I'm shocked I actually finished this chapter. Deepest thanks to Scw, Pranali, xxally93, KW, Aesha, deliriouslycurious, Lamp Light Reader, MmeBookworm, Chanel Forsk, mariafrancia76, Arcoiris, hpdude-4life, raspberryrainx3, emeraldhead-crimsonheart, syranzra, mariarita, Dani Prongs, HPDWTWD, Escapingthisworldwithfiction, tatapb, Aryam, catwomannnnnn1, Connected-by-a-semicolon, RCabajes, Skiesofstars, and all the guests/anons who commented :D I appreciate your words so much.

Also, I mentioned this on Tumblr, but this fic might hit 50 chapters and beyond. This is not a short story by any means, and won't simply end at graduation. Moving to a new arc now… thank you guys for sticking with me! :) Since you've come this far, do tell me which has been your fave chapter. Would love to know. As always, fic playlist is here - remove spaces: tiny . cc / ABoS

Chapter 26: The Inevitable

After Poppy left Rose for a Prefect meeting, Rose found herself meandering outside the library, still feeling rather winded from their conversation.

She slowed mid-step, barely noticing as a group of chatty Hufflepuffs brushed past her. She watched them go without really registering their presence, her muddled thoughts giving way to a silver of a daydream.

There was no denying it. Something had shifted after her meeting with Scorpius last night, but she couldn't quite put a finger on what. Even now, the thought of him brought a bout of heady lightness over her.

A crush.

Was this what it was?

Whatever it was between them, it had become clear to her over the past few weeks that Scorpius thrived on affection, whether giving or receiving it… And, despite her own fears, Rose had grown to treasure the intimacy they shared. Their friendship turning physical had happened so gradually, so naturally, that she could no longer fathom them being any other way.

At present, it warmed her heart to remember the way he listened so intently to her most buried secrets. The way he held her close against his chest, as though to keep her safe from the worst of her memories. The way he nuzzled warmly against her cheek as he kissed her goodnight.

The way he looked at her all evening.

Rose's breath caught.

Her cheeks were hot again.

Oh, this was trouble. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to see Scorpius when she could barely get a handle on her feelings. Rose worried her lower lip, glancing back at the library doors as she considered her options.

Technically, she didn't have to ask Scorpius for Arnold today.

If Arnold liked Scorpius, it was only nice to let them spend a little more time together. Her darling pet would be fine another night without her, surely?

Though Arnold had such a specific diet—a delicate mix of sunflower and kiwi seeds, with a side of warm milk. As much as he apparently enjoyed his frolic in cashmere, he would certainly be starving by now.

There could be no delay. Finding Scorpius right away to ask for Arnold was the most sensible thing to do.

When it came to the creatures she loved, Rose always chose the sensible option.

Yet, she couldn't help but dither. Without meaning to, her mind had continued to scour for alternatives. She wasn't feeling too well today, that was the truth—she had gone on several forest walks in the January freeze. Plenty likely she had caught a chill. She wouldn't want to get Scorpius sick now, would she?

Yes, it would be wise to stay away from Scorpius until she recovered.

Rose nodded to herself. That certainly sounded sensible.

Finally convinced, Rose turned sharply on her heel, intent on heading to the pitch and asking Albus to ferry Arnold The Third back to the Gryffindor common room on her behalf—

"What are you doing?"

The words had Rose jumping out of her skin. A familiar face had popped out from the towering oak and glass doors of the library—the same girl from the forest a few months ago. Rose blinked back at her, trying to recall her name.

Nellie, Nancy, N—

Nora Mullen. That's it.

"I noticed you from the inside," said Mullen, jabbing her thumb towards the reception counter behind her. "You've been pacing out here for a good fifteen minutes."

"Indeed I have," Rose said intelligently, trying not to show her jitters. "I was, er, thinking about what I needed. Books, I mean." She made a few random gestures with her hands, before giving up on explaining herself. "…I didn't realise you were on library duty."

"I'm covering for Marge Bones today," Mullen explained brightly. Rose glanced nervously past Mullen's shoulder, as though Scorpius could appear there any minute. "She's part of our Harlequin Book Club too, you know, but she's at the Hospital Wing—was coughing up sardines after an accident in Charms. Anyway, she'll die once she finds out she missed talking to you. She's a huge fan."

Maybe he'd already left the library, Rose thought, suddenly hopeful. With any luck, all her worries would be for nothing. Albus would bring Arnold back to her tonight, and she would meet Scorpius once she felt better. She was so caught up in this pleasant possibility that it took her a moment to realise Mullen was watching her expectantly. "Sorry, Nora—what were you saying?"

