"There you are! I've been waiting for you for ages!" Lily jumped down from the unused counter she was sitting on in the Burrow kitchen.
"Hi, Grandma Molly and Aunt Ginny." I greeted the two other people in the kitchen getting the Christmas eve feast underway. "Something happened." I addressed this to Lily lowering my voice but there wasn't any need to. My mom had come into the kitchen after me and was already holding a hearty, loud conversation with the other two women.
"Something happened." I addressed this to Lily lowering my voice but there wasn't any need to. My mom had come into the kitchen after me and was already holding a hearty, loud conversation with the other two women.
Lily tapped her binder she was cradling like a baby.
"Let's go up to mom's room," Lily said already leading the way. "You can tell me all about it and I have a little 'something happened' going on too."
"You finally found Mr Right?" I asked following her.
"I wish. Maybe at the wedding. No, this applies to you."
Lily and I had met several times since I had seen the 'light' at the Burrow in Aunt Ginny's room. Lily had hundreds of hours of boy information to teach me. The Witch Weeklys never ran out and the excitement never died. I now fully trusted Lily. I had told her 50% of what was happening with me and Scorpius and what I hoped would. The rest, I kept to myself to giggle over in private in my own head.
We entered our hideout and took our usual seats on the bed.
"Tell me everything! Has he told you how he feels?" Lily asked leaning forward in anticipation.
"He sent me a Christmas present."
"Thank Merlin. What is it? Romance or a book?"
"Perfume."
Lily's eyebrows shot up to her hairline, she clapped her hands over her mouth and did a silent shriek into them.
"Perfume? What kind? Oh, it must be foreign and expensive considering he's a Malfoy and a Pureblood… I hate to say it but Purebloods do have the best taste when it comes to perfume, but not clothes that title belongs to us Half-bloods."
"It's better than anything you could guess. Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Bean perfume." I smiled to myself.
"Oh," Lily said dishearted at not hearing a fancy expensive brand name. "Well, it's still romantic and it says a lot. Boys don't look around in the perfume section of the shop unless they have a purpose. So there you have it, Rose, it's basically a proposal."
"I have to get him a present. But I can't think of anything that's… you know, says something but isn't in his face."
Lily thought for a moment.
"Ummm… A framed photo? You have one of him. No that sounds shallow. I don't think he would like perfume in return. A broom or anything quidditch related? You said he likes quidditch."
"But what?" I said. "How?"
"In my knowledge of quidditch-"
"Which is about 20 times more than what I know and can put to use."
"Cleaning supplies."
"He got me perfume."
"Which is a cleaning supply in itself."
"What if he already has that?"
"Good point. Maybe a broomstick? Your dad should be easy enough to get the vault key off of when he picks up the Fire Whiskey."
"He's getting a broomstick."
"Right, a poem about quidditch? With surprising undertones?"
"I suppose that could be an option since it's better than cleaning supplies."
"We're getting somewhere. OOOOOh Merlin! I just thought of it. Give him a promise that you'll go flying with him! You said he wanted to do that. It's so romantic!."
"Lily, I don't think me having a meltdown on a broom with him fifty feet in the air is his ideal Christmas present."
"Think about it. You get scared, he wraps his arms around you and then plants a reassuring kiss-"
"Before or after I scratch his eyeballs out?" I huffed trying to hide the blush creeping to my cheeks.
"Preferably before."
"What about a book?" I suggested.
"Is it a book about your feelings for him or is it a boring hardback about grindylow births?"
I frowned, "Neither of those books exists, I hope. Maybe a book about quidditch or charms or-"
"Rose, stop friend zoning the poor guy."
"Sweets?"
"What kind?"
"A lot."
"What about," Lily clicked her fingers having another great idea. "You don't give him anything."
"That's as shallow as sending him a framed photo of me."
"You don't give him anything, right now. You wait until you're on the Hogwarts Express with him. You tell him in your letters that you have to give him his gift in person. Then you kiss him. A first kiss, a memorable and timeless gift."
