Rose/Scorpius: The Accident

What's the problem I don't know
Well maybe I'm in love (love)

~ Accidenteally in Love, Counting Crows (song).

Amor, amour, lieben, amore, amare. No matter which language you say it in it still means the same thing: love.

Of course, there are different kinds of love.

The love that Rose and Scorpius shared was...unusual. They always argued: a battle of wits against wits. They tended to glare at each other. A lot.

In fact they had convinced themselves that they hated the other.

But of course the loveseat knew better than that, it knew what lied underneath the passionate bickering and furious insults...

"I hate this holiday," Rose announced while flopping onto Lily's bed. They were supposed to be getting ready for the annual Valentine's Day bash that grandmother Molly threw in the Burrow.

Lily giggled at Rose's dramatic behavior, "It's just cause your a bitter singleton, Rosie."

"I am not bitter!" Rose protested vehemently. "It's just the holiday in general! It's completely ridiculous. I mean for one, everything is bloody pink!"

Lily had to bite on her knuckles to stop herself from laughing so hard, "Pink?"

"Yes! Everything clashes with my—our—hair, but Grandmother Molly insists on everyone wearing pink or red."

"You mean it matches with our hair," Lily corrected cheekily, as she held a pink jumper up to her body.

Rose groaned, and dropped her curly auburn head onto one of Lily's pillows. "And my name."

"Your name?" Lily asked confused, while riffling through some of her overnight things. She was looking for her favorite pair of jeans.

"Are you going to keep repeating everything I say?" Rose glared at her cousin, "But I mean it's ridiculous how many jokes I hear because my name is Rose, and people tend to only give roses on this bloody holiday."

Lily just smiled behind a sweater that she was wrestling with.

"Don't even get me started on the number of love potions that are hanging around here. Every year Uncle George tries to get at least one of us to drink his potions...and every year he does it successfully."

Lily laughed, clutching her stomach as she recalled last year's events. James had managed to gross out one of Victoire's French friends when he had accidentally swallowed a love potion.

Let's just say that James' was only preoccupied with French kissing. To this day he swears that he still has the bruises...

"Sure, you laugh now, but it might be you this year," Rose muttered darkly.

Lily rolled her eyes and finally ushered Rose towards the closet, "There is no point moping. Just get dressed, do your make up, and time will fly so fast that you won't get into any kind of trouble."

Rose looked at Lily doubtfully, but she didn't have much of a choice as Lily tossed her a light pink dress.

"Go," Lily commanded as she pushed Rose towards the bathroom.

For the next half hour Rose faced many torture devices such as the hairbrush (was her hair always this untamable?), the mascara wand (it could easily blind someone!), and finally eyeliner (she resembled a raccoon of sorts).

Lily however thought otherwise since she did Rose's makeup, all the while reassuring Rose that she looked fine on this Singles Awareness/Acknowledgement Day.

But the hardest part wasn't over yet.

Oh no, it had just begun.

Rose seemed to realize this as she descended the wooden staircase that led to a packed living room. The Valentine's Day party was in full swing, and Celestina Warbeck's throaty voice could be heard over the chatter of people.

"Oh my poor heart, where has it gone?
It's left me for a spell...
...and now you've torn it quite apart
I'll thank you to give back my heart."

Oh dear Godric, Rose thought as she surveyed the room full of people, what have I gotten myself into?

But she was a Gryffindor, so despite everything, she squared her shoulders and pushed through the crowd of people, completely ignoring the warning bells that were going off in her mind.

"Rosie!" Roxanne yelled, suddenly appearing out of nowhere with a glass of butterbeer in her hand. Rose smiled, glad that she found someone that she liked in the mass of people.

"Hey Roxanne, how are you?" Rose asked making her way towards Roxanne.

Roxanne smiled and held out a plate of hors d'oeuvres, "I'm good...and paranoid. Honestly, since the time I've set foot in this place I've been so scared that Grandmother Molly would make me sit on the...loveseat."

Roxanne whispered the last word while shuddering theatrically, but she wasn't the only one that was terrified of grandmother Molly and her meddling.

It seemed that the loveseat was only ever acknowledged on this holiday, and throughout the party one unlucky couple would have to sit on the couch. More often than not the pair ended up falling on the floor. But that didn't make it any less embarrassing.

"Tell me about it," Rose empathized as she reached for another hors d'oeuvre.

Suddenly Roxanne's deep brown eyes started widening comically.