"Oh, nothing." Mullen's eyes were glazed over, as though it meant everything in the world to be having this conversation. "Please, what can I help you with today? Are you looking for romance novels? Beastly adventures?"

"Well, I was about to go look for—"

Mullen smacked her forehead. "How stupid I am," she exclaimed, far too loudly for someone who was on library duty. "Of course you're here for Scorpius."

Alarm bells sounded in Rose's head. "Actually, Nora, I—"

"It's so cute that you've come to accompany him," Mullen gushed, fairly vibrating from excitement. "He studies by himself often, you know. A bit of a lone wolf, isn't he? Thought he'd break the habit after he got together with you, but… well, whatever it is, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you."

Rose opened her mouth to correct Mullen, but the girl had already clamped her fingers over Rose's wrist and yanked her through the library doors.

"He's seated close to the restricted section," Mullen continued in a lowered voice, as she all but dragged Rose past the reception area. "It's his favourite spot. But you know this, of course."

"Of course," Rose squeaked, trying to keep the panic from her voice. "I—was just wondering if he opted for a change of scenery."

Mullen smiled, all teeth. "Well, go on then!"

Left with no choice, Rose stepped tentatively in the direction of the restricted section. She glanced back over her shoulder to see Mullen watching her, her face pink with glee.

Oh hell. Rose wished she had half of Nora's enthusiasm. She felt rather like she was being sent forth to an execution. Once Mullen was out of sight, Rose paused by the stain glass windows to regain her composure, trying desperately to untwist her insides.

It's Scorpius, she told herself.

Just Scorpius.

She exhaled quietly, and kept going.

The library was reasonably crowded this afternoon. Tables and sofas were dotted with lowered heads and opened books, the scratch of quills on parchment filling the muffled silence. The crowd seemed to thin as she closed in on the restricted area. There were fewer study pods in this vicinity, which made it far more private. Most younger students shunned this section, preferring to stay close to the accessible shelves at the centre of the library.

As Rose passed the endless rows of books, she was reminded of the first time she went looking for Scorpius in the library, all those many months ago. She had been determined to speak to him after their minor spat over Winston Hedge's unfortunate ambush, and had found him thanks to a tip from Albus. Scorpius had been a mere stranger to her then… a distant character with an impossibly handsome scowl. The only person in school whose reputation was dangerous enough to protect hers.

At the time, she thought it was the best idea she ever had.

No gifts. No dates. No PDA.

How odd that they had broken every one of those rules without even trying.

The sight of Scorpius with Arnold stopped Rose in her tracks. Scorpius was draped across the length of the sofa, his head resting against the sofa arm as he engrossed himself in an Herbology text. And Arnold The Third… was fast asleep beside him, nestled cosily in a ruined cashmere jumper.

Rose couldn't tell how long she stood there. Feeling, for what seemed like the briefest of moments, completely mesmerised.

"Hey," she managed at last, her voice coming out throatier than she'd like.

Scorpius looked up, the storm colour of his eyes shifting to silver against the pale light of the afternoon.

"Hey," he said, with a slow smile that turned her insides soft. He gestured at Arnold. "Came all the way here for this little nuisance?"

"Would I be here for anything else?" Rose said with a straight face, earning a snort from Scorpius.

"Cheeky," he murmured, still staring at her.

The fixed steadiness of his gaze, so contrary to the wild skitter of her heart, made Rose feel flushed all over. For some reason, she had trouble meeting his eyes, and found herself at a loss of what to say next—which was completely unlike her.

She always had something to say.

Ask him for Arnold.

Ask him how he is.

Ask him anything.

Careful not to disturb Arnold, Scorpius had shifted to make room on the sofa, patting the spot beside him. But unlike the many times before, the prospect of being that close to Scorpius terrified Rose. So she merely stood stock still, a crushing panic filling her chest.

Her fight or flight response was going haywire in her gut. She felt quite as though she was back in the Forbidden Forest, coming face-to-face with something unknown and frightening. That she could be in terrible danger if she stayed. Swallowed up. Devoured. Swept away.

Everything in her was begging her to run.

She needed to be as far away from him as possible.

"Rose," Scorpius said, a question in his voice.

Without thinking, Rose took a step back. "I've to find a book," she blurted out.

