November

Everything went back to normal the next day. Scorpius and I were back to ignoring each other, Beckett and I were going as great as ever, Jaedin, Albus and I were still best buds, and I still got good grades in all of my classes. Everything was as it should be. It was literally the perfect day.

Until, of course, something came along and ruined it.

"If the two students with the highest marks in the class will please stand up, we would like to congratulate you, Scorpius Malfoy, and Rose Weasley, on getting the only two O's on both of your potions last week."

We both looked incredibly proud, until we heard the next part of the speech, "The two of you will be partners in this next project so you can show the other students how it's done."

Cue Glare of Death.

He rearranged the seating so that Malfoy and I were sitting right next to each other in the furthermost back corner of the classroom. I swear the professor has it out for me.

Malfoy leaned over to whisper in my ear, "So what potion do you want to make?"

I shrug and continue looking straight ahead, "Polyjuice sounds kind of cool."

"A love potion is always challenging."

"What about dizziness?"

"Or the Elixir to induce Euphoria"

"Invisibility potion."

"Mopsus Potion"

"Oooohhhh. Malfoy, that's a good one."

"Exactly. What's more interesting and challenging than a potion to give you telekinesis-like abilities?"

I nodded, "We should definitely do that."

The professor's voice suddenly erupted over the clamor of students trying to discuss with their partners, "Has everyone decided? Wonderful," he clapped his hands together, "You are dismissed to go research your potions in the library, prepare to come back tomorrow to gather your ingredients."

We all stood and started parading down the halls towards the library.

Malfoy suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, "Wait, Rose."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Sorry… Weasley."

I nodded, "Go on."

"Why don't we go study in our common room? We have plenty of books on potions, and it'll be quieter anyways."

I shrug, but turn around to head back to our common room nonetheless.

"Weasley. Remember last night?"

I shrugged once again.

"You had better tell me if you remember anything because I'm not going to be the one to tell you if you don't."

I sigh, "Yes," and then continue, walking as Malfoy follows behind.

"Good."

I stop and turn around, "Good?"

"Well I wouldn't want you to forget that I got another point do I?"

I turn back around and continue heading up the stairs until we reach the portrait where the entrance is. I begin to say the password when Malfoy interrupts, "You know what it means right?"

"Know what what means Malfoy?"

"The meaning of Gardenia, the password."

"Yes Malfoy. It's a flower. I'm glad you've finally noticed something."

"No. Each flower has a specific meaning. Do you know what Gardenia means?"

"And why the bloody hell would you expect me to know that Malfoy?"

"Well it's your favorite."

"How on earth would you know if a Gardenia is my favorite flower or not?"

"Why else would you have made it the password?"

"Good point. Can we go inside now?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I haven't told you what it means yet."

"Fine Malfoy! What does it mean?!"

"It means, 'My love for you is secret,'" and with that, he murmured the password and walked directly to his room, leaving me to figure out why the heck he was giving me a lesson on flowers when we were supposed to be studying potions.

Speaking of which- "Malfoy! You've been in your room for two bloody hours! We have got to work on our potion! You know very well the research is due tomorrow!" I yell through his door.

He yells back, "Do it yourself!"

"I will certainly NOT do it myself! Now get out here right now before I come in there and hex you until you can't feel your feet anymore!"

I hear him stumbling across the floor and step away from the door with a smug look on my face.

My smug face is quickly discarded, however, when a shirtless, messy-haired, Scorpius Malfoy comes tumbling out of his door, "Merlin Weasley, did you really have to interrupt my nap?"

But I don't answer, because I'm too busy noticing the way he rakes his hand through his hair, only to have it fall stubbornly back into his eyes, or the way his chest is so…. Wait. Was he saying something? I tuned back in, "then maybe I wouldn't have made a fool of myself!"

"Sorry, how exactly did you make a fool of yourself again?" Because I can't think of a way that a gorgeous creature like this could possibly make a mistake.

"Right outside Weasley. I was being completely stupid and it's not like I feel anything, but you're just so bloody gorgeous Rose, okay?!"

Oh.

OH.

Oh, Merlin.

Crap.