word count: 567
Rose tells herself it doesn't mean anything. Scorpius isn't really that late, after all. Only twenty minutes. So many things could have happened to keep her boyfriend away, and it doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong.
She reassures herself of this over and over again, hoping she'll eventually believe herself. It's harder than she'll ever admit. Keeping their relationship a secret had been her idea; Rose dreads the idea of having to deal with her cousins' judgement, especially James'. Still, sometimes she wonders if she made the right choice. Maybe she's too anxious to deal with the stress that comes with a secret relationship.
She takes a deep breath, eyes flickering to the window, staring up at the moon. Its milky light casts black shadows across the room. It isn't fair. Why should they only be allowed to love one another at night? Why should her cousins care if she's dating a Malfoy? They should be over those ridiculous prejudices by now.
But isn't she just as guilty? Aren't those prejudices the very reason she only ever meets him at night, tucked away in some shadowy corner of the castle, praying prying eyes will never find them?
"Rosie?"
"You're late."
Scorpius grins. "And you're beautiful."
She wonders how he still manages to make her blush so easily. It isn't like compliments are scarce with him. Scorpius never misses a moment to make sure she knows how much she's loved. Even so, the little reminders make her stomach erupt into a million butterflies, and she finds herself absolutely giddy. It probably isn't fair that he can make her react like that, but Rose doesn't care.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
For a moment, Rose doesn't answer. She considers telling him that everything is fine, but he knows her better than that. No one knows her the way Scorpius does, and he can see through even her smallest white lies.
"Are you happy meeting like this?" she asks, because she realizes she never actually asked Scorpius what he wanted. She just knew he fancied her so much that he would do whatever she asked. "In private, I mean."
"It's what you thought was best."
Rose rolls her eyes. "You didn't answer my question."
A moment of silence. Scorpius lets out a heavy sigh. "No," he admits. "Not really. I mean… I love being with you in any way I can, but…"
He doesn't have to finish his sentence. Rose already knows and understands. She nods.
"I thought it was the best for us. Now… Can we… Would you be okay dating for real?" she asks.
He grins at that and takes her by the hand, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "I love you so much." He pulls her closer, arms wrapping around her. "I want the world to know how much I love you, Rosie."
Truth be told, it's still terrifying. Really, there's nothing her cousins can do, and she knows her parents only want her to be happy. Still, they've spent nearly a year like this, only daring to love in secret.
But it's time to let those worries go and find their own happiness. Why should she care what anyone says? Scorpius Malfoy is the love of her life, and nothing and no one can ever change that.
"Hogsmeade this weekend?"
Scorpius kisses her softly, a sweet, chaste brush of the lips. "It's a date."