When Scorpius got back to the heads common room, it was empty. He checked Rose's room, but it was, surprisingly empty. Rose's room was always colorful, with knick-knacks and treasures everywhere. For someone who was extremely organized, she was an extreme pack rat. For once, it was spotless, aside from her trunk sitting in the middle of the floor. Of course she'd already packed. It was almost curfew, though, so Scorpius couldn't help wondering where she was.

He tried to remember the last time they'd talked… She hadn't told him anything… It was the last night of school, where could she have gone? After about five minutes or cluelessness, he remembered.

"Lily!" He slapped his forehead with his palm. Of course, she'd gone to the Gryffindor dorm to help Lily pack. Scorpius slumped in disappointment. Rose would probably spend the night there, but he was hoping to have her there on their last night at Hogwarts. On their last night together.

He crept through the halls towards the Gryffindor common room. He spied the portrait of the fat lady, and she scowled at him as he told her the password Rose had told him. She begrudgingly let him in and he headed towards the girls dorm. Just as he was about to try walking up the steps he remembered what would happen when he did. He'd slide right down. McGonagall had thought of everything.

He slumped on the couch near the unlit fireplace. He heard a noise from one of the rooms and dove behind the couch to hide. "Rose" He whispered under his breath, seeing her standing there, alone at the top of the stairs. He knew in the dimly lit common room she wouldn't be able to see him. He thought about saying something, but she looked so beautiful there, he didn't want to ruin the moment. He watched her standing there, curly red hair pulled back. She sighed.

Scorpius was worried. She looked troubled.

Rose wandered down the steps and toward the couch. Scorpius stealthily moved away so she wouldn't see him.

"Scorpius…" She mumbled. "Scorpius Malfoy. Why must he be a Malfoy? Why must I be in love with a Malfoy? Why can't we just forget our families… I don't have to be a Weasley."

'Should I speak up?' Scorpius wondered silently. 'Or maybe I should listen just a little longer…'

"He's my sworn enemy. But… it's not him I hate… it's his name. What makes him a Malfoy? It's not his hair, or his eyes, or his body… Why can't he be anyone else? Why can't he have another name?" She thought of all the flowers he's brought her in the past few months. "That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet… It'd be the same with Scorpius… He'd be just as charming, just as sweet, just as handsome, with any other name. I'd love him just as much."

"Okay, I'll be whoever you want me to be." He whispered from behind the couch. She shot up, startled.

"Who's there?" She looked around frantically.

"I can't tell you what my name is." It was too dark for her to see him. "I hate my name because you hate it. If it were a person I'd use every unforgivable curse I know against it."

"Scorpius!" She threw herself into him arms and kissed him.

"No, not Scorpius, not if you don't want me to be."

"What are you doing here? If any Gryffindors see you, especially my boyfriend, they'll kill you."

"I don't care."

"Really?"

"Of course. Your boyfriend can kill me if he wants."

"My boyfriend… Oh Scorpius, what are we going to do?"

"Dump him. You don't need Lysander. Dump him and marry me. Rose, I love you. Please."

"You really love me?"

"I love you more than anything. Please just forget about Lysander. We can be together for ever."

"I don't think you've thought this through…"

"I'm serious. We're both adults, we've already graduated; we're allowed to leave Hogwarts whenever we want. Let's just go." He kissed her passionately, pulling her into an armchair.

"You're crazy. It's wonderful to imagine this life we could have together, but we should go to sleep. Good night."

"That's all you'll give me?"

"What else can I give you tonight?"

"The exchange of your love for mine."

"I gave you mine first, when you were so rudely listening to me."

"Sorry, I couldn't help it. Would you take it back?"

"Only if I could give it to you again."
"Rose?" Lily called from inside her room. "What are you doing?"

"I should go." Rose pouted. "Stay here, I'll be back in a minute."

A few minutes later, she reappeared, just as she'd promised. "Okay. So. If you really do want to marry me, we'll meet up tomorrow, and we'll leave. We'll be together forever." Rose smiled at him and gave him a kiss.

"Rose?" Lily called again.

"One second! Good night."

"Rose!?"

"I'll be there in a minute! Goodnight Scorpius. I'll see you tomorrow."

"I love you." He whispered to her.

"Goodnight." She smiled and disappeared into the room. He sat in the dark room alone, not wanting to leave her. He stood up and began to leave.

"Wait!" He turned around and there Rose was.

"You're back." He crushed his lips into hers.

"Scorpius." She murmured as she kissed him. "Where will we meet?"

He pulled away from her. "The common room."

"Okay…" She grinned. "I forgot why I needed to talk to you again."

"I'll stand here until you remember."

"I'll keep forgetting. All I can do is remember how much I love your company."

"Then I'll just stay here and wait."

"No. No, go back to your room. I'll spend the night with Lily and be back in our common room as soon as morning comes."

"I'll be waiting."

"Goodnight." She kissed him one last time and disappeared.

"Goodnight." Scorpius whispered to the empty room.