"He's gonna hate it."
"He will love it."
"No he wont."
"Yes he will."
"No he'll throw up."
"He'll be blushing i bet you for my garden chores."
"Your on."
"I cant belive you just bet with me."
"Because he's gonna hate it!"
"Rose- you look great just open the door."
"Okay." Rose sighed as she turned the key and opened the front door, letting Lily in before almost shutting the door in front of her, "Im scared."
"Would it make you feel better if i said Scorpius was in the room?" Lily asked.
The red head shook her head, "Okay, then he's not in the room."
"He is isnt he?"
"Yeah."
"Might as well get this over and done with."
Rose opened the door and stepped out of the cold. Her fingers playing with the hem of her skirt as she refused to look up. Rose just do it.
She took a deep breath and looked up at the room. It was quiet. She didnt like that. Moments ago the room had been filled with the noise of conversation and activity- now it was dead silent. Rose knew all eyes were on her.
Her eyes searched the room, looking for the only reaction that mattered to her. Brown eyes- brown- green- golden- there. Her eyes met the blue eyes she had been looking for and she brandished a small smile in wich made those eyes blink a few times. She looked at his face and smiled a little bigger at his red face, his hands were slightly apart and she spotted a book on the ground by his feet that he wouldve dropped.
Scorpius couldnt belive how beautiful she looked.
Her hair was half the length it was before, but it suited her perfectly, it was shoulder length and soft and wavy- her bangs remained just above her eyes but there was something about her haircut that made him want to walk up to her and kiss her. But he couldnt do that of course.
Rose saw the look on his face and knew he didnt think it was bad. And that alone made her smile.
The moment uncle Harry walked in the door there was wrestling matches and fights over the best quidditch team. Ginny greeted the kids and went to the kitchen to have a long lengthy chat with Grandma Molly.
Harry ran his hand through Scorpius's hair, messing it up. "Your parents arent coming?" He asked.
"No im meeting them at the train before we go to Hogwarts." Scorpius smiled as he joined in on the long quidditch chat with him.
"When will aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron be here?" Albus asked. "Give it about five minutes- they tried to race us on the way here but we won." He wink at him.
Scorpius starred at the door in dread. Five long minutes before he would have to look that man in the eyes knowing he wanted to kiss his daughter.
Sure Ron had approved of them being friends, saying it could smooth out the friendship between Grangers and Malfoys..but not that smooth.
Sure enough, the door opened minutes later and Ron and Hermione greeted them all.
Rose ran off to chat with Hermione, leaving Scorpius, Hugo, James, and Lucy with Ron- the only ones who werent messing around with Harry.
Ron caught sight of Scorpius starring at Rose. "Can i talk to you outside Scorp?" Ron asked.
Scorpius nodded, "Er..yeah, sure?" He followed the adult to the back door where they walked outside into the cold.
He turned to Scorpius and crossed his arms- he didnt look angry, just normal. "Im not going to keep you out here for long-"
"Please dont kill me." Scorpius said quickly. Ron chuckled, "No im not going to kill you."
"Oh good." Scorpius sighed and looked out into the forest that started in the distance. The sun was setting now and set a golden haze across everything. Making the trees leaves look golden.
"I do however know that you like her." Ron added.
"Is it that obvious?" Scorpius asked. The red head nodded. "Great."
"I don't mind i just thought of it as unusual." Ron said slowly.
Scorpius shivered in the wind, "Unusual?"
"Yes, Malfoy's never got along with Grangers."
Scorpius remembered the funny story his father had told him about Hermione granger in his third year.
"I dont know how to tell her." Scorpius sighed. "I try and then i just cant say it- or someone's always around, were never alone."
"If you ask Harry, he'll probably take you kids out and you'll find somewhere nice in London to ask her." Ron didnt look much different to Rose. They had the same face shape. Rose definetley had Hermione's curls, but they were the colour of Ron's hair. Ron's freckles were orange and Rose's were brown.
"You should ask Hermione about this, its more down her alley."
"So are you okay with the slytherin son of a reformed deatheater liking your daughter?" He grimaced. Ron shook his head, "You make it sound much worse than it is."
"But yes." Ron replied, "I dont mind you liking Rose. As long as you never cheat on her or force her to do something she doesnt want to- Im sure we'll be fine."
"Trust me, i dont plan on breaking her heart otherwise she has fourteen cousins coming for my neck." He swallowed. Ron laughed.
The door behind them opened, "Scorp- Oh.." Rose looked between the two, "Are you guys in the middle of something, or-?"
"No."
