Chapter 13
"He's not coming." Albus mumbled against his hand, which was propped up against the arm of his seat.
"He is; he's just running late." I said, busying myself with my Transfiguration homework. After I spoke to Scorpius on my own and told him what had happened, he had begrudgingly agreed to meet Albus in the library with me.
Now, after five minutes of waiting, Albus had become convinced that Scorpius would not show up. He huffed in his seat next to me, shifting positions every five seconds. He reminded me of a fussy, bored child and I was once again faced with the feeling of being his mother.
"Al, would you stop getting your wand in a knot?" I snapped. "He'll be here; you just have to wait."
"Oh, forgive me. I don't feel like sitting around waiting for someone I'd really rather not have to meet." He snapped.
Our bickering continued silently, accompanied by the sounds of Madam Pince lurking in the bookshelves and shushing us. It had taken a lot of work on my part to convince her to allow Scorpius and I back in the library, but I still wasn't sure she completely trusted me. She seemed to be around much more than usual.
"Am I interrupting something?" A voice pierced through our whispered fight, and both Albus and I were met with the sight of Scorpius Malfoy.
His hands were shoved awkwardly into his pockets; his usual perfect posture that radiated confidence was gone, replaced by the slump of his shoulders. He looked downright uncomfortable, but I was hoping some bonding time would remedy that. I stood up from my chair and took Scorpius's hand out of his pocket, lacing my fingers through his. He seemed to relax a bit, his muscles unclenching despite Albus's slightly disgusted look. I shot him a glare and his face turned blank. This was going to take some work.
I guided Scorpius back to the chairs and sat down with him next to Albus and me on the side, ready to jump in if something went wrong. The two boys looked at anything but each other, Scorpius running his fingers over the pattern on the arm chair and Albus poking at dust specks flying through the air with his wand. I cleared my throat softly.
"Al, this is Scorpius. Scorpius, Al." I said in a pleasing tone. If they wouldn't properly introduce themselves, I would do it for them.
"I know who he is, Rose." Albus said in an irritated tone. He still wouldn't meet Scorpius's eyes.
"Just say hello to each other; for me." I pressed. Al's face twisted into discomfort once again.
"Evening, Potter." Scorpius spoke up stiffly from his seat. A flash of annoyance pierced Al's bright green eyes, but he huffed and responded.
"Can't say it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Malfoy."
"Al!" I snapped.
"What?" He sent me a look. "I said hello."
"You can't blame him Rose. Being an ass is in his genes." Scorpius said flatly.
"You're one to talk." Al shot back.
"Can't you two be civil to each other for one moment?" I practically shouted. Madam Pince was shuffling through the bookshelves nearby. I knew she was just waiting for another chance to banish us from the library.
"I understand that neither of you want to be doing this right now. But this is inevitable. Scorpius, you want to be accepted by my family? You may as well start trying now. Al, you want to start trusting me again? This is your chance. You're both acting like first years!" I continued. Nearby, a group of eavesdropping first years looked offended and filed away. Whoops.
"Rose." Albus spoke up quietly. I remained silent.
"Rosie." He said again. "I'm sorry. I'm trying. Sort of."
"This isn't easy Rose." Scorpius agreed. "I mean I've grown up hating practically your whole family— no offense." He added in Albus's direction.
"None taken. You've not exactly always been a bright figure in my life either."
I sighed. I knew that getting them to talk would be possible. Getting them to bond would be nearly impossible.
"This was a bad idea." Al said, starting to get up.
"Al, don't go." I pleaded. "I have a better idea. Obviously, this wasn't a success. But there's a Hogsmeade trip next weekend…" I trailed off hoping one of them would catch on to my plan.
"Rose, are you suggesting that we all go to Hogsmeade together?" Scorpius asked in slight disbelief.
"It's not a bad idea." I insisted. "We'd have stuff to do so you two wouldn't have to be forced into conversation. Just give it a thought."
