs, so don't get into thinking we're finished yet. Everyone is welcomed-" "And encouraged!"- "to join us."
Despite the usual stress that persisted during this time a year, most of the advanced students weren't feeling too much pressure. Granted, they would be studying their butts off when they returned, but they really deserved the break for all their troubles. Ravenclaw was in lead as far as the House Cup (Gryffindor Quidditch games or not, they still had a knack for rule-breaking), and all they had to do was keep it up for another three months. Rose called him aside as everyone was pulling their things together to leave for dinner.
"We're at 'I' now, right? Let me see if I can guess." she said, her hands in her back pockets, rocking back and forth on her feet. Score noticed she was biting her lip again, something she'd been doing an increasing amount of the time around him. "Ivy? Something... Indigo? I don't know... I give."
Laughing, Score said, "you're just rubbish at this, aren't you?"
"Oh shut it," she said back, holding out her hand expectantly.
He gave her his iris; a purple, long stemmed flower. "How do you like it?"
"It's nice Scorpius. But if I gave in now, what would be the fun?"
Score could think of a few things.