I blinked, "I think I have to be one hundred percent sure he likes me and wants to kiss me in order for that to be a successful gift. I also have to be an expert kisser in order for that to be a memorable and timeless gift, not a 'you're hilarious Rose, my friend' gift."
Lily shook her head and jumped up from the bed.
"Let's push that to the side, for now, shall we? My 'something happened' is a Christmas present for you." Lily said opening the desk drawer of the desk against the opposite wall.
"Lily, Christmas is tomorrow," I reminded her.
Lily laughed as she produced a bumpy package wrapped in candy cane coloured wrapping paper and tied with a bright red ribbon.
"This would arouse too much suspicion under the Weasley Christmas tree." Lily then added. "And I wanted to see your face and make sure you used it for the good of the Rose and Scorp relationship."
What could it be? I raised my eyebrows at the present and Lily handed it to me. It was heavy I felt something square like a box, hollow so not a book, and something hard, shaped like a vial. I ripped open the wrapping to reveal what I should've guessed and expected.
Two of the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes products from the Wonderwitch collection.
I was caught between laughing and/or blushing fiercely. I picked up the small box that caught my eye first. It was decorated all over with an assortment of pink hearts and arrows, I didn't know there were so many shades of pink until I saw that box.
'Flirting Fancies- Flirt with Anyone.' Was written in curling letters.
I lifted up the lid, inside were about seven white cubed sweets sitting on red tissue paper coated in a sugary dust.
"I'm not sure if it would be wise to use these."
"Like you need the help. These are just for fun."
"Thanks anyway."
I put the box down beside me before I got the urge to give one a taste and picked up the vial that was sat next to it in the wrapping paper.
Though it was shaped like the love potions in the shop it wasn't one, the liquid in the vial was a hot bright pink, headache giving bright, bubbles floated in the liquid in a calming pattern. 'Kissing Concoction- Let the Romance Bubble.' it read. Before I could take a look at the ingredients printed on the back Lily reached over me and took the vial into her own hands and uncorked it.
"Kissing Concoctions smell like what Valentine's day should smell like," Lily said sticking the vial under her nose and taking in a deep breath smiling.
I leaned over and took a sniff of the potion. I couldn't help but smile. It didn't smell like the Love Potion it smelt like fresh flowers and warm chocolate. I couldn't help but wish that I could use it. I could easily walk up to Scorpius and ask him to try this new potion with me, with the label out of sight of course, and the rest could play out as it pleased. It was a nice thought but I couldn't trick him like that.
I corked the Kissing Concoction and put it with the Flirting Fancies.
"Thank you, Lily," I said again. "That was nice of you. My present that I got for you is under the tree so you'll have to wait till tomorrow."
"I hope they'll help and finally get the train moving," Lily said beaming at the items. "I had to go to the shop in disguise to get them."
"What disguise? A wig or a charm?"
"No, I put up my hood and lowered my voice. The guy at the counter was half asleep so he didn't notice a thing. Uncle George was dealing with an accidental accident in the Instant Darkness Powder aisle." Lily winked at accidental.
"Clever, Lily."
That's where our boy talk conversation ended. Someone yelled up the stairs for us to come down for the dinner.
"Come on," Lily said as I shoved the Flirting Fancies and Kissing Concoction deep into the pockets of my cloak.
We climbed the stairs and headed into the kitchen where nearly everyone was sat at the usual long peeling wooden table on an assortment of mismatched chairs crammed together to fit everyone. The room was a buzz of conversation and loud snaps, Uncle George had already started the crackers.
There were no two seats left together Lily sat near the top of the table with her mom while I was stuck at the opposite end with Albus.
I held in a sigh and walked over taking the seat without asking or saying hello. I had successfully avoided Albus so far during the holidays so that was the end to my ignoring him streak.