"Oh, okay, well dinners ready." Rose said as she stepped inside. She frowned, thats a bit weird.
Scorpius starred at his dinner plate, full of food from the last four servings, but again Grandma Molly pushed more food onto his plate insisting that he be well fed for Hogwarts.
He glanced at Rose next to him, she was also starring sickly at her plate. He leaned over to her, "Dont worry, we havent even had desert yet."
Rose stiffled a laugh as she looked down at her plate, "I dont want to be rude so ill just eat it." She said quietly. "Im not- ill burst."
She laughed louder this time as she leaned infornt of him to get the sauce. "James? Can you pass the sauce?" She asked. James shook his head, "James!"
"No give it to me! dont be like that-" She moved closer, so her chair was now right against Scorpius's and her hair was in his face as she tried to reach for the sauce. "James!" She snapped.
Scorpius tried to sit back but his chair was stuck, "What the-"
He saw Albus and Fred chuckling. "You twats." He mouthed at them.
He tried to ignore that Rose's hair smelt like apples. He had a strange desire to touch her hair.
Rose slid her arm against his as she brought the sauce to her plate after finishing her argument with James.
Grandma Molly set down the deserts. Immediately everyone went to get a slice of Rose's and Scorpius's cake. "Mission accomplished."
"This is really good." Harry said between mouthfuls.
"Good because Rose had to crack an egg on my head to make it."
Lucy, Albus and Fred looked at them. "Were not joking." Rose added. Lucy spat out her cake.
Scorpius walked up to Albus and Rose- both were deeply in conversation. He frowned, "Hey."
Rose's shoulders turned stiff and she froze, silent. Albus looked up at his friend, "Hey." he replied coolly.
Rose had her hair out again and Scorpius had to shove his hands in his pockets so that he wouldnt be tempted to play with her hair.
"What are you guys talking about?"
"You." Rose blurted out. Oh godsHe frowned as he looked down at his slightly shorter friend, "What do you-"
"You on the quidditch team. I personally think they chose wring there." she smirked sarcastically.
"Says the midget thats too scared to even get on a broom." He smirked. Rose gapped at him, "Midget?" She cried, "Im literally three inches shorter than you!" She snapped.
Scorpius smirked putting an arm around her shoulder, "Tsk, tsk my little friend."
For this one she elbowed him in the stomach causing Scorpius to mutter curse words, making Rose and Albus laughed.
Rose looked at Scorpius, "Any idea what you guys might get for christmas tommorow?"
Scorpius shook his head, "No im getting my stuff once i go back to my house," He shrugged.
She turned to Albus, "Ill just be happy to know that Fred didnt put stink boms in my gift wrappers."
This made the group laugh once more.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
Rose awoke to Hugo and Lily running around the halls yelling.
"MERRY CHRISTM-"
"Shut up!" Came the cry from one of the boys. Rose turned to Lucy and started laughing.
The Weasley's, Potter's- and Malfoy- all hurried down the stairs attacking the christmas tree fighting and talking about the presents they got.
Scorpius was suprised that he'd received a few gifts. One was from Fred and one was from..Rose? He opened Fred and smirked at the mistletoe ornament. A little note was in the box with it. "Stick this up somewhere that Rose walks under alot ;) your welcome" Scorpius rolled his eyes.
Then he turned to Rose's green wrapped present. He looked across the room at the christmas tree, Rose was sitting on the other recliner, she was currently tearing away at her gifts, then he spotted his gift sitting in the pile that he'd given for her. She was going to love it.
Then Rose spotted her gift in his hands and came over. She sat on the carpet beside him. "Merry christmas."
Scorpius looked down at the box, "What is it?"
"Why dont you open it?"
He smiled, "Fine but you have to get yours from me." Rose came back moments later with the rectangle sized box. "Okay, we'll open it together."
At once they tore apart their presents and they both exchanged gasps. "The new book- this isnt even out yet how did you get it?" Rose cried. "My aunt is a publisher- got it for free."
"Oh i love it so much-"
Scorpius opened the box and pulled out a weasley sweater, but this one wasnt its usual orange or yellow- his was emerald green, with a silver 'S' embroidered on it.
"Grandma Molly taught me how to knit- i made it myself."
He was silent for moments while he looked it up and down. Rose stood up, her smiled slightly fading, "Do you like it-"
He practically jumped on her as he hugged her so hard his arms hurt. She blushed into his chest. I think he likes it.
She hugged him back before she kissed him on the cheek softly, "Thank you for the book."
He tried to hide the blush on his face with his hand. "You do realise im going to be wearing this everyday now?"