She didn't wait to see Scorpius' confused expression as she backed away and disappeared into the rows of towering bookshelves, hoping against hope that she would eventually get lost in the maze of them. She couldn't tell how long she wandered among them, glancing past scores of leather spines but registering none of the titles. She only came to a stop at the end of a bookcase by a row of arched windows, when she spotted familiar names of ancient beasts and legendary magizoologists across the volumes.

"Pygmy, Doxy, Imp, Sprite," she whispered to herself, closing her eyes.

Wanting, more than anything, to stop her insides from going aflutter.

She buried her face in her hands. Trying to calm her breathing. Maybe her headphones would help? But even she knew it would be of little use. This part of the library was silent; her heart was the most deafening thing in her ears.

Oh, Merlin. Certainly she had to be coming down with something.

She didn't want to think about what else it could possibly be.

Rose lifted her head, forcing herself to focus on the titles in front of her. Since she was here, she might as well have a look. Slowly but surely, the nervous clutch in her belly gave way to a budding curiosity. Rose exhaled softly, allowing herself a moment to study the rows of leather-bound book spines.

Glimpsing an interesting title from an upper shelf, she raised a hand and reached upwards. The chosen book shifted off the shelf and floated towards her grasp.

Only to be caught in the hand of someone else.

"What's this?" came Scorpius' voice from behind her.

In her surprise, Rose had stumbled back against him. "Give that back!"

"No, maybe it's what I'm looking for."

"But I saw it first! Scorpius—"

A warm hand clasped over her mouth, her back landing squarely against his chest. "Shh. Madam Pince will hear you, imp." He held the book above her head as he perused the cover. "Ancient Magic of the Black Lake," he muttered. Rose couldn't see him, but could already tell he was making a face. "Well. That's a no."

He surrendered the book to her, and Rose glanced down at the wrinkled cover, hoping it would somehow distract her. "What were you looking for?" she asked, keeping her voice steady. "If it's about beasts, maybe I can help you."

Scorpius said nothing for a long moment. Rose blinked, wondering if he'd wandered off behind her, but then—a pair of arms had wrapped soundly around her, drawing her into the warmth of him. Rose stilled, all thoughts of books forgotten.

"Found it," Scorpius murmured, pressing a kiss in her hair.

A reluctant smile tugged into her lips.

"Albus was being a bother about you," Scorpius said, tucking his nose against the curve of her neck. It tickled her slightly, but she found she didn't mind.

"Was he?"

"He asked if I wanted to stay friends with you."

"Oh. What did you say?"

"I said no."

"No?" Rose tightened her grip on the book, somewhat affronted. "Aren't we friends?"

"No."

Now she was indignant, craning her neck slightly to glance up at him. "Why on earth not?"

She could feel his smile against her temple. There was a trace of amusement in his voice now. "I can't be friends with a girl who won't even look at me."

"I do look at you," she protested.

"Not today, you haven't."

Oh. So he'd noticed, then. Rose hoped she wasn't red in the face.

It wouldn't do to have him see her like that.

Rose steeled herself, and turned around within his embrace, her back brushing against the shelves. She looked up at him with some difficulty, like he was the brightest sort of noon light… before letting her gaze rest on the glinting Slytherin badge pinned to his collar.

"There," she said, almost to herself.

"No. Don't." Scorpius had moved to tip her chin up, his voice quiet. "Don't look away from me."

Arms braced around her, his hands gripping the shelves on either side of her. Caging her in. There was nowhere to run.

But Rose found she didn't want to move at all.

She was clutching the book so tightly, her knuckles had to be turning white. Scorpius reached out to remove the book from her, his slender fingers brushing hers. And even that made Rose's breath hitch. He slipped the volume onto the shelf behind her, his pale eyes still fixed intently on her. Rose had the distinct impression that she was slipping, somehow. She no longer had anything to hold on to, and…

She didn't know what to do.

She liked him so much.

And she didn't know what to do.

"Sorry," she whispered, barely meeting his eyes. Not even really hearing herself through her rising mortification. "I—I don't know what's wrong with me."

The good humour had faded from his face, and suddenly he resembled once more the Scorpius the world was familiar with. Glacial and devilish… the coldest kind of fire. He should scare her, the way he seemed to frighten everyone else. And yet she could not help but lose herself in the daydream of his eyes, her heart turning at the shadow of his smile. There was something heartbreaking about him in the light of the afternoon, the contrast against his elegant features making a striking picture. Scorpius was so beautiful—objectively so. Yet it wasn't those things about him that captivated Rose… but rather the tenderness in the way he looked at her. Nor was it his arresting profile that moved her. She was instead smitten by the nuances of his expressions, traces of that intimidating broodiness somehow endearing to her now that she knew of all the ways to chase it away.

