Beep! Beep! Beep!

I grabbed Jillian's phone from her bedside table and chucked it at the stone wall. The alarm stopped and I finally relaxed. Jillian was still lying in bed, her school clothes askew from her trunk, her hair in ratty knots, one leg under the covers, one leg above. Sighing and stretching my arms over my head, I pulled my wand from my bun and pointed it at the broken and hopelessly shattered screen. Besides, it was saturday, I needn't wake her up.

"Reparo." I whispered in a scratchy voice. The phone bits flew back into place, and I bent over to pick up her better than new phone. "I love magic." I said as I put the phone back on the table. Back when Mom and Dad went to Hogwarts, muggle electronics didn't work on school grounds. The excuse was that there was too much magic in the air for them to work. But ever since Professor Flitwick cast a charm that clears the air for the phones, he decided to set up Wifi, and now everyone uses it. All the muggle-borns at least. I tucked my hands in my skirt pocket, but not before tugging at my grey cardigan. Never did I wear it, I always just threw on my robe and was out. But today was a nice, sunny day, and I got up a little earlier than usual so I figured, why not. I leaned against the oak frame of my bed and watched my friend snore on. The other Ravenclaw girls were already downstairs at breakfast, Mandy Harwell, Rebecca Winkel, and Eleanor Troup. Jillian rolled over in her sleep and I sat on the edge of her bed, the blue silk eiderdown sheets were still as fresh and pristine as they were on our first day of Hogwarts. That was an experience I will never forget. The day Scorpius acted like a real person, the day Albus was confident and friendly, the day Amelia was my friend, the day Jillian wasn't a whore but a bright young lady. How the years have flown. Since Scorpius realized I was a girl, since Albus became shy and timid in public, since Amelia heard a rumour about me, since Jillian discovered condoms and short skirts. We all changed. Including me.

Out of habit I reached around with my left hand and touched my right hip bone, just above it, the very spot where the quote, 'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure', resided in italic blue lettering. Jillian has a tattoo of a blue bird on her forearm. I see it now as she tosses and turns, as well as random others she has adorning her legs and back. I also have one on my left shoulder blade; a small stack of books, all varying in sizes and colours. One of the fatter volumes at the bottom of the pile has a blue ribbon stuck in the pages, like a bookmark. It is a magical tattoo, enchanted, so when I moved too quickly or get excited, the book on top pops open and the pages would flip back and forth. Jillian's blue bird tattoo flits and flaps around her forearm when she's nervous. The bird, (officially named Carl), goes crazy around exams.

I walked over to the trunk at the end of my bed and unlocked the hatches, I pushed it open and reached inside for my phone. I put it in my pocket, thinking about the relaxing day ahead of me. Or so I intended it to be.

Downstairs, only a few students wandered around, reading books and studying. Instinctively I held out my Charms textbook and started memorizing chapter three, 'Manipulating Images and Appearances'. I walked briskly though the corridors toward my first class, my nose stuck in the book. I just rounded a corner when someone tall crashed into me, sending my book flying. As we collided I practically bounced off the guy and flew back down, on my butt.

I rubbed my sore back and looked up at Scorpius, who stood over me, a worried expression on his face.

"Ow." I muttered.

"Oops! Sorry!" Scorpius hastily bent down to help me up. "Didn't see you there."

I took his hand and he pulled me up, holding it for just a moment too long before I shook loose. "It's O.k." I said a little too grudgingly than I meant and immediately felt guilty.

Scorpius smiled, "s'Okay." Scorpius picked up my Charms textbook and I placed my hand on it. Scorpius gave it to me and I stuck it under my arm. "Where ya going?"

"I was going to the library." I said, and started to stroll towards the west end of the castle, hoping to get out of the confrontation.

"Oh, I'll come with you." Scorpius said, stepping in rhythm with me.

My immediate thought was to tell him I wanted to be alone. But thought better of it, and let him tag along. "Okay." I said quietly.