I fixed my eyes ahead at Grandad Arthur who was busy talking to Uncle Percy about something ministry related. Albus was clearly the reason why most of my cousins were at the top of the table away from him. Oh, why couldn't someone have saved me a seat there?
I thought about Scorpius, well I was already thinking about him, I thought about him more in depth. I hated Albus, what he said about me, how he treated Scorpius and everyone else. As hard as I tried to ignore him I could still feel him next to me, he gave out a brooding vibe that brought down the whole Christmas spirit.
"Hello, Rose." The voice that I had wished would ignore me just as much as I had been ignoring him said. His tone wasn't unkind but it wasn't friendly either. It didn't sound like Albus, well the Albus I still clung to from before first year. It sounded harder, deeper and edgier.
I couldn't ignore him, then I would be the bad guy.
"Hello, Albus," I replied thinking what hex or jinx Scorpius would use on Albus if I told him he was being a git and what hex or jinx I could use.
There was silence. I knew Albus had expected me to start the conversation and keep it up but I wasn't interested. I studied the bowls of potatoes being set down at all ends of the table with too much interest.
"It's been ages since I've seen you." He said after a while.
Idiot! I wanted to say. We see each other in Herbology.
"Well, you know how big Hogwarts is," I said sickeningly sweet turning to him for the first time.
He didn't return my strained smile. He instead looked me in the eyes with unnerving focus. His hair was even longer now it almost touched his shoulders. It wasn't a style I could say suited him there was too much untidy hair for his little face.
"How are your friends these days?"
Scorpius was my first thought. Then I remember he didn't know about Scorpius and I. He was referring to Abby and Jane. I blinked, why would he have any interest in my friends?
"Fine."
"I suppose they're okay looking. Abby's a bit-"
"Excuse me?" I jumped to life. What did that death eating Slytherin just say? I couldn't believe my ears. We weren't even talking about how my friends looked. Had Scorpius had to put up with this? And he's still sane and Albus is still alive.
"Excuse me?" Albus repeated with a low snigger.
"How are your friends, Albus?" I asked with venom. "Still trying to duel first years and failing?"
Albus looked taken back he wasn't expecting me to talk back to him. I wasn't his passive little cousin Rose anymore. I could take him down and he needed to know that.
Albus quickly covered up his surprise with a sneer.
"My friends are on the quidditch team and are dripping in wealth," Albus said. "I don't think you've heard, Rose, I might be captain next year. One of the youngest ever in the school's history. It really comes at no surprise."
I shook my head holding in a laugh, "Okay then you-"
I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders making me jump.
"You two okay?"
Albus sneered again and looked down at his plate while I grinned up at the person. It was dad. He had a stern expression that showed no trace of the Fire Whiskey he had probably ingested before he had appeared.
"I think we are? Are we, Albus?" I said turning to Albus again.
"Yes," he hissed not looking at me instead turning his attention to dad's tall figure. "Uncle Ron."
Albus had to play it safe if there was a fight I knew dad would definitely win. Muggle fist fight or duel, dad would win hands down. He was a stronger opponent than anyone thought. He didn't help stop Voldemort with just dumb luck, mom and humour as most people thought.
"Good," dad said giving my shoulders a squeeze before releasing them. "I'll be three seats away."
For the rest of dinner, Albus didn't speak to me. He gave me the occasional glare but otherwise, he was invisible as I smiled to myself thinking about the more important things: Scorpius and his present.
After dinner, some more cracker pulling and bad jokes, it was time for the first match of the Potters including Teddy versus the Weasleys.
I was outside using the glow of dad's borrowed wand to write sitting out in the snow with a heating charm. I was far away enough from the match not to be noticed but still able to see the figures darting around on their broomsticks. Albus was up there with them ready to show off his skills on his broom but under the watchful eye of the adults.
I tapped the quill against the parchment I borrowed from Grandma Molly and tried to think of what to write to Scorpius. I still had no gift to give him so I decided to add it in later when I found one.
