Title: Everything Changes
Characters/Pairings: Rose Weasley/Scorpius Malfoy, Albus Potter
Forum/Challenge: QLFC Round 10 (Beater 2, Ballycastle Bats)
Prompt: Write about growing old on a winter day(s) OR youthfulness on a spring night(s).
Opt-Prompts: (word) muffle, (color) yellow, (song) Castle on the Hill - Ed Sheeran
World: Next-Gen
Word Count: 2,113
Rose had planned to forego that weekend's Hogsmeade trip to study for her OWLs, but when Bonnie Corner threw open the windows of their dorm room, letting in sunshine and a warm breeze, she decided a nice day out was exactly what she deserved. The two girls and Peony Jordan laughed as they traded sweaters and braided each other's hair.
"Is Scorpius taking you to Hogsmeade?" Bonnie asked, her hands deftly working through Rose's curls. Rose couldn't see her friend's face, but she could hear the smile in her voice.
"We're just friends, Bonnie. Dating Scorpius would be weird." She absently tugged on the sleeves of the yellow jumper she'd borrowed from Peony. The golden color was a nice contrast to her deep auburn hair, and not so bright that it washed out her pale, freckled skin or bright blue eyes.
"Why?" asked Peony, flouncing onto her bed. "He likes you."
Rose blushed. "He does not. You all just think that because the only boys you spend time with are boys that you date. And it'd be weird because… well, it's always been the three of us: Scorpius, Albus, and me. If Scorpius and I started dating it would change things."
Bonnie huffed, and Rose could almost feel the girl roll her eyes. "Weren't your parents best friends before they dated? And wasn't Professor Potter their other best friend?"
Rose shrugged. "That's different."
"How?" asked Peony.
"It just is," Rose muttered.
She found her best friends in the courtyard, laughing with Julius Flint. Albus lit up when he saw her and waved her over.
"Rosie! You decided to come!"
Scorpius and Julius turned, and Rose pushed down the butterflies in her stomach. The boys had taken to wearing their hair long-her mother had muttered something about cyclical fashion trends when Hugo had adamantly refused to have his shaggy curls cut at Christmas-and Scorpius's white-blond hair hung just past his chin. Albus' was so long he'd taken to wearing it in a low ponytail, much to the consternation of Nana Weasley.
"It's too nice to be cooped up with Arithmancy today," Rose said brightly. "Is it OK if it tag along with you lot?" She raised an eyebrow at Julius, who chuckled.
"Don't mind me, Weasley, I'm just chatting with these blokes until my date arrives." Julius looked past her and grinned, and Rosie followed his gaze to find her cousin Lucy blushing at the Slytherin beater. "And there she is. Excuse me, lads."
Albus and Rose exchanged quick glances of surprise. Lucy had not dated much; she was quiet, like Aunt Audrey, and a bit of a stickler for rules, like Uncle Percy. Julius, however, reminded Rose of Albus's older brother, and had the two boys been sorted into the same house she was sure they would have been fast friends.
As it was, Julius Flint and James Sirius Potter were single-handedly responsible for keeping the Slytherin/Gryffindor rivalry alive and well. Albus had been forced to play peacemaker more than once, and he was already looking apprehensive about how close Julius and Lucy were walking.
The dark-haired wizard frowned. "C'mon, let's go."
Scorpius and Rose fell in behind Albus, who was trying-in vain-to pretend like he wasn't watching the older couple like a hawk.
"His interest isn't idle," said Scorpius softly.
"I didn't know they knew each other," Rose admitted.
"She's been tutoring him in Charms all year, for NEWTs. He didn't want anyone to know he needed a tutor. He told me a few weeks ago, after he asked about your family."
Rose turned and raised an eyebrow at him. He shrugged.
"I think he was worried James would curse him if he asked her out."
"He probably will," muttered Rose. "Albus might too, if he toys with her."
"I can't imagine anyone being stupid enough to toy with a Weasley or a Potter." Scorpius smiled broadly and raised his arms out. "Merlin, I've missed the sunshine." He closed his eyes and breathed deep. "I've missed fresh air."
"I think we've all been ready for a change," said Rose, smiling at the bright spring day that awaited them.
They made their usual circuit: Spintwitches, where they all drooled over the latest Nimbus; Honeydukes, to stock up on Ice Mice and Licorice Wands; Tomes and Scrolls, where Albus hung out near the magazines while Rose and Scorpius scoured through the 'Just In' section; and, finally, the Hog's Head for a butterbeer and chips.
"The Hog's Head is supposed to be quieter," Albus had protested their third year, when Rose balked at going anywhere but the Three Broomsticks. "Most Slytherins prefer Aberforth's place, so you're outvoted here cousin."
She'd come to love the dingy intimacy of the Hog's Head. In the winters, the darkness and warmth of the low firelight was comforting, like a large, well loved blanket or fuzzy pair of socks. She loved sitting in their corner booth, watching their classmates walk about in hats and mittens and scarves while she curled her body around a warm mug of cider.
Today, however, the Hog's Head felt oppressive. She wanted to be in the sunlight. She wanted to feel the spring breeze on her face. She wanted to smell the earth, alive and right on the cusp of full bloom.
"I can't stay in here," said Rose, after she finished her butterbeer. "It's too nice of a day to be cooped up. Let's head out now and take the long way back to the castle."
Albus and Scorpius nodded. They were creatures of habit, rarely changing their routine, but today seemed to beg for something different.