Scorpius put his hands behind his back like a teacher might, and looked around as he walked, observing different things.

Suddenly I thought of Albus, and how out of sorts he seemed lately. Usually he and Scorpius were always around each other; Abbott and Costello, Mary-Kate and Ashley, the trouble makers and class clowns of the school. I remembered how Albus got really nervous and sweaty when he tried to ask me a question, and how he became really angry when he saw Scorpius and I holding hands. Which, granted, is a rare sighting. Something is different this year, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"Hey, Scorpius?" I asked, looking up at his face. Scorpius looked down at me and the moment our eyes connected I looked away.

"Yes dear Rose?" He said. Smirking as he did so, realizing the awkward moment.

"How's Al been lately?" I asked.

Scorpius paused before replying, his smirk faltered only a smidgeon before returning to it's perfect grin. "Honestly? I haven't seen him around a lot. I think he's avoiding me. Plus, when he is around me, he's all shy and jittery. I don't know whats happened to him. Have you noticed that too?"

"I have." I said, "he tried to ask me something earlier, but he didn't get to finish."

Scorpius nodded as we passed a ghost, drifting through the air. I studied the blurred whiteness a little closer and realized it was the bloody baron. Scorpius gave him a wide berth. We walked for awhile longer, Scorpius just happy being silent and there, me day-dreaming about the lovely read I was scheduled to have this afternoon. Scorpius attempted conversation several times but I didn't indulge him. We arrived at the library and I lead the way to a long and wide spread table at the back, by the bookshelves nobody visited. I sat down and Scorpius sat across from me.

I pulled out my book, and held it in front of me, preparing to read. Maybe I could get rid of him early, I thought wistfully, if I was boring enough.

I peered around the old book to look at Scorpius, who I found looking eagerly around him, his hands in his lap as he leaned forward on the table. I laughed lightly and turned my attention to my book. Not more than a moment later Scorpius was putting his hand over the top of the Charms textbook and pulling it down.

I groaned silently, and rolled my eyes, a little annoyed. "Why don't you study for potions! We have that test coming up."

Scorpius scoffed, stood, and stepped onto his chair. "I have a better idea." He declared. Then he stepped on the table and laid down on it, like a bed. "Let's have a nap." I watched him cup his hands behind his head and close his eyes.

"Your kidding right?" I asked. Scorpius shook his head. Now, I don't know what made me do it, but I did. I stood up, and placed one foot on my chair, I stepped up with the other, then climbed on the table, lying down next to Scorpius. The wood of the table was hard and uncomfortable, I let my one foot hang of the edge of it, and my shoe slipped off. I looked at Scorpius who was looking at me with one eye open.

"What?" I asked, a little too skeptically than I meant.

"Nothing." Scorpius turned his head to the ceiling, but I continued to look at his face; his features. I watched at an angle as Scorpius gazed upward with his pale green eyes, which were flecked with blue and grey. A fading spray of freckles dotted his jaw and splashed his nose. Scorpius laughed lightly and shook his head.

"Just that the Rose Weasley I knew," he said, "didn't lie down on tables, or even be caught dead in the same room with bad boy Scorpius Malfoy." Scorpius said teasingly, but the words poked at my heart. All my childhood I watched Scorpius and Albus play together and explore the orchard. I wished to join them to badly, but dad always said no. All I think of is how I wish I was more outgoing and free to do the things I want, I wish I had been like that when I was five, and stood up to Dad. If only Scorpius knew, part of the reason I had a short phase of hating him, was because I was jealous, he stole my best friend from me. I was angry with Scorpius. Now, I have mixed feelings around him. I still feel regret for not hanging out with them anyways, despite dad's opinion. I still hate him for his cockiness and confidence, but those traits are growing on me. I feel like I owe him something, something for all the ignoring and teasing I did to Al and Scorpius. Like I have to prove I don't hate him.

