When we arrived in Hog's Head we were met with a look of suspicion from the barman Aberforth Dumbledore.
The look was only made worse when Scorpius stage whispered,
"Is that a goat?"
At the sight of a furry white creature roaming around the pub.
"Yes," I muttered hoping he wouldn't expand on it and say something rude. "Hello," I called to Aberforth, an old bearded man who stood behind the ageing bar. I recognised him from a dinner party at the Potter manor a while ago. All he did during the party was stay in the corner and drink firewhiskey. Before he left he had a brief conversation with the Golden Trio.
He didn't show any signs of having heard me he was busy staring down Scorpius with winced eyes behind his glasses with an intense focus. It was like he was trying to place him from somewhere.
"Hullo," he finally greeted when we approached the bar. The whole place was covered in a thick layer of dirt and dust. It smelt overwhelmingly like a stable.
Scorpius had been right, there was barely anyone in the bar and no one from Hogwarts. There were a few wizards in travelling cloaks sitting at a long table in the centre of the room deep in discussion and not far away from them a witch was sitting on her own reading a book and sipping some firewhiskey through a pink straw.
"Weasley, right?" he asked. His voice was gruff and hoarse. "Rose?"
"Yes," I replied giving him a polite smile.
"And?" He moved on to Scorpius, his eyes peering. I gave Scorpius a kick in the shin getting his attention away from the goat he was staring at.
"Is that a goat? Or is it a creature disguised as a goat?" Scorpius asked in a casual tone.
The barman looked taken back, "A goat. Why would I need a creature disguised as a goat?" he asked in a mocking tone.
I wanted to facepalm there and then.
"I heard a rumour that there is illegal magical creature dealing going on in here," Scorpius said. "So I thought that goat might be something else like a dragon or something."
Aberforth frowned.
"You heard wrong." He said firmly. "What's your name?"
"Scorpius Malfoy," Scorpius said lowering his voice for his second name.
"Malfoy." Aberforth stated gruffly. "If your father had walked into my pub I'd kick him right back out again. I'd kick him out with my wand."
We were about to get kicked out.
"Good thing I'm not him," Scorpius smirked and leant against the bar trying to sound casual, cool and not at all like his father.
Aberforth looked from Scorpius to the scarf around my neck (that screamed Slytherin) and back to Scorpius again.
He reluctantly pulled out a dirty glass from under the counter and wiped it with an even dirtier rag. I winced at it, but what was I expecting? I didn't know if I was standing on the bare ground or actual floor.
"It is." He replied. "Anything funny and you're out."
"Alright, I'll keep the goat jokes to myself."
I shot Scorpius a look, 'don't push it.' I tried to convey through my frowned brow. Well, it was better than the pureblood act. If he had put that on we would certainly be kicked out and in the snow.
There was a moment of silence and I took that as our signal to order.
"Can we have two butterbeers, please?"
We took a table in the corner far away from the barman and the other customers. We had to keep our voices down otherwise they would carry across the quiet pub so we sat close together and kept our voices low.
"Goat jokes?"
"Yeah, want to hear one?"
"I have a feeling he will kick us out if you say one."
"Alpaca bag and get out of here then."
I shook my head and snorted.
"You want to laugh, Rosie."
"Scorpie, I said you can call me Rose, not Rosie."
"Rosie Posie then," Scorpius said.
Uggg... he really knew how to get under my skin.
"Scorpie scorpion then." I mimicked.
"Not a thing," Scorpius said lifting his glass to investigate the dirt encrusted on it. "I can't see the butterbeer at all. I'm surprised no one in here is dead."
"Tergeo," I muttered tapping my glass with my wand when Aberforth turned his back to us for a couple of seconds to retrieve something.
Scorpius copied and gulped down some butterbeer.
"You don't think Aberforth will tell anyone about us being here together?" I asked Scorpius being serious.
"Who?"
"The guy who you might have insulted."
"He doesn't seem like much of a gossip, Rose." He said glancing over at him.