Dear Scorpius,
I love the perfume! It's the best present ever! THANK YOU X 20000! I couldn't wait until tomorrow to open it. I think it will match your scarf very well.
Lily is actually less of a crazy person than we thought. She's resourceful and has mostly forgotten about the whole thing.
I wish I could see you in your dress robes. I think you would look nice in them, so don't compare them to that horrible dress. I wish I could be with you for Christmas and the rest of the holidays. I don't suppose you'll make an appearance at the wedding? I think that would be pushing our luck too far.
"Hello, Rosie."
I coughed and almost spilled ink everywhere. I blocked my parchment protectively and looked up to see Grandad Arthur towering over me with a muggle wind up torch in his hand.
"A bit cold to be sitting around in the snow at this time and in this weather." He said not in a scolding way but in a casual manner.
"Heating charm," I replied trying to fold the parchment discreetly and tuck it out of sight. "I thought you would be watching the game."
"Aw, no, I had come across something rather interesting in the shed. And then I saw you alone in the snow and was worried you were upset."
I gave him a reassuring smile. Did grinning like a maniac at a sheet of parchment in snow late in the evening count as being upset?
I put the lid on the ink, put everything in my cloak pockets and stood up.
"I'm fine, Grandad," I said dusting the snow off my robes. "It's Christmas tomorrow, why would I be upset?"
"You were sitting next to Albus at dinner. He can be quite upsetting as of recently. He almost had your Aunt in tears yesterday and almost got a nasty slap from your Grandmother as well."
"That's Albus," I said following him as he moved back towards the shed. The shed was brimming with an orange light in the near distance. "I try not to think about him."
"He'll grow up sooner or later. And take a long look in the mirror and be heartbroken at how he behaves." He said, I gave him a doubtful look before he added, "Slytherin or not he's half a Potter and half a Weasley so he couldn't be that bad."
I couldn't help myself when he said that to think about Scorpius. I had hoped he was about to say 'Slytherin or not he's still a person and he couldn't be that bad'. Because maybe then I could tell Grandad about Scorpius, as stupid a thought as that was. After all, dad had said on platform nine and three-quarters when I was about to board the Hogwarts Express for the first time that Grandad Arthur would never forgive me if I married a Pureblood. Marrying Scorpius? I giggled at the thought, surprisingly I hadn't thought of that scenario yet.
But there was one thing I could say to him or in this case ask.
As we stepped into the toasty warm shed I asked, "Grandad, what would be a nice Christmas present to give a boy? That isn't a broomstick or any of that."
Grandad paused at one of the shelves we passed and thought for a second. I hoped he wasn't about to say a rubber duck or a self-delivering toaster.
"Depends, I hope it's not a boyfriend."
"No," I blushed scarlet pretending to be toying with a rusty tool sitting on the shelf in front of me. "A friend."
"Who is he?"
"You wouldn't know him." A total lie.
"You don't know that."
Time for more lies, "His name's Eric, I tutor him. I just thought it would be nice to give him a Christmas present since he has become Abby, Jane and I's friend."
"Hard question. Maybe a book on your tutoring subject? You're good with books aren't you, Rosie?"
"Yeah, maybe."
"Can't go wrong with sweets either," Grandad said changing the subject. "Now, where did I put that box I was going to show you? Or, more likely, where did it run off to?"
The rest of my visit to Grandad's shed was watching in fascination as he showed me an aggressive cardboard box that moved around slowly on two very flexible cardboard legs.
When it was time to leave I was still clueless.
After thinking for what felt like several years and fighting the tiredness that was making me yawn every two seconds I decided on giving him sweets. I finished my letter and stuffed a couple unopen giant sized ones from my hidden stash and wrapped them in some mistletoe wrapping paper. I added at the end of my letter that I knew it wasn't much but I would pay him back some more when we returned to school.
I then attached the lot onto an annoyed Andrew and sent him out into the night to give Scorpius his Christmas present.