"Oh Merlin, duck and cover!" Roxanne blurted out before hitting the floor like there was a bomb overhead. Before Rose even registered what Roxanne was doing, she was also yanked to the floor.

"What the—?" Rose started confused, but Roxanne slapped her hand over Rose's mouth.

And then there was a distinct plunk that sounded as an arrow was shot. It was the same exact place Rose's hand had been seconds before.

Slowly, Roxanne's hand detracted from Rose's mouth and she slowly stood up along with Rose.

"What was that?" Rose asked, slightly scared and very confused.

Roxanne plucked the arrow from the table and examined it more closely; she could clearly read Cupid's Arrows in a curly font across the shaft of it. The feathers were a bright red with delicate hearts painted on them.

"Cupid's arrows. That was a close call Rose...be careful," Roxanne warned as she chucked the arrow into nearby garbage bag.

Rose nodded and grabbed one more hors d'oeuvre before blending into the mob of people. She navigated through it while she kept a watchful eye on any of her other relatives.

Maybe if I find mum, then I could go disappear and not even deal with the party Rose thought hopefully.

Rose dismissed that idea when she passed the living room (which was currently the most occupied room) and saw several of her relatives near the red sofa.

Rose turned around, ready to disappear quickly, when she ran into someone.

"Oh I'm so sorry," Rose said apologetically as she stepped away from the person. Looking up she was shocked to see who it was.

"Hello Rose, aren't you going to give me a hug?" Uncle George asked teasingly as he held his hands out. And that's when Rose noticed the Weasley Wizard product in his hand.

It was a woman's perfume, but Rose knew that with one squirt you would fall into a powerful love induced stupor. Rose's mind raced to find some kind of excuse, because she wouldn't put it past Uncle George to spray her with the love perfume.

So, without a moment's hesitation, Rose threw the pumpkin juice she was drinking onto Uncle George's white collared shirt.

And then she ran.

She felt guilty of course, and Rose knew her mother would reprimand her if she saw what her daughter did. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

Plus it was an easy spill to fix with his wand—he would be fine, only distracted, which gave Rose the time she needed.

Rose turned a corner and, for the second time that evening, she crashed into someone.

"Rose! Merlin, why are you panting?" Dominique asked, as she grabbed hold of Rose—trying to steady the out of breath girl.

"Uncle George—he—had—perfume—" Rose choked out in between large breaths of air.

"Perfume, what the hell?" Dominique asked puzzled as she placed a manicured hand on her hip.

Rose gripped Dominique's shoulders "Love perfume. Spray it once and everyone that smells it is a goner."

Dominique's pale blue eyes widened in understanding, "Well thank Merlin you got away..." Dominique paused for a moment before saying in a confident tone, "You know, I think you should meet one of my friends."

"Friend?" Rose echoed doubtfully. But she let herself be led away with Dominique. They somehow ended up in the backyard, and Rose felt like she could breathe again. It was a lot more open and spacious outside. And from what she could see, none of her pesky relatives were present.

"Rose, this is Andre," Dominique introduced as a boy with deep brown hair regarded Rose inquisitively. If Rose was being honest with herself, he was quite handsome.

"Enchanté mademoiselle," Andre greeted, while picking up Rose's hand and kissing it briefly. He had a kind of confidence to him—as if he knew that he could make a girl swoon with just one wink.

"Hello," Rose replied with a shy smile.

Dominique laughed and announced, "I'll leave you two alone."

And with that, she was gone. Rose was almost dumbfounded that Dominique and managed to pair her up (especially after Rose was so careful!). Merlin, she was running away the entire time, but she forgot to run away from her cousin also.

But...it wasn't so bad. At least the guy in question was cute.

"You look very beautiful," Andre complimented with a smile that showed straight white teeth. "The only problem is your dress."

Rose frowned. And there went the good part. He should've just stuck with "you look beautiful."

"Why? What's wrong with my dress?" Rose asked trying not to sound annoyed.

Andre just grinned, and leaned in very close to Rose's ear.

"It's still on."

Rose jerked back and scowled at his handsome face. Who the heck did this guy think he was? What a sleazy, conceited little—

"Rose...erm, I've been looking for you," said a voice coming up besides her, distracting her from her murderous thoughts. Rose glanced behind her, and saw to her relief Albus Potter.

"Oh, hi Al," Rose said smiling at her cousin. She also saw Scorpius Malfoy standing beside Al. Rose wasn't surprised to see him there since he and Al were best mates.