She smiled, "Im gonna take it you like it?"
"Rose i love it, i really do." She smiled and starred down at the floor. Tucking her short hair behind her ear.
"Rose!"
She looked up and almost fell to the floor as Albus jumped on her, "Look what Scorpius got me!" He brandished a shirt in Rose's face, "Its a slytherin shirt!"
Rose pushed him away, "Alright, alright."
Rose blushed as she looked at Scorpius sitting on the couch with her knitted sweater in his lap. She burried her face in her hands.
"You really love that thing dont you?" Albus asked. He had just entered his and Scorpius's shared room to find Scorpius curled up on his bed cuddling Rose's handmade sweater.
"Yes i do." He snapped, slightly offended by his comment.
"God and you tell me your not soft."
"I am not soft!" He protested, "Im just kind and excepting of this beautiful gift."
Albus rolled his eyes as he sat on his own bed. "What did you get her?"
Scorpius sighed, "A book. As if she hasn't got enough of those." Albus frowned, "No that was a good idea."
Scorpius laid back down again with the sweater in his arms. "It even smells like her."
"Oh my god." Albus cried. "Im going to have a shower, if Rose comes looking for me let me know- she wanted to talk to me."
Scorpius nodded, "Okay." He then proceeded to hold the sweater close to him.
Moments later- without knocking- Rose opened the door, "Hey al are you-" She stopped at the sight infront of her. Scorpius Malfoy was curled up in his bed, cuddling her sweater.
She turned bright red, Oh my god.
She leaned against the doorway wishing that sweater was her, wrapped up in his soft, warm arms- "Your real creepy Rose- watching people sleep." She hadnt even realised in the slightest that he was awake.
"You like my sweater that much?" She asked. Scorpius looked down at the thing in his arms before he pushed it away from him, running his fingers through his hair, "No."
She smiled, "Okay."
He pulled the blanket tighter on him, bundling it up in his arms, wishing it was her and not a blanket. "Can you get Albus?"
Scorpius nodded.
"AL!" He yelled.
"WHAT?" Came a very shrill reply. "ITS ROSE!"
"OH, ILL BE OUT IN A MINUTE!"
"Love the skirts- you trying to freeze yourself?" He asked jokingly. Rose looked down at the skirt she was wearing and suddenly wished it was longer. She pulled at the hem but it didnt magically become longer like she wished it would.
He watched her fidget and try pull down her skirt with amusement, "You cant wear something that short, its..." His face turned red, "Distracting."
"To who? You?" She asked. Scorpius slung his arm around his neck, "No- no way- i meant-"
"Scorpius every other boy in this house is realated to me- so the only distracted one would be-"
"Rose? Lets go." Albus said as he left the bathroom. Rose nodded and left with him leaving Scorpius to feel like an idiot. "Oh my god- Really? Distracting? Could you make it any more obvious?" He groaned. He looked down at Rose's sweater, Better put it on.
Once he had pulled it over his green shirt he smiled at himself. It fit so perfectly, and it felt comfortable. He sighed knowing he wouldnt take this off for weeks.
Rose glarred out the icy window, rain was falling like James trying to play Qudditch, "So? Does he really like the sweater or was that an act-"
"Dont even get me started." he cut her off rashly, "He's been going on about it all afternoon- how it smells like you- its driving me nuts!"
Rose smiled, "Thats good."
"What about the book? He's worried you dont like it."
Rose looked down at the book in her arms at this moment, "No ive finished four chapters already!"
She looked back out the window at the soaking grass. "Why is love so hard?"
"Love?" Albus asked. "You ssid you liked him you never said you loved him."
Rose couldnt belive what slipped out of her mouth next, "Same thing."
"No its not! Love is so much more deeper!" He argued. Rose turned to him, uncurling from her blanket at the window sill, "Did i really just say that?" He nodded.
She ran a hand through her hair, "Oh god im a loser." She sighed. "No your not." he said simply, sitting beside her and joining in on her gaze outside.
"We wanted to see if we can get one more game of quidditch while the rains pouring- itll turn to ice soon- then snow-"
Rose laughed, "Like my mother, Molly or Ginny would let you." She giggled.
"Worth asking-"
"You really want to freeze to death dont you?"
They turned around- Ginny was standing behind them. "Mum it'll be the last quidditch game for months!" He whinned.
"Not at school- ask your father, they never cancel a match." She smiled, brushing some of Rose's curls out of her face.
