It was not unusual for Rose to wake up to the sound of tea boiling in the kitchen. What was unusual was for Rose to not feel refreshed when she heard the sound. All in all, she estimated that she only slept for about four hours total, after tossing and turning all night thinking about how stupid it was to give her brand new book to Scorpius Malfoy, a man she had barely spoken three words to before that evening.

She rolled out of bed slowly, threw on her favorite sundress, tied her giant mop of hair in a bun and went downstairs. Her father was seated in front of the television eating his breakfast while her mother sat beside him reading the Daily Prophet.

"Morning you two," Rose greeted as she helped herself to a cup of tea and the little food her father had saved for her. They mumbled their response to her, both deeply engaged in the content they were consuming and Rose rolled her eyes. "Anything interesting in the news this morning, mum?" she asked as she leaned against the countertop sipping her tea.

"A rather harsh critique of the immigration law I helped write, but I would not have expected anything less from the Prophet." Hermione closed the paper and looked up at her daughter.

"Ah well, you can't please everybody," Rose shrugged and leaned down to pick up her bag that she had lazily thrown to the ground the night before. "I'm off," she announced walking towards the fireplace. She knew how to Apparate of course, but had be terrified to do so ever since her dad told her stories of his time in the War and the pain it could cause, so she stuck to the Floo System to get around most days.

"It's a bit early don't you think dear?" Hermione questioned. "Your father and I both have very important jobs at the Ministry and we still have plenty of time before we're needed in the office." Rose scowled.

"My job's important too, mum."

"I know honey, but I'm sure that shop of yours can wait."

"It can't." Rose said simply. "I'll see you both later."

"Can you at least stop by the house around noon to make sure your brother has at least attempted to get out of bed?" her mom called after her.

"Love you!" Her dad chimed in for the first time that morning.

When Rose arrived in Diagon Alley only a few others walked the street and none of the shops were open yet. She strolled to her beloved bookshop and muttered the charm to unlock the doors as she grabbed the mail out of the Owl Depository. She was pleased to find the latest edition of her favorite publication, Witch Weekly had arrived along with the Prophet her mother had been reading that same morning. After Rose turned the lights on and set up the register, she took her seat behind the counter and began to read her magazine.

She thought her mind was playing a trick on her when she first saw it. A misperception due to lack of sleep. For as she flipped through the various stories in the magazine she could have sworn she saw Malfoy staring back at her. She blinked rapidly and looked again. She was surprised to see that her mind was not playing tricks on her and it was indeed Malfoy's grin moving on the pages of her magazine.

The headline read 'Up and Coming Quidditch Star Shares His Secrets.' So the rumors are true, Rose thought. She was curious about the blonde boy who was a Quidditch star and still read the novels that were taking the Wizarding World by storm. The article wasn't exactly demonstrating the journalistic skills Witch Weekly sometimes showed. It was mostly fluff, his favorite food, favorite class in school, what he would be if not a Quidditch star, his relationship status (he was single, but Rose wasn't sure why that stuck in her mind), and lastly the last book he had read. Finally, something of interest to her, the last book he had read. But she was surprised to read his response.

Malfoy chuckled before answering my question. "I can't really remember, probably a History of Magic in my Fifth Year at Hogwarts. I'm not much of a reader."

Rose furrowed her brows. Which one of them had he lied to, the magazine reporter or her? She weighed the options. If he was an avid reader like he had told her, then he had probably lied to seem more athletic or something stupid. But if he wasn't lying to the magazine, then he had lied to her, and she couldn't for the life of her figure out why.

Shoppers were in and out of her bookshop all day, but Rose was hardly paying them much attention. She was too preoccupied thinking about why Scorpius had lied. She was reorganizing the muggle studies section, still thinking of him, when the door chimed. "I'm back here if you need me!" she called to the customer and continued to stock the shelves.

"I believe this belongs to you," and once again her new book was in front of her. She looked up and met the kind gray eyes that had been staring at her from the pages of WW all day.

"You're finished already? It's been 20 hours!" She was shocked.

"I'm a quick reader." he shrugged. "And I promised I would bring it back soon as I could." She smiled.

"Thank you." she paused about to leave it at that but she had to settle the question that had been bothering her all day. "You know, I never knew you to be interested in reading."

"You never really knew me at all."

"Well I don't recall ever seeing you in the Library at school."

"There are other places to read I reckon."

"Well, what did you think of it?" she fiddled with the book in her hands. "But don't spoil anything."

"It was brilliant. It was sarcastic & honest but didn't leave me thinking our lives are pointless. Just makes one think. Do you have any other recommendations?" Her eyes shined at the mention of her making a recommendation. She thought for a moment and then knew exactly what to give him. She scuttled off to another section and he followed.

"This one is similar. It's a commentary of life before the first War, but there are many similarities to today. I think you'll like it."

"Right then. How much?"

"2 Galleons." He fished around in his pocket and placed it in her hands. "Thanks again, but I better be off, I have to get back to practice."

"Right, wouldn't want to keep Britain's new favorite player from the field for too long." He grinned.

"See you around, Rose." She smiled and nodded. Her mind could surely be at peace now as Scorpius Malfoy would most likely never cross her path again.