Thank, Merlin, back to Rose again. Rosie was making my cheeks hot. I sipped my butterbeer.
"What are you worried about? Nobody can actually prove we were here."
"You're right. But if my family gets wind of this I don't know who they will strangle first and that's just if they hear a rumour. What about your family?"
"They generally stay away from Hogsmeade and non-pureblood wizards," Scorpius said. "But on the off chance they heard about me with a Weasley I think my grandmother and dad would die on the spot and take me with them."
"What about your mom?"
"My mother is more understandable, she'll just faint."
I couldn't help but laugh. That's when a group of three wizards wearing fancy robes stepped in. The group glanced around the room and took in me and Scorpius. I didn't know any of them so I didn't pay much attention to it. I turned back to Scorpius.
"Any ideas for Divination this week?" I asked interestedly.
We had finally moved on from dreams in Divination (yay!). For the last two weeks, we had been studying crystal balls. Scorpius always made up tons of stuff before Divination to see in the crystal ball and during.
"I'm feeling later life corruption this week." He said thoughtfully. "A broomstick accident that leads me trapped in a forest forever alone or a galleon avalanche that leaves me alone forever."
And last week it was various ways that the destruction of the world came about. Such as Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans coming to life and taking over the world, because they had become too flavoursome.
I drained the last of my butterbeer and put my glass down. Scorpius had already finished his.
"Want to go to Honeydukes?" he suggested. "This place has lost any charm."
I considered Abby and Jane for a moment. The probability of them showing up out of the blue was dropping by the second. And I really wanted to go to Honeydukes. That was one of the aspects of the trip I craved and even dreamt about.
"Won't there be a lot of people that could..." I said hating to be a buzz kill. "Like if we went to the Three Broomsticks to get butterbeer instead of here?"
"Come on, Rosie."
Ahhhhh... and Rosie is back.
"You know that you want to go to Honeydukes," Scorpius said in a very persuasive voice.
I hesitated, "Okay, Scorpie, I will but I will hex you if we get caught."
"We're not criminals." Scorpius chuckled bringing our glasses back up to the bar.
Aberforth regarded us with a stare.
"Goodbye," I said to Aberforth.
"Goodbye," Scorpius yelled to a goat chewing on hay across the pub.
I gave him a playful shove out the door. And he shoved me right back making me fall into a pile of snow outside Hog's head. He roared with laughter and I flung a snowball at his unsuspecting face. It exploded on contact with his nose and then it was my turn to roar with laughter.
"YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT!" He yelled after me as I ran as fast as I could to avoid getting Scorpius' wrath and a face full of snow.
"IN YOUR DREAMS!" I yelled back at him. I could hear him hot on my heels. And just when I thought I had put some space between us I felt a pair of strong arms wrapping around my chest and waist. Before I knew it I went diving into the snow once again. I had fallen into the snow on top of Scorpius. His arms were wrapped around me holding me to him and for once I didn't care. We were both laughing uncontrollably. I wriggled my hand free and got a fistful of snow. I used it to shove some more snow right in his laughing face.
I rolled out of his loosened grip. He instantly acted and repaid me. Snow hit under my jaw sending shivers down my spine.
"Okay!" I exclaimed holding up my hands in surrender. He was kneeling over me ready to throw another pile of snow in my face. "I give up!"
Scorpius paused for a second and in that second I grabbed a ball of snow and put it down his robes. It was truly one of the funniest things I had ever seen!
He yelped and tried to shake it out while I rolled in the snow laughing. I laughed so much that my vision went blurry with tears. I thought I would never be able to stop laughing. I was laughing so hard that Scorpius was able to sit next to me, pull me up into a sitting position and against him. He poured a mountain of snow down my robes. My laughs turned to shrieks as I shook it out before collapsing in the snow once again with Scorpius.
I was still chuckling when Scorpius came along with another snowball. I didn't know what he planned to do with it but I was sure my body couldn't take any more laughter, shrieking or shivering.