Oh, she couldn't possibly look at him now.

Surely he would know her feelings at once.

Scorpius was having the opposite problem she was. He couldn't seem to look away from her at all. There was a hypnotic quality in his gaze, as though he was caught under some sort of enchantment. His own breaths had shallowed, a calloused thumb tracing the soft edges of her lower lip. He looked strangely lost in thought as he contemplated her.

When he spoke at last, the words were quiet and deliberate.

"Rose, if I kiss you… will you kiss me back?"

The air seemed to have gone still. In the distance, Rose could make out the sounds of pages turning, murmurs from study tables beyond the shelves. Yet it all felt a world away from where they were, tucked against a corner bookcase, drenched in the golden January light. Neither of them breathing. The warmth of his fingers branding her wrist.

Rose raised her gaze, her own breath caught in her throat.

Trying her hardest not to be frightened.

"I'll disappoint you," she said softly.

"You won't."

"I don't want to ruin this."

Scorpius smiled down at her, his gaze unwavering.

"You won't."

Memories of Wilkins came alight in Rose's mind, only for her heart to put it out. This was Scorpius… and their friendship was something else altogether. He was like nobody else ever was to her. He took care of her, defended her, and taught her to stand up for herself. Most tellingly, he didn't pretend to like the things she did, particularly when it came to beasts.

But he accepted it. And, at times, even tried to understand it.

Because she loved them.

Somehow, without her notice, she had come to care for him. She had learned, in time, that he lashed out from where he was hurting; that he was only curt when he thought he wasn't being listened to; that his scathing disregard for others was a reflection of his self-contempt. It had become clear to her how he feared and resented his many vulnerabilities, as though he wished himself invincible in matters of the heart… yet he would deign to confide them in her, and take on her burdens as his own in the same breath.

No matter how unkindly Scorpius viewed himself, he was so very tender with her.

To lose a friend like him—

It would break her heart.

So Rose's hands came up between them to push him away, her mind racing for excuses to deter him.

We're fine the way we are, aren't we?

Don't. Don't be like the other boys.

Scorpius—

I can't bear for you to hate me, too.

And yet, somehow… her hands were behaving as though they had a mind of their own. Instead of putting distance between them, her fingers had curled tightly into the front of his robes.

Pulling him a step closer to her instead.

What was she doing? Rose's heart was in her throat, a familiar trepidation making her tremble. She was afraid—not of him, but of herself. Of what she wanted, of what she was doing.

We can't. We can't.

She could feel his quiet breath against her temple. Scorpius' hands had come up to cradle her face… gently hushing the thousand racing thoughts between her ears. A warm thumb caressing her freckled cheekbone; the lightest of touches. Calloused fingers brushed past the wispy tendrils at her nape. The slender digits now threading slow and gentle into her unruly hair.

Don't.

He was taller, far taller. Scorpius lowered his head to hers, his crown of silver blond hair tickling her flushed skin as he pressed the briefest of kisses into her jawline.

And then, as though he could no longer resist, his lips were sweeping over the soft slopes of her cheeks, feather-light and warm… each sensation as delicate as the staccato in her breathing.

Oh, Scorpius. Don't.

An innocent almost-kiss lingered beside her mouth then. As though seeking permission. His lips the gentlest of pressures there before he pulled back, ever so slightly. The tip of his nose now touching hers.

Don't go away.

His mouth brushed the warm apple of her cheek, butterfly kisses skimming over her freckled skin, her fears sweetly hushed by each one. Taking his time. Giving her time. When she opened her eyes, he was watching her. Their gazes were helplessly locked on each other now, an unbearable closeness setting the space between them alight.

"Rosie." The way he said her nickname, so reverent and soft with longing, went straight to her heart.

Without thinking, she got on her tiptoes to close the remaining distance between them.

Then he was kissing her. Heated and gentle. One kiss turned into two, then three… Each one melting sweetly into the next, until Rose could no longer count them. And, when she finally responded, shy and soft, he uttered a low, guttural sound that made her knees weak. And then, and then—he was all over her, crowding her in against him. As though something tightly wound within him had come undone.

And they kissed. And kissed. And kissed again.