"Yeah but this is just mess around- even Rose could play with us if she wanted-"
"Decided to change back to shorts?" Scorpius had joined them now. Ginny raised her eyebrow at Rose as she left. Rose cursed under her breath. "Yes? What could you care?" She asked dryly.
He looked down at her arms- clutching his book against her jumper. "Are you gonna play with us?" Albus asked again, Scorpius's eyes not leaving the book tight in her arms.
"No- its too cold and wet and-" As soon as she stood up Scorpius had curled an arm around her and pulled her onto his shoulder. "Scorpius No!" She cried. Scorpius smiled at Albus, "Ready to play quidditch Rosie?"
"Dont-" She hit his back, "Call me Rosie!"
"Alright Rose petal." He smirked at her as he began walking towards the backdoor. She began banging her fists against Scorpius's back. "Let me go!"
The door opened and she could hear the splashing of the rain.
Ginny smirked from in the kitchen as she heard a scream. "SCORPIUS NO!"
Rain began pattering down on her, wetting all of her dry clothes, she was glad she had dropped her book inside on their way out. He was putting her down now. She went to take off towards the door but he wrapped an arm around her waist and held onto her tightly.
"Rose? I never thought you'd want to play Qudditch?" Teddy's wet blue hair dripped water down onto his confused face. "I dont!" She snapped glaring at the blonde beside her. She wss cold now and soaking wet and it was his fault. Fred passed him a broom. "Im not getting on that thing." Rose crossed her arms stubbornly.
"Thats a shame..." He got on and began levitating on the ground. "Your gonna pull me up anyway arent you?" She mummbled.
"Sure am." He smiled before slinging an arm around her waist and pulling her onto the broom.."Infront?" She cried. "No i wanna sit on the back thanks-"
The broom rose a little higher from the ground and she shrieked. He laughed at her, "Calm down." he put his warm arms around her like a protective cage, and held onto the tip of the broom, "Ill steer."
Rose shook her head as they rose, up, up, up, up, up, up. "I don't like this." She said leaning her head against his arm. He blushed at her, "You'll be fine."
Her lovely smelling hair in his face was triggering him- making his face more red. He sat his chin on her shoulder, "Your shoulders too low- your too short."
Rose groaned, "Im not short!"
He rolled his eyes as he looked ahead and rose the broom up higher, lining up in order. "Three v three Quidditch is easier than normal quidditch, all you have to do is get the quaffle through the hoop." He pointed at a makeshift hoop made out of a hoola-hoop and a tall metal pole behind Fred. Rose shook her head as she reeled her head back so their faces were beside eachother, she glanced down at the ground and saw how high up they were, "No, no, no, i prefer the ground."
"I can take you back down if you want?" Scorpius asked, concerned that he'd made her uncomfortable. Rose bit her lip deciding. No dont be the scaredy cat that ruins the fun.
"No- ill be okay, just dont let go of me." She said, placing one of his warm hands around her stomach. He blushed into her shoulder, but made a promise he knew he woukdnt break, "I wont drop you. I promise."
Rose nodded, "Okay,"
"You Guys Okay Over There!?" James yelled through the rain. "You know- Rose doesnt wanna get off and keep reading her book?"
"Screw you James!" Rose cried.
"3- 2- 1!"
Scorpius took off quickly, ducking past Fred and near the hoops. He saw Dominique with the quaffle, "Dom! pass the quaffle!" He cried. Dominique picked up the Quaffle and aimed to throw it but his hand slipped and the quaffle fell into Teddy's arms below.
"Nope, their not taking it." Scorpius growled as he took off again. Rose screamed, gripping onto the broomstick, her nails digging into the wood. Scorpius went faster, brushing Rose's hair out of his face.
"No!" He yelled. Teddy was weaving in and out of the players, making Scorpius turn quickly. Rose screwed her face up at the rain and wind blowing in her face, the occasional leaf flying past.
Teddy sped up, and so did Scorpius. Rose looked down at the ground and saw how high they were, her stomach flipped and she felt sick. She covered her mouth with her hand, "Scorp- slow-" She tried to stop herself from throwing up, "Down!" She chocked.
He looked down at her and saw her face was turining green. So he stopped. Dominique and Hugo gave him a look. He nodded at them, they nodded back and took off. Rose shook her head as she clutched into the broom. "Im sorry!" She coughed, "Your a seeker with great chaser skills- god your the best on the bloody team and im slowing you down-"
"No your not." He snapped cutting over her, feeling angry at her lack of thought of concern over herself to him. "Dont think that for a second. Your not a burden," he smirked at Teddy who was winking at him at the sight of Scorpius's arms around Rose, "Your a challenge thats all." And he took off again at her approving nod.
