Tell me you love it. Tell me it sucks. Drop a review please!
Disclaimer: Everything Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling.
Parker was exactly the kind of guy that Rose would have fancied in third year or fourth year. He was smart, but not too smart or sassy, and knew so much about everything. He was handsome, but didn't quite know it, which was honestly extremely attractive. The way that his face lit up when he talked about things he was passionate about made Rose smile. There was nothing quite like a guy who wasn't afraid to be interested in things.
So when Parker, of all people, asked her to hang out, she was thrilled. Parker? Interested in her? It was so surreal. She had finally allowed herself to get what she wanted, and she was quite impressed. Nearly everything they talked about Parker seemed to have information on. She wouldn't even be surprised if he had done some research on "How to Impress Rose Weasley". While thoroughly impressed, she was also surprised to see how similar Parker was to her family. He was passionate, loved Quidditch, came from a big family (although nowhere near the size of her family), and was extremely respectful.
The first time they hung out was at the Owlery. It was pretty quiet in the evening, and the perfect place to zone out and talk about life for hours. Parker had talked about his summer, and asked Rose about hers. He talked about his siblings and his cousins, and also about Muggles. He was quite like Grandpa Arthur in that sense, as Muggles and Muggle items really fascinated him.
Rose remembered how boyish he looked, which reminded him of her cousins. He had short curly brown hair, but not excessively curly. It was just the right amount of curl, and his eyes were hazel. His eyes were innocent, but the type that would really do anything to make someone he likes happy. He reminded Rose a bit of a puppy, who was nearly always eager to go wherever she wanted to go and do what she wanted to do.
As Rose got more comfortable with Parker, all of Parker's little quirks started to get under her skin. She couldn't understand why. He was perfect for her, and he was really sweet. He always held the doors, and he would listen intently to whatever she had to say. He would give her solutions whenever she had problems and would buy her things or help her whenever she needed. But something was wrong, and she couldn't quite place it. She had no idea why she felt this way at all.
She was in the Owlery with Parker. It was one of her favourite places on the school grounds, even the Black Lake looks peaceful from here. He was rambling off about how the owls were too loud, and that the Owl Mail system was really inefficient. Rose shook her head. Parker never stopped talking. He was always complaining about the breakfast in the Great Hall or the safety and purpose of the Whomping Willow. I mean yeah, I've read the history books, but was I the only one curious about the Whomping Willow? If I cared enough, I would definitely be able to get in and discover all of its secrets. It's so obvious too, as you can't really hide or keep something like an aggressive tree quiet or hidden. Sometimes, Rose wished he were silent, like someone she knew. She tried to remember the last time he complained about anything and she couldn't. Maybe she wasn't paying attention enough (that made her feel better).
He had requested a new partner in Potions. Why? They worked perfectly together, even if they didn't talk. It was as if he knew what she was going to do and he would do the rest. They didn't have to talk to figure things out. If he had a prediction, he would write it down and show her. She would either nod or shake her head and show him what she thought. They wouldn't always come to the same answer and when they didn't, they would stubbornly fight it out. She would scribble all over his parchment harshly, explaining the way that she thought was right. He would neatly cross out her answer and handsomely write his opinion. How could someone even write that nicely? It was some sort of sorcery to her.
God it drove her mad. She had been too busy building up all the hurt and confusion in her mind when he announced it to the class that she raced out of the classroom and had forgotten her notebook. A part of her knew it was gone forever but a tiny bit of her hoped he picked it up. Every time she thought about it, she wanted to erase her mind. She hated depending on him. It reminded her of that one lonely time in fourth year when they weren't partnered up for Transfiguration; they had to write an essay on the precautions that must be taken when performing Cross-Species Switches. Her partner was completely bonkers and couldn't transfigure a teapot to a tortoise to save his life. The only other person in the room that could understand the subject as well as her was Scorpius Malfoy, who was diligently writing his essay. She remembered standing up swiftly and peeking over his shoulder, wondering what his take on the matter was. He turned to look at her before smirking and moving the piece of parchment to a more open spot on the desk, so that she could see. She blushed and began reading, taking some of the points to write in her own essay. In the end, she added some of her own to the bottom of his essay. She nodded her head to him, as a means of gratitude before leaving. When she returned back to her desk, she realized he had written something on her parchment.
Miss Second Place.
She had never been so angry with herself. It was, perhaps, a peaceful gesture in her eyes, asking him for his opinions even if they weren't partners. His thoughts were full out competition though, as always. It was when Albus told her that Scorpius rarely spends time studying or doing his homework that Rose relaxed and knew her hard work would place her in first someday. Nobody gets anywhere doing nothing, but he did.
