"That's it, my brain is full," Scorpius sighed, closing the book in front of him and laying down his quill. "Nothing else is going to fit."
"Very funny, Scor," Rose replied irritably, scratching away at her parchment. "Exams are only a few weeks away."
"Exactly," he countered, grabbing her hand and forcing her to cease her scribbling. "Exams, not OWLS, not NEWTS. Just regular, ordinary, Hogwarts exams. All we have to do is pass them. We've got all of next year to make ourselves barmy trying to achieve the highest possible marks. So this year, how about we relax a bit?"
Rose sighed and laid down her quill. He had a point, of course, and she was already receiving top marks in every class she took. There was no need to descend into the realm of manic revising where she had existed for most of the previous year. Her tendency to take her studies seriously to the point of anxiety was an unfortunate habit that had been inherited from her mother and it was a lucky thing that Scorpius had such a calming effect on her or she might have driven herself insane years ago.
"You just want an excuse not to finish your potions essay tonight," she teased, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of swaying her so easily.
"True," he conceded. "But it's not due for two more days, so I still have time. Besides, you've been doing that thing again where you chew on your lip while you concentrate and it's very distracting." He leaned closer, nuzzling her jawline as he continued in a whisper. "I can't focus on the properties of aconite when I keep thinking about sneaking away into a quiet corner and snogging you senseless."
Rose could not deny the hitch in her breathing or the shiver that ran through her at his suggestion. While Scorpius' nighttime visits to her dorm had allowed them an increased level of regular intimacy, they had all but stopped making use of Hogwarts' various hideaways during the day and it had been some time since they had just simply snogged. As the idea took hold of her, a slow smile spread across her face and she glanced around shiftily, checking to see if anyone was looking before grabbing Scorpius' hand and practically dragging him away from the table toward the back of the library.
They rounded a corner at the end of an isle and Scorpius pressed Rose back against the end of the bookshelf, leaning into her body with his own. He lowered his head, pausing briefly with their lips only millimeters apart before engaging her in a dizzying kiss. Rose stifled a moan as he swept his tongue over hers before sucking on the bottom lip that she'd so recently been biting. She slid her fingers into his hair, loving the silkiness of it, and moved her mouth against his hungrily.
After several very enjoyable minutes, their kisses slowed and softened until they were simply holding each other, Scorpius' face resting against Rose's shoulder, their arms encircling each other's bodies.
"I'm going to spend some time at the Manor this summer," Scorpius said softly into Rose's neck.
"Oh," Rose answered, thankful that their position made it somewhat easier for her to cover her disappointment and confusion. Scorpius had spent nearly every summer and holiday at the Potters' since their second year of school. The only times he had gone home to visit his own family were on those occasions when his mother had insisted he do so.
"I want you to come with me."
Rose's eyes widened as he straightened and looked at her.
"My father and I don't get along, but he's still my father and I'll have to accept that at some point," Scorpius explained quietly. "My mother's actually quite lovely though. She's been incredibly patient and forgiving all these years that I've stayed away, and I feel like I owe it to her to come home one last time before I finish school and move out on my own. Most of all, though, I want them to meet you. I mean, I know you've met them, but properly. I want them to get to know you. I want them to understand how much you mean to me."
Speechless, Rose only nodded, pulling him back in for another kiss. This time it was slow and tender, filled with unspoken emotion. The significance of what Scorpius had asked of her was not lost on either of them and while Rose knew that her parents would not be pleased about her spending part of her summer at Malfoy Manor, there was no questioning that she would do it anyway.
"Of course I'll come with you," Rose answered as they broke apart. "When were you planning to go?"
"I'll have to write my Mum and see what their plans are," Scorpius answered. "I'll warn you, she's likely to go completely bonkers. The fact that I'm voluntarily coming home in the first place will put her over the moon, but when I tell her I'm bringing you as well…" he trailed off, cringing.
"Well, you've been witness to all of my family's embarrassing behavior over the years," Rose teased. "It's only fair that I get to do the same." She smiled brightly as she took his hand in her own, nodding her head in the direction of the table they'd previously been working at. "Come on, lets go gather up our things and get out of here. It's got to be nearly dinnertime."
"So how has Lily been enjoying her birthday?" Scorpius asked as they walked through the corridors toward the Great Hall. Rose laughed.
"At last count she'd been asked out eight different times and I heard that she told off a third year who thought she should be thrilled at being the object of so much attention," Rose relayed. "Neville had to break up a small skirmish in Herbology when about six boys tried to help her with her bubotuber all at once and Hugo says she's been holed up in her dorm since her last class and is refusing to come down until tomorrow morning."
