Hello all! Many of you have showed lots of excitement about this chapter, and I do hope it lives up to your expectations; I worked, edited, and changed this one like crazy trying to get it just how I wanted it to be. Enjoy…
The delicate girl stood on shaky legs, praying they would hold her the whole night through. The material of her stunning dress sighed as she moved, pressing against her soft skin. Rose walked up to her mirror, running her hands over the front of her gown for the millionth time, straighten out wrinkles that weren't there. Her mum and Aunt Ginny had left some time ago, having come back to school with her to help her get ready. The small girl paced her dorm, waiting for Dawson to come and collect her, so they could make their grand entrance.
Checking the clock on the wall, Rose saw that the ball had officially started ten minutes ago, and they were just waiting for McGonagall's patrons to come along. The Ravenclaw had just saved herself from tripping, when she heard a knock on her bedroom door. Rose took a deep breath before walking over and opening it, her hands sweating and her mouth dry. Dawson was suddenly standing before her, hiding his nerves much better than she was. "Rose," the tall, dark haired man said, shocked by the mesmerizing girl in front of him. "You look phenomenal," he said, bringing his dark eyes up to her pretty blue ones, making her blush.
"Thank you, Dawson. You look rather handsome yourself." The man bit his tongue as he felt his ears heat up, fiddling his hand inside his pocket. "Well," Rose said, checking to make sure she had her wand one last time, "shall we go?" Dawson nodded, moving to extend his arm out for her, causing her to smile as she took it.
The Heads made there way through the dark castle, hearing the loud music when they were still corridors away from the ball. They arrived at the Great Hall shortly, and a young boy was waiting for them, looking extremely bored as he inspected his cuticles. The boy quickly disappeared moments later, going to tell the Headmistress they were ready. Rose felt her stomach twist, as panicked settled inside of her. "I'm scared," Rose whispered, squeezing Dawson's arm, grabbing his attention.
He placed his cold hand on top of hers, giving her a calming look. "You'll be fine. I won't let you fall," Rose nodded, taking deeps breaths. She wished more than anything that Scorpius was there, to hold her and whisper reassuring words. The petite girl let out a little squeak when a booming voice rang from inside, introducing them, as clapping and applauding began. Dawson leaned down and whispered in her ear, "don't worry."
As Rose looked to him with a smile, Dawson felt his heart stutter. And he knew, he just knew he had to tell her. Starting again, he grabbed her attention and spoke in a voice only just higher than his normal, "Rose, I have to tell you some-" But the wizard was cut off as seconds later the tall wood doors to the room opened, and the flood of bright lights shined down on them.
Forgetting his words, Dawson gently pulled Rose forward when she didn't move, waking her from her nervous trance. Both of them smiled kindly as they entered, hundreds and hundreds of people watching them, smiling at the handsome couple. They made it through the plethora of witches and wizards of all ages, landing in the middle of the large dance floor.
Rose could feel all of the eyes watching her, and she sent one last prayer up to the heavens, begging she wouldn't trip. "Ladies and gentlemen, Dawson Pucey and Rose Weasley will now perform the first dance of the 2023 Annual Hogwarts Ball, and the twenty-fifth anniversary celebration." Music filled the hall, the same song Rose and Dawson had practiced to dozens of times.
With her hand on his shoulder, his on her waist, and both of theirs clasped together, they started the slow ballroom tango they had perfected. The couple swayed around the dance floor, elegantly hitting every step in their dance. The crowds were silently, captivated by the attractive couple, skillfully wrapped up in each other. Applause were heard all throughout every time Dawson effortlessly lifted her high in the air, both of their dancing skills impeccable. She gripped onto him tightly when she almost stumbled a couple times, but he held her up like a rock.
The song ended in a graceful bow, clapping and shouts of support ringing in their ears immediately. Rose smiled and waved to several familiar faces as she made her way back through the crowd to look for her family, a number of people stopping her to tell her how amazing she looked. "Rosie," the girl was relieved to see it was her cousin Louis who shouted, pushing against people to get to her. Rose smiled at the redheaded boy when he finally got to her, grabbing her hand and hugging her immediately. "Come on," he said, pulling her to where their family tables were.
"You found her," Harry yelled happily when they arrived, getting up from his spot to go and hug Rose. "You look beautiful, Rosie," the man whispered to her, pushing his old glasses up his nose as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Her Uncle Harry moved to pull her chair out for her, sitting her in between her dad and Albus, the two protectors. At her table was the Potter-Weasley clan, along with the Weasley-Granger. And her whole family congratulated her on her successful dance, telling her how pretty she looked.