I rolled my eyes at Scorpius. "Things change." I started. "Just remember you weren't so fond of me either, once upon a time." It was Scorpius's turn to look at my face, study my features. I looked away to the ceiling, above was enchanted, like the great hall, showing a night sky showered with twinkling stars and constellations. I remember when, in first and second year, Scorpius didn't like me at all, he hated being around me with Albus, he hated looking at me. Then in third year, his insults turned into light teasing, and his teasing flourished into doting, nagging and flirting. He's been like that for three years. All through our history, I ignored him to the best of my abilities, mostly hanging out with Jillian, Amelia, Eleanor Troup and Spencer.

"Yes," he murmured, "how times have changed." Scorpius shifted his hands to intertwine his fingers on his stomach, just as I was doing.

"Yes, quite..." I said. I trailed away and started looking for the big dipper. Which I found straight above and a little to the right. Right above Scorpius.

We stayed silent for awhile. Not speaking. Eventually I had to ask. "Do you usually do this?"

Scorpius looked at me questioningly, and I pushed further. "I mean, lie down naturally and regularly on library tables and take naps."

Scorpius didn't skip a beat. "Yes, Albus and I did, sometimes Hugo would join us. Or James. But that was before he discovered other people who weren't related to him."

I nodded along. "Ummm, why?"

Scorpius laughed and said. "Sitting on chairs was too mainstream."

I smiled and closed my eyes, feeling peaceful and content, the wooden table softened on my back and I relaxed on it. "Well, Albus never was someone who was mainstream."

Scorpius laughed. I dropped my hands to lie at my sides. So did Scorpius. "Can I ask you something Rose?" He asked. Sounding genuine.

"If it's another marriage proposal than no." I said sarcastically. One time in fifth year Scorpius proposed to me in public, a dare from James. Albus and Hugo nearly choked Scorpius, they thought he was serious. On orders from dad probably.

Scorpius smiled. "No. Although be prepared." I laughed and Scorpius preceded. "Why do you hate me?" This took me aback and I looked to Scorpius, a few strands of his light blond hair hung in his face and I resisted the urge to push them away. His eyebrows were furrowed and his mouth hung slightly ajar.

"I don't hate you," I said. Scorpius face relaxed and he shut his mouth. He looked so vulnerable... "I did," I continued, "until last year... I think it was because you and Albus were always hanging around our house with Hugo and I wasn't allowed to hang out with you guys. I felt mad and lonely. Plus the constant nagging was a turn-off. I'm getting used to it though." I had the same feeling I had when I stepped onto the table and laid down. Like I didn't mean to, but the motion was so natural and easy you couldn't help it. Scorpius moved his hand over an inch and tentatively touched my hand. I nodded permission and he took my hand, intertwining our fingers. I smiled, looking down the table at our hands, his was warm and calloused, just as it was last time.

"I'm sorry about that." Scorpius said. I looked at him and pursed my lips. "About nagging you a lot," he said. "I just had a major crush on you, still do, and I'm sorry about your dad."

I shrugged thoughtfully. Scorpius' crush on me was as notable as the sun on a day with no clouds, although his confession struck me as shocking. "It's fine, he can be over protective but he cares for me. I guess... Moms worse though. Dad just doesn't like you."

"Actually I think I'm growing on him." Scorpius said, I could hear a laugh in his voice, like he doubted his own theory.

"Not as his daughter's boyfriend." I reminded him. Immediately after I said it I wished I could snatch my words from the air.

"Boyfriend? Rose?" He asked. A smile on his lips.

"Just, that's how he sees you." I said, hiding my growing smile with my unoccupied hand.

"Hey now, if your going to suggest a relationship, I'm all for that."