Al sighed in frustration. "I'll think about it Rosie, but I make no promises."
He turned to leave.
"Al!" I said somewhat desperately. I hated the thought that he might have lost all trust and patience in me. "Still best friends?"
His face softened. "Of course; you'll always be my best friend Rose. That won't change no matter who you're with." He gave Scorpius a look, but not one of hatred. One that translated more into "you'd better be careful with my cousin or so help me Merlin bad things will happen." Scorp seemed to understand.
Albus turned and left the library, leaving me with Scorpius who was trying to find the right words to say. He kept opening and closing his mouth, reminding me very much of the fish in my grandparent's pond.
In the end, he simply looked at me with pity and sympathy. I sighed and reached across the space between our chairs to take his hand again. He tugged on it lightly and patted his lap. I almost denied, considering Madam Pince was bound to be somewhere watching us. However, the day had been a long one from the moment I woke up and I needed some quality down time.
I sat in Scorpius's lap, his hand absentmindedly running through my hair. I fingered the material of his shirt which was soft and probably very expensive. He smelled good, like his (expensive) cologne with an undertone of sweat. It doesn't sound appealing, but it was. And it reminded me that only hours previously, Scorpius had been playing a Quidditch game that he had lost.
"I'm sorry you lost the game." I mumbled into his chest.
"It's fine." He said somewhat bitterly above me. I could tell he was annoyed by the game's outcome, but he didn't want to add extra negativity to the conversation. "I'm sorry I didn't get along with your cousin."
I shifted in his lap. I was pretty disappointed in the events of their meeting, but I was more upset with Albus than I was with Scorpius. After all, Albus had promised he would give Scorpius a chance. Albus was supposed to be understanding and forgiving to everyone. He had been that way his whole life, and seeing him acting so coldly towards Scorpius made me angry. He hadn't even been trying to accept him.
"It's alright. It wasn't really your fault."
"No, I should have tried harder not to say anything… insulting…"
I adjusted myself so I was looking him in the eyes. I wasn't going to let Scorpius feel completely guilty for the failure of my cousin's cooperation.
"It wasn't fair to force you guys into liking each other." I admitted. "But maybe Hogsmeade would be a good place to try again?"
"I don't know, Rose…" He ran his fingers through his hair, a gesture that brought a smile to my face. "Isn't this kind of like mixing two completely different potions together and making a dangerous solution?" He wiggled his eyebrows at his subtle attempt at humor as he quoted notes from our potions study sessions.
"Well, glad to hear that you've actually been listening when we're studying." I poked him lightly.
"I always listen to what you're saying." He prompted. I laughed in disbelief.
"Right, I'll remember that next time you're falling asleep when I'm trying to teach you important things—" I was cut off by his lips meeting mine suddenly.
We separated reluctantly.
"No more talking about potions. Please." He smirked. I looked around for Madam Pince, who surely would have us thrown out again if she had witnessed the kiss, but she was nowhere to be found.
"Are we safe from Madam Piss?" Scorpius asked jokingly. I swatted at him in exasperation.
"You're lucky she doesn't hear you." I scolded him with a smile. It was impossible to genuinely yell at Scorp now simply because his face purely said he didn't believe I was really angry with him.
We didn't remain in the library for much longer, choosing to pack up our things early and spend some time with our respective friends. I almost dreaded returning to the Gryffindor common room. Merlin knew what attitude Albus would be in when I got there.
Stepping through the portrait hole I was greeted by James and Hugo, both seated in front of the fire place and surrounded by females. After every game, whether Gryffindor had won or not, James would recap every moment in extraordinary detail to anyone who would listen. Numerous girls of Gryffindor tower would gather around him hoping to impress him with their often poor knowledge of Quidditch. Hugo always joined in simply hoping one of those girls would notice him instead. I rolled my eyes at the sight and headed towards Dominique, who was sitting at a homework table.