A half an hour later, Headmistress McGonagall got up on the stage, giving her annual speech. Everyone applauded when Harry, Hermione, and Ron were spoken of, being thanked for the huge impact they had on the war all those years ago. They were heroes in everyone's eyes.
The rest night went by flawlessly; the food was delicious, the drinks were cold, the band was amazing, and everyone was getting along in harmony. Everyone was talking merrily as they ate their desserts, happy to be in each other's company. But as Rose was enjoying her, and almost all of Albus' cake, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Most of the table quieted down when someone cleared their throat, Rose turning in her seat to see who it was.
Ash Macmillan, a seventh-year Hufflepuff, stood tall behide the Head Girl's chair. The small girl greeted her fellow classmate sweetly, and he blushed horribly when he began to speak to her. "Um, Rose. I was wondering if I, well I mean- if you would like to dance with me?" The boy stuttered as he spoke, feeling nervous as all five of the men at her table stared him down.
"Actually," Albus quickly cut Rose off, turning in his seat to face the boy and give him an intimidating look. "She's pretty busy right now, Macmillan. Thanks for asking though." Ash nodded, swiftly walking away, feeling thoroughly embarrassed.
Rose looked to her cousin, a look of disapproval on her face. "Albus Severus! That was extraordinarily rude of you, he didn't deserve that. You should have let me speak for myself, I am perfectly capable. You know, I have half the mind to find him and dance with him just in spite of you." The girl crossed her arms over her chest, sitting back into her chair with a pout on her face. Her crossness only heightened when her dad and Albus high fived behind her, the boy's godfather stating his approval. Lucky someone turned up and saved the day, just as Rose was about to rebuke her family again.
Teddy Lupin cleared his throat in a similar way to Ash, his hands politely behind his back. "Hope I won't get turned down like that poor lad," Rose shook her head, standing before her cousin or father could say anything. "Will you dance with me," the sandy haired boy asked, laughing when Rose eagerly grabbed his hand and pulled him to the dance floor.
The two swayed in time with the slow melody, and seemed like the perfect dancing pair, as Teddy didn't tower over her like most everyone did. "They're awful," Rose sighed, leaning her forehead on his shoulder. She felt the vibrations of his laugh go through his chest, the noise was calming and warm. Rose and Teddy, though they were nine years apart, had always been very close. They were both the quieter kids of the family, and the only two non-Gryffindors of the Weasley clan.
"Oh, come on, Rosie. They aren't that bad." Teddy said in his fatherly voice, spinning her in circles as they danced. "They just want to protect you, they love you more than you can believe."
Rose nodded, knowing he was right, feeling guilty for the way she treated them. "I know, it's just they think I can't do anything. They think it's their job to constantly watch over me, and it's not. They have to trust that I can take care of myself, sometimes." Teddy nodded silently in agreement, and the two danced with each other for several more songs, aware of the angry eyes watching them from afar.
As they parted Teddy kissed her cheek, smiling and returning to his loving wife and daughters. When Rose made her way back to her table, she saw Lily dreamily staring at someone, and instantly knew who it was. The sneaky Ravenclaw smiled when she arrived, saying, "Lily, would you come to the bathroom with me?" The redhead snapped out of her daydream, standing and nodding. As they left James muttered something about girls and their odd bathroom rituals.
When Rose turned and stopped at the drinks table, rather than going to the loo, Lily became suspicious. "Rosie, what are you doing?"
"I saw you staring at Patrick," Rose admitted, smiling and giggling when Lily looked appalled and blushed. "Don't worry, no one else saw. And I won't say anything, but I'm requiring that you go over there at least talk to him." Lily began to protest, and Rose stepped forward to grab her hands. "Oh, please, Lily. I'm sure he would be thrilled to see you, you look absolutely amazing!"
The younger girl's eyes darted back and forth, her mind racing. "Oh, alright. But if everything goes wrong, I'm giving you all the blame." Rose laughed and agreed, smiling and giving her cousin a small shove in his direction. The auburn haired witch grinned as she watched Lily go, feeling thrilled as Patrick smiled at Lily when she arrived. Rose observed for several more minutes, seeing the two of them hit it off incredibly.
Taking her chance, Rose snuck away from the crowded ball, escaping to peace of the empty corridors. Her dark blue gown swayed with the cool breeze that blew in the open halls, her feet leading her to the courtyard. The small girl looked at all the lovely festive decorations, the flickering candles that hovered high above giving the space a warm glow. Rose went over to a bench, wandlessly brushing the snow off of it and warming the seat.
She sighed when she was finally alone, far enough away where the loud buzz of the hall didn't reach her. Rose looked to the sky, contently watching the stars blink, connecting and naming them in her head. She sat there for a long time, happy she was able to get away from the overbearing people for just a moment. Rose was about to go back when she heard the crunch of snow come from behind her, gasping as she stood and whipped around.