"Stop! Stop! Stop!" I tried to sound serious but instead came off as giggly. "If you do that again I'll probably piss myself!"
It did the trick Scorpius dropped the snowball, "Rosie, I really didn't need to know that. A 'please, don't do that again even though I was the one who started it' would've done."
"We should go to Honeydukes," I said as Scorpius grabbed my hands and hoisted me to my feet with him.
"Is that wise? You are already acting like you ate the whole store." Scorpius commented but we both knew that wasn't going to stop us from going to Honeydukes.
"Who cares?" I said playfully. Suddenly I realised how close I was standing to Scorpius. The tips of my shoes were touching his and his hands were still in mine, I could feel the warmth of them despite our gloves. I panicked and stepped back from him.
He gave me an odd look before responding,
"Honeydukes it is."
I glanced around we were out of sight back in the outskirts of Hogsmeade. It was starting to snow again and by the time we had made it to Honeydukes we were covered in snow. There was only a small crowd of students in the shop. When we snuck past Weasley's Wizard Wheezes it was overflowing with students.
When we walked in were greeted by snow free warm air. Honeydukes was amazing, my heaven. Vibrant colours and sweets everywhere. Luckily the students in the shop were older students who couldn't remove their gaze from the new and improved nose biting teacup.
"I've never been happier in my life!" I exclaimed throwing my hands in the air. Scorpius laughed and agreed.
Scorpius and I spent beyond an hour in the shop looking at all the sweets and snapping up samples. I loaded up on sweets enough to last me a long, long, long (LONG) time.
"I can't believe we just did that." I sighed as we stomped through snow back up to the castle.
"No," Scorpius corrected me opening a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. "What is unbelievable is a number of sweets you can eat."
I gave him a proud smile, "Jealous?"
"Of your rubbish bin stomach?" Scorpius smirked and passed me the box. I took a fist full of beans.
I chucked them casually in my mouth. Tears came to my eyes at the combination taste of all the different flavours.
"Why?" Scorpius asked staring at me. "Are you trying to poison yourself? That is disgusting. I can't even imagine what your breath smells like after that."
"What? Want to smell?" I jeered standing on the tips of my toes trying to get in his face.
"I rather smell a troll's," Scorpius said pushing down on my shoulders bringing me back to my normal height.
"That was kind and thoughtful words."
"Your tongue is after changing colour."
I stuck out my tongue and narrowed my eyes trying to see it.
"It's turned orange." He said crinkling his nose.
"Cool, last time it turned purple and the time before that turquoise," I said after sticking my tongue back in my mouth. "You try!"
Scorpius shook his head and considered this for a moment.
"Oooooh, you're thinking about it so you're going to do it," I said jiggling the box.
"Rose-"
"Do it!"
"Rose-"
"Don't be a coward, Scorpius."
"Alright, Rosie, if that is your heart's desire," Scorpius said his voice dripping with sarcasm taking a fistful.
"Yes, it is," I declared jumping up and down on the spot.
The second he threw the beans into his mouth, he pulled a face like he had just thrown a lemon in his mouth. He winced, then he swallowed and turned to me.
"That was horrific!" he said coughing. "I think I'm going to be sick."
"You get used to it after a while," I said barely containing my laughter and patting him on the back sympathetically.
"Why would I want to get used to that!?" he snapped. "I think I might have killed my taste buds."
I tried to give him my best apologetic look but it came out as another smile. I reached up, cupped his chin and turned his face towards me.
"What colour is your tongue?" I asked giggling (for unknown reasons).
Scorpius looked at me for a long second like he didn't hear me then he stuck out his tongue in my face.
"A really dark purple," I said almost falling backwards at the sudden presence of his tongue.
"Want to make a rainbow?" he said suggestively.
My heart leapt into my throat but then a second later it sank right back down again when he plucked the box of beans out of my unsuspecting hand. I released his face that I was still cupping. Merlin, I ran my fingers through my hair and laughed nervously, what had I been thinking?!