I shoved his shoulder and Scorpius tipped back, almost falling off the table, I reached out and grabbed his shirt, pulling him back. Scorpius clasped onto my shoulder and regained his balance. His face was suddenly way too close. His hand on my shoulder softened and moved slowly to my shoulder blade, right over my book tattoo, beneath his fingers I could feel the pages of the top book flipping wildly too and fro. I could see Scorpius's eyelashes, perfectly cropped by his straggly blond hair. His mouth still ajar, inched forward. I hesitated, my heart hammered in my chest, my breath caught in my throat, his touch sent my nerves flying along my skin. His face became closer, our lips just millimetres apart. It was too real, too now. I jerked away, jumping from the table to stand a few feet away, my hands at my sides.

Scorpius' hands retreated from the space I once was, his face fell and he looked down. Almost immediately I regretted moving away from his affection, it was too awkward now, I couldn't go back.

"I... I'm..." I shifted my feet and grabbed my phone and Charms textbook. "Sorry." I avoided his eyes and dashed out of the library. My feet carried me past bookshelves, Madam Pince and studying students. I began to run down the corridors, rounding corners, climbing then jumping down random staircases. Ten minutes later I found myself in the astronomy tower crouched in the corner, rocking back and forth like a mad man. I buried my face in my hands.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" I scolded myself out loud and into the evening air. I felt like kicking myself. Now he's going to think I still hate him! Will he still talk to me? My worries kept me awake for a while. So I sat there, the atmosphere was humid, but not rip my clothes off kind of humid, more like a warm draft that is strangely calming and surreal. I stood and walked over to the balcony part of the astronomy tower, there was no railing so I sat and let my legs dangle into nothing. The sky was still mostly blue, although pink and purple tinged the horizon, threatening nightfall. The slight breeze lifted my hair a little before dropping back on my shoulders. The view from up here was amazing, even more magnificent in Astronomy class at night. During the day was just as beautiful.

Sometimes I like to think about what it would be like if I really had been allowed to play with Scorpius, Albus and Hugo. Would he still like me the way he does? Would he realize who I actually am and decide I'm not his type? Would Albus still be acting the way he is now? Why hasn't Hugo talked to me lately? So many questions and not enough answers. And another thing, what am I going to do about Jillian? Maybe I don't have to worry about her, maybe she's fine. But she's been out of sorts recently, maybe that's just me, but I can't stop worrying about her. Maybe I should invite her to our house for christmas? I worry about Jillian because she try's so hard to keep up her bad girl image, she forgets how to live. In her middle, she's just like all the other Ravenclaw's, another nerd. Jill feels this need, a need to be different and outgoing she can't deny it. When I'm around her I feel somehow out of place because I'm the exact opposite of her. On my shell I'm the nerd, but in my inside I'm just as brave as the Gryffindor's and cunning as the Slytherin's. My need is to be noticed, but I don't show it like Jill does. The time I accidentally got drunk on firewhiskey and got the quote on my hip, is an example, it was a dare from Spencer. I went back to the tattoo parlour the next day and got the tattoo on my shoulder, the stack of books. No one knows about it except me.

My parents, are a whole other issue. My mom, Hermione, is such a stick in the mud, she was more strict with me as a kid than dad was. Hugo got away with murder, (not actually, it's just an example) he could have jumped off the house and our parents wouldn't have cared. But with me they are always so protective and over-bearing. Dad never let me get away with anything, he never let's me hang around my uncles for more than ten minutes, he doesn't like Jillian and he despises Scorpius and Spencer. I'm not allowed to have friends over unless mom says they are good influences, I'm practically forbidden to talk to Teddy and Victoire, (who are married now). Mom was always more strict about school work and being mature and stuff like that. Dad controlled my social life. I get that they love me, and they do that stuff because they love me, but I wish I had a little more lee way. More space to run around and not worry about things. I wasn't allowed in the orchard in the winter because I might fall, of course Hugo just tears through it, practically half naked, without fear of being caught and punished.

Inside my skirt pockets, my phone starts vibrating. I pull it out and look at the time, still only 5:30. The text is from Jillian.

Meet me in the common room, I need your help.

