xii. a crack in the stone

By all definitions, she was (academically) perfect.

Mother's brains, father's humor and all around Weasley personality, Rose Weasley was that person that everyonewanted to be friends with, regardless of house. She was the person who would stay up to all hours finishing essay to make it perfect, even if it would have already received an O in its current state. She was the one who panicked over an E. She was the person that could explain anything to anyone.

First to master the spells, wand movements, potions. Just about anything.

It was her niche, where she fit in and Godric, she was damned proud of it. And though someone might have assumed it was because her mother was brilliant or because her father prodded her, in reality she worked the way she did for herself. Not doing her full potential, not giving everything was nearly nauseating.

Which in turn, resulted in stress (because no one can be perfect all the time).

.-.-.

Rose never even considered that one day she might fail at something. It just wasn't something she thought about.

Until she was sixteen. Until she was to take her apparation exam.

Practice and classes made her self conscious about it and with the date rapidly approaching, she thought she was going to collapse into a puddle.

Fred had clapped her on the back encouragingly as she headed off to Hogsmeade with other sixth years and Scorpius was being on his best behavior (although, that may have been more of avoiding the girl's anger than his actually kindness).

She walked into the building, feigning confidence and strode over to the examiner.

And then, for the first time in her life she failed.

.-.-.

Whether it was nerves, or she just couldn't do it, it didn't really matter. The examiner had given her a sympathetic smile and an 'I'm sorry, dear', showing a confused Rose the exit.

Scorpius was waiting eagerly outside the door for, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her off to the side.

"So? How'd it go?" he asked eagerly, hoping for once he may have bested the great Rose Weasley. But he wouldn't find out as Rose forced a smile a faked a laugh, responding in false cheer.

"Oh, I forget my bloody papers and they wouldn't let me take the exam! I all but begged but they told me I'd have to wait," she shrugged in what she hoped to be a nonchalant manner, "Whatever, I prefer flying anyhow."

Scorpius accepted the lie and yeah, she felt a little guilty about it.

But not as bad as it would feel to admit defeat.

Because she's Rose Molly Weasley and she's never wrong. Ever.

.-.-.

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