Rose nodded in his direction and he nodded back. Despite their apparent hatred towards the other, they had an unspoken agreement that they would not fight on holidays. Especially after that Christmas incident two years ago...

"Rose, you wouldn't mind if I talked to Andre here, would you?" Al said suddenly with a forced smile. Rose was surprised to see his usual laid back self so angry.

"Sure thing—"

"Great, go dance with Scorpius then," Al said abruptly, already waving her away.

"What?" Rose asked in shock. No way was she dancing with Malfoy of all people...

"Go," Al said, giving her a look that she wouldn't dare argue with. When he was like this it was best to stay out of his way. Scorpius seemed to have the same thoughts because he slipped a hand around her waist and led her towards dancing couples.

A slow ballad started playing as they approached the dance floor, and for a moment too many things were awkward between them.

"Erm—"

"Ah..."

"So..."

"Yeah—"

"..."

"Weasley, have you ever danced with anyone before?"

"Of course I have!"

"Well then why do you have to make it so bloody awkward for us?" Scorpius asked, pulling her waist close to his.

"I—I...Are you saying you want to dance?" Rose asked disgustedly as she wrapped her arms tentatively around his neck. Holding him at arm's length.

"No, but it is just one dance..." Scorpius replied logically—not completely meeting her eyes. It was as if he was talking to someone behind her.

"I don't even get why we have to dance," Rose mumbled annoyed as she fiddled with the collar of his shirt. It was white much to her dismay. Why couldn't she have worn white instead of this hideous pink color?

"Because Al wanted to make Andre think you were taken." Scorpius replied as if it was the most obvious thing on earth. She hated the condescending tone that he always used with her.

"What does Andre have to do with any of this?"

"He messed with Al, and I think seeing you with him just made Al even angrier..."

"Well he had great timing," Rose muttered under her breath. In a louder tone she asked, "Well, what did Andre do to Al?"

"That," he started slowly, "is none of your business."

Rose scowled feeling vaguely offended at his answer. Of course it was her business! Al was her cousin for crying out loud!

Before she could voice any of her protests, Scorpius just tightened his hold on her waist, and bought her just a bit closer to him, "Just let it go Weasley. Al can handle it—he's a big strong guy."

Rose bit down on her lip to keep herself from arguing farther. And for the rest of the song, they just danced in annoyed silence, not meeting the others gaze.

Soon the song faded into the background and Al approached them with a satisfied smile on his face. Andre was nowhere in sight.

"Well...you two certainly look uncomfortable," Al commented casually as he looked pointedly at the space between their bodies.

Rose rolled her eyes, "Yeah, well it's not like we wanted to dance together anyways..."

Albus just smiled at the two of them as Scorpius released his hold on Rose's waist.

"Let's go get some butterbeer," Al said, as Scorpius and Rose followed him back into the Burrow. Rose was tentative, but she decided that it was warmer back inside the Burrow.

"So, have either of you ran into Grandmother Molly or Uncle George?" Rose asked as they entered the kitchen. Albus grabbed a glass of butterbeer and started sipping it right away.

"No, we haven't seen either of them..." Al replied, sipping his drink almost thoughtfully, "But we did see Aunt Angelina... We ran outside before she spotted us."

Rose smiled in return, and reached for a glass of butterbeer when a voice crept up beside them.

"Well at least we got you eventually, huh Al?" Uncle George noted casually. Al jumped a mile and his butterbeer sloshing onto George's shiny shoes.

"What do you mean?" Al said shakily, as he set down his glass. He looked anxious at George's previous words, and he ran a nervous hand through his messy locks.

Uncle George ignored him and took out his wand instead. He carefully cleaned off his shoes commenting, "You two are ruining all my clothing."

"Uncle George," Al said more firmly, "what do you mean?"

Uncle George turned to face him, a mischievous glint in his eye and an amused smirk on his face.

"I mean, that you have ingested one of my newest love potions," George replied matter-of-factly.

"What?" Al choked, his green eyes widening in panic, "I haven't drunk anything besides that butterbeer!"

"Who said that you had to drink anything?"

Al paled, "But nothing's happened to me! I'm completely normal!"

Uncle George's smirk widened, "Well that's because you haven't met Hyacinth yet. Wait a minute, isn't that her over there?"

Despite everything Al looked at the girl George was pointing at and a goofy smile took over his horrified features.

"Merlin isn't she beautiful? Look at her hair...it looks so soft and...brown. And she's such a nice friend. My best friend...I think I'm going to talk to her..." Al said confidently. He started to walk towards her before Rose pulled him back.