My face was hot and scarlet. I shoved another pile of beans into my mouth to cover it and distract myself from that sudden thought. Where had it come from? Stupid love potion! It was probably that... it confused my brain that's all. I feel fine now.
Or I did feel fine when he threw a snowball at the unsuspecting blushing girl with a mouth full of beans. And then he made another one and ran.
That snowball fight lasted way longer than the one after Hog's Head. But this time, there was more actual snow fired than thrown down our robes. We stayed outside in the snow together until the time for dinner was approaching. The best part of it all was when we made snow angels!
By the time we had gotten back into the castle the snow on our clothes had melted. Leaving us soaking and in need of a heating and drying charm.
"Bye, Rosie."
"Bye, Scorpie." I teased back as I ran up the Grand Staircase to the Ravenclaw tower. I stopped dead midway when I realised what was still wrapped around my neck. I had grown so comfortable and used to it I had forgotten it was even there. I unwrapped the scarf and hastily shoved it into my bag laughing nervously to myself.
"I suppose I have to give that back to Scorpius. I'll do it the next time I see him." I muttered to myself.
I answered the bronze eagle knocker's riddle and walked inside the common room. I saw Abby and Jane straight away. Merlin, I had forgotten about them.
Abby was surrounded by sweet wrappers laying back in an armchair. Abby's eyes were closed and her hands were hugging her stomach. Jane was sitting on a sofa alongside the armchair talking to Eric Longford who kept running his hands through his gelled up hair.
Should I leave it pass… no way.
"Where were you guys?" I hurried over placing my hands on my hips ignoring Longford.
Abby moaned, "Rose, I think I might be dying. Come closer and tell me soft things about potions ingredients in my ear."
Jane's dirty blonde hair was let loose from its usual french plait. It made her look prettier than usual and less stern. She flicked her hair slapping Longford in the face with it. He didn't seem to mind one bit. Was that flirting?
"We're sorry, Rose," Jane said sounding sorry. "But Abby stupidly ate something a creepy witch gave her and she went mental. She nearly tore down Honeydukes. She ran out of the Three Broomsticks and I had no choice but to follow her. Then Eric showed up, just in time, and helped me calm Abby down."
Abby mouthed the word 'prick' to me while Jane turned to Eric and slapped her hand down on his leg. Ew! Was all I could think. This couldn't be romance.
"It was all you, my Cassiopeia." He whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.
I cringed and sat on the arm of Abby's chair far away from them.
"Rose," she said her eyes closed, sensing my presence. "I've never been more bloated in my life. I think I might be a whale or preggers."
"There, there." I patted her head.
"I've said yes to Kenny-"
"Who?"
"The guy who asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him on Valentine's day. Eric's… better friend. I have said yes, because when Jane said I cannot eat any more sweets he bought me Cauldron Cakes. I respect that."
"I suppose if he got you sweets he's a good guy."
"The best. I didn't know I abandoned you, I'm sorry."
"That's okay."
"I thought you were there. I thought you were the voice saying 'Lumos, Lumos, Lumos, Lumos, Lumos, Lumos, Nox' over and over again."
"Would you like me to take you to Madam Pomfrey?"
"No, I was already there. She said I am stupid and it will pass." Abby explained. "But I think Janic is the real problem."
"Janic?" I frowned. What else had Abby put in her mouth?
"Jane and Eric. Janic, that's their ship name! Get with the times, Rose!" Abby burst out. "I've had a lot of time to think. I've been thinking better than usual. I came up with so many ship names. Kebby for me and Kenny, Crood for Professor Crepsley and Monsieur Wood and my most brilliant one yet, Scorose."
"What?" I said alarmed at Scorose.
"I thought using your first names would be cuter. Or maybe you would prefer Malrose or Weasfoy."
"I don't need ship name with Sc- Malfoy," I said my eyes darting everywhere. "We don't speak anymore, we don't like each other, we're not together-" I rambled.