I sigh and put the phone back where it belongs, but not before staring at my background picture. It was a picture taken when we were in third year, it's of Hugo, Albus and I swinging on the swings in Godric's hollow, we are all smiling wildly, each of us at a different height on the swings. Hugo is standing on his swing, Albus is just pumping his legs away, trying to get going, and I'm mid-jump of the swing, my coat and hair flying behind me. My face is a mixture of delight and fear. Mom's in the background, reaching toward me, like she wants to catch me but she's still several feet away. Scorpius is beside her, his face and posture the same as mom's. I love this picture, I think it shows how much I am maybe over cared for, and how a simple act of jumping off swings, worries my parents. Keeping this thought in my head I turn away from the lovely view of rolling hills and jagged mountains, and walk across the polished tile floor to the staircase, only going down. Most of the corridors are empty, everyone is either in their common rooms, the library, or outside enjoying the warmth. Only a few days until Halloween, and we've had the best weather for fall. Sunny and warm with small breezes, although Professor Longbottom is calling for rain soon. Another thing, Professor Longbottom is calling for is a dance, their going to name it, 'The Halloween Gala and Masquerade', creative right? Everyone is going apparently, although only students in fourth year and up are allowed past ten, and it starts at eight. Jillian could not stop talking about it yesterday at dinner. I assume that's what she wants to talk about, the gala and our costumes. Jillian wants to be Rose Tyler from Doctor Who, and she wants Spencer to be the Doctor. Spencer would be a great Doctor Who, he's got the hair of David Tennant and the quirkiness of Matt Smith. Jillian, however, looks nothing like Rose Tyler, she would have to wear a wig.

Jillian thinks that Scorpius and I should get couple costumes and we could go together. I told her that is the last person I am likely to go with, and if we did, Scorpius would want us to be Mickey and Minnie mouse, or some children's idol. I remember vaguely the first time Scorpius visited my house, Albus, Hugo and he, were meant to play quidditch in the Orchard, like they always do. Except when Scorpius came in to pee, he became distracted by the TV and began watching Teletoon Retro and The Big Bang Theory with me. He sat only inches from the TV, like a kid on a saturday morning. Albus and Hugo came in thirty minutes later to find him absolutely attached and inthralled with the TV. Muggle entertainment... Who knew?

Finally I jumped onto the last step of the steep staircase I just flew down, when my phone started buzzing again. I opened the screen and saw a new text from Jillian.

Never mind, I got this.

I laughed/groaned and stepped into the corridor anyways. I was up in the astronomy tower far too long. I watched my feet take me down a long corridor with many intricate and detailed tapestries adorning the walls, I only looked up when I heard a loud cough. I looked up to see Al and Scorpius, seeming to be in the middle of a heated argument, they leaned against a tall statue at the end of the hall. Catching my breath I jumped to the wall, and pinned myself against it. I closed my eyes. Footsteps echoed closer to where I stood, and I reached around for a nearby tapestry. I found one and slid behind it. I opened my eyes, only to see dark and rough material staring back at me, the footsteps stopped, and suddenly the tapestry that hid my body suddenly was ripped away. The boys stood there, with completely opposite expressions on. Scorpius smiled broadly at me, Albus only glowered and crossed his arms.

"You know, Rose." Scorpius said, laughing a little. "You have the worst hiding spots."

Even though I was still embarrassed about what happened with Scorpius and I, I couldn't help laugh. "Sorry, I was hiding from you... Again!" I stepped away from the dusty wall and Scorpius let the tapestry fall with a loud clap. A cloud of dust flew from

the wall and encased us all. I coughed and moved away from the fog of dirt. I stepped into clean air and shook my hair from the dust, and swept my hands over my clothes.

