"On the last day of potions my true love gave to me…"

Rose hummed to herself absentmindedly, finishing her last paragraph of the potions exam essay with a flourish. The two hours was nearly up, and it had taken her longer than usual to ace the exam. She was sure she aced it, but she was also sure that it was entirely a blonde Slytherin's fault that she was one of the last left in the classroom.

She had been more worried about his marks than her own, and she had glanced his way so many times over the course of the test that she was surprised Professor Ludwig had not reprimanded her for cheating. He knew she had no need to cheat, of course, and would easily assume her concern was for her pupil's success and reflection of her tutoring expertise. Little did he know that she was indeed concerned for her pupil but for far different reasons.

Rose continued to hum as she rolled her essay parchment and secured it with a bit of twine before taking the vial of her test potion in hand and walking them to the front desk. When she passed Scorpius's station, she heard him humming their memory tune and her smile widened, the secret of their friendship –and of the depth of her own feelings– tugging at the corner of her lips.

When she placed her potion and parchment on his desk, Ludwig nodded and received her submissions with a pudgy grin, then waved her on her way out the door. She turned and found herself mere inches from another student, nearly colliding with his green and silver emblazoned chest.

"Oh! Sorry, Scor," she apologized quickly, attempting to side step the young man. He, however, also stepped right.

When she stepped left, he stepped left, and the two continued in the dance an awkward moment longer before a laugh escaped them both. "Watch it, Weasley" he said, finally skirting around her. His tone was harsh, reminiscent of their many corridor tiffs from years past, but the light in his eye was playful.

Rose rolled her eyes at him and fought a smile, scurrying out into the hallway before anyone could notice. She was nearly to the stairs when she heard an "Oy, Weasley," coming from behind her. She would recognize that voice anywhere.

Scorpius jogged slightly to catch up with her, then fell into step at her side.

"So," she began, glancing up at him, "How do you think you did?"

"Piss poor probably," he sighed dramatically. "I had a rotten tutor. I blame her."

"Oh, hush," Rose laughed, elbowing him playfully.

He bumped her in return, his own laugh joining hers, and her heart began to pound twice as fast. "Fine. Better than poor, I think. Those bloody songs actually helped."

Rose grinned. She and Albus had been memorizing in songs since second year. "I told you they would. Now the rest of your exams will be a piece of cake."

She took four more steps before realizing he was no longer walking with her. Scorpius was frozen in the middle of the hall, a look of shock and horror on his face.

"What?" Rose asked quickly, concern rising. "What is it?"

"My other exams," he said, the color draining from his face. "I forgot about my other exams."

"You WHAT?!" Rose exclaimed, then immediately clamped a hand over her mouth as her voice ricocheted off the stone walls. "Merlin's beard, Scor!"

They had Charms later that afternoon, Herbology and Transfiguration the following day, and Defense Against the Dark Arts and Arithmancy would finish out the week on Thursday.

Rose began pacing. "Okay. Okay, there's not much we can do about Charms unless we lock ourselves in the library over lunch. Then you and I can work through the Herbology notes after dinner, and we…"

Her voice trailed when she heard a burst of laughter at her side, and she whirled to face him. The look on his face said it all: he was completely joking.

"Scorpius Malfoy, you arse!" she laughed, swatting him with her satchel.

Another chuckle escaped him as he threw up his hands in defense. "The look on your face," he smirked, fighting his laughter and skillfully regaining his composure "Some Gryffindor you are. Sure you don't really disappear Ravenclaw tower every night?"

"Oh, ha. Ha. Ha," she replied, her words dripping with sarcasm but her eyes dancing in delight. "I was going to help you, you know. Trying to save your arse from failing all your classes instead of just potions."

Scorpius folded his arms over his chest and raised a brow at her. "One, I'm not going to fail potions. And two, that's twice you've mentioned my arse now. Should I be concerned?"

Rose instantly colored. She may or may not have noticed that particular feature, but he needn't know it. Clearing her throat, she replied, "I called you an arse, remember? And you're right, you won't fail potions because I'm a bloody good tutor. Ravenclaw or not."

In the course of the argument, however playful, they had fallen back into step and worked their way to the end of the corridor. They paused at the large stained glass window, snow falling over the grounds on the other side of the colored panes.

Scor's smirk remained and he gave her a once over. "You're certainly no Ravenclaw."

Rose frowned and mimicked his posture, folding her arms over her chest. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Merlin, Rose," he chuckled, rolling his eyes. "You get mad if I call you one and mad if I say you aren't one. What's a guy gotta do to make you happy?"

Rose had been too surprised by the sound of her first name on his lips to pay much heed to the rest of his question. This rhythm had been easy to fall into and she hoped it never ended.

"Wouldn't you like to know," she replied with a smirk of her own, standing to her full height which still left him towering over her.

He seemed to ponder her reply for a long moment before shaking his head and letting his gray eyes roll once more. "Whatever, Weasley."

Her lips pursed together in a playful pout. "Arse."

"Know it all."

"Slytherin."

"Ravenclaw."

They both laughed, and then a comfortable silence settled over them. Rose rocked back and forth on her toes absentmindedly, and Scor ran a hand through his hair.

"So you really did study for your exams?" she asked finally. She couldn't help herself. Rose was willing to help him if he truly needed it.

Scorpius nodded, letting his gaze wander down the hall. More students were filing out of the potions classroom and headed their way. "I did. I'm not that stupid."

"I wouldn't be so sure," she teased, readjusting the strap of her bag.

"Ha, ha," he replied, unable to hide his grin. "I'll be fine. Thanks, though."

"You're getting good at that."

"What?"

"Saying thank you."

Scorpius made a face, but a grin lingered on the edge of his smirk. "Don't get used to it."

"I won't." The corridor grew louder as students headed their way, and Rose angled away from him, albeit unwillingly. "Well, I promised Al I'd help him study for Charms, so I should go. Duty calls."

"The mark of a true Raven." Scorpius held up his hands in surrender and added quickly, "Kidding. Of course."

"Mhmm…" Rose truly needed to meet Al, but she was enjoying this more than she should probably admit. "I'll see you in class though, yeah? And don't you whatever, Weasley me. I'm over that."

Scor grinned. "Whatever, Rose. And yeah. See you in Charms then. Good luck." With that, he turned away from her and made for the dungeons, but not without a glance over his shoulder.

"You too," she replied, though she doubted he heard her. She barely heard her own voice over the sound of her pounding heart.

Albus and Alice were among the approaching group, and her cousin quirked an eye at her as their friend looked on after the retreating Slytherin. "What was that about?" he asked, surprised.

"Nothing," Rose shrugged. "Talking bout the test."

"Godric, I bet you're glad you don't have to tutor him any more," said Alice, sighing in relief for her best friend. "He's an arse."

Rose laughed and followed the girl's gaze down the hall. Scorpius had just disappeared around a corner, though the memory of their exchange remained with her.

"Yeah, he can be," she finally replied, though when Alice linked arms with her and they started down the hall, Rose's thoughts were far way. Scorpius Malfoy could be an arse at times, but she also had a feeling he could be so, so much more.