Chapter 20
Rose's POV
The rest of Rose's Christmas holiday past quietly. She enjoyed seeing her family, but she was ready to go back to Hogwarts to her friends and to continue to learn more about magic and how to use it. Even though to her, it felt like time was dragging on, she was surprised how quick it all felt in her memory when it was time to leave for King's Cross Station.
Rose's mum, Uncle Harry, and Aunt Ginny, all had a lot of work they had to get back to on the day they had to leave for school. So her dad brought Albus and James along as well. Luna Lovegood-Scamander had come to get Hugo and Lily for the day.
Her dad was in a good mood today and was telling James and Albus about the time he and his brothers, Fred and George, stole Grandad Weasley's flying car so they could break Harry out of the Dursley's one summer. He told them how they missed the Hogwart's Express that year too because a house-elf was trying to stop Harry from going to school, so he stole the car again to get to Hogwarts and flew it into the Whomping Willow. Albus and James were roaring laughing. Rose was laughing at them, laughing. Before she knew it, they had made it to the train station.
James ran off to get a trolley for the luggage. Albus gave his uncle a parting hug and went around to the boot of the car to get his things out. Ron slowly got out of the car and stretched. Rose was feeling that nervous, excited feeling she always got before traveling somewhere.
James came back with the trolley, and he and Albus started loading it up with their things. Rose put her bag on top, and they made their way to Platform 9 ¾.
When the four of them arrived at Platform 9 and 10, James rushed ahead and vanished through the barrier. Albus looked at Rose and said he'd see her in a minute. Once the boys had gone through, Rose turned to her dad.
"I'll miss you, Dad," she said, looking up into his eyes. The same blue color as her's.
"I'll miss you like crazy, little genius," said Ron. "Keep working hard in your classes and stay out of trouble."
Rose rolled her eyes.
"I'm not as reckless as you were in school, from the sounds of it," Rose replied, with a healthy dose of snark. Ron laughed and mussed her hair. "Dad! Stop!" exclaimed Rose, trying to smooth down her frizz.
"Your mum told me to remind you to continue to learn things with an open mind and heart."
"I will, Dad."
"Let's get you on that train before I have to drive you all the way to Hogwart's myself," said Ron.
Rose took her dad's hand, and they rushed through the wall together.
Rose clambered on to the train in front of Albus. She looked over her shoulder and saw her dad waving goodbye to them. She waved back, heard the train whistle - indicating that it was about to start moving - then turned to find a compartment.
"Let's find Scorpius first," suggested Albus.
Rose let him push ahead. It would be good to see Scorp without her parents, aunts, and uncles being around. They found him sitting alone in a compartment at the very back of the train.
"Oh, thank Merlin," stated Albus. "I thought you had missed the train.
Scorpius looked up and smiled.
"Hi, Scorp," Rose added. She sat down across from him. "How was your Christmas? What presents did you get? Are you looking forward to getting back to classes?" It all came out in a rush.
Scorpius laughed.
"My Christmas was great. I got candy, Looner Loop Luminators from your uncle and dad's joke shop, a couple of new books, new shoes… things like that. And I got to play a lot with my dog. His name is Bertie."
"You have a dog?!" exclaimed Rose and Albus at the same time.
"Yeah," Scorpius said simply.
"Why did you never tell us?" asked Albus exasperatedly. His eyes were opened wide.
"It never came up," Scorpius shrugged. "Anyway, to finish answering you, Rose… I am looking forward to classes and finishing as the top student in our class." He smirked at her.
Rose giggled.
"We'll see about that," replied Rose.
"Come on, you two! You both need to lighten up and live a little," Albus was rolling his eyes at them. "I plan to make it into the Forbidden Forest before summer."
"Ugh, Al, it's forbidden for a reason," scoffed Rose. "How many times do I need to tell you!"
Albus just laughed. He looked as excited as she felt about going back to Hogwarts.