"Wait, Al, I don't think that that's a very good idea," Rose interrupted—trying to keep her cousin from making a fool of himself.

"Get off me, Rose," Al replied hurriedly—easily shoving Rose into Scorpius, and striding towards one of his oldest and best friend.

Uncle George, Scorpius, and Rose watched as Al pulled Hyacinth into an enthusiastic hug that she returned happily (albeit surprised). Al leaned down to whisper something in her ear that made her blush before whisking her off towards the dance floor in the living room.

"Well that didn't look so humiliating for him," Scorpius commented from beside Rose.

Rose nodded in agreement before turning to Uncle George.

"What did you give him exactly?" Rose asked.

Uncle George smiled, "It's a love potion for the people that don't take risks and are too delusional pursue the person that they like. The potion just increases those feelings that you already have and gives you a little...push."

All three of them were still watching the spot that Hyacinth and Al had left before Uncle George turned to Rose and Scorpius and remarked, "We should go spy on them."

Rose and Scorpius smiled wickedly and followed Uncle George who led them to a bustling living room.

The living room was...chaotic. Adults were talking to one another, and drinks of butterbeer, firewhiskey, and wine hovered overhead searching for their owners. Rose even thought she spotted the insidious Cupid somewhere near the ceiling, but he was gone in a flash.

Finally the three of them spotted Al and Hyacinth somewhere near the middle of the large living room dancing to an old fashioned Celestina Warbeck song. Hyacinth was laughing while Al spun her around the room.

They were so happy together, that it was a crime that they weren't together yet.

Rose spotted several other couples dancing, like James and Arianna, and even her own parents.

"Uncle Scorpy!" shrieked a young girl near her feet. Rose glanced down to see one of Victoire's and Teddy's children tugging on Scorpius' pant legs. The girl was short and her freckled cheeks were rosy.

Rose watched, as Scorpius leaned down to give the young girl his full attention. She whispered something in his ear.

Scorpius smiled, when he straightened up, and for a moment Rose was surprised to see that look on his face. She had gotten so used to him scowling or even smirking at her that it was strange to see his face so...genuine. For once he looked like a kind, normal human being.

He also looked more handsome when smiled.

"Well, I'll see you two later. I have something to go take care of," Scorpius said, while taking the girl's hand and following her to the dance floor.

Rose's eyes strayed towards them instead of Hyacinth and Albus, and she watched as the little girl carefully stepped on Scorpius' shoes and held his hands tightly.

Then, slowly, Scorpius started swaying to the beat, making sure that the girl would not fall off.

They were adorable, and the girl was giggling quite happily when Scorpius picked her up and twirled her around. Even Scorpius was smiling widely—his normally stormy gray eyes brightening up in delight.

"Rosie!" hollered a voice that was way too cheerful, "I haven't seen you all day!"

Oh no.

Grandmother Molly was beside her, and in an instance she was dragging Rose away. When Rose looked back she could see that Uncle George had disappeared. Merlin, she was delusional to think that she was safe with him. Before she could even think of a way to escape, Grandmother Molly had plopped her down on the loveseat. It swallowed her up in its softness and red velvet fabric.

For a moment Rose contemplated what exactly she should do next. Should she fight her way off the couch? Should she fake a bathroom emergency?

Part of her argued that maybe the best way was just to get it over with. She and her mystery man would be tossed to the floor and that would be the end of it. The worst that could happen would be her getting a bruise from it, but that would be all. She could finally stop dreading these parties so much...

Yes, that would be a logical decision. Get the humiliation over with and then forget it ever happened.

She could do that. It would be fine. It would be easy.

But suddenly another person was shoved onto the couch with her, and when Rose turned to see who it was, her heart seemed to stop.

It was Scorpius.

He was looking at her indescribably but Rose could tell that he was less than pleased to be caught on the loveseat with her of all people.

"Kiss!" someone in the living room shouted, catching her attention. She could have sworn that it was Uncle George that shouted it, but it was his words that scared her more.

He couldn't possibly mean that they had to...kiss?

No. It was impossible. She and Scorpius were possible the most incompatible people out there.

They'd get tossed to the floor. They had to get tossed to the floor.

But something in the back of her mind nagged at her. From all the stories she had heard, they would have to be immediately tossed to the floor. It wouldn't take this long...would it?

"Just kiss her, Malfoy!"

"Yeah, plant one on her!"