I meant to walk away, and maybe find Spencer, but my curiosity got the best of me. "What were you guys arguing about?" I asked tentatively. Albus was hunched over himself and Scorpius had a small smile playing on his lips. Suddenly they both clamped their mouths shut. Albus glowered even more, if that was possible, and his cheeks turned a brilliant pink. Scorpius furrowed his eyebrows angrily and looked down at Albus, like he was daring him to bring it up again.

Albus looked me in the eye, (we were around the same height, him being slightly taller), and said. "Nothing that concerns you." Scorpius stepped on Albus' foot angrily and Albus howled. He shoved Scorpius, turned on his heel, and stormed down the corridor, the way I came from. Scorpius rubbed his shoulder protectively, and watched him go.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." Scorpius said, his head still turned toward Albus' retreating figure. "He's been really moody."

"It's fine." I said, shaking it off. Usually he isn't like this around Halloween, his moody season is more around Easter. Eggs make him sick. "I get that a lot at family reunions these days." I said.

Scorpius laughed and turned back to me. He didn't remove his eyes from the ground as he rolled up his sleeves and crossed his arms. "I don't know what I'm going to do with him."

"C'mon, Scorpius." I said, I waved my foot into his peripheral vision and he looked up. "This is Albus were talking about. Not some puzzle."

"He is a puzzle." Scorpius groaned and leaned his head back. "One with a thousand pieces, no corners and ten extra pieces that don't belong."

I laughed. Uncle George made a new kind of puzzle that had exactly those features. Plus, if you didn't finish it within twenty minutes, the image would change and you have to start over. Mom bought me one for christmas last year and I finished it in two minutes.

We fell into silence, Scorpius shoved his hands in his pockets, and I fidgeted with the corner of my charms book, which I had forgotten was even in my hands. "So..." Scorpius muttered quietly.

"So..." I mumbled.

"Want to go study some potions?" Scorpius pointed with his thumb behind him and leaned backward. "You promised! Remember?"

I laughed and stepped past him. "Let's go." Scorpius smiled like a kid on christmas morning and followed happily. We walked, both smiling manically, towards the room of requirement on the fourth floor. We arrived and both paced back and forth in rhythm, thinking the same thoughts. The door appeared and we stepped into a brightly lit dining room, a grand chandelier dripping in diamonds, sapphires and rubies hung in the middle of the high up ceiling. The room was pastel blue and trimmed with white, tall oak bookcases gleamed on the walls, teaming with fat books filled with old ink and yellowed pages. A persian rug laid flat on the pristine floor, complementing the painted ceiling, imitating muggle artist Michelangelo and his work on the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Coincidentally my favourite historical art piece. Scorpius gestured around the room and jogged to the end, he sat down in the end chair and propped his feet on the great oak table.

"Wow, Red." He laughed. "You've got some taste." He said, impressed. Scorpius tipped his head back to observe the masterpiece above.

I laughed, grinning widely, and began to walk across the room. "Did you just call me Red?" I asked, trying to ignore Scorpius' sarcasm.

Scorpius smiled. "Yes, that is your new nick name. I like it, how about you?"

"Works with me, Blondie." I said. Scorpius chuckled and I couldn't help feel a rush of pride and excitement as he did.

I stopped halfway through the room to trail my fingers on the binds of the leather bound books. You haven't seen anything yet, Scorpius. I selected one, recognizing the tittle, and pulled it out. The weight of the book was enough to pull me down and strain my arms. I ended up dropping the book on the ground. I bent over and attempted to pick it up again, but all I did was move it along the ground an inch. Scorpius watched with anticipation and curiosity. I reached over my shoulder and pulled my wand from it's place behind my ear, holding my longer bangs out of the way. My auburn red hair fell in tendrils around my facial features as I waved the wand at the book, muttering Wingardium Leviosa. The emerald green book immediately shot off the ground and zipped to Scorpius, it settled in front of him and the pages flipped around, looking for page 468. I glanced up the rows of shelves and spotted a thin, but tall, yellow book, I waved my wand and willed the book to jump off the shelf, it did. And zipped over to Scorpius, resting on top of the fat green one. I continued to search through the bookshelves, not more than a minute later, the dining room table was covered with misfit papers and random books. Finally I found the one I was looking for on the bottom shelf, of a bookcase behind Scorpius' chair. I reached down to grab it and dropped it in front of him.