Standing ten feet away from her was Scorpius, looking devilishly handsome in a sharp black tuxedo that was tailored just right. A bright beam broke out on her face, as she ran towards her boyfriend, throwing her arms around him. "Scorpius," Rose whispered when she was safe in his embrace, his warm body easily bring back some of the heat she had lost while sitting outside. She pulled back after a minute, reaching her hand up to stroke the side of his face. "I didn't know you would be here."
Scorpius smiled at her, grabbing her hand in his and bringing it to his mouth to kiss. "Neither did I," his deep voice admitted, as his eyes took her in for the dozenth time that evening. He thought she looked like a brilliant angel, her dress made perfectly for her, and her face glowing with happiness. "You look exquisite, Rosie." Scorpius grinned at the tell tale blush that tinted her cheeks, loving how she was an open book to him. The girl, however, was put off when she noticed how her wizard suddenly frowned to him. When he next spoke his voice was deep and dark, "who was that man you were dancing with earlier? With the sandy hair."
Rose's brows furrowed as she thought, she had danced with many people... But she smiled hugely when she knew who Scorpius had been talking about, which apparently was the wrong thing to do, as he took her smile as an expression of admiration for the gentleman. His eyes quickly darkened and his hands tightened at their hold on her waist, clearly displaying his disapproval to Rose. "Oh, no! It's not what you think," Rose quickly reassured, not wishing for him to be upset with her. "That was my cousin of sorts, Teddy Lupin. I've known him since I was a baby; he's like a brother to me."
"Oh," was all Scorpius said, not use to being wrong. He suddenly felt guilty for not trusting Rose, and foolish for the jealousy and anger he held inside since he saw her smiling and dancing intimately with the lad. The rational part in the back of his brain had told him he could trust her, and he should have listened to it. Scorpius knew he could trust his little Rose.
The witch gave him a grin when he spoke, hugging his middle with her eyes wide and sparkling, wishing to put the quarrel behind them. And though he didn't say it out loud, Rose knew it was his version of an apology, and it was good enough for her. Scorpius frowned when he noticed her shivering slightly against him as he held her, and was disappointed with himself for not noticing how cold she must be. "Come on inside, you're freezing," he said in a stern voice, though she could hear the kindness in it.
They went to an empty corridor, the heat of the castle warming her up immediately. "I've missed you already," Rose admitted, her eyes down casted to the stone floor. Scorpius lifted her chin so she looked at him, her blue eyes filled with many different emotions.
"I missed you too," he said, and she felt her heart skip a beat. Scorpius moved hand into her silky hair, his fingers tangling themselves in it. Rose gasped when his lips were suddenly on hers, tenderly kissing her for every minute he had missed her. She brought her hands up to rest on his broad chest, his brawny body pressed against her dainty one. Rose moaned shyly when Scorpius let one of his large hands slide down the silky material of his dress, pressing against her lower back.
Scorpius smiled into the kiss when she snuck one of her hands under his coat, pressing it against his beating heart. Rose could hardly contain all of her emotions, her head spinning with passion. The wizard swallowed the delicious whimper Rose let out when his touch snuck even further down to her bum, as his large hand spread over the full globe and squeezed it gently. The girl was practically a puddle on the floor as she felt him grope and palm her backside, as she grabbed his tie and used it to pull him closer. The two pulled apart some time later, and Scorpius laughed when he saw she looked thoroughly snogged; her swollen lips, her mussed hair, her wrinkled dress. "Though I entirely don't wish to, I should get you back, you left quite some times ago. We don't want someone to come looking for you."
Rose nodded in agreement, and smiled when Scorpius reached out to fix her hair and straighten her dress. The two walked slowly as they made their way back, neither one of them wanting to part with each other. As they were walking Scorpius spoke up, "how was Dawson?" Confused by his inquiry, Rose furrowed her brows and tilted her head, asking him what he meant as she hadn't a clue. "Was he-" but Scorpius' words faded off as he shook his head and smiled at her reassuringly after letting out a sigh. And though she thought it was highly strange, Rose let it go and smiled back at him, just happy to see her wizard.
When they were a hallway away from the ball, they stopped and Rose leaned forward to press a kiss to Scorpius' cheek, inhaling his spicy scent. "Goodnight," she whispered to him, smiling sweetly before disappearing. Scorpius watched her walk away, vanishing through the doors to the Great Hall. After a moment the tall man sighed, running a hand through his hair as he made his way inside too.
Little did either of them know, a set of eyes had caught the entire scene and was now more than intrigued.