Scorpius snatched the quaffle from Albus and laughed at Teddy and Fred's faces. He passed it to Hugo who flew behind Fred and threw it through the hoop.
Scorpius stopped in the rain to high five Hugo, who also gave Rose a high five.
"Im cold." Rose stuttered. He felt her skin, she was freezing. He made no comment as he shuffled forward and pressed his warm stomach and chest against her back. "Ill try win this game so i can get you back to the ground."
"No dont do that- enjoy your game." She muttered.
He leaned against her and continued flying, Rose couldnt help but let him hug her, he was so warm, but still the rain that pattered on her head and ran down her cheeks made her wish all the more that this game was going to be over soon. Her stomach lapped evertime they turned quickly as she clung onto Scorpius's arms.
Once half-time came Rose was relived that she was on the ground again, but only for ten minutes.
"You can take the back?" Scorpius asked, "Honestly it isnt as terrifying if you cant see the ground below you." Rose nodded, "Okay-" He threw one of his spare older robes at her, "You need to cover yourself to stay warm, if your at the back i cant.." He turned red, "I-i cant...cuddle you to warm you up.."
Rose pulled on his robes and looked down at herself, her hands just able to make it halfway through the sleeves, it falling down her ankles. He looked at it on her and blushed. He cursed himself for falling so easy. Stupid Rose with her stupid pretty hair.
Rose pulled on the sleeves, "Its long." She giggled. "No, your short." He corrected with a smile. She glarred at him, "So are we playing or not?" She asked.
She mounted the broom behind him, "How do i hold on?" She asked. Scorpius frowned, "I didnt think of that...er..." He looked down, "Wrap your arms around..my stomach." Rose frowned as she slid her hands under his arms and around his stomach. He inhaled sharply and blushed as she cuddled him from behind, she dug her face into his back and his hands slipped off of the broom. Oh god.
With the affect she was having on him- this half was not going to be good. "Al!" He called out to the boy on the broom beside him, "Whats the score?"
"2-0, were beating them!" He replied. Albus saw the flushed look on his face, and Rose holding on behind him. "Good luck."
He took off again but his hand slipped again when he felt Rose's arms move on his stomach. Oh god.
He could tell this was going to be a problem. He stopped beside Albus, "Not as much slack this half." He gestured at Rose behind him. "Cute." Albus smirked. Scorpius reached out to hit him but he flew away. Rose glanced down at the ground, metres below their feet. She took in a sharp breath and squeezed his stomach tighter. He tapped her hands, "You dont have to hold on that tight Rose."
"Im going to fall and die, so yes i do." She snapped. He flew slower around the hoop, he stroked her hand with his thumb, "Your not going to die."
She blushed at his gesture, "I love your confidence but have you seen how high-"
"Rose, your not going to fall. Get that through your thick skull." He sped up at he sped past James and Hugo passed to him, he then threw it to Albus, "I wouldnt let that happen."
He decided that Rose was distracting him too much, but to his relife she asked to sit on Albus's broom. Once she was on, he regretted his decision. Even though she and Albus were cousin's he still hated the thought of her clinging onto someone else. God this is killing me.
"Im doing it."
Victories face brightened up along with everyone else's faces in the room, "When?"
"New years. Im gonna kiss her on the countdown- i know its cheesy Vic but its my only chance." He sighed, "And its enough time to build up my courage."
Victorie turned to the Weasley and Potter kids, "We need phase three."
"Phase three?" Scorpius asked.
Rose spotted the mistletoe above the kitchen doorway. She looked around, Theres no way Scorpius is even downstairs.
Her stomach grumbled and she knew her mission's status. Get into the kitchen and get out- no stopping underneath that mistletoe.
She got up from the couch and smiked in satisfaction that no one looked at her curiously. Theres no set up here.
She walked over quickly and stopped right under the mistletoe in the doorway. Scorpius had just turned the corner and was currently beside Albus. They seemed to have been in deep conversation untill they saw her. Rose looked at Albus for help, "Whats wrong?"
Rose tried not to look at the mistletoe but Scorpius spotted it anyway, and so did Albus. "Oh."
"Well dont look at me- im your cousin." He walked away from the two. Scorpius looked at her, his face turned red and so did hers in unison. Shit.
"Uh- you kissed me last time, ill even the score." He leaned forward quickly and kissed her on the cheek.
She turned red and he quickly walked away, his own face growing darker than blood. "Oh my god, i just kissed Rose Weasley." He whispered.