"Hey, Dom." I sighed, removing my bag.
"Rosie! You have to tell me what happened. Albus came in here fuming and wouldn't tell me what was wrong." Dominique babbled immediately. I gave a short explanation of the previous events as Dom's eyes widened.
"You told him?" She asked in disbelief. "I thought you didn't want anyone else to know!"
"I didn't." I answered sharply. "He sort of figured it out on his own. I just filled in the gaps for him."
"Well if I'd known that, I wouldn't nearly be as stressed as I am lately. This secret keeping has been getting to me." She said dramatically.
"Dom, you've been great." I assured her. She flipped her sleek hair over her shoulder in satisfaction as she continued to work.
I pulled out my own homework and happily turned my thoughts away from the rivalry between my cousin and my boyfriend to the magical properties of the number seven. Arithmancy had always been a favorite subject of mine.
The week that followed felt busier than ever. Now that Albus knew the secret, I felt more comfortable being around him and was able to finally feel like his proper cousin again. However there was always that air of awkwardness hanging about. We both knew the Hogsmeade trip was approaching soon which meant- to Albus's dismay- he would have to give socializing with Scorpius another go.
Al and I trooped down to Herbology together for a long class with the Slytherins. The weather was dreadful as usual; grey skies and a biting cold. It wasn't even December yet and it already felt like the middle of winter. I knew by the next Quidditch match, Hogwarts would most definitely be joined by snowfall.
We joined the rest of the Gryffindors, weighed down by faded red and gold sweaters and scarves. I pulled my own cloak more tightly around me and casually scanned the crowd to look for Scorpius in the Slytherin group. He stood near the entrance to the greenhouse with Hayden looking perfectly comfortable.
I envied his constant warmth. He was almost never bothered by the cold. Al, meanwhile, was struggling to keep up an air of comfort though I could tell his teeth were chattering in his mouth, which was clamped shut.
"Cold day isn't it, students?" Professor Sprout's voice carried over the wind. She came stumbling down the frosty grass in two coats and a pair of worn earmuffs that might have once been pink. She carried pruning shears in one hand and her wand in the other as she elbowed her way to the door of Greenhouse six. Tapping the lock sharply, the door opened slowly and the warmth of the greenhouse invited us in.
"In! Quickly now! We don't want to let the cold in!" We all filed through the doorway, grateful for the warm, damp air in the greenhouse. I removed my scarf and pulled on a pair of protective gloves at my station with Al and Dominique. Scorpius and Hayden were stationed directly across from us. I couldn't help smiling at him as he smirked in my general direction.
"Settle down, now!" Professor Sprout called. The room quieted and we all turned our attention to her. "Today we'll be doing something relatively simple. I'm going to pair you all up and you'll be pruning the fourth years' flutterby bushes today." Several students groaned. Pruning flutterby bushes was dreadfully boring work.
Still, Professor Sprout deposited a pot of the quivering plant at each station and made her rounds. Al, Dom and I got to work quickly, silently clipping the dead leaves. It was dull work and I longed to simply grab Scorpius's hand and drag him out of the greenhouse to explore the frozen grounds in a moment of solitude. Lately, classes and Quidditch had kept us separated and our tutoring sessions had become too important to Scorpius's grade to allow goofing off time.
As my thoughts began to trail away from Herbology and to more interesting subjects, Albus's voice cut through my daze sharply.
"So, Rose," he drawled from my left. I glanced suspiciously at him. His tone of voice was far too forced to be casual. "Seeing anyone lately?"
My heart stopped for a moment. Dominique sent him a look but he pretended to ignore it. I couldn't help but notice Scorpius casually listening in.
"What do you mean, Al?" I asked. Luckily, most of the class was chattering amongst themselves. However, a few students nearby had started tuning in to our conversation as well. Since when had my love life become so interesting?