"What's this?" He asked skeptically.

I frowned down at him. Surely he doesn't...

"Don't you know what this is?" I asked.

Scorpius shook his head. "Well..." I said. "This is the best, the best! Potions book in Hogwarts. This book has everything. You will love it." I pulled out a smaller chair from the side of the table and dumped it beside Scorpius. I sat in the chair and scooted closer. I didn't mean to accidentally suggest anything, I just wanted us both to have a clear view of the book. Although blondie wasn't looking at the book. Instead he gazed at my face. My cheeks heated under his watch and I dropped my eyes to the words on the pages. "You will love this." I said again. I leaned against the table and flipped the yellowed pages to the first chapter, 'How to care for your ingredients and equipment'.

"You'll also want to take notes." I said, glancing away from the book at him, to check if he had a notebook. Of course he didn't. He scooted his chair closer.

"So what are you having troubles with in Potions?" I asked.

Scorpius coughed and twisted his hands together. "Mostly the instruction part, the measurement part, ingredients... I have a short attention span okay?"

I laughed a little then turned it into a light cough. "Sorry, that was rude."

Scorpius ran his hands through his hair and laughed. "No Problem, Red."

I smirked to myself, hoping Scorpius wouldn't notice my change of attitude. Just minutes ago we were lying beside each other, millimetres from our first kiss. Then I wrecked the moment with my cowardice. And now we sit in good company, like this was our first encounter that day. I don't know how we ended in this position, but here we were, studying from a huge Potions textbook.

"Let's start with the first chapter then. It's always good to start with the basics." I cleared my throat, ready to begin reading a long and dull chapter on how to clean your cauldron properly. "Chapter one..."

"Red?"

"Yeah?"

"Do we have to read this stuff?" Scorpius whined. He gripped the table and flopped his head onto it. "Let's just skip to chapter seven, or somewhere we can learn about actually making potions?"

I smiled, the way I smile at Hugo when he complains about summer homework and mom makes him do it. "You have to start at the beginning." I said. "If you have an improperly cleaned cauldron your going to get rust spots and that will affect your potion drastically."

From the corner of my eye I could see Scorpius roll his eyes and smile knowingly. I resumed my watch on the book and began again.

"Chapter one... How to care for your ingredients and equipment. When beginning your Potions career and research, the most important thing you'll need, is a cauldron, a silver ladle, weights, a knife, and a wooden spoon (unless the potion calls for different equipment). Otherwise, It is dire that you have these exact items, because the material and quality of your utensils can negatively affect your potion's outcome. Next, determine wether or not your budget can sustain -"

At that moment I was interrupted, and several things happened, I realized I only had one shoe on, the other had slipped off my foot in the library. I also came to discover how close Scorpius and I were now. And, probably the most notable, Scorpius had taken my chin with his hand, directed my face to him and kissed me on the lips. Cutting me off in the middle of my sentence. I didn't move away this time, instead I leaned into his kiss and his embrace. His arms encircled me. This embrace wasn't like the time we were on his broom, or even when I caught him from falling off the table, this embrace was more deep, on a physiological level. We were both enjoying it. Scorpius cupped my face with his left hand and with his foot, nudged the other shoe, off my foot.

Scorpius parted my lips and I finally gave in. A moment later, however, I realized exactly where I was, and who I was with. I began to jump back, I almost tripped on his ankles, which were wrapped around the legs of my chair. Scorpius realized what I was doing and grasped my upper arm.

His pale eyes pleaded with me. "Don't go, Red." He whispered. I could feel the hope in him, the hope I might stay.

I took a moment, then I sat back down. Maybe I will stay awhile longer.