"God, don't get upset, Rose. Like I said I've had a lot of time to think. And I came across that and I thought it sounded cuter. Way better than Janic, that's for sure."
"And getting back to Janic and Kebby," I said changing the subject. "I guess I'm going to be alone by myself forever now."
"I wouldn't mind you being the third wheel," Abby said kindly. "Janic is a trainwreck."
Janic were too caught up in each other (not like that, in their words) to hear what Abby was talking very loudly about.
"It's really annoying all they ever do is talk and Eskimo kiss, constantly rubbing each other's noses together. Who does that?! All they ever talk about are school and classes in a low sexy voice to each other. It's ruined the idea of a boyfriend for me."
"What about Kenny?"
"Kenny… he's my sugar daddy. I want Cauldron Cakes, etcetera from him, not kisses."
"Amazingly that sounds slightly more romantic."
"Rose?" Jane interrupted still too close to Eric. It was like they were breathing in each other's exhaled breath. "Where did you go after we left?"
Good question Jane. Lying time!
"I went to Hog's head." Not a complete lie.
"Did you go with anyone?"
"Molly." Who would ask about that? Unless you want boredom.
"You poor thing," Abby sighed. "If I wasn't a mess, I would feel sorry for you."
"Thank you, Abby," I said scooting off the arm of her chair and standing up. "I'm going to dinner. Are you coming?" I wasn't going to bother Jane with the question cause the answer to that was obvious.
"Rose, I am stuffer than a stuffed turkey. If I even swallow my spit I will explode."
"So, no?"
"No."
"Okay, then. I'm going to put my stuff away first." I said before I left for my dorm.
No one was in there. I did a quick rummage through my bag pulling out Scorpius' scarf. I sat on my bed, held the scarf in my hands and stared down at it.
"There is no one in here. It's fine no one will know." I murmured to myself.
I lifted the scarf to my face and pressed the soft wool against the lower half of my face.
I took a deep intake of breath.
That's definitely it.
The voice in my mind jeered. I dropped the scarf onto my lap instantly.
'No, it's not.' I denied. 'I don't like him like that.' Then a more important detail occurred to me, 'Why in the name of MERLIN was I SMELLING Scorpius MALFOY'S SCARF!?'
I wanted to laugh and throw the scarf across the room all at the same time.
Before I could do either the door handle of the door creaked and turned. I jumped and hid Scorpius' scarf out of sight under my blankets just a second before the door fully opened.
"Hi, Abby." I greeted my voice high and tight.
"Hello, Rose." She returned kneeling down and crawling on her hands and knees. "Don't mind me. I just need to be close to a toilet."
"You okay?"
"There's a rainbow in my stomach does that count as okay?" Abby said. "Please go to dinner and leave me to die."
"Abby-"
"Please, Rose."
"Okay," I said giving in. "I'll be back to you in a half an hour."
"Thank you." She said climbing onto her bed and snuggling under the blankets. "Goodnight!"
"Night!" I called back shutting the door after me. I hoped that Abby would be recovered by the time I had returned.
I didn't take the scarf to Scorpius then. He would be with his so called friends anyway. But over the course of the next week, I kept forgetting to give it back whenever there was a chance. He said nothing of it and together we went through our stockpile of Honeyduke's sweets whenever we were alone.
Author's Note: Once again thank you all for the reads, reviews, favs and follows. I read every review. I appreciate and love every one of them.
Happy-day-after-first-birthday to I Shouldn't Love You, But I Do!
I can't believe how much follows and favs this fic has gotten. It feels like a dream. This time last year, my writing was... let's not put that into words, those of you who have been following this fanfiction from the start will know all too well. To see how far I have come in just a year is unbelievable and none of it would be possible without the support of you guys!
So thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And I'll write what you're all waiting/hoping to read. In honour of this milestone, yes, Rose and Scorpius' 'relationship' will heat up in the next couple of chapters. Not intense snogging in the library! but getting there.