"Wow, I actually kind of feel bad now," Scorpius said, chuckling nevertheless. "I didn't think she'd end up spending her birthday hiding from everyone. Maybe we should take her something to eat."
"Softie," Rose accused, throwing him a mock glare as she looped her arms through his.
Rose agreed, however, and after finishing their own dinner, she and Scorpius assembled a plate of food to take back to Gryffindor tower for Lily. Most students were still gathered in a Great Hall as they made their way up the seven flights of stairs to the painting of the Fat Lady.
"The chosen one," Rose said, addressing the portrait. "Honestly, who comes up with these passwords? I think every one this year has been some reference to my uncle."
"I think the current head girl is a fan," Scorpius replied, smirking. "I'm sure next year, you'll give us much more sensible passwords."
"Don't jinx me," Rose muttered. "What the-!"
Rose stopped short, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open in shock. The Gryffindor common room was deserted but for two figures who were occupying a single chair by the fire. Lily's head snapped up at the interruption, tearing her lips from those of a very dazed-looking Sean Jordan.
"So much for hiding in her dorm," Scorpius snickered.
"Lily, come upstairs with me for a minute, please," Rose said sweetly. Lily climbed reluctantly from Sean's lap. Meanwhile, Rose rummaged in her pockets, pulling a small phial of bluish liquid and handing it to Scorpius. Raising an eyebrow, she tilted her head toward Sean, indicating her intention. The girls disappeared up the stairs as Scorpius sauntered across the room and laid Lily's dinner down on a side table.
"Here, mate," Scorpius said, holding out the phial. "Try a breath freshening potion."
"Good idea, thanks!" Sean replied. He tipped the contents into his mouth and swallowed, smiling cheerfully for several seconds before the antidote took effect and the grin slid off his face. Scorpius watched in amusement as the older boy's eyes widened in horror and he swore under his breath.
"Tell me I did not just snog James Potter's little sister," he whispered in shock. "He'll murder me in my sleep!"
"I wouldn't worry about it," Scorpius assured him. "All part of a very elaborate prank. He'll know you weren't responsible for your actions."
"All the same, maybe it would be better if we didn't tell him," Sean suggested, still looking shaken.
"I won't say anything if you don't," Scorpius agreed.
Upstairs, in Rose's dorm, Lily held her hands up in a defensive gesture.
"Spare me the lecture, Rose," she began. "I know exactly what I was doing."
"It's not what you were doing that I'm worried about, Lily," Rose exclaimed. "It's who you were doing it with. Sean Jordan? He's James' age, for Merlin's sake!"
"I know!" Lily answered, sitting on Rose's bed and pulling her legs up beneath her. "I know, it's ridiculous, and impossible, and completely, utterly insane. But Rose, everyone has that one crush, that one unattainable fantasy that you know will never happen but you can't help wanting it anyway. How many people get an opportunity to indulge that fantasy? Just once, for a single day, to find out what it would really be like?"
"Oh, Lily," Rose sighed, sinking down onto the bed next to her.
"I don't have any illusions," Lily continued earnestly. "I know he's way too old for me-"
"Three years isn't really that much," Rose interrupted gently.
"Not for people who are out of school, no," Lily agreed. "But I'm fifteen and Sean's eighteen. He's going to finish school next month, get a job and a flat. I still have three more years here. I know perfectly well that it would never work. I've known it forever. But like Violet said this morning, it's my fifteenth birthday. I got this one opportunity and I just couldn't pass it up." Lily shrugged.
"Well, did the experience at least live up to the fantasy?" Rose asked softly with a small smirk. Lily only closed her eyes, a huge grin spreading across her face before she fell backward onto Rose's bed, sending the older girl into a fit of giggles.
"Scorpius and I brought you some food," Rose said a few minutes later, once their laughter had subsided. "If you want to hide awhile longer, I'll go downstairs and bring it up."
"No, I'll have to show my face sooner or later," Lily groaned. "Might as well get it over with." She pulled herself up, straightening her uniform before turning to face her cousin. "Thanks for understanding."
"Well, I had my own impossible fantasy once," Rose admitted. "Then it turned out to not be impossible after all. You never know."
"Yeah, well you're one lucky girl," Lily insisted as they descended the stairs. "I hope I find my own Scorpius one day."
"You will, Cos," Rose assured her. "You absolutely will."