More people were starting to take notice of the two teenagers on the loveseat, and Rose could feel a dark blush spreading on her cheeks. Where was her protective father and cousins when she needed them? Her best guess was that they were either drunk or too occupied with their own lovers.

She fought the urge to even look at Scorpius, but she couldn't help herself.

He was much closer to her than he was before, and he was still looking at her. With a small, almost unnoticeable jerk of the couch, Rose felt both of their hips touch.

And then Scorpius' hand was on her shoulder and she could feel her eyes widening at what he was about to do.

She could see it in his eyes that he was almost...apologizing for his next actions. Another incessant nudge and Rose could feel his breath on her face. They were inches apart now and the guests' chants were getting louder.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

The contracting sofa was almost painful now but as Scorpius leaned closer to her everything sort of...disappeared. The only thing she was aware of was his burning grip on her shoulder and the heady scent of him.

In that moment she wouldn't have been able to tell you the time, or what the people were chanting. She might not have even been able to tell you her own name...

She just focused on the way his lips brushed against hers—so softly as if he was afraid that he might break her if he was too rough. It was very chaste, and just as she was starting to feel the pressure of his lips, it was gone.

She opened her eyes—not aware that they fluttered close in the first place—but all she could see were the smiling guests that hooted and wolf whistled at their innocent peck.

She stood up, and here eyes roamed the room for the blond haired man. She was angry that he left so suddenly, and slightly surprised that he had kissed her that way.

But really, he couldn't just leave her like that afterwards.

"Hey!" Rose shouted suddenly spotting a blond head navigating its way through the mass of guests. She followed determinedly, and caught up with Scorpius—catching him by the elbow.

"Hey," she said breathless. He sure knew how to lose someone in a crowd...

He paused, glancing at her with that same indescribable expression, "Hi."

Rose was taken aback and Scorpius jerked his elbow away before walking towards the kitchen.

" 'Hi'? That's all you have to say?" Rose asked incredulously as she followed the infuriating boy to the kitchen.

Scorpius paused once more before replying harshly, "What do you want me to say?"

Rose was once again speechless. What did she want Scorpius to say? It wasn't either of their faults that they had ended up on the loveseat. Neither of them really had anything to say.

"Why did you leave like that?" Rose asked instead, immediately wishing that she hadn't. She felt so exposed saying something like that. She sounded like a needy girlfriend. She felt desperate; two things that she certainly was not.

Scorpius turned to face her, his gray eyes hard, "Well I didn't think that you'd want me to stay after...what happened..."

Rose noted the way he carefully avoided the word 'kiss'. And then it occurred to her that perhaps she wasn't the only one that wanted to avoid the incident on the couch. Neither of them had actually expected to kiss the other. But it wasn't just any kiss. It was one that happened on the loveseat.

Which meant that they were supposed to end up together.

Oh Merlin.

And so Rose shook her head, whispered "nevermind" to Scorpius and walked away from him—feeling as if maybe the loveseat had made a mistake this time.

But then again, it never did make any mistakes...

Scorpius watched her go, his thoughts already muddled and hazy. His hand reached for then neck of the butterbeer before pausing and reaching for the firewhiskey instead.

How much longer will it take to cure this?
Just to cure it 'cause I can't ignore it if it's love

~ Accidentally in Love, Counting Crows (song).

A/N: Well...it's obvious that I'm a horrible person. First I don't update in months and then I leave you with this?
I'm sorry, I truly am. The ending was a bit surprising to even me, but then I realized that they couldn't solve all their differences in one night. So I'll leave you with this, and the reader can imagine their ending however they wish.

ONE MORE THING: I'm sorry that the Valentine's Day party doesn't really fit in with the story depending on Rose and Scorpius' age but I still wanted to include it, so I guess in this story they're technically 18 year olds. However in my mind they're still in Hogwarts (on a vacation during this party) :P

Anyways, I hope all of you are well (well...for those of you that are still reading this XD) I'm sorry I took so long with the updating. I really don't have any good excuse. But I would like to say that this is NOT the end of the story. In fact there are two more couples set to get on the loveseat before I include a deleted chapter (maybe more). And then this story will end. It's quite bittersweet, especially since I've finished my favorite couples so far...

Oh and thank you for all the lovely reviews! I really appreciate every single one of them, and I hope you continue reading the story! I'll try to update within two weeks!

Happy April to you all! Review Challenge: How have you been? Do you like candles? Cats or Dogs?

Pickles