"I mean you haven't been with any blokes since Robin, you know? And I was just wondering if there was someone we don't know about." Albus replied. I couldn't believe he was doing this. We had been getting along so well lately and I was starting to become hopeful about the weekend ahead. Now, those hopes were shrinking with every word Al uttered.
"A-Al, you know there isn't anyone. Now leave the topic alone." I said rather quickly. It broke my heart to see the look on Scorpius's face. I knew that he knew I was only saying that to protect our relationship, but it hurt us both to hear the lie out loud.
"You sure? A fit young woman like you should be breaking hearts everywhere she goes!" Al said, sounding very much like my Great, Great Auntie Muriel.
"Albus Potter, shut up!" Dominique snapped from my right.
I remained silent the rest of the class, the Weasley blush refusing to leave my face and tears pricking at my eyes. I did my best to keep up a front of comfort and bolted as soon as the bell rang. I waited outside the greenhouse for Scorpius. He was the only one I wanted to see.
Al came striding out, practically bouncing on his heels. He looked delighted, the bastard. Dominique rushed out immediately after him, swearing under her breath and fast walking to catch up with him. I knew she would comfort me later. I waited for Scorpius, hoping he wouldn't be with Hayden or too hurt by my comment earlier to talk. I fiddled with a strap on my bag as the wind stung at my face.
"Rose" A deep voice said. I looked up, hoping to see Scorpius and slightly disappointed when I was met by the face of Finley Thomas.
"Oh, hi Finley." I said politely. Now was really not the time for a conversation but I couldn't be rude and avoid him.
"Hey, I heard Albus earlier. Are you okay?" He asked. He seemed genuinely concerned.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. He's just a prick." I answered. I was hoping he would leave, but no such luck.
"It's bloody cold isn't it?" He remarked, glancing up to the sky. I nodded in agreement, pulling my cloak around me tighter.
"Bound to snow soon. Wouldn't mind organizing a snowball fight when it does. You game for one?" He asked.
"Yeah, sure. I'll let my cousins know too." I said flatly. Were we really going to talk about the weather?
"I should get going, really. My next class is way upstairs and I have to stop by the common room…" I trailed off.
"Wait! Um…" Finley looked uncomfortable and brought a hand up to the back of his neck. "I just thought, well… since I heard you're not seeing anyone right now… that maybe you wouldn't mind going up to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?"
I was shocked. Was Finley asking me on a date? A proper date?
"Um… I mean I'd like to, I really would!" I said quickly. How was I going to avoid this without mentioning Scorpius in my premade plans? "I'm meant to go with Albus this weekend. We've been planning some cousin time for a while and I really don't want to cancel on him."
I felt awful as Finley's face fell. He plastered a fake smile on right away.
"That's fine! Really, I'll just see you around." He turned on the spot and walked away, head bowed low.
I leaned against a nearby tree, feeling like I had just been defeated in a duel. How had my day gone so rotten so fast?
"You want me to hex him?" A familiar voice said next to me. I turned to see Scorpius looking at me expectantly.
I shook my head silently and moved closer to him, accepting his embrace as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Jesus, you're cold." He mumbled above me.
"No, you're just warm." I muttered. He chuckled and wrapped his arms tighter around me. Stolen moments like these were my favorites with Scorpius. The light banter, the cuddling. I just wish they didn't have to be so secret. I was getting exhausted keeping this relationship a secret.
"I'm really sorry I had to say that." I said. Neither of us had to elaborate, we knew what I was talking about.
"I'm sorry that arse hole of a cousin brought it up in the first place." He suddenly sounded angry. No, worse than angry— furious.
"He'll feel bad for it later. I just wish he was more mature sometimes. He acts like James too much."
"No, Rose. He isn't going to feel sorry for it later. He's going to be smug as fuck about it for the rest of the year and you know it!" Scorpius said in plain annoyance. "He should never have gotten involved with us."
I pulled back to look at him properly. Scorpius's eyes were clouded with darkness again. But this time, the darkness was accompanied by anger, not desire.