Rose knew she was young, but she had learned to enjoy her youth. She had heard stories about how quickly her parents had to grow up-by the time they were Rose's age, they'd fought a troll, been petrified, and survived a werewolf attack. Her parents had always used these stories as a warning: don't grow up too fast, because you'll wake up one morning and your childhood will be a thing of the past.
So, with her parents' advice in mind, she had spent her years at Hogwarts learning and making friends and playing Quidditch and generally enjoying her youth. As she watched the castle from across the lake, sitting on the grass while the boys skipped rocks in the lake, she admitted that her childhood had been a happy one, with nary a troll or rampant werewolf in sight.
But she was starting to feel different. She wondered if it was her impending OWLs and the subsequent pressure about deciding her future. She thought about the way her friends had changed this year: physically more mature, but also making noises about people they knew settling down and getting married; Bonnie had started assessing potential boyfriends not only on their 'hotness' but whether or not they'd be good husbands or fathers. Teddy and Victoire had married three years ago, and both Roxanne and Molly were engaged.
It was too much for Rose, who just wanted to spend her days flying with her boys and worrying about exams. But then she'd catch Scorpius's eye and he'd smile at her and she'd have to fight the blush threatening to rise on her cheeks.
She'd have to stop herself from wondering what kind of man he'd become in a few years.
"Oi!" cried Albus, and Rose startled out of her thoughts. She followed his glare to see Julius and Lucy mid-embrace, his hands cupping her rear and hers thrown around his neck. The older couple was oblivious to the younger trio who had also taken the 'scenic route' back to school.
"Albus," Scorpius said softly. "It's not your business."
"The hell it isn't, that's my cousin!" Albus marched off toward the couple, wand in hand.
The blond wizard sighed, ran his finger through his hair, and rolled his eyes. "Tosser," he muttered, dropping to sit next to Rose. He leaned his head on her shoulder. "Julius is going to hex him silly."
"Not if Lucy doesn't hex him first," said Rose primly. "The boys are all known for their tempers, but Mum and Aunt Ginny made sure we girls knew all the best hexes. We're just better at not getting caught."
"Remind me never to piss you off," said Scorpius. Rose threw her arm around his shoulders and twirled a strand of his hair in her fingers.
"Don't piss me off," she said blithely.
He chuckled. The castle stretched in front of them. The sun was starting its slow descent, and the turrets were bathed in soft oranges and pinks and yellows. They could hear the muffled cries of Albus, who was likely being hexed, admonished, or both by Lucy.
A few minutes later, Lucy huffed her way over to the pair. "Julius is taking Albus to the infirmary. I just wanted to let you know."
Rose narrowed her eyes. "What did you do to him, Luce?"
The older Weasley girl flipped her hair and pursed her lips. "He'll be vomiting slugs for a few hours, which is a step up from the nasty remarks coming out of his mouth before I hexed him." She frowned. "Do either of you have anything to say about my date to Hogsmeade?"
Rose and Scorpius looked at each other and shrugged. Rose turned and smiled at her cousin. "Did you have a nice time?"
Lucy's face registered shock, followed by a soft smile. "Very much so. Thank you for asking."
Rose nodded. "Good."
"Julius is a good bloke," said Scorpius. "He likes you a lot, Weasley. I know he's had a bit of a reputation in the past, but people change."
The older girl blushed. "Well. Yes. Um… OK. I'm going to head to the castle. You two should come in soon."
The pair nodded. "We will."
They had meant to go in shortly after Lucy left them, but they were teenagers and longtime friends who had been cooped up in a drafty castle for months. They sat by the lake talking about nothing and everything and watching the sun slowly fade and the soft purples turn to blues and turn to darker blues.
It was early evening, and the pair still hadn't moved from their spot by the lake. The warmth of the day never faded, and though the sunshine was gone Rose continued to bask in the feel of the spring breeze.
"I can't believe fifth year is almost over," mused Rose. "Only two more years left."
"Hmph," groused Scorpius. "Can't we stay just young forever?"
Rose laughed. "I don't know that I'd want to be a teenager forever."
"Why not?"
She shrugged. "I'd like a family one day. To be a mum. To do some good in the world. Maybe after I play for the Harpies for a bit. Change is scary, but it's also exciting, isn't it?" She grinned, and he tugged on a curl that had fallen from her braid. "It just feels like that future is so much closer than it used to be."
Scorpius nodded. "Bloody OWLs." A few minutes passed. The castle loomed in front of them. It was a comforting, familiar sight, a place they knew intimately and in which they felt at home. It was also an overwhelming reminder of their insignificance. Hogwarts had been there long before they'd been alive, and it would continue on long after they died.
"We've missed dinner," said Scorpius. He laid back and threw out his arms, staring up at the stars.
Rose laid next to him, closer than she ever had but not as close as she wanted to be. Close enough for intimate friends, but not dating close.
She wondered if he could feel her heart beat.
"We can sneak into the kitchens before curfew," she said. She leaned her head back on his shoulder, and she couldn't suppress her smile when his arm snaked around her shoulders and his hand came to rest at the bottom of her ribcage. His fingers laid tentatively there, not moving but not not moving.
Every touch between them, every movement, was tentative, burgeoning with unasked and unanswered questions.
"Let's just stay here a little longer," Rose whispered. And then, because she was the Gryffindor of the group, she slipped her hand into his and squeezed. Their laced fingers came to rest on her stomach and, though they did not look at each other, she felt the world shift around them.
It could have been nothing-two friends lying together and watching the stars on a warm spring night. But Rose could feel the difference.
In the soft touches, in the silence, something had changed.