Disclaimer: Am I JK Rowling? Nope.
After all the crazy events that happened in fifth year, I became entitled as either of the following: Rose Weasley, a know-it-all-who-received-all-Outstandings-on-her-O.W.L.S., Scorpius Malfoy's girlfriend, Slytherin lover (by a few Gryffindors), bookworm, and prefect-and-Head-to-be. I suppose I could also be all of the above. Anyway, I preferred just Rose, or Rose Wealsey, or Rosie (for only closest family members), or even Weasley. I didn't mind if somebody referred to me as Malfoy's girlfriend, either. He had stopped snogging random girls in closets, at least, which was wonderful on his part.
The Gryffindor table had quieted down somewhat after James and Fred's departure from Hogwarts. Fred had taken up full-time working at his father's joke shop. James? He managed to get the girl of his dreams, Katie Allens, before he left last year (please, I don't want to know details about his love life), and whatever they did after Hogwarts is a mystery. Not that I cared.
Nott still hasn't returned to Hogwarts. Both Susanna and I were very glad, and I was extremely glad that I had gotten off underage magic usage, as I hadn't actually hit anyone. Aunt Ginny reportedly told the Ministry that I was just defending myself—which wasn't exactly true—and they let me go. Nott's case was more serious than mine, anyway: underage magic and using an Unforgivable Curse! Scorpius was lucky her will wasn't strong enough for the spell to cause real damage.
Another different thing was that I found myself spending more and more time at the Slytherin table (hence the "Slytherin lover" nickname some students decided to bestow upon me). I spent way to much time with my own family, and I really did need to have more friends. Scorpius and Susanna were excellent at serving that purpose. Well, Alice was a good friend of mine, too, but nowadays she spent her free time stalking poor Al, who did not paid her the slightest attention. Oh, unrequited love. How bittersweet.
Anyway. Back to the present.
"Good afternoon, class," Professor Dean Thomas greeted us, sweeping into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. "I do believe you are advanced enough to learn about the Unforgivable Curses..."
Instantly, Gryffindors and Slytherins began muttering to each other, some in excitement. I didn't exactly like this particular topic, and so I raised my hand. I noticed Al rolling his eyes beside me.
"Yes, Miss Weasley?"
"Er, Professor," I asked, "We won't have to actually perform them, will we?"
To my amazement, he beamed at me. "Ten points to Gryffindor for your thoughtfulness, Miss Weasley. And good heavens, no! That would be like me sentencing all of you to Azkaban!"
"That's what happened to Nott, isn't it?" Alice called out curiously. "I mean, she used one of the curses, didn't she?"
"The Cruciatus Curse," I whispered, wincing at the memory of the spell hitting Scorpius. It had been too painful to watch...
Professor Thomas nodded darkly. "Miss Weasley is once again correct, Miss Longbottom. She, unfortunately, used the spell on Mr. Malfoy." Pairs of eyes turned to where Scorpius stood on my other side, looking rather uncomfortable. I shifted slightly closer towards him, squeezing his hand in reassurance. "The same goes for your grandparents, Miss Longbottom, but that should be something your father tells you."
Alice inclined her head. "Yes, Professor," she said. "Dad told me about what had happened. It sounded...awful."
"It is awful to watch," I assented. Nott's spell would've been for me had Scorpius not jumped in front of me in time...How many times was I going to owe my life to him now?
"And does anyone know of a counter-curse?" Professor Thomas went on.
Al answered this time. "Love, right? My father was protected from the Killing Curse with my grandmother's love, wasn't he?"
The professor chuckled. "I have forgotten how smart you all are," he mused half to himself. "Yes, Mr. Potter, that is indeed one correct answer. Ten points to Gryffindor."
Love. Had Scorpius protected me out of love? I shot him a glance, wondering if he would've still heroically jumped in front of me if she had decided to use Avada Kedavra instead. And Scorpius, as if reading my mind, murmured softly to me, "Don't worry, Rosie, I'll protect you from any spell should the need arise."
"And I'll do the same for you," I whispered back before too answering the question, "Oh, and Professor? What about the Shield Charm, Protego?"
"Excellent answer, Miss Weasley! And that, students, is what we're practicing today—on a more advanced level. Do find a partner, preferably from the other House."
Of course, I partnered with Scorpius. Al, grumbling, was paired up with Susanna.
"Now, Class, think of any spell you have learned until now, and use it on your partner. And they will try to conjure a shield in return." Professor Thomas instructed, "And switch when I tell you to do so. Ready? Wands? All right, begin!"
I probably yelled "Protego!" until my voice was hoarse—Scorpius had an immense knowledge of spells. Even Professor Thomas praised Scorpius, commenting that he should be an Auror after leaving Hogwarts.
And when it was finally my turn, the only spell I could think of at the time to use on him was the Bat-Boogey Hex.
Okay, I had to admit, he is tremendously better than me in Defense Against the Dark Arts. But I guarantee it's the only class he's better than me in. Or else, no doubt, Dad will throw a fit.
A/n:
I have posted the first chapter of I'm In Love With a Weasley!
This is a more filler chapter, so do excuse me for that. But there's a tiny amount Scorose fluff (protecting each other...how more romantic can that get? XD) There should probably one or two more chapters before the end.
You know what to do! :) Press that lovely review button! And... SilenceIsCompliancethe, the 200th reviewer! Cheers to everyone who has reviewed so far!