There was no escaping the sensual warmth of his lips moving firmly over hers, the sureness of his passion thawing her very bones. Rose gasped into the kiss, and Scorpius took the chance to tease her bottom lip, the silken heat of his tongue meeting hers for the first time… angling his head to hers so their mouths could fit in a heady, open-mouthed kiss. A husky moan rose in his throat, as though he could not get enough—and Rose found herself firmly pressed against the shelves, the edges digging against her back as Scorpius breathed into their kiss, unwilling to let her go.

"I want to kiss you everywhere." There was a gravel in his voice, dark like chocolate. His fingertips left butterflies in their wake… his reverent touch leaving a trail of heat that made her want to melt. "Your mouth, your neck, your shoulders… your damned collarbones." His hands were greedy for the rest of her even as he hunted her mouth with his own. Every kiss more urgent than the last.

She was not the tallest of girls; they didn't fit. Shouldn't fit. And yet they filled the distance between them in their own ways. She strained on her tiptoes; he drew her upwards against him, his embrace insistent and needy. It made her heart skip a beat, the way his athletic broadness engulfed the slightness of her. Effortless and strong. She could feel his restraint in the firm grip of his hands on her hipbones. A subtle yet present command of his hold over her.

He could overwhelm her completely. Trap her here against him as he had his way with her.

But the realisation only made her feel—safe.

Was it so odd, that it was Scorpius Malfoy of all people who made her feel safe?

Because how could anyone feel safe with a man who kissed like this?

Rose pulled away ever so briefly, desperate for air. The moment felt cloudish and dream-like… At the end of the row, she thought she spotted Nora Mullen and Gwendolyn Wick staring right at them in open-mouthed shock.

One of Mullen's scrolls fell onto the floor with a dull thump.

But before she could note their presence, Scorpius had tilted her head back to his to kiss her again.

And then she was lost once more.

When she drew back, her head was lighter than air. She had to calm down—she felt as though she had just been chased through a thousand forests by a horde of Winged Horses. She lowered her head, her forehead resting against his broad chest as she struggled to school her breathing.

"Too much?" Scorpius said softly.

Yes. She was overwhelmed. She wanted to pull away and regain her common sense. And yet everything in her refused to relinquish his closeness. Her voice was muffled against his shoulder, hiding her flaming cheeks as she spoke. "Will it always be like that?"

"Like what?"

"Unbearable."

Scorpius tucked a bit of her hair away, his voice impossibly close to her ear. "How is it unbearable?"

"I feel like I've gone mad," she whispered. It was impossible. How could kisses possibly feel this way? How could people function feeling this way? How was this any different from drowning? If she was slipping before, she was certainly beyond saving now. Her fingers clutched to his front, like he was her anchor.

As though he wasn't the very thing that swept her away in the first place.

"Maybe not always," he mused, his fingers coming to tip her chin upwards.

Their gazes locked. Her heart stuttered.

"We could go slow. Like this." Scorpius leaned in, capturing her lips in a brief, heartfelt kiss that had Rose's knees buckling ever so slightly. "Or change it up once in a while…" His hot mouth found the delicate column of her throat, a wicked lick making Rose's breath hitch. "Maybe we can make other places ache instead…" A teasing hand went a touch beneath her skirt, resting on the back of her thigh to bring her flush against the hard length of his arousal. This sudden intensity made her blush to the roots of her hair.

Rose shut her eyes tight. "Scorpius."

She heard him chuckle under his breath, a reassuring caress against the back of her neck. There was a moment of hesitation, as though something had occurred to him. Still he appeared to push the thought away, instead drawing her tight against him. "Yes," he admitted, a sigh in his words. "It's going to be unbearable."

"For you, too?" she asked shyly, her voice slightly muffled. Somehow a little afraid of his answer. He was so experienced, had pursued other girls so ardently. Surely, surely it must be different for him.

Something soft and desperate arose in her then.

He must have sensed her insecurity, because he had caught her hand and rested her palm over the starched fabric of his collared shirt. The quick flutter beats beneath the muscular plane of his chest brought jolts of awareness all over Rose, her blush deepening.

"I didn't even have to kiss you to get this way," he admitted quietly. There was a brief, familiar melancholy in his expression that she recognised… the kind that would always haunt him when he was happy. There was a storm about him, she knew. That terrible ghost-like sadness.

Her hand rose to cradle his cheek, hoping to comfort him somehow. The gesture was nothing, but it made Scorpius smile. He turned his head ever so slightly to kiss her palm. There was something potent about his heavy-lidded gaze as he watched her now.

"Imp."

"Hmm?"

"Let's not be friends."