"Hey," I said soothingly, lightly tracing the dark circles under his eyes with my fingers. He hadn't been getting enough sleep lately with homework and practice at every turn. "I know its rubbish. But we'll get through it."
His gaze met mine and the darkness faded. The light grey returned, reflecting the color of the sky.
"I know." He pressed a kiss to my forehead, making my heart flutter. I had never pegged Scorpius to be one for intimacy, but I was really glad he was.
"What's your next class?" He asked in a light tone.
"Muggle Studies, why?" I asked.
"Do you really need to sit in a stiflingly boring class when you could be taking a private tour of the Hogwarts grounds with your fantastic boyfriend?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
"I don't know, maybe if I had a fantastic boyfriend I would think about it." I teased, ruffling his hair lightly. I started to walk up to the castle, swaying my hips a little more than usual.
"Hey! Let me rephrase that," He grabbed my wrist and spun me around. "You're invited to a private tour of the Hogwarts grounds with your sexy and overly confident boyfriend who knows for a fact that he is, indeed, fantastic."
"Mm. Do I have to go?" I teased again.
"Non-refundable ticket." And with that he pulled me into his side away from the greenhouses into the rest of my afternoon.
I entered the common room, trying to conceal the dazed smile on my face. I had actually skipped a class. I had actually skipped a class and run off with my boyfriend. I had snogged said boyfriend under the window of said class and run off giggling when there was movement at the window. I was definitely going through a sort of early, rebellious mid-life crisis.
"Rosie! Just the favorite cousin I wanted to see!" Albus spoke up from in front of the fire. I rolled my eyes, snapping out of my memories. Couldn't Albus tell I was not in the mood?
"Shove it, Al."
"Ooh, touchy darling Rosie dear! You should be thanking me right now!"
I marched up to him in obvious anger. "You have no right to be talking to me right now. You made a real twat move back there."
"Rosie, such language! I really think I might have to send an owl to Uncle Ron. Inform him of your vocabulary lately." He said smugly.
"Al, I swear to god…" I trailed off, tired of dealing with him.
"Before you go, I wanted to let you know that I fixed things with Finley for you." He said. I froze.
"You did what?"
"Finley Thomas came in looking— well, for lack of a better phrase, put out. So I talked to him. Would you believe he said you weren't willing to cancel your day with me to spend a day with him? I told him I wouldn't be an issue anymore and you were free for Saturday."
"Albus Severus Potter." I said in my most deadly voice. "You know that we had something very important planned for that weekend. You know that." Tears were pricking at my eyes again.
"Something important? It hardly matters at all. The idea is delusional actually." I knew there was a double meaning there and it stung.
"Don't talk to me again." I said in a tone that meant no kidding around. He looked a bit surprised, but kept his arrogant face strong. "You've betrayed everything." I stormed away from him.
Dominique saw me walking away in tears and led me upstairs to our dormitory. I struggled to explain what had happened as the frustrated tears took over. She sympathetically patted my back.
"Dom, you have to promise me that you'll force Albus and Scorpius to still be there on Saturday." I pleaded. She looked uncomfortable, but nodded nonetheless.
I knew that this weekend was my only chance at getting Albus and Scorpius to bond. If it failed, my relationship may have been over in the blink of an eye.
A/N: Ugh. So I know this doesn't necessarily make up for a four month long hiatus. I'm sorry guys Honestly, this story writes itself as I go along and while I have major plot points decided already, the ideas don't really come to me until I sit down and force myself to type. I swear I'll try to do that more! Okay so no more apologizing in my author's notes haha. What are your opinions on Albus? He's so much fun to write even though he can be a brat ;) Let me know what you think about him! Also let me know what you think will happen with Finley Thomas and the Hogsmeade weekend! Reviews make me update faster!
In fact, I'll make you a deal: Reviews make Albus and Scorpius best friends right away x
~yours in eternity x