Rose looked at Parker, who was tapping his foot on the ground as he looked out towards the castle. He was extremely handsome, his light brown hair turning upwards slightly in the front. He was decently built, from this muggle game called Basketball or Bucketball (Rose didn't remember, Parker was talking too fast) that his cousin taught him over the summer. He was only slightly taller than Rose, but she didn't mind; perhaps with high heels she would be taller than him though. Parker smelled freshly showered (like the earth after rain), a refreshing smell that relaxed her when she was stressed. Her mind was brought back to the smell of fresh grass, which made her feel like she was revived. Brand new, like a new book or the first bud of spring. She smiled gratefully. She could live forever in the smell of fresh coffee and sweet apples too. It really frustrated her. She didn't know that she could like the smell of something so badly.
Parker's hand was on her shoulder, gripping it slightly too hard for her liking. She wriggled out of his grasp and held his hand instead. It was rougher than she imagined it to be like at first, but gradually she grew to like it a little more. She couldn't believe she was comparing her boyfriend to her…Malfoy. Her Malfoy? Her face reddened at the thought and her skin tingled right on cue, as if it was remembering the contentment she felt when he touched her. He was definitely not her Malfoy. He was just Malfoy, not even Scorpius. Scorpius rolled off her tongue too easily; she didn't need to sound like she was a friend of his.
"Whatcha thinking about Rosie?" Parker says, his fingers now playing with the ends of her hair near her lower back.
Rose hated it when anyone called her Rosie, except her dad. She forced a smile, trying to forget about the annoying nickname.
"Nothing," she says, reaching up to flick his hair.
"I really like you," Parker says, pulling her closer, "I think we work well together."
She and I don't get along very well.
"I think we do too," she says reassuringly, pushing Malfoys comment to the back of her mind, "Do you think we're rushing things?"
He shrugs, "Do you think we are?"
Rose ponders thoughtfully, "Maybe a little bit."
Parker laughs lightly, "I won't let you go that easily, Rose. We can take our time."
I would but Al wouldn't forgive me if I did.
Malfoy was ruining everything for her. She couldn't even concentrate on her boyfriend because of his comments taking over her thoughts.
Parker leans closer, kissing her kindly. She kisses him back, thoughts of Malfoy leaving her mind (and her) alone. She had a caring boyfriend, even though they didn't have much in common, and he annoyed her sometimes with his nickname for her, and his constant talking felt boring at times, but opposites attract and people can change. She can sense his genuine feeling for her and it didn't scare her, she could learn to reciprocate his feelings and appreciate the sincerity of their relationship. After all, Malfoy was definitely not hers and he was all too confusing in her organized and steady life.
Scorpius stalked towards the Great Hall, his expression neutral and his eyes unfocused. Lysander was on his left, rambling off about something to Cody Timberby, who also resided in the dorm. Cody nodded and tried to follow the discussion. He was quiet but all the boys knew he eavesdropped on their conversations. If he ever decided to speak up about them, including Albus, they would probably all be suspended, expelled, dead, or attacked. Etienne was standing on the other side of Scorpius, spiking up a conversation with Smitt who recently started seeing a Veela, or so he says (he wouldn't tell who, that wanker).
"Scorp," Lysander says, waving a hand in front of Scorpius's face.
"I'm awake," Scorpius says, rubbing the back of his neck, "Salazar knows you guys can't keep quiet for one hour."
"Little Scorpy needs a nap every afternoon," Smitt says, mocking him teasingly.
"So guys," Lysander starts as they sit down at the table, "I think its time Scorpius put himself out there."
"We all know if he did we'd be left without girls," Albus says, winking at Scorpius, "He's a heartthrob."
"We know you fancy each other," Lysander says, his eyebrows wiggling, "And thanks Al for confirming how strong your relationship is."
Albus's expression falls, "I still can't believe Damien is here."
"Candace would never be interested in anyone but you," Etienne says to Albus as he puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "C'mon man, have you seen him? He's not even worth half of you."
"He really is gorgeous though," Lorcan says, appearing next to Cody, "You got competition Scorp."
Scorpius shrugs tiredly.
"So who do you guys have in mind?" Albus says, eyeing Scorpius carefully, "I definitely say Penny Ross. Rose knows her really well, and she's gorgeous."
Smitt jumps up, "Come on guys why her? She's..."
Lysander and Etienne exchange glances, "She's what?"
Smitt stutters, "Well I don't know, I think Scorpius should find someone he likes, y'know?"
"Okay guys, not Penny," Scorpius says, coming to his rescue, "Who else?"
Lysander's expression brightens, "Oh how about Naomi Featherwood?"
"Who's that?" Scorpius asks, sipping on his pumpkin juice.
"She's one of my best friends, and she's a metamorphagus in training," Etienne says, chiming in proudly, "She is one of Rose's roommates."
"Just say hi to her," Lysander says, "That's all we agreed on."
"You don't need to tell Scorpius Malfoy how to pick up girls," Smitt says, getting irritated, "I'm so hungry can we please eat?"
"You are literally the most impatient person in the world," Etienne says, shaking his head, "Your patience is thinner than parchment."
Smitt looks satisfied, "There's places to be, things to do, food to eat. Why stall?